Every year, it seems like the holidays get here faster and faster! When the end of summer rolls around, it’s a quick race to the end of the year. Even though the holidays are the most beautiful time of the year, they can get busy quickly. And, if we are not careful, we can miss the true joy of the season.
Planning for Christmas is one easy way to make sure you reduce stress and enjoy the holidays with your family. It allows you to avoid the rush to the store late on Christmas Eve to buy those last minute gifts. Instead, you can sit back and relax when the holidays are here, knowing you’ve already got it all covered.
Here’s how I plan the holidays now to save my sanity (and my family, too!).
8 Tips for Planning a Stress-Free Christmas
Christmas Dayis the same day every year… so why does it sneak up on us? We know it’s coming, and we also know that things are more stressful when we plan ahead. So this year, do yourself (and your family) a favor by planning ahead. I know it’s hard to start thinking about the holiday season before we even have Thanksgiving. Trust me though, your future prospects will thank you!
1. Keep in mind an ideal (but effective) Vacation.
You probably have a picture in your mind of how you want the holidays to be. But every year, it seems different. Some years, we have had many Christmas parties and sent out Christmas cards. Other years, we’ve kept a low profile. Make sure your Christmas plan is something you can actually do (and what you really want to do).
You may enjoy spending more time decorating the tree, making cookies, and sending Christmas cards. Or maybe you want a simpler Christmas season this year and don’t want to do all the things you feel you “have to do” for the perfect holidays. Forget repeating what you see on Pinterest and Instagram. Remember, it’s your vacation, and you can do as little or as much as you want!
To start planning for Christmas, think about your ideal holidays and what you can actually do. Don’t forget to include Christmas traditions or travel you want to do this year.
- How much time do you have to spend this year?
- Is work busy this season?
- Are you traveling with other things like caring for a sick family member or moving to a new city?
Now that you have a big picture of what you want the holidays to look and feel like, it’s time to think about the details.
2. Make a Budget
Before you plan any events or buy anything, the best way to start planning for Thanksgiving and Christmas is to create a budget. If you’re anything like me, the holidays always end up costing more than expected! That’s why creating a budget is a great idea.
Instead of buying what you see (hello, Black Friday on Amazon!), you have a better idea of what you need and how much you should spend. That way, there won’t be as much surprise (or guilt) come January.
I start by creating a list of all the things I need to buy based on the following categories:
- Gifts – For children, extended family, and hostess gifts. Don’t forget the other special people you usually buy Christmas gifts for, like teachers, neighbors, or family and friends. Find a complete list of ideas here.
- Decoration – If any Christmas decorations need to be replaced or I want something new, I add that to my budget. Don’t forget the Christmas tree if you buy a new one every year.
- Foods – Holiday meals always end up costing more than regular meals. Creating a budget helps me decide whether to serve mignon or turkey for Christmas dinner.
- Activities – Consider any activity that requires a budget. This could include an ugly sweater party, building gingerbread houses, or visiting Santa.
Once you have a budget, you can plan (more fun) vacations!
3. Assess Your Grooming Needs
If decorating your home is a big part of your vacation, now is a good time to evaluate what you have and what you need. If funds are tight, this is an easy place to cut costs – simply use what you already have.
We save our makeup in Notes (or use the Notes app on your phone). This allows me to see what I have and what needs replacing/updating.
We put it simply (no one has ever accused me of being Martha Stewart!). To inspire you even on a budget, here are some easy DIY holiday decorating ideas:
All of these ideas meet my standards of 1) minimal supplies to make, 2) minimal long-term storage, and 3) easy to repurpose for other seasons. Win!
4. Plan Christmas cards
If you’re a Christmas card person, this could be a highlight of the season for you. Make sure you plan now so it doesn’t get overwhelming. If Christmas cards aren’t your thing, feel free to skip to the next section.
Here are my tips for stress-free Christmas cards:
- Create a list of Christmas card recipients and updated mailing addresses.
