Christmas 2026 Countdown: A Week-by-Week Planning Checklist

Written by NeilFounder, Custom Prezzy

Christmas Day falls on a Friday this year, which leaves a short working week beforehand. The trick to a calm December is to do the jobs that take time first, and the jobs that cannot be done early last. Here is a simple countdown you can follow.

Now to the end of November: plan and order

• Write your gift list. Names down the side, a budget and an idea for each. It stops overspending and last-minute panic.
• Order personalised gifts now. Anything made to order, including personalised items, needs time for production and delivery. Ordering in November leaves a comfortable buffer.
• Check who lives far away. Gifts going abroad need to be posted much earlier than UK parcels.
• Decide on the food. Count heads, order the turkey or other main, and clear some freezer and fridge space.

First week of December: cards and wrapping

• Buy or write your cards, and keep an address list from year to year. See our guide to what to write in a Christmas card.
• Gather wrapping paper, tape, labels and bags before you need them.
• Wrap anything that is going in the post first.

Mid-December: post everything

Royal Mail publishes recommended last posting dates for each service every year, and the Post Office does the same for the couriers it works with. These dates are recommendations rather than guarantees, they differ by service and destination, and they change from year to year, so always check the current ones rather than relying on last year’s. International parcels usually need to go much earlier than UK ones. You can check the dates on the Royal Mail website and the Post Office guide.

The week of Christmas: the turkey

This is the job most people leave too late.

• Defrost in the fridge, never at room temperature. Food Standards Scotland says to allow 10 to 12 hours per kg, so even a 4 kg bird needs almost two full days. Put it on a tray on the bottom shelf. A larger bird needs longer, so if in doubt, start earlier, such as Monday 21 December.
• Follow the packaging first. If it has no cooking instructions, the Food Standards Agency’s rule is to cook an unstuffed bird at 180°C (160°C fan, gas mark 4), allowing 45 minutes per kg plus 20 minutes for a turkey under 4.5 kg, and 40 minutes per kg for one between 4.5 and 6.5 kg.
• Check it is cooked. The thickest part, between the breast and the thigh, should reach 70°C for two minutes.
• Cook the stuffing separately. It is safer and makes cooking times more reliable.
• Foil and browning. Cover with foil, then uncover for the last 30 minutes to brown the skin.
• Leftovers. Reheat until steaming hot all the way through, and only once.

The full guidance is on the Food Standards Scotland turkey cooking guide.

Christmas Eve: the calm before

• Peel vegetables, lay the table and set out serving dishes.
• Write the plan for Christmas Day on one page, with oven times and who is doing what.
• Put out a notepad, so anyone who offers to help can have a job.

Personalised Christmas Letters Keepsake BookPersonalised Christmas gifts

For more ideas, see our stocking filler ideas and our family Christmas traditions guide.

Frequently asked questions

When should I start preparing for Christmas?

Late October or early November is ideal for gift lists and made-to-order gifts. Cards and parcels are best done in the first half of December.

How long does a turkey take to defrost?

In the fridge, allow around 10 to 12 hours per kg, so a 4 kg turkey needs almost two days. Never defrost at room temperature.

Are last posting dates guaranteed?

No. They are recommended dates and can change, so post earlier where you can and check the Royal Mail and Post Office websites for this year’s dates.

Merry Christmas,
Neil