Early Christmas Planning Tips For 2024

Christmas is such a magical time of the year! It’s that special moment when we get to unwind after a busy year and soak up the joy of being with family and friends.

One of the best parts?

Watching the little ones’ faces light up as they tear into their presents—pure joy!

But let’s be honest: Christmas can also bring a whirlwind of stress! Running around, ticking off endless to-dos, and making sure everything is perfect for the big day can take a toll.

Last year, I made a promise to myself—start planning for Christmas early. And let me tell you, it was a total game-changer! So, I’m sharing my Christmas Planning Tips to help you get ahead this year, too. With a little organization, you can sail through the season with less stress and more joy. Plus, we’ve created some free Christmas Checklists and Planners, to keep you on track.

 

Start Planning Christmas Early

First tip: give yourself plenty of time. Christmas isn’t just about the big day—it’s everything leading up to it: planning meals, buying gifts, prepping your home, organizing trips, and juggling events. If you start early, you’ll have more time to enjoy the season, rather than just surviving it!

 Here’s how early planning can help:

• Less stress: You can tackle one thing at a time and avoid the last-minute rush.
• More budget control: Spread out your spending over a few weeks, so it doesn’t all hit you at once.
• More time to enjoy: With everything under control, you can focus on what truly matters—spending time with loved ones!

Christmas Planning 101 - Christmas Preparation Ideas

 

Where Will You Be Spending Christmas?

This is the first big decision! Whether you’re hosting Christmas at home or traveling, you’ll need a plan.

Staying at Home:

• Are you hosting Christmas lunch or having guests over?
• Do you have family or friends staying for the holidays? If so, it’s time to get those guest rooms ready.
• Need some holiday home décor inspiration? Check out our Como Cushion Range in Christmas colours for the perfect festive backdrop for your celebrations in your living room!

Traveling:

• Where will you be heading? Make sure you book accommodation and tickets early.
• Does the car need a service before your road trip?
• Do you need new clothes for your holiday destination?
• Make sure to pack thoughtfully and get ahead of any travel-related stress.

 No matter where you are, planning early helps you avoid last-minute scrambles.

 

Use a Christmas Planning Calendar

One of my go-to tricks for staying organized is using a Christmas Planning Calendar. By mapping out November and December, you can see all your commitments at a glance and avoid double-booking yourself.

We’ve created a free downloadable Christmas Calendar to make this super easy! Just print it out and start filling in important dates. Here are a few things to consider:

• When to put up the Christmas tree and start decorating the house.
• Dates for family gatherings and holiday events (Don’t forget to grab tickets for those special local Christmas events!).
• When you’ll go Christmas gift shopping.
• Time for grocery shopping for Christmas Day meals.

Download your free Christmas Planning Calendar here and keep all your holiday events organized.

 

Hosting a Christmas Party or Lunch? Get Your Home Ready!

If you’re hosting friends and family this Christmas, now’s the time to start planning. Add the date to your calendar and begin prepping the house for guests. Spruce up your living space with some cozy cushions or festive home décor pieces to set the mood. Our Cushions and Wall Art Prints are perfect for creating a welcoming, holiday-ready atmosphere.

When it comes to setting the table, think ahead about your table décor and place settings. A simple, elegant setup goes a long way in creating a festive vibe without overcomplicating things. Decorative trays and stands are perfect to create beautiful Christmas Displays

 

Create a Christmas Budget

We all know how quickly costs can add up around the holidays, which is why having a budget is essential. Sit down and map out what you can afford to spend on:

• Christmas Gifts for family and friends.
• Holiday activities and events.
• Christmas meals and groceries.

By creating a budget early, you’ll avoid the holiday financial stress and have more control over your spending. Pro tip: spread your shopping over several weeks, and don’t forget to use any loyalty rewards or discount vouchers to save a little extra!

 

Planning Your Christmas Menu

If you’re hosting Christmas lunch, now’s the time to start planning your menu. Are there dishes you can prep in advance? Which groceries can you buy ahead of time?

We’ve also created a Christmas Menu Checklist to help you stay on track. Download it [here] to plan everything from Christmas Eve dinner to breakfast and lunch on the big day.

  

 

Christmas Gift Planning Tips and Ideas

We all know how quickly Christmas gift shopping can snowball! A great tip is to start buying gifts early—maybe even one or two a week. This spreads out the cost and avoids the mad rush at the end.

Plan your Christmas Gift shopping and use our printable Christmas Gift Checklist to help you budget and keep track of your Christmas Gifts.

Looking for gift inspiration? We’ve got you covered! Check out our home decor products, like beautiful clocks or linen cushions—perfect for adding that personal touch to someone’s home.

For more ideas, we’ve put together a few gift categories to help:

• Teacher Christmas Gifts
• Gift ideas for Girls
• Christmas Gift Ideas for Her
• Christmas Gifts for Baby
• Christmas Gift Ideas for your New Home
• Christmas Gift Ideas for Teens
• Christmas Gifts Under $50
• Christmas Gifts from $50 to $100
• Christmas Gifts between $100 and $150
• Christmas Gifts from $150 to $200
• Christmas Gifts over $200

Use our printable Christmas Gift Checklist to track your shopping and budget, and avoid those “who did I forget?” moments.

 

Christmas Decorations and Supplies

Check your Christmas decorations early! Whether it’s replacing Christmas lights or adding a new stocking for a new family member, November is a great time to start. You don’t want to be left scrambling when things start selling out.

Looking to refresh your décor? Our range of cushions, vases, and wall art can add the perfect touch of holiday warmth to any room. And if you want to keep things stress-free, online shopping is a great way to avoid the crowds and long queues.

And don’t forget about Christmas cards or that cheeky Elf on the Shelf! Stock up early to avoid the mad rush.

 

Elf on the Shelf Ideas: Join the Fun on Social Media

Need some Elf on the Shelf inspiration to keep the magic alive for the kids? We’ve got you covered! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for daily Elf on the Shelf ideas that will keep your little ones giggling all season long. From funny poses to creative pranks, we share all kinds of mischievous elf activities to help you make the holidays extra fun.

While you’re there, don’t forget to check out our other Christmas tips, last-minute gift ideas, and festive décor inspiration!

 

 

Free Printable Christmas Checklists

We want to help make this Christmas as smooth as possible, so we’ve put together some free printable checklists for everything you need—gifts, shopping, menus, and more! Whether it’s planning your table setting or making a Christmas to-do list, we’ve got you covered.

Our printable planners include a

* Christmas Gift Planner,

* Guest List,

* Table Setting Planner,

* Christmas Food Shopping List,

* Christmas Planning Calendars

* Christmas Meal Planner for Breakfast, Lunch Dinner and Christmas Eve.

* Christmas To Do List

* Weekly Planner.

Please feel free to print out the Christmas Checklists to make your Christmas planning easier. (I have included a few different templates for you to use.)

Get your free Christmas Printable Planners and Checklists here

  

Wrapping it Up: Here’s to a Stress-Free Christmas!

Sandra

xoxo

PS : Read here for For Last minute Christmas Planning tips.