Advance planning is the key to a smooth-running Christmas. Find out how iVillage members and experts get ready for the big day

1. Cash in your rewards
My tip is to save your supermarket savings stamps! Now that most supermarkets do more than just food; it really is worth filling up some cards with stamps through the year and saving loyalty points so that in November and December you can go on a spree with "free" money, and obviously get more of what you want/need!
raecheybaby

2. Get cracking!
I buy my crackers just after Christmas when they are all reduced, and usually get a couple of really nice boxes of luxury ones dirt-cheap. I then put them away with my Christmas decorations for use the following year. The same also works with tableware (papercloths, napkins etc).
dippyhippy

3. Remember what you've bought!
If you buy presents through the year like I do, make sure you keep a list of what you've bought and who it is for. This saves buying a present for someone you've already bought for.
fiona881

4. Get sprout and about!
Last Christmas we did our food shopping in the early hours of Christmas Eve morning (we'd been to the cinema and everyone was wide awake!). The place was empty, the staff were chasing each other with silly string, and it was a dream of a shopping trip. Of course this only works if you've got older children and a 24-hour supermarket near by! Certainly beats fighting for the last bag of sprouts on Christmas Eve morning!
cl-goddness_thrin72

5. Cut costs the easy way
I save all my Christmas cards from the previous year, get a pair of pinking shears and cut up the cards to make instant gift tags!
cl-divineretribution

6. Make a list
Avoid a stressful supermarket scrum by planning ahead. Make a list and try to buy non-perishable items on a normal shopping trip in advance. Things in tins or packets will happily keep in the cupboard. Making a list is the best shopping tip.
Cooking Coach, Terry Farris

7. Sneaky shopper
We cook the Christmas cake in November and buy most of the non-perishable food, chocolates, tape, cards and paper throughout the year. We don't see most of the family until after Christmas so we can shop in the Boxing Day sales and nobody knows!
cl-jj.jazz

8. Military operation
I hate Christmas shopping and treat it like a military operation. Last year I compiled a gift list noting which shops to get them in, and even planned my route to ensure that the heaviest items were bought towards the end of the 'spree', to avoid carrying stuff around unnecessarily! I might sound completely obsessed but I did get all my Christmas shopping done (including wrapping paper, bows etc) in under three hours. I then took myself off for a celebratory glass of champagne.
iVillager Dorothy

9. Festive brainstorm
Brainstorm all the Yuletide jobs you need to do, then put them on your noticeboard. Mark them off as you do them, or add if required. Have a countdown with final dates too, and always give yourself an extra day to get everything done.
cl-letoile2002

10. Shop online
Buy your children's Christmas presents online. I find it hard to shop with my little boy in tow. By shopping online there's no way he can see his presents! Plus I can't drive so it saves time having things delievered.
cl-supermumuk