The holiday season definitely sneaks up fast and there is so much to get organised, especially if you are hosting on the big day.
That’s why planning for Christmas, and giving yourself plenty of time, is key.
If you can spread out those festive tasks and to dos, you will actually enjoy all of the festivities in the build-up to Christmas Day.
I used to not do anything until December 1, then in a mad rush, have to decide on gift ideas, buy the gifts, wrap them, figure out how much food we needed and make a plan for who’s going where.
This is a recipe for disaster – especially if you are on a budget. Doing anything in a rush inevitably will lead to you spending more.
So I hope to help you avoid my mistakes with this easy planning checklist, which you can download and print for free. It spreads out all of the tasks across a reasonable timeline, meaning more joy, less stress and fewer last-minute expenses.
If you have landed here and it’s already November or early December, do not panic! I hope this list will help you order your thoughts, even if you are starting after October.
How to plan for Christmas
The idea of planning for Christmas, with a list, is that you not only never forget a thing, but you can also enjoy the process. All that you need to do is laid out in front of you.
When making your plan, you need to consider things like:
- Where you are spending Christmas Day
- If you are hosting Christmas Day, how many are you hosting?
- Is anyone staying with you and what supplies will you need for them?
- How much food do you need to buy and what is your budget?
- Who do you need to buy gifts for?
- How much is your budget?
- What other plans do you have during December and where do those fit into your calendar
- Your family traditions – these could be totally free traditions like going together to choose a tree or decorating the house, or traditions that cost money such as visiting Santa or some Christmas lights. When will you fit them in and how will you accommodate them in your budget?
With those broad things to consider, use this checklist to help you stay on top of all that organisation.
Christmas planning checklist
This checklist is organised week by week starting with the first week in October. Do not worry if you are late to start, just adjust your own timeline and keep ticking off the tasks as you go.
October
Set a budget
You need to know what you can afford right away. All other plans come after you decide what you can afford.
I do not believe in paying for Christmas that is beyond your means and spending all of next year paying it off. Who needs the stress?
Figure out now what you have for Christmas, and then consider how you can make that budget pay for the things you need and the things that are nice-to-haves.
Gifts and food are probably pretty high on your list. New decorations maybe don’t fit into your budget if it’s tight.
Figure out what’s affordable, and maybe make a plan now to boost your budget. You can do various things to make extra cash before Christmas such as:
- Signing up to survey sites – you can do surveys in the evenings
- Decluttering and selling your unwanted stuff
- Finding a side hustle – use your skills and see if you can grab extra work in your spare time.
Consider logistical plans
The next step is to figure out where you are going on the big day, along with when you will fit in seeing all of the people you want to see.
For some families this is very simple, but for others the decision on who goes where can be controversial.
Start these conversations early and manage expectations now, and this way you can make a plan that hopefully pleases everybody.
If you are hosting Christmas then you will have more to do than if you’re heading to someone else’s. However, you may still want to contribute to the occasion, so consider whether you can bring in a side dish or a dessert to help out.
Create a gift list
Who do you want to buy gifts for? Write down a list of everyone you need to get gifts for, including family members, friends, co-workers, school teachers and neighbours.
Write this down to get you started with a plan for how your budget can cover these gifts.
I like to assign a set amount to each person. Our kids are the ones who we spend the most on.
This is also often a good opportunity to suggest a no-gift pact with family members if your budget is tight. To be honest, I absolutely love a no-gift pact among adults. Most adults have all the stuff they need, and you buying them more stuff for the sake of it is probably far less valuable to them than you being able to afford the Christmas season.
Book travel or accommodation
If you are going away for the Christmas period then make sure your flights, trains and hotels are booked now.
Give yourself time to research the best prices, so that you are not booking last-minute and stuck with the priciest options.
Declutter toys and clothes
This is the perfect time to get rid of the stuff that you don’t need, and even make a little extra money.
Set aside 30 minutes a day to go through one area of the house, and move through your home over the course of the week. You will be amazed at how much you can get rid of in 30 minutes.
You may need to be ruthless here, as for some people letting go of stuff is hard.
If it hasn’t been played with or worn or used in a year, then it’s probably not essential to you.
Jot down gift ideas
Next you want to jot down your gift ideas for the people on your list. Some people will be easy, such as teachers who we often just buy a voucher for.
However others will be complex, such as your children’s gift lists. Take time to consider what gifts they need, as well as things they will enjoy.
