The 7 Christmas tips that will save your sanity

IT’S can be the most stressful time of the year, but these simple tips from a professional organiser will make getting through the silly season a breeze.

IF ALL you want for Christmas is your sanity intact, perhaps it’s time to heed the advice of a professional organiser.

Deanne Sharp, 46, has three boys, works four days a week and is expecting up to 20 people at her home on Sydney’s northern beaches this Christmas.

To make sure she gets to enjoy herself too, she has seven rules she follows — and she’s happy to share.

1. “If you are having guests over on Christmas Day, delegate,” she says. “People expect to bring something these days — don’t feel it is all on you. Guests like being told what to do, so don’t be shy. It’s not being bossy, it’s being organised.”

She said make sure each person or family is responsible for a dish, such as nibbles, a cheese plate, starters, and chocolates, while you provide the main.

People want to enjoy the day together, and they’re happy to bring a dish

2. Cook meat the night before and prep the salads, which will save you a lot of time on the day, especially if you have little kids and want to enjoy the morning with them.

3. Make sure you have planned for all the meals for the Christmas period, so you know what you’re eating for breakfast and later on in the evening.

4. As for presents for the wider family, Ms Sharp suggests a nice restaurant or a day out.

“Attitudes are changing” she says. “People don’t want to waste $30 or $40 on a platter plate or a candle they suspect will never be used and end up in the back of a cupboard.

“Wouldn’t it be much nicer to buy some expensive champagne as a treat and enjoy a nice meal out?

“Of course, you can still buy presents for all the children in the family.”

Try giving experiences instead of presents that will never be used

5. As for her own three boys aged 8, 10 and 13, she asks them to write a list of what they want in November.

“Now they’re older they know what they want,” she says. “The last thing you need is for your child to say on Christmas Eve they really want something you haven’t even thought of.”

6. Ms Sharp says technology can help and swears by The Christmas List app which allows you to compile gift ideas for each person and keep a check of how much you’re spending.

Then she buys everything in a couple of trips and wraps two weeks before Christmas so she doesn’t end up doing it all the night before.

7. Of course, being a professional declutterer, one of her main tips is not to hang on to unwanted gifts after the big event just because you feel guilty about getting rid of them.

“Even if it’s something your mum bought you, if you are never going to use it, she will know anyway,” Ms Sharp says. “So, re-gift or donate to a charity shop, because what you hate, someone else will love.”