We know what you’re thinking: It’s too soon to start planning for Christmas. It’s barely even October! I just put my Halloween decorations up! But before you know it, you’ll be packing up the giant skeletons and oversized spider webs from outside your house, and the full-on sprint to the holidays will commence. And that means if you want a worry-free, hassle-free Christmas, you need to act now.
Here’s how you can plan and prepare for Christmas before it’s too late.
Christmas shopping made easy
October, in fact, often is the best month to shop for Christmas gifts. Many retailers ― including 1-800-Flowers.com ― have extended their holiday shopping season, meaning it’s in your best interests to start Christmas shopping early. Gone are the days when you had to wait until after Thanksgiving for the best deals: You can get all the popular holiday offers, including Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and doorbuster deals, right now.
The first step in the process is creating a holiday budget and Christmas shopping list. Your budget should include all the gifts you need to get for family, friends, neighbors, coworkers, teachers, and everyone else on your list. You should also include expenses for holiday decorations, Christmas cards and stamps, gift wrapping, holiday outfits for the family, your charitable donations, travel costs, and anything else you’re planning on purchasing. Add a small buffer for incidentals, and make sure to track your purchases and expenses so you stay on budget.
Christmas planning checklist
To help you plan and prepare for the most important details of this holiday season, we’ve put together a Christmas planning checklist. Follow these steps to avoid the stress of having to get everything done and to make this year’s holidays cozy and relaxing for the whole family.
12 weeks to Christmas – Oct. 2
Make your Christmas shopping list and create a holiday budget.
Start projects on any homemade Christmas gifts.
Take advantage of early Christmas doorbuster deals.
10 weeks to Christmas – Oct. 16
Start Christmas shopping early to avoid crowds and shipment delays.
Plan your family Christmas traditions and activities on your holiday calendar.
Take a family photo to include with your Christmas cards.
8 weeks to Christmas – Oct. 30
Start Christmas shopping in earnest…Black Friday deals are already here!
Talk with your family and decide on when and how you will meet during Christmas.
Update the address list for your Christmas cards.
7 weeks to Christmas – Nov. 6
Order your Christmas cards (or make your own), address labels, and stamps .
Check your Christmas supplies and order any decorations you might need.
Stock your pantry with nonperishable items, alcohol, baking goods, and other essentials.
6 weeks to Christmas – Nov. 13
Clean, organize, and donate items to charity (especially toys and winter clothes).
Make Christmas ornaments and other holiday crafts to decorate with.
Order holiday gift wrap, tags, bows, and other necessities.
5 weeks to Christmas – Nov. 20 (Thanksgiving week)
Mail your care packages and gifts to family and friends.
Order your fresh Christmas tree or visit a Christmas tree farm.
4 weeks to Christmas – Nov. 27
Get your Advent calendar ready ― it starts Dec. 1!
Mail your letter to Santa; it must be postmarked by Dec. 7.
Put up your Christmas tree and holiday decorations to get in the Christmas spirit.
3 weeks to Christmas – Dec. 4
Make a gingerbread house, go ice skating or sledding, or enjoy a walk in the woods.
Finish Christmas gift shopping by placing your last-minute online orders.
Wrap presents that are ready and hang up your stockings by the fireplace.
2 weeks to Christmas – Dec. 11
Plan your Christmas Day menu and test any recipes you’re unsure about.
Host an ugly Christmas sweater party with friends and family.
1 week to Christmas – Dec. 18
Listen to your favorite holiday tunes and finish wrapping Christmas presents.
Bake Christmas cookies to share with neighbors, family, and friends.
Finalize your holiday menu and go grocery shopping.
Christmas Eve – Dec. 24
Make hot chocolate, light a fire in the fireplace, and have a Christmas movie marathon.
Enjoy baking, crafting, or playing games, or read a Christmas classic (such as “The Night Before Christmas”).
Go for a walk or drive to see the neighborhood Christmas lights.
Have kids open their Christmas Eve boxes or exchange a small gift.
Leave Christmas cookies and milk for Santa (and carrots for his reindeer).
Christmas Day – Dec. 25
Wake up to gifts from Santa, and exchange gifts with family members.
Enjoy your favorite Christmas traditions with family and take memorable photos.
Sing Christmas carols or watch a favorite holiday movie and relax with loved ones.
Call or Zoom with long-distance family and friends to wish them a merry Christmas.
Write thank-you notes or make a list of what you received so you can write them later.
AUTHOR
Kasia Lorenc is a writer and editor at Personalization Mall, covering gifting, home decorating, and more.