I like the three-gift rule, where you focus on something they want, something they need and something to read. You can of course get them more than three gifts, but try to use these three categories as a guide.
Check gift wrap and tags
Ensure that you have all of the gift wrap, tags, tape and gift bags you need for the holiday season.
You can often find wrapping supplies on offer. It is a little annoying that the best offers are usually on Christmas Eve – but take this as a reminder to stock up THIS year on Christmas Eve for NEXT year!
Gather addresses for cards
Make a list of the people you would like to send Christmas cards to and ensure you have their up to date addresses.
This make require a few phone calls or texts so doing it now means you have time to get your list in order.
Schedule family photo session
If you like to take a Christmas photo for your family card then now is the time to get it in the diary.
Organise festive family outings
Over the Christmas month we will usually visit a Christmas lights display and/or go to visit a Santa’s grotto. This often requires booking in advance, so get it done in October.
This means you will get your preferred dates, and aren’t left scrambling around for alternatives.
Start buying gifts
Now comes the fun, the start of gift shopping. I like to get started with this in October as it gives me time to research prices and seek out the best deals.
It also means I am not shopping in one big panic at the start of December.
This way I can take my time, consider my options and find the perfect item for each person.
Brainstorm menu ideas
By now you may have an idea of where you will be on Christmas Day and how many people you may need to cook for – along with any other Christmas socialising you will be doing.
Make a list of the events you will be hosting at home and plan out menu ideas.
For me Christmas Day meal is easy – it’s always turkey and all the trimmings. However it’s the appetisers and snacks we often change every year.
Do your research now and find something new. I find Instagram is a great source for new recipes, and you can create a Saved folder, title it Christmas, for all the recipes you love.
Note all events in your calendar
Don’t be caught out in December! This tends to be a very busy month so enter every event you need to remember into your calendar now.
For things that require you to remember to get something done, I suggest setting alarms do remind you too.
Start DIY gift prep
If you plan to make any of your gifts then now is the time to do it.
I made Christmas chutney one year, and it took around a whole afternoon to cook and then jar what I had made, as well as design labels.
Give yourself time to get this done, and gather supplies right now.
Get cards
Order your Christmas cards online or buy them so they are ready to be written.
Also make sure you have plenty of stamps for all of the mail you will be sending.
Look at food delivery booking
Food delivery slots for Christmas will be released at various different times, but typically in November.
Find out in October when you need to be booking your food delivery slot, and set an alert in your calendar to remind you so that you do not miss out.
Start collecting non-perishables
Now is a good time to stock up on essentials, as your grocery bill is likely to be pretty steep in December and this spreads the cost as well as the effort.
If you are hosting, you’ll want to stock up on:
- Toilet paper
- Kitchen roll
- Cleaning supplies
- Candles
- Soap and other care essentials for guest rooms
- Laundry detergent
Plan Elf on the Shelf ideas
Start thinking about what ideas you want to do for Elf on the Shelf now so that you can gather any supplies and props you may need.
I have tons of Elf on the Shelf ideas, plus free printables, for you to use.
Prep home for holiday decor
If there is any work to be done to get your house ready for decorations then start that right now.
It could be that you need hooks or ties in order to hold up decorations, or that some things need to be put away to make space. Do this groundwork ahead of time.
November
Begin writing Christmas cards
These days I don’t write a ton of Christmas cards, but I can remember my parents used to send dozens every year.
If you have a long list to get through then start writing them in November with the aim to have them all done by the end of November. Then you can do 15 minutes every now and then to work through your list.
Finalise menu
If you are hosting then finalise exactly what you will be cooking so that you can create a list of ingredients you will need to buy or order.
Don’t forget to check in with guests about dietary requirements before you complete your menu.
Start stocking filler shopping
I love shopping for stocking fillers – it’s almost more fun than shopping for the actual gifts.
Look for fun and quirky things, as well as practical treats.
I personally like a stocking to include:
- Something cosy – such as some new PJs or a pair of socks
- Something to read
- Something to do – such as a puzzle book or game
- Something fun – such as a cool fidget toy
Buy teacher gifts
If your kids are in school then get the teacher gifts now. I personally like to get teachers a voucher, as I feel like they get a lot of stuff over Christmas.
However I also think it’s nice to get your kids to create hand-drawn cards or write nice messages thanking them for all their wonderful teaching. Give yourself time to get this organised.
