How Many Sleeps Till Christmas? Your Foolproof Festive Plan For 2020

Ok guys, fair enough, it's officially time to wake Mariah Carey Up and stick the mulled wine on...

How Many Days Till Christmas?

by Rebecca Holman |
Updated on

It’s 13 days till Christmas which means it’s officially time to wake Mariah Carey up and warm up the the mulled wine. No? Too soon? In case you're wondering how long till Christmas, we're bringing you a week-by-week guide to gradually easing yourself into the festive season. Because in the midst of global pandemics and nationwide lockdowns, we're all looking for a distraction this year - how many sleeps till Christmas 2020 is already a breakout search trend on Google.

A new survey by American Express reveals that nearly a third of British adults have already started their Christmas shopping this year - with two fifths starting their Christmas shopping earlier than previous years. A big reason for this is people’s desire to keep costs down this year and making the most of deals and offers. The most common items bought so far? Gifts (69%), cards (33%) and wrapping paper (24%).

Christmas prep: December

It's officially the start of advent! (actually the first date of advent was on Sunday and falls on a varying Sunday each year, fact fans). However, our advent calendars all start, without fail, on the 1 December, which means you've probably opened day one today. If you're still in the market for this year's calendar, don't forget to check out our guide to the best beauty advent calendars out there, including Grazia's very own12 days of Christmas beauty box, which, at £125, is worth over £500.

Christmas prep: November

Black Friday is almost upon us - that's the last Friday and traditionally the Friday after Thanksgiving in America, where retailers mark down their prices in the run up to Christmas. This year a combination of lockdown and an apparent desire to go hard on Christmas have experts predicting that this will be one of the biggest online shopping days, EVAH. In the meantime check out some of the best early beauty Black Friday deals, as selected by Grazia, and the best Black Friday fashion deals, here.

Still not sure exactly how weird Christmas is going to be this year? Check out our guide to what a lockdown Christmas 2020 may or may not look like. And in the meantime, the Covid Christmas merch has inevitably landed - check out some of our favourites below...

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Coronavirus Christmas Merch - Grazia

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Semriver 2020 Christmas Ornament

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Personalised Elf Coronavirus/COVID Isolation Quarantine Box For Kids

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Wood slice Christmas decoration

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Pack of 10 'Elf & Safety' Christmas Cards

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Pack of 6 Covid Christmas 2020 Cards

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LXHcool 2020 Cov_id Quarantine Survivor Family of 3 Christmas Sweatshirt

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Funny Christmas Pandemic Card

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Wishstar Survived Family Ornament Xmas

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Fuck Off Covid - Christmas Decorations 2020

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Womens Christmas Top

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Funny 2020 Covid Christmas cards - pack of 4

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Baby it's c.o.v.i.d outside ugly christmas Sweatshirt

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2020 You'll go Down In History Shirt

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Rtwrtne 2020 Ornament

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Stay Ho Ho Home Sweatshirt

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The Year We All Stayed Home Christmas Decoration

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Santa, Jingle Bells, Snowman Mask

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Covid Christmas 2020, Family Matching Christmas Shirt

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Baby Its COVID Outside Christmas Card

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Merry quarantined Christmas 2020 pack Sticker

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Covid Xmas Tree Decoration

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Pack of 3 A6 Christmas Cards

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Covid Christmas Jumper

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Christmas Fairy Lights Face Mask

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Christmas Time Social Distancing and Wine Classic T-Shirt

The elves at google have told us that searches for Christmas gift guides are already up, and if you're already wondering wtf to get everyone this year, then look no further than our Christmas gift guides for 2020. We've got all thebest gift ideas for the amazing women in your life, the best Christmas gifts for beauty lovers, the best personalised Christmas gift ideas for that tricky-to-buy for customer, the best Christmas gift ideas for your mum, and the best feminist gift ideas, from amazing Ruth Bader Ginsburg tributes to the perfect gift for the baby feminist in your life.

