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| Christmas countdown |
| Our House wishes you a relaxing and stress-free festive season! Here's some tips... |
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Christmas is just around the corner and there's a lot to organise. So, Rebecca's put together a simple checklist and some handy suggestions to help provide a relaxing and stress free festive season.
Christmas Trees
- Last year there was a "run" on real Christmas trees and many families were left with the old plastic variety. So, if you're into the real thing, make sure you place your order early.
- Don't forget to buy a stand for your Christmas tree.
- Look for Christmas tree distributors on the Internet or in the Yellow Pages and don't forget to ask about delivery costs.
- Ask your supplier for tips to keep your Christmas tree looking great during the festive season. John Manenti of the Johnny Appleseed Tree Farm says your tree should be watered every day. He also recommends dissolving a soluble asprin tablet in the water for a longer lasting Christmas tree.
Grocery Shopping
- Seafood is a Christmas favourite in our hot climate, but you need to get in early. The Sydney Fish Markets will have 36-hour trading on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday before Christmas, to cope with heavy demand.
- If you live in the country, keep an eye out for a portable fishmonger. They visit country areas on a regular basis and take orders. Your local supermarket may also take orders, but don't forget to ask how fresh it will be on arrival.
- You can avoid the supermarket altogether by shopping on-line, but make sure you find out how the goods are transported. Are the delivery trucks refrigerated?
- Some retailers offer pre-Christmas specials for buying in bulk so shop around.
- Late night or extended shopping can help. Check your local stores for opening hours during the Christmas period.
Food Preparation
- Ask your butcher if your turkey will be frozen or thawed when you pick it up — this will impact on cooking time.
- If you don't want to spend the day in the kitchen, order your meat pre-cooked.
- Make your Christmas pudding early — it tastes better with a few weeks vintage.
Restaurant Bookings
- If you're tossing in the tea-towel this Christmas then it's important to book a table at your favourite restaurant well ahead of time.
- Many restaurants offer set Christmas menus, so ask around and check prices.
- If you have children, ask what facilities are available and let the restaurant know if you will need a high chair or booster seat.
- Confirm if the restaurant is BYO or licensed and ask about their loading/corkage policy for Christmas day.
Gift Shopping
- Don't leave shopping until the last minute — you are more likely to panic buy and overspend. It pays to plan ahead.
- Make a list of people you need to buy presents for and plan your purchases before you hit the stores. Work out a budget and stick to it.
- It's a good idea to buy some extra bottles of wine and chocolate boxes for those unexpected guests or forgotten presents. They also make great stocking fillers.
- If you want to avoid the Christmas spending spree, layby goods in advance and pay them off throughout the year.
- Some on-line shopping services will wrap and deliver your gifts for a small fee. It's a great time saving idea and you can avoid those long queues at the post office.
Photography
- A photo of the kids with Santa makes a great present. Again, make sure you get in early, so there's plenty of time to post them to your friends and family.
- Some kids are a little overwhelmed when meeting Santa for the first time. Adrien Dreyer, 'Santa's Grotto' photographer at Bridgepoint Shopping Centre, suggests families make a few trips to the Santa photo area before the big day to ensure children feel comfortable and to get the best possible photos.
Postage
- The postage price for Christmas cards is 40 cents. This rate applies to seasonal greeting cards in a sealed envelope and endorsed with the words Card Only. This rate is only available during November and December.
- You've literally "missed the boat" if you wanted to post your parcels by sea this Christmas. This is the cheapest option for overseas. However, there's still time to send your parcels Economy Air, which takes 2 weeks to a month.
- Allow extra time if you're visiting the post office. This is the busy season and there's bound to be a long queue.
- If you need a gift delivered in a hurry, Express Post is your best option. Of course, this isn't the cheapest.
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More Info
Christmas trees, stands and skirts available from the Johnny Appleseed tree farm.
1 Julian Place
Arcadia NSW 2159
Ph/Fax: 02 9653 1626
www.christmastrees.au.com
Bridgepoint Shopping Centre
1-3 Brady Street (cnr Military Road), Mosman, NSW, 2088
Ph: (02) 9968 1889
They will have Santa, 'Santa's Grotto' and photographer, Adrian Dreyer, in store 10am to 4pm from early December.
Adrian Dreyer Photography
PO Box 1957, Strawberry Hills, 2012
Ph: 0419 972 606.
The Mosman Storehouse
Level 1, Bridgepoint Shopping Centre
1-3 Brady Street, Mosman, NSW, 2088
Ph: (02) 9968 2890.
David Jones Limited
General Customer Enquiries/Christmas - extended shopping hours
Ph: 13 3357.
Don't forget to enter ninemsn's Wicked Christmas Competition. There are new prizes to win every day, plus a grand prize of a $10,000 online shopping spree.
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Disclaimer
All Fact Sheets and other material on the Our House website are provided as a general information service only and should not be relied upon as a substitute for the advice of a properly qualified tradesman. Neither ninemsn nor its licensors (including the Nine Network) assume or accept any responsibility for, and will not be liable for the accuracy or appropriate application of any information whatsoever in any Fact Sheet or other material on the Our House web site. Your use of the Our House web site is governed by this disclaimer and the ninemsn's Terms of Use.
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