How To Plan For Christmas Early
Christmas is only weeks away. Instead of being full of joy, Christmas can be a full of stress instead. It doesn’t have to be that way. To ease the hustle and bustle of the holidays, you need to plan for Christmas. Yes, you need a game plan. A schedule to keep you on track .
The following tips will show you how to plan for Christmas early.
Grab your planner or a notebook and let’s get started to a less stressful Christmas.
Tips To Plan For Christmas Early
- Make a gift list
- Set a budget for food and gifts
- Inventory gift wrap, tape and ribbon
- Address Christmas cards
- Plan your Christmas decor
- Make a cleaning checklist
- Prepare food ahead of time
- Declutter toys and clothes
- Begin buying gifts
Planning and lists go hand in hand. I don’t think you can have one without the other. First, let’s get started with what I think is the most difficult list.
The Gift List
This is the hardest part to plan for Christmas. The gift list. So, it’s best to get it done first. Then everything else will be a piece of cake!
Make a list of who you are buying for.
When your who is completed, decide what you are going to get them. You don’t know? Ask them. This is very important. Gifts are more appreciated when there is thought given to them.
Be sure to write down the gift beside each name. Take your list with you when you go shopping.
Make A Budget For Food and Gifts
You absolutely need to set a budget for food and gifts. Overspending for the holidays will only increase your stress level. Knowing what you can afford will make it easier to enjoy the holidays.
Once you have your budget in place, then you can plan for how and when you will spend it. Mark your dollars as spent in the appropriate list. For example, your gift list should include the amount allocated as well as the amount spent.
Do the same with your food list.
This will help to keep you accountable and resist the temptation to overspend.
Inventory Gift Wrap Supplies
It’s best to take a look and be sure to have plenty of gift wrap before you are ready to wrap presents. Don’t forget the tape and ribbon.
When I am wrapping presents, I don’t want to stop in the middle to run to the store. Taking inventory of my wrapping supplies is a must for me.
Address Christmas Cards Early
Christmas cards are one of the areas that seems to slip up on me. I like to have my cards in the mail at least two weeks before Christmas.
That doesn’t always happen. I seem forget how little time I have to get cards in the mail. That runs the risk of the cards being late.
This is my solution:
Go ahead and get them addressed and stamped at least a month early. Put a sticky note on the bundle as a reminder to get them mailed on a specific date. I like to place the bundle of cards and gifts that need to be mailed in a central location.
I also like to put that date in my planner as another reminder.
If you need to mail gifts, be sure to include these with your Christmas cards. Or you may need to mail gifts earlier so they get to their destination in time.
Plan Your Christmas Decor
Decide when you will put out your Christmas decorations. Inventory your decor to see what you might need to buy this year. You can see how I decorate for Christmas on a budget for some ideas to make the most from your holiday decor.
Depending on how long you like to keep out your decor, you might want to consider this as a top priority.
I like to have my Christmas decor up on Thanksgiving weekend.
Create A Holiday House Cleaning Schedule
This plan for Christmas definitely includes cleaning.
To make entertaining easier, having a cleaning list will make sure your house is neat and tidy for family and guests.
I have some cleaning tips for you that should help with the least amount you need to do. For a deeper clean, you should schedule these tasks out during the weeks ahead.
Don’t over burden yourself by leaving all the cleaning to the last minute.
Make a cleaning checklist in your notebook or planner.
Decide what needs cleaning and when. Then noting it in your planner or other calendar. Check off each task as it is completed.
By the time your company arrives, you will have a clean house. Thanks to your plan for Christmas.
Prepare Food Ahead Of Time
By prepping and freezing your holiday food, this will allow for more time to spend with family. Using your food plan, decide what can be made ahead and frozen.
You can bake and freeze cookies ahead of time. Cakes and pies as well. Just make sure to follow the recipe directions for freezing.
Declutter Toys And Clothes
Now would be a good time to go ahead and clean out toys and clothes. You could then donate them. During the holiday season, many programs are looking for gently used items.
This is an area that you will be grateful to have done before Christmas. Then it will be easier to put the new toys and clothes away.
Begin Buying Or Making Gifts
Take advantage of Black Friday sales and buy gifts early. Scout out the best deals by referring to the gift list you made earlier.
When ever you’re out shopping, keep an open mind for gifts.
If you are hand making gifts, the craft stores also have good deals.
By planning for Christmas now, you will be well on your way to a less stressful holiday.
What would you add to this list?