The countdown to Christmas has begun! To help you enjoy Christmas day, stress-free, we bring you this simple Christmas program to help you plan ahead:

THREE WEEKS BEFORE CHRISTMAS

• If you intend on making a traditional English Christmas Cake, do it now! Remember to add 2-3 tablespoons of brandy to the cake every week for three weeks.
• Order your turkey and/or sucling pig from METRO's butcher.
• Start planning what family and friend Christmas parties you will be holding.  If you’re going to be hosting the parties, it would be a good idea to finalise the dates from now. 
• Start planning your lunch or dinner menu for those parties that you will be hosting.
• Don’t wait until December to begin decorating! Now’s the time to decorate your tree, home and any outdoor area.
• Write your Christmas cards.
• Send off any Christmas cards that need to go abroad. Post offices are very delayed over this period.

TWO WEEKS BEFORE CHRISTMAS

• Send all those gifts and Christmas cards that need to go off through the post from now.
• Purchase your wine and any other alcoholic beverages for the Christmas festivities.

ONE WEEK BEFORE CHRISTMAS

• Bake your traditional sweets:  melomakarona, foinikota, buns, Christmas cake, and so forth.
• Do a general spring clean of your home.
• Buy your gifts and start wrapping them.

THREE DAYS BEFORE CHRISTMAS

• Polish your cutlery, find your serving utensils and wine glasses.
• Finish wrapping all gifts.

TWO DAYS BEFORE CHRISTMAS

• Begin preparing all the food to be served on the day, including anything that needs to be marinated in the refrigerator.
• Make sure you have new batteries for your camera and camcorder.
• Start setting the dining table for Christmas dinner.
• Buy any fruits and vegetables that will be used for Christmas lunch or dinner.

ONE DAY BEFORE CHRISTMAS

• Finish all cooking of food, salad preparation, and any other dishes that will be eaten on Christmas day.
• Rest and enjoy your family on Christmas Eve!