Make/buy advent calendars
Whether you put together your own advent calendars or buy them, now is the time to get them sorted. I like to have ours by the second week of November at the latest.
Start wrapping gifts
Now comes the big moment when you can get started with your wrapping.
I set aside around 30 minutes a time to do a batch of gifts,
Finish buying Christmas gifts
I like to finish all my key gift buying by the end of November. There may still be emergency gifts I need to pick up in December, however the lion share of it is out of the way before December 1.
Clear out your freezer
Make way in your freezer for the frozen items you will be purchasing and leftovers from Christmas.
If your freezer is full then make a meal plan for the end of November/start of December to eat all of those things up. Your budget will thank you for it!
Book haircuts/beauty treatments
If you want to have your hair or nails done for example before Christmas Day then get it booked in the diary now.
This way you can ensure it fits in with all of your other commitments. Don’t forget to book your kids in too if needed.
Buy batteries
There’s bound to be some gifts that require batteries, so stock up on the key ones right now.
Finish wrapping gifts
I start my gift wrapping in early November and like to be all done before December 1. There may always be the odd thing, such as stocking fillers, that comes later on.
However this is really key for me to getting ahead for Christmas.
Confirm food delivery dates
Make sure your food delivery dates are booked and you have made all the plans needed for your order.
December
Put up tree and decorate home
I know that many people like to put their tree up much earlier than December these days, which of course is totally fine!
We still put ours up on December 1, but if you want to change the date then do it.
Review stocking contents
Make sure you have everything you need for stocking fillers, you still have plenty of time for shopping now.
Pick outfits for events
Whether your December is packed with social occasions or has just a few key ones, plan your outfits now so you aren’t worrying ahead of time.
Review what you already have in the wardrobe, so that you avoid overspending on brand new party outfits if it’s not in your budget.
Confirm plans with loved ones
In early December ring round your family and double check the plans are all on. It’s a good idea to also confirm timings at this stage, so that you know when to expect everyone.
Prep freezer-friendly food
There are a ton of things you can prep ahead of time and stash in the freezer. This will save you time on Christmas Day.
You can do this with roast potatoes, along with any appetisers or desserts you may be making.
Deep clean key rooms
Now is a good time to deep clean your whole home before your guests come over on Christmas Day.
Pay particular attention to the key rooms you will be using. Use this task list in each room:
- Dust – surfaces, light fixtures, banisters, picture frames, etc
- Vacuum carpets
- Clean rugs/carpets (if you have a carpet cleaner)
- Vacuum soft furnishings
- Wash hard flooring
- Scrub sinks, baths and shower trays
Deliver gifts to friends and neighbours
Drop gifts round to the homes of friends and neighbours or arrange to see them ahead of Christmas Day, when it’s likely most people will be busy with family.
Food shop
Whether your food is being delivered or you are going to the shops to get it, try to get the bulk of food shopping out of the way ahead of Christmas Eve, when the shops will be crazy.
There are of course some fresh produce items you will want to wait to buy until the last possible moment, such as your veg and meat.
Make up Christmas Eve boxes
If you are doing a Christmas Eve box then make sure you have everything you need and all items are wrapped and in the box ready to put out on Christmas Eve.
Finish any last-minute wrapping
If there are any gifts you bought last-minute then wrap them ahead of Christmas Eve.
Finalise table decorations
Whether you are making the table decorations or buying them, make sure you have them ready ahead of the final countdown to Christmas Day.
This is also a good time to iron table cloths and napkins so they are ready for your guests.
Tidy up house
On Christmas Eve, spend an hour tidying up and getting your home ready for visitors.
Once the gift swapping starts then you’ll have a lot of paper and stuff around, so try to ensure you have space for opened gifts, plus room in the trash to clear away the paper.
Prep veggies ahead of time
You can chop and peel your veggies on Christmas Eve to save time on the big day. Anything you can do ahead of time is going to make your day much more enjoyable.
Charge phones and cameras
You will want to take lots of pictures of happy family memories so make sure that phones and cameras are fully charged and ready for Christmas Day morning.
Enjoy yourself!
That’s it! With all of the prep done, it’s now down to you to enjoy yourself, and don’t forget to put out a snack for Santa and his reindeer on Christmas Eve.
Printable Christmas prep checklist
You can download your free Christmas countdown checklist right here.
Have a very merry Christmas!