Check out the full Christmas gift guide here:

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Christmas gift guide 2020

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Christmas beauty gifts

This year has been tough, but it has turned a spotlight onto the importance of self-care and wellness. And these are two things we happen to know rather a lot about. And, of course, Christmas wouldn't be Christmas if we didn't receive a shiny, luxe surprise in the form of a Christmas beauty gift – even if that means treating ourselves.

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Personalised Christmas gifts

If you're looking for personalised Christmas gifts to show your nearest and dearest that you've put a lot of thought into your Christmas shopping this year, you've come to the right place. Whether you're looking for a small token (a candle, for example) or something more heartfelt (jewellery, perhaps), added personalisation can turn any gift into something even more special.

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Christmas gifts of food and alcohol

Help make the festive period that bit merrier for your loved ones (and you, of course) with our guide to Christmas food and drink gift ideas. The perfect excuse to crack open a bottle of something delicious and an irresistible snack or two.

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Christmas presents for mums

We're very proud of our guide to Christmas presents for mums, because can be a daunting prospect, trying to find a gift for the most important woman in your life. You've tried family photos, you couldn't possibly buy another bath bomb and it just doesn't seem quite good enough to present her with potpourri, however much she may profess to like it. With that in mind, we have compiled the ultimate guide filled with special, personal presents that are far superior to any of the above. Whether you're buying for your mum, your step-mum, your godmother or otherwise, her Christmas present is well and truly in the bag...

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Best Christmas gifts for women 2020

We have really come to realise the true value of our friends during this challenging (erm, actually, plain awful) year. And lucky for them, 'tis the season to show them just how much you care. Whether you're looking for unique gifts for the lady in your life, for your sister, girlfriend, wife or if you just need a gift for your favourite woman friend, we've hunted down the very best Christmas presents for her, whoever she us.

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Feminist Christmas gifts

Girls just wanna have fun-damental human rights? Damn right. So why not celebrate this with our guide to the best Christmas gifts for your feminist mates. Whether they are more into statement jewellery, bold prints or boob cushions, we have the lot covered- no matter what your budget. We've curated a selection of which some help support female artisans from around the world, while others simply scream 'CAN'T HOLD US DOWN'.

Christmas prep: October

I'm sure by now you're wondering whether it's even worth going to all the hassle this year, with lots of talk afoot about whether Christmas is cancelled. Check out our guide to whether Christmas really is cancelled this year, for advice on how to have a Socially Distanced Christmas in the era of the Rule Of Six.

29th October - Nigella Lawson's new book Cook, Eat Repeat has just launched, as well as being the perfect gift for any foodies in your life, it's also filled with new recipe ideas - perfect inspiration if you're planning a full-on Christmas cooking fest.

And while we're at it, let's all take a moment to remember Nigella's iconic bucket turkey, proving no-one does Christmas quite like she does.

Christmas prep: September

If you were worried that Christmas isn't going to be a 'thing' this year, don't panic, the guys at Aldi are all over it, releasing their Blood Orange & Gin Mince Pies, alongside last year's big fave, their Salted Caramel Crumble Mince Pies (both £1.79 for a pack of six.) And the really exciting news is that they're already available in store, which seems like as good a reason as any to get practicing for December now...

Christmas prep has already begun in earnest. John Lewis bought forward the launch of their Christmas shop by a week this year, as Dan Cooper, Partner and Christmas buyer tells us. 'This year we brought forward the launch of our online Christmas shop by 10 days to August 24th in response to the high level of customer searches on our website for Christmas products. We anticipate that some of our customers will choose to shop earlier this year in order to enjoy a more relaxed run up to the big day.’

Cooper also reveals that sales of wrapping paper are also on the up:' All in all we can already see customers getting themselves organised for a bumper Christmas, with sales of wrap well ahead of last year. As customers are wrapping as they go rather than leaving it until the last minute.'

And another thing, Mariah Carey’s autobiography, The Meaning Of Mariah Careyhas just been released - which seems as good a time as any to get All I Want For Christmas Is You back in rotation on your Spotify playlist.

