Christmas To Do List + 6 Tips for a Less Stressed Holiday Season

It’s time to think HOLIDAYS! Get organized for the holidays this month, so you do not have to feel so overwhelmed in December! Here is a Christmas To Do List to help you stay on track this holiday season.

HOW TO GET ORGANIZED FOR THE HOLIDAYS

The next two months will be so much fun but, I’m sure you can relate that, these weeks can also be very crazy. Between hosting holiday dinners, buying presents for everyone, ordering Christmas cards, you name it, our to-do list can make us pretty stressed out!

Every year, I use a Christmas To Do List so that I can check off as many holiday tasks as possible. If I spread out the holiday responsibilities over two months instead of just a few weeks, I am able to enjoy the holidays and perhaps even relax a little!

Today, I am sharing my Christmas To Do List and the best tips to stay organized and less stressed this holiday season!

1. HAVE A PLAN

First things first, the only way to be truly organized during the holidays is to have a plan. Just because you have a plan does not mean you can’t fit in some holiday spontaneity. If anything, having a plan allows you to enjoy the season and to carve out time for those special unplanned moments

Today, sit down with a calendar and note pad and start to get organized.

You will want to brain dump everything you need to do this holiday season including:

Every gift you need to buy. Later you can figure out what gift to buy but for now just write down WHO you need to buy gifts for.
All planned holiday activities. These are the events that you already know about or that will be planned.
Every event you are hosting including dinners, parties, small get togethers, gift exchanges, etc.
Supplies you need including gift wrap, cards, paper plates, etc.
Meals you will be serving to guests
How many holiday cards to order
Kids activities including school programs, parties and shows.

2. SHOP EARLY

The thing you can do for yourself to avoid holiday hassle is to shop for everything you need early!

Are you hosting any big holiday meals? This is the month to make sure you have all of the necessary serving and dining utensils! Do you have enough wine glasses and eating utensils for your crowd? Are you in need of new tablecloths and napkins?

It is those little details we forget about that have us running to the store last minute! I’ve been there buying wrapping paper on Christmas Eve. Save yourself the stress and buy all those little holiday items early.

Once I know what I need, I use this month to pick up those items when I see them at the stores! If I know I will be entertaining a few times over the holidays, I buy my supplies in bulk. I’ll buy several packs of paper napkins, plastic cups, etc!

3. ORDER HOLIDAY CARDS

Ordering Christmas cars is my number one item on my November to-do list! It is such a HUGE relief to have my cards created and ordered in November. I really try to order my cards before Thanksgiving.

First, you need to get a list together of everyone you are sending a card to and make sure you all have all of the correct addresses. Inevitably, every year I am tracking down several new addresses.

There are usually some great coupon codes on cards in November, so now is the time to take advantage.

There are always good holiday card sales in November. So, take the time to find a good deal and just order the cards! It also pays to spend a little extra (usually a few cents per card) for the card service to print the return address on each envelope. One less step for you to do!

4. SCHEDULE HOLIDAY TRADITIONS

In the business of the season, it can hard to carve out those special family traditions.

But those traditions are what makes for the good family memories. So, be sure to schedule in time for a visit to Santa, baking cookies with family and seeing holiday lights! It’s not too early to start scheduling these must do events in your calendar to ensure that they happen.

Be sure to check out this Holiday Lights Bingo Scavenger Hunt Game!

The holidays can get so busy with other obligations that you don’t want to forget to allow time for some of your family’s favorite traditions!

DOWNLOAD THE CHECKLIST

5. HAVE A MEAL PLAN

During the holidays It is easy to get off track with household chores including meal planning. But, your secret weapon to minimizing some of the holiday stress is to stick to a meal plan. Meal planning is so key to a smooth running household anytime of the year, but during the holiday season planning your meals is a lifesaver!

Take the time once a week to write down all of your meals. For an even bigger time saver, order your groceries online and pick them up or have them delivered. You will appreciate meal planning because it will save you money and time! You will be less likely to run through the drive through on a hectic evening when you have your dinner already planned out.

Also, if you are doing any entertaining, you will want to plan out all the food you plan to serve. When you see sales at the stores, stock up on those items and save!

6. ORDER CHRISTMAS PAJAMAS AND OUTFITS

The last tip, especially if you have kids, is to make sure you have all of your holiday outfits including pajamas. If you buy new Christmas outfits, you can check this step off of your list this month.

When the kids were very little, I always coordinated their holiday outfits. I am not sure I can get away with that anymore as my oldest is a teenager! But, I still try to color coordinate them for the holidays as much as allowable.

Take inventory of what you already have and make sure you have the little details like socks, tights and dress shoes. Save yourself from those last minute trips to Target to get a new pair of shoes!

Christmas Family Pajama Sets

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