Getting ahead with your planning for Christmas is the ideal way to lessen the stress in December. The festive season can get super stressful and overwhelming very easily.
So we created a simple Christmas planning checklist to help get you thinking about your Christmas.
The idea of this list is to help you start planning for the holidays whether you are hosting Christmas dinner, decorating the house, or searching for the perfects gifts. The checklist will help you start planning now.
Because when you get ahead with Christmas planning you can enjoy the festivities more!
Why You Need a Christmas Planning Checklist
Planning for Christmas involves a lot of moving parts. From buying gifts and wrapping them to planning meals and sending out Christmas cards, it’s easy to forget something important. Having a checklist ensures that nothing slips through the cracks, and you can approach the holiday season with less stress and more joy.
The Christmas Planning Checklist breaks everything down into manageable steps, so you can stay on top of tasks each week.
What’s on the Christmas Planning Checklist?
This planning checklist is designed to be a simple yet effective way to help you start thinking about your Christmas plans. It is not as detailed as some of our other plans such as the Ultimate Christmas Planner, but it will get you started.
Each of us have different ways of planning, whether it’s a simple pen and paper list, or something more advanced like a spreadsheet. Use whatever tool feels most useful to you personally.
Starting from early preparations in October all the way through the final weeks of December, you can do your Christmas prep bit by bit in a more manageable way.
How to plan for Christmas
Here is an idea of how you can plan and prepare for Christmas:
1. Early Preparations (October – Early November)
Set a Budget: Decide how much you want to spend on gifts, decorations, and food.
Make a Gift List: Write down everyone you need to buy for and brainstorm gift ideas.
Plan Your Festive Schedule: Map out any key dates for family events, school activities, and work functions.
Start Stocking Up on Essentials: Purchase wrapping paper, Christmas cards, and any non-perishable items for the holiday season.
Book Any Travel or Accommodation: If you’ll be traveling over Christmas, finalise your plans early.
2. Mid-November: Getting into the Festive Spirit
Start Your Shopping: Begin buying gifts, focusing on any items that may sell out or need to be ordered online.
Decorations: Start planning your decorations – whether it’s a fresh new theme or reusing favourite ornaments from past years.
Meal Planning: If you’re hosting Christmas dinner, start planning the menu now. Make sure to include planning for side dishes, desserts, and drinks.
Send Invitations for Christmas Parties or Gatherings: If you’re hosting any holiday events, get your invites out early!
3. December: Countdown to Christmas
Prepare Your Home: Start deep cleaning areas where you’ll be hosting guests.
Finish Gift Shopping: Aim to wrap up your shopping by the first week of December to avoid last-minute stress.
Wrap Gifts: Get ahead by wrapping gifts as you go.
Send Christmas Cards: Mail your cards by mid-December to ensure they arrive in time.
4. Week Before Christmas: Final Touches
Shop for Fresh Ingredients: Make a grocery list and pick up any perishable items you need for Christmas dinner.
Prepare Guest Rooms: If you have guests staying over, make sure their rooms are ready.
Bake and Freeze: Prep any desserts or baked goods that can be frozen ahead of time.
Plan Your Table Settings: Decide on your table decor and ensure you have enough seating and dinnerware.
5. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day: Enjoy the Moment!
Last-Minute Wrapping: Hopefully, you’re done by now, but if not, finish wrapping any last-minute gifts.
Set the Table: Lay out your beautiful Christmas table settings the night before
Relax and Celebrate: You’ve done the hard work, now it’s time to enjoy Christmas with your loved ones.
Coming soon: Digital Christmas Planner
Along with this checklist, I’m launching a Digital Christmas Planner available for download in my shop. This planner includes even more detailed breakdowns of each task, space for meal planning, gift tracking, and more. You can use it digitally or print it out and keep it handy as you prepare for the season. It’s the perfect tool to make this Christmas your most organised and enjoyable one yet.
Make Christmas 2024 Your Best Yet
With the Christmas Planning Checklist, you’ll be ready to tackle the festive season with confidence. No more last-minute panic – just a well-organised, festive, and fun Christmas. Download the checklist today, and start planning now so you can spend more time celebrating with the people who matter most.
To download you need to join the mailing list to get access to our subscriber-only, free resource library. The checklist is available in both A4 and US letter sizes!
Happy planning, and here’s to a stress-free, magical Christmas!
Christmas Planning Checklist