Don’t wait to start planning for Christmas! If you want a stress-free Christmas and want to save money you need to plan now for Christmas.
I know it’s not even officially summer and here I am talking to you about Christmas. I won’t lie, I’m crazy about Christmas. I watch Christmas movies off and on all year long, I even rock out to Christmas music while cleaning from time to time. To say I’m obsessed would be putting it very lightly.
However, the reason I plan ahead for Christmas isn’t just because I love it so much, it’s because it makes the holidays more special and less stressful! Doing a little bit now will make December so much easier.
Every year I hear people talk about how stressed they are about Christmas. They rush around getting everything done and never get to stop to enjoy all the fun and excitement around the holiday. I’ve been there as well. There are years I’ve not been able to get cards out and really didn’t get to enjoy much of the fun at all. I was too stressed with all that “needed” to be done.
If this is you then stick with me and I’ll share some tips for avoiding the Christmas stress this year. It is possible to bring back some of that childlike wonder to Christmas.
Be sure to also check out my blog The Stress-Free Christmas for tips all year long on planning for a magical Christmas.
How to Plan Ahead for Christmas
Do your research.
The first thing I’m going to recommend is to start gathering tips, you found this page so you are already on the right track. Start learning from other early planners and see which of their tips will work for you. The first place I’d recommend you start is with my book A Stress-Free Christmas: A Complete How-To Guide. It will help walk you through everything you need to know and do.
Create a Christmas planner.
Now that you have an idea of what you want to do you need to have it written down and planned out. There are a lot of great options out there, both paid and free.
I have a Christmas planner that is printable so you can start using it right away and print off more pages when you need them. It’s a really great way to stay organized all year.
Start saving money.
Saving a little bit of money all year is so much easier than trying to find all of it in your budget in December. Now is also a great time to start a side-hustle. You can use this extra income to build your Christmas budget without taking money from your regular budget.
Start decluttering.
Decluttering a little at a time can be a lot easier than saving it until we get close to Christmas and rushing around to get it done. It’s nice to have a decluttered and organized home before the holidays. We always end up with more stuff around the holidays and we don’t want to just add to a disorganized mess.
Watch for Christmas in July sales.
You will often see sales for great gifts and even some decor in July. Balsam Hill has done a really good Christmas in July sales in the past on their trees and other types of decor. If you are wanting new decor this year this will be the best time to buy until after the holidays.
By doing all of these things now you will be able to spend more time enjoying Christmas when the holiday season is here. Can you imagine how nice it would be not to feel rushed this Christmas? Use these tips can you can have that magical Christmas you’ve been dreaming about!
Rachel says
Really great tips! I’m all about Christmas, so in my opinion it’s never too early to start thinking/planning about it, ha!
Lisa Sharp says
I agree! I’m always nervous bringing up Christmas so early but it really does take away a lot of the stress to plan ahead.
Brittany says
These are great planning tips! I absolutely love Christmas and would love an excuse to start planning sooner rather than later!
Lisa Sharp says
I love it as well!
Shani | Sunshine & Munchkins says
While I’m not quite as hardcore Christmas as you *wink*, I definitely love it and know that when I make an effort to shop for gifts throughout the year that it makes the Christmas season so much more enjoyable.
Lisa Sharp says
Few people are! haha It really does help.
Melissa says
These are wonderful tips! All year long, I cruise the “clearance” or sales aisles for items that can make a great gift for just about anyone: candles, journals, pajamas, photo frames, decorator pillows, kitchen items, etc. Nice if you have the extra storage room to keep these things until Christmas. It adds up fast.
Lisa Sharp says
That’s a wonderful plan.
Joanna says
Hi Lisa,
I love your post about Christmas, it makes a huge difference if you plan ahead.
Although I’ve never been as organized as writing things down in a planner, I would start to shop for gifts in July.
Buying one or two each paycheck is so much easier and cost effective in that you don’t have to spend all of your money at one time.
Lisa Sharp says
That’s a great way to do it.
Joanna says
All year around, I like to shop in the dollar store for solid colored gift bags and bows so that I always have some ready when I need to give gifts for Christmas or any other holiday.
Same goes for blank cards with images that can be used. A winter scene for Christmas or flowers for mothers day or a birthday.
It really makes sense to begin to think about the holidays now, much less stress and lots more fun!
Lisa Sharp says
Great tips!
Elise Cohen Ho says
I like the reminder of Christmas in July. Isure would love to get my purchasing finished early.
Lisa Sharp says
Me too and I will be issuing that reminder here for sure. 🙂