When it come to the Christmas season are you a procrastinator? Do you leave gift and food shopping and decorating until the last minute? My mother-in-law is constantly telling me that I have no sense of time and she is right for the most part.

I am not an early bird of any kind and I am certainly not one of those people who buy all their Christmas presents in the January sales, and have them wrapped with beautiful ribbons and bows by October.

And I usually write all my cards after Christmas so I can tell friends and extended family how the season was.

I know that I am not alone. In fact, many women are embarking on a syndrome known as Pre-Christmas Tension, (PCT).

Its symptoms are a mounting sense of panic each time someone mentions words such as shopping days, an inability to eat, sleep or think coherently, a tendency to rush in and out of department stores during a lunch hour without actually buying anything, and an urge to karate chop anyone who says: "So are you ready for Christmas yet?'' No matter how many times you promised yourself you'd be well organised this year, if you are one of the thousands who has suddenly realised the days until Christmas are dwindling rapidly, and you still haven't done anything then don't despair! According to psychologist Debra Sanders, the pressures of modern living mean more of us are leaving things to the last minute than ever before.

Despite feminism, Christmas preparations still tend to be left very much to the woman in any relationship, and with so many women working as well as running a household, it's very difficult to find the time to get organised, she says.

In an ideal world, a couple of days would be set aside early in the month for all the preparations.

In the real world, many people find the stresses of trying to accommodate all the extra work required for Christmas almost intolerable.

For many professionals in areas like health, banking, restaurants, and certainly at the newspaper, this is one of the busiest times of the year.

In an attempt to help all those who haven't posted their cards (or even bought them), chosen presents or stocked up on groceries, below is a rough guide surviving the Christmas stampede.

The most important thing to remember is that, one way or another, you will survive the festivities.

Keep cool, keep calm, and don't worry if things aren't exactly as you'd like them to be.

First, make a list of everything you think you need to do in the relatively short space between now and Christmas Day.

Then cross off all the things that don't really need to be done in that time.

If, for example, you are visiting relatives in the New Year, you could always buy their presents AFTER Christmas. They won't know the difference and you may find them on sale.

Now prioritise the jobs on the list into categories such as cards, presents, food, booze, decorations, invitations and so on.

It may still look like enough work to keep an army occupied for several months, but you have several secret weapons at your disposal, including the telephone, late night opening and convenience food.

Cards: If you haven't posted any yet, don't leave it much longer. Of course there's still plenty of time to deliver them by hand, which is fine for friends and neighbours, but no good when it comes to relatives living abroad.

There are several other options. Faxing festive greetings to business acquaintances doesn't look terribly professional, but if you can come up with a funny, self-deprecating message, you might get away with it.

Christmas cards via e-mail are a good idea - as long as the recipient has a computer of course! Alternatively, send New Year greetings cards instead. No problem.

Presents: No, you are not too late. There is plenty of time to sort out thoughtful gifts for your nearest and dearest. The key here is to know before you set off what you want, how much it's going to cost, where you are going to buy it and how you are going to wrap it.

It's time to make another list of everyone you need to buy for, together with a rough idea of how much you intend to spend on each person.

Once you've got your revised list in your hand, you can set off for town knowing exactly which shops to visit and how much you're going to spend.

Food and drink: The shops will be heaving, but time is on your side.

The supermarkets are so well stocked that you should be able to get everything you need for the big day, bearing in mind that it's worth getting some extra shopping in to tide you over the extended holiday period.

Perhaps you should give some consideration to having your wine and spirits delivered to your door by Gosling's; this will save lugging them from the store and into the car, bike, bus or boat. If you choose this plan remember to order as early as possible.

Unless you feel a moral obligation to cook a proper turkey, few guests will complain if you opt for a less time consuming version like a turkey breast which takes about two hours and a bit rather than four or five hours for a whole turkey.

It is the companionship and tradition of sitting down together for the Christmas feast that is important, not what's on the table.

If the atmosphere is right, no one will care if you've bought frozen Yorkshire pudding. Just offer plenty of fat free brown gravy to pour over it. Most men seem to love that gravy! Decorations: So what if you haven't done your house up like something out of Martha Stewart's country mansion.

A sprig of mistletoe over the door, a few fairy lights and some greenery in the living room are all you need.

If anyone questions the lack of home-made wreaths or suchlike, simply tell them that you're trying to get away from commercialism and into the true spirit of Christmas.

Have a wonderful time! Beat the PCT with some organisation. If you can't do it this year there's next year.

After it is all over, exhale, throw on your Bermuda shorts and go for a long walk on Warwick Long Bay. If you have a dog, take the critter along, on a leash of course.

Another alternative might be a little hand line fishing off the rocks with your family. Your child will love it even if you don't catch supper! A Yesteryear holiday: Don't worry if your table does not look as lovely as this at Washington Irvings's estate in Tarrytown, N.Y. It is set as it was when the 19th century author lived there and it is one of the Hudson Valley's historic properties open for candlelight tours during the holiday season.