How many sleeps until Christmas? The countdown to the big day begins
CHRISTMAS might seem a long way away, but it's never too early to start planning for the festive season.
Before long, we'll be ripping our presents open and catching up with family, so let's take a look at how we can get set for the festive season in time for Santa. See our Christmas countdown clock below.
Will we get a White Christmas?
While the UK hasn't woken up to widespread snow on Christmas morning since 2010, some forecasters have hinted that following recent unpredictable weather conditions, there may be a snowy Christmas on its way.
Click here for the latest weather updates as the festive season approaches.
And Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without a trip to the pantomime - there are some crackers planned for this year.
Celebrities will be teaming up in huge seasonal extravaganzas - so make sure you book your tickets to the latest shows in time!
When the time comes, you'll need to have all your answers prepared for those awkward questions about Santa and show the children how to track his progress on Christmas Eve.
But however you decide to approach Christmas this year, you'd best get cracking soon because it'll be here before we know it!
Pre-Christmas checklists - are you prepared?
Christmas will soon arrive in stores, with supermarket shelves stocking up with festive treats.
Whether you’re a pre-planner who thinks about Christmas all year long, or you’re one of those do-your-shopping-on-Christmas-Eve types, there’s no denying the appeal of preparation and reaping the benefits come December 25.
Shopping for gifts and food, decorating the home and even deciding what to wear to festive parties can take days.
How can you prep for the festive season?
December:
- Time to declutter your home, especially if you are hosting over the holidays - make space for them and the tonnes of gifts you'll be blessed with this Christmas by getting rid of what you no longer need
- Get those decorations up and start feeling the festive joy
- Give yourself some precious time outside the kitchen by preparing festive bakes in advance - gingerbread, un-iced cakes and cookies can all be baked ahead and stored in the freezer
- Time to order that turkey and all your other Christmas dinner essentials to beat the crowds and feel smug
- Finalise your shopping and get gifts wrapped, freeing up your time to enjoy the season in the week leading up to Christmas and ensuring that no-one is missed off the gift list
- Leave all your fresh fruit and veg shopping until the final week before Christmas - it's a good idea to get it all delivered to beat the supermarket rush
How long does it take to plan Christmas?
HERE'S the breakdown on how long it takes to prepare for Christmas:
The Christmas Dinner, including shopping and cook times – 5hrs 36mins
Where to travel and how long to stay at each place – 3hrs 32mins
What to wear to the Christmas party – 3hrs 23mins
Your Christmas decorations – 4hrs 02mins
Hosting a Christmas party – 4hrs 41mins
What time to take as annual leave from work – 3hrs 44mins
How to keep the kids entertained during their school break – 5hrs 07mins
Your outfit for the big day itself – 3hrs 20mins
Buying and wrapping presents – 8hrs 01mins
Sending Christmas cards – 3hrs 58mins
General festive budgeting – 4hrs 38mins
LATEST ON CHRISTMAS
How can I track Father Christmas?
Usually, focuses on defending US airspace but every December it does a very important job – helping children track Father Christmas’ journey from the North Pole.
From December 1, you can use the to "track" Santa’s festive journey.
- which becomes available on December 24.
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