- Decide what type of card you will send. Need a family photo taken? If so, schedule a time to take the photos. Don’t forget to include cards and stamps in your budget.
- Mark your calendar for the day you want to send out the cards. Aim to ship by the first full week of December to ensure delivery on time but not too early.
Having cards ready before Thanksgiving allows you to not worry about them. As soon as Thanksgiving is over, you can start talking and texting.
Remember that if holiday cards become a burden, it’s okay to let them go this year (or any year!). You can transfer that time and money to other vacation activities.
5. Make a Gift List
Gift giving can be overwhelming! The best way to tackle this part of Christmas shopping is to create a gift list. If you’re on a tight budget (or want to simplify the holidays), a gift list is a great way to stay organized and not buy.
I start with a list of products that I want to sell to everyone. The pressure to buy many gifts can overwhelm us. A few years ago, I started a new tradition with my family. I follow the “want, need, wear, read” philosophy of gift giving. Each child receives:
This simplified philosophy of gift-giving has greatly reduced the stress level during the holidays. I do the same with my family members. Grandparents like to go on dates or spend one-on-one time with grandparents…
Don’t forget the other people you need to buy for…teachers, friends, neighbors, etc. These can even be simple DIY gifts (see the next section for more on this).
6. Collect DIY Gift Ideas and Tutorials
I love making homemade gifts! Not only does it make a unique gift, but it doubles as a fun family holiday activity. DIY gifts are a great way to save money without sacrificing the wow factor. Every year my kids look forward to the special books I make for each of them.
If you are planning to make gifts, now is the best time to organize them. Some gifts take time to prepare, so you need to start early. Here’s what I recommend:
- Choose the gifts you want to make. (These DIY gift ideas will inspire you!)
- Determine how long each project will take (including curing/drying/handling time).
- Mark your calendar when you start the project so that it is ready when it can be moved (if needed). Aim to send gifts by the first week of December. You can wait a week if you don’t need to mail it.
- Make a shopping list for supplies (check your budget).
- Mark your calendar one day to buy supplies…then go!
Another fun DIY project is to make your own gift wrap. It’s a great way to recycle your household items. Or, make a paper roll with brown paper and paint or stamps. This is a great project for the kids to help you with.
We always enjoy making our favorite DIY recipes (like body scrubs or homemade ice cream bars) that family and friends love.
7. Schedule of Vacation Activities
Once you have the gifts and decorations out of the way, it’s time to plan some fun holiday activities. So we don’t miss any of our favorite holiday activities together, I make it a point to put them on the calendar early. It’s fun to sit down with the family and brainstorm, too.
Here are some ideas that usually make the list:
- Baking holiday treats
- Going to a friend’s annual holiday party
- Driving around to look at Christmas lights with hot cocoa
- Bringing out the Christmas tree
- Decorating the house and the tree
- Watch your favorite Christmas movie
- Drinking homemade eggnog and listening to Christmas carols
I keep in mind and schedule these events about a week or two before Thanksgiving if there are any Thanksgiving activities that I want to include. I leave some free time in our schedule for things that can come up at the last minute. I also try to schedule New Year’s events as planned.
8. Plan Holiday Meals
The last thing I plan for the holidays is food. If I’m hosting, I’ll plan the entire meal. If we are visiting family, I plan to bring a dish or two.
Here’s what I do:
I use Real Plans, my favorite meal planning app. It saves so much time!
When I make a shopping list ahead of time, I can pick up extra butter one week and maple syrup the next while doing my weekly shopping. This helps spread the shopping over several weeks or months instead of one shopping trip (it also reduces the shopping list just before the holidays).
Below is the Holiday and Christmas Planning section
We all know it’s true…many of us moms look forward to the end of the holidays because it’s stressful.
Taking the time to plan is a great way to really enjoy the season with your family. It can help us to let go of the stress that can come, unfortunately, from the season. When you find yourself worrying about the holidays, take a deep breath and review these steps.
Check out the planning checklist below or click here for a detailed printable version!
What do you do to reduce stress during the year? Leave a comment and let us know!