And finally, Netflix have already announced this year's Christmas movies, featuring none other than Dolly freaking Parton, so rule of six or not, at least that's our viewing sorted. Check out the new films to watch on Netflix for Christmas 2020 below:

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New Christmas films on Netflix

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CREDIT: Netflix

Holidate

Emma Roberts stars in this film about two strangers, Sloane (Roberts) and Jackson (Luke Bracey), who hate the holidays. Fed up with being single during the festive season, they agree to be each other's plus-ones — platonically — all year long. This is a Christmas rom-com, though, so we can guess where this ends up… 28 October

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CREDIT: Netflix

Jingle Jangle

Set in the festive town of Cobbleton, Jingle Jangle follows legendary toymaker Jeronicus Jangle (Forest Whitaker) as he works with his granddaughter, Journey (Madalen Mills), to create an invention that could change their lives forever. 13 November

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CREDIT: Netflix

The Princess Switch: Switched Again

Fans of Netflix's Christmas classic The Princess Switch will be happy to hear there's a sequel being released this year. This time, Vanessa Hudgens plays three characters, as Duchess Margaret and Stacy deal with lookalike party girl, Fiona. 19 November

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CREDIT: Netflix

Dolly Parton's Christmas on the Square

Don't worry, Dolly Parton is here to save 2020. Regina Fuller (Christine Baranski), an extremely wealthy and unhappy woman, moves back to her hometown following her father's death. Her plan is to evict everyone and sell the land to a mall developer, until she rekindles the spark with an old lover and is visited by an angel (Dolly Parton, who else?) just in time to save Christmas. Dolly's even released a song to go along with the film. 22 November

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CREDIT: Netflix

The Christmas Chronicles 2

The Christmas Chronicles 2 picks up two years after the first film left off: Kate is now a cynical teenagers being forced to spend Christmas in Cancun with her mum and his new boyfriend. However, after trying to run away, Kate is reunited with Santa Claus and pulled into an adventure to save Christmas when magical troublemaker Belsnickel threatens to destroy The North Pole for good. 25 November

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CREDIT: Netflix

Robin Robin

This stop-motion short film will tell the story of a bird who has been raised by mice trying to figure out where she belongs as she sets on an adventure of self-discovery. Coming soon

If you’re not quite there yet, check out our guide to giving your house an Autumn makeover, which is the perfect segue into the festive season.

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Autumn Home Decorations - Grazia

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Rattan Stag Outdoor Christmas Figure, £229.99

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Faux Pumpkin, £11

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Bonsai Wood Door Wreath, £20

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Orange & Grey Geometric Cushion Cover, £24.99

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Autumn Maple String Lights, £6.99

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Whaline Fall Pillow Covers, £11.99

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Fall Wreath for Front Door, £14.99

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Mystic Moments | Lavender French Essential Oil, £3.99

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Heritage Plush Velvet Curtain, £56.78

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Dry Wheat Grass Bouquet, £4.99

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Trailing Ivy Garland, £6.99

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Cinnamon Stick Yankee Candle, £23.99

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Artificial Maple Leaf Garlands, £12.99

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Artificial Autumn Fall Maple Leaves Garland, £12.99

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Rose Gold Battery Operated LED Halloween Pumpkin, £31.99

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MIULEE Pack of 4 Fall Maple leaf Autumn Linen Cushion Covers, £18.99

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Fireplace Lamp, £12.95

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LED Reindeer, £99

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Leaf Bush, £15

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Reindeer String Lights, £13.99

Alternatively if you are chomping at the bit to get started with Christmas (anything to herald in the end of this God-awful year, amirite?) then check out our definitive ranking of the best Christmas adverts of all time.

In the meantime, here’s where some of the stars of your favourite Christmas movies are now, don’t miss Yomi Adekoke’s piece reflecting on Netflix Christmas movies’ appeal in these troubled times, and we reflect on why, exactly, so many of us are obsessed with Christmas this year.

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