Its less than 2 months to the big day, 6 weeks, 43 days to be precise. Have you thought about it yet? If your anything like us a PURE HQ (we’ve had our heads in Christmas since we took out flip flops off in July) Christmas Kits, Gift Vouchers and Festive plans is all we have been talking about but don’t worry if you have not taken some time to plan because we have the Essential Christmas Planning List for you from your friends at PURE.
6 weeks before (12th-18th November) – Lists and Calendars
Get a calendar or diary. Everyone’s social calendar gets bigger on the run up to Christmas and you will need a place to keep track of your plans as well as the rest of the family! Make a note of all parties, get togethers, events so you can plan ahead. Agreeing venues for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year at this stage will make your planning at lot easier too!
“Book your party beauty treatments early. Whether it’s your office party or a night out with friends, book your appointments for your party essentials early to avoid disappointment. PURE’s Party Promotions treatments for £22 include all of your must-have party treatments!” says PURE Director Becky Woodhouse
Budget. It’s silly to begin spending money without looking at your finances. The festive
season should be full of joy not stressing over money. Plan your budget for Christmas so you can spread the spending over the next 6 weeks. PURE has lots of great value beauty and spa packages as well as gift kits to help save money this Christmas.
“Try and think of everyone. Mum, Dad, Sister, Brother, Boyfriend, Girlfriend, Gran…the list is endless but thinking of everyone and making a list means you don’t have the mad dash to the shops on Christmas Eve and will also help your bank balance if you spread the costs out over the next few weeks. You can get more gift ideas for everyone with the PURE Christmas Gift Guide available in salons now” says Maggie, PURE Group Senior Therapist
6 weeks before Xmas is the perfect time to write lists. Even if you are not a ‘list person’ you will thank us for this top tip. You will need to create the following lists on week 6:
- Christmas Gift List
- Christmas Card List
These lists are slightly different but will include similar people. It is a good idea to make them separate. And a great tip is to keep your lists every year in a safe place for reference!
If you plan to travel to see loved ones at Christmas and you have’t bought your travel tickets for Christmas do so now! Capitalise on earlier cheaper rates and a guaranteed seat!
Speaking of tickets book your events for the Christmas period and add to your calendar! Everyone loves show or a panto at Xmas with the family but book your tickets for quality
family time early to get a day that suits everyone.
5 weeks before (19th-15th November) – Start Buying (essentials)!
Buy your stationary. This is the time to buy Christmas Cards, Gift Wrap etc. And please don’t forget the essential sellotape! We’ve all been in a sellotape nightmare during Christmas. Make sure you have enough to last you!
Keep an eye on last posting dates! Waiting in a post office queue on the last delivery date is infuriating. Plan ahead. Dates differ according to countries. Last posting dates for letters and packages can be found on www.royalmail.com/christmasparcels. Add these dates to your calendar.
With posting dates in mind its a good idea to get your Christmas Cards written and posted. You will beat the posting rush, guarantee delivery, tick one thing off your list and
save money by using 2nd class stamps!
Think about your Christmas Menu. Do you need to order any food? Ordering food usually have tight deadlines so think about this now.
Picture this…you have the family together, you have the tree up and your fairy lights have died since last year – cue mad dash to the supermarket! Don’t let this happen. Check your decorations early so you can plan to buy your new decorations or replacements from 2011!
1 Month Before (26th-2nd December) – Treat yourself!
You’ve done well so far! Your lists are getting ticked off nicely now its time to treat yourself! Its easy while thinking of Christmas to ignore yourself but this is not the way to have an enjoyable time. Take some time out and have a pamper to put things in perspective! Lyn, Manager of PURE Lothian Road says, “Treat yourself! This is something we are very good at, at PURE! We know how necessary it is to take some ‘Me Time’ during stressful times of the year. 30 minutes of relaxation at a spa or at home can work wonders for your mind and well-being during the Xmas chaos!” Book a beauty or spa treatment at PURE.
Check your calendar. How many events do you have? 6. How many outfits do you have that are adequate? 3. Get shopping and planning your outfits! It is usually around a month before Xmas that the shops will start drip feeding discounts so make good use of these. Remember a different accessory can make that LBD look brand new! And also remember your ‘Little Black Dress’ Leighton Denny Collection to complete your look!
This is a huge debate at PURE HQ. When do you put up your Christmas tree? “12 days before Christmas” “1st of December” “I already have my tree up!”, someone’s eager! Its completely up to your preference when you put your tree and decorations up, we have added it to week 4 as we love Christmas lots at PURE!
A month before check opening times of your local shopping centre, supermarket and favourite stores. Full details on PURE’s Opening Hours will be posted soon…
3 weeks before (3rd-9th December) – Shop Online
Online shopping has boomed over the last few years and Christmas is a great time to use it wisely! A lot of online stores offer a ‘select a delivery date’ service which guarantees the delivery of your item to suit your plans. This means that you can plan deliveries for a day when you are at home. “Remember online! Christmas is the best time to make use of online shopping with busy shops and bad weather. www.purespauk.com has a great selection of skincare and nail care gift sets and gift vouchers for beauty and spa days with free delivery so you don’t have to move a muscle!”
Buy your Emergency Gifts! You know what we mean! Those universal gifts you have hidden under your bed, pre-wrapped for people that give you something when you haven’t got them a present in return. This is something very important! Chocolates are always a fail-safe (you get to eat them if you don’t use it) but Bespoke PURE Gift Vouchers are just as good. A bespoke gift voucher or a massage gift voucher is perfect for absolutely anyone and will save those red faced moments!
Clear out cupboards. This might be the last thing you think about doing on the run up to Christmas, but try and get your Christmas Big Shop in the cupboards that are already full! Have a clear out to make room for the countless jars of mincemeat and stuffing that you will buy.
2 weeks before (10th-16th December) – Double Check
Consult your calendar and lists. Have you bought everything yet? If not, don’t panic! This is why we have put it in week 2. You have plenty of time!
Write your food and drink shopping list. This may need some re-works so start it now so you can look over it a few times. You could plan your Christmas Big Shop for this week too, leaving perishables for later.
1 week before (17th-23rd December) – Last minute jobs
Email Vouchers are perfect for last-minute gifts. PURE Marketing Executive Heather says “e-vouchers from www.purespauk.com can be with you quickly over email, perfect for gift that you forget! Plus you will get a lot of brownie points for giving a PURE gift voucher rather than hand-me-down gift from last year!”
Remember to buy your perishable food.
Cleaning is one of the worst chores but it is something that needs to be done! As its the festive season of goodwill encourage others to help out, kids, husbands etc. ‘Many hands make light work!’
Christmas Day
NOW RELAX! You have made it! Its Christmas Day and you can rip up your lists and chill with your loved ones! Now what was all the stress for! Christmas is one of the best times of year, Enjoy it!
Have a Sensational Christmas! Lots of Love
PURE xxx
Do you plan your Christmas differently? We would love for you to share your top planning tips with us!
