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The Best Ways to Prepare for Christmas

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November 17, 2023 By Lisa Sharp 9 Comments

Don’t let Christmas sneak up on you this year. That is how Christmas ends up stressful for so many. Instead, prepare for Christmas early and using these helpful stress-free Christmas tips.

collage of written to-do list with Christmas decor around it and a phone to-do list, text the best way to prepare for Christmas and have a stress-free holiday

The holiday season, with its festive cheer and joyful gatherings, often brings a sense of warmth and excitement. However, the preparation leading up to the festivities can be a source of stress for many. The key to a seamless holiday experience lies in the art of advanced planning. By giving yourself ample time to prepare, you not only alleviate the workload but also enhance the overall enjoyment of the season.

As someone who has embraced this approach for several years, I can attest to the transformative impact it has on the holiday mood. The joy of savoring each special moment becomes more pronounced when the stress of last-minute preparations is eliminated. It’s a conscious effort to create a holiday atmosphere that allows for relaxation and genuine enjoyment.

How to be Prepared for Christmas

blank note book page with christmas decor on table

Now, let’s delve into some quick tips that can help you embark on a journey to reduce holiday stress and truly relish the season.

Make Time for Prep Work

The key to a stress-free Christmas is planning ahead. Set aside dedicated time each week to tackle the prep work. Assess your to-do list and estimate the time each task will take. This will help you allocate your time efficiently, ensuring you make steady progress leading up to the festive day.

Stay Organized

Navigating the holiday chaos is much easier with my Christmas planner. This comprehensive planning system has been my go-to for years, ensuring a seamless and joyous festive season. Now, you can harness the organizational power of the Ultimate Christmas Planner to transform your holiday preparations as well.

But that’s not all; maintaining order in the midst of holiday hustle requires more than just a planner. Equip yourself with essential organizational tools such as labels, cord organizers, and additional storage containers. These practical items act as holiday command center essentials, keeping everything in its designated place and minimizing seasonal stress.

Additional Resource: Explore Organized Christmas Hacks

 

Gather Your Resources

Take advantage of the wealth of information available online. Start by creating a Pinterest board where you can pin helpful tips and tricks. You can check out my Pinterest board Everything Christmas for some inspiration. 

Leverage this platform to curate inspiration for decorations, recipes, and gifting ideas. Additionally, check out valuable resources in the form of e-books, like my book”A Stress-Free Christmas.” This comprehensive guide not only provides expert insights but also grants access to a curated page with even more resources, ensuring you have all the tools for a stress-free and memorable Christmas.

Leverage Digital Resources

Take advantage of technology to stay organized. Utilize apps and digital tools to create shopping lists, set reminders for tasks, and even manage your Christmas budget. This modern approach can significantly ease the planning process and keep everything at your fingertips.

My husband and I like to keep a shared calendar on our phones so we always know what we each have planned so we won’t get over booked during the holiday season.

Plan a Christmas Countdown

Start a countdown to Christmas to build excitement and ensure you stay on track. Break down tasks into manageable daily goals and celebrate small victories along the way. This not only adds a sense of anticipation but also prevents last-minute rushes, making the entire process more enjoyable.

You can pair this with a chocolate advent calendar, each day you do a task on your list and your reward is a piece of chocolate. It’s a fun way to get everything done.

Delegate Tasks

Don’t hesitate to enlist the help of family members or friends. Delegating tasks not only lightens your load but also fosters a sense of shared responsibility and camaraderie.

Everyone will be enjoying the fun of the holiday season so it’s only fair that everyone helps create that magic. You can also make some of the tasks more fun by turning on some Christmas music and working together.

Create a Relaxation Ritual

Amidst the holiday hustle, carve out moments for self-care. Whether it’s enjoying a quiet cup of tea, practicing mindfulness, or indulging in a favorite book, prioritizing personal well-being contributes to a more balanced and enjoyable holiday season.

You can also create a festive morning routine to include some self-care and to help keep you in a festive mood while helping remove some of the stress that can come with the season.

person sitting on bed with mug looking at laptop with christmas tree in background

Incorporate these additional tips into your Christmas preparations to make the most of your time and create a holiday season filled with joy and cherished memories.

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Filed Under: Holidays, Christmas

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. lynne says

    October 3, 2016 at 4:24 pm

    What causes me the most stress is waiting to hear whether I’ll have holiday house guests or not! It generally tends to be fairly last minute, and then I have to scramble to get rooms ready, menus planned, gifts purchased and wrapped (guests’ arrival determines whether or not gifts will be mailed), etc., etc.! Since I work full time, I like to plan way in advance so I am not stressed, but invariably there is someone who decides, oh, they will come after all. THAT stresses me!

    Reply
  2. Crystal // Dreams, etc. says

    October 3, 2016 at 4:36 pm

    I love the idea of planning ahead and making time for prep work each week. The most stressful thing about Christmas is realizing it’s right around the corner and you still have things to do. 🙂

    Reply
  3. KP says

    October 3, 2016 at 6:08 pm

    Every year Christmas sneaks up on me. This year I’m going to be prepared. I’m going to get all my shopping done this month, go through the boxes of decorations in the basement so they’re all ready to go, plan get together’s with friends and family and get all my baking recipes in order! I won’t be procrastinating this year.

    Reply
  4. Jenette says

    October 5, 2016 at 10:20 am

    I need a Stress-Free Christmas. Everyone is so busy around the holidays and I love to get my Christmas card and Holiday letter out the day after thanksgiving but it’s hard to get it all together.

    Reply
  5. Cassie from True Agape says

    October 5, 2016 at 12:01 pm

    I am already starting to think about Christmas! I am wanting to buy all local/small business this year for Christmas so I am keeping my eyes and ears open for things that work for the people I get to buy for. I have a running list of names, ideas and when/what I have purchased. So far it working well. Christmas time can be overwhelming for type a people if we let it get away from us! And especially seeing how we are pregnant with our second coming in the new year!

    Reply
  6. Ace says

    October 8, 2016 at 1:32 pm

    We dropped the ball on planning a Christmas vacation, because we didn’t have enough time to prepare. BUT, we’re getting a head start by planning a vacation for Christmas 2017!

    Reply
  7. Jenny says

    October 8, 2016 at 7:36 pm

    I love Christmas but it can definitely be stressful if we don’t prepare in advance.

    xoxo, Jenny

    Reply
  8. Christina says

    October 13, 2016 at 6:38 pm

    I really found so much inspiration from this post. It prompted me to start my holiday planning and I feel really good about that! I even mentioned it in my post this week!

    Reply
    • Lisa Sharp says

      October 14, 2016 at 10:44 am

      So glad it inspired you! I loved your post. If you are looking for more tips and inspiration be sure to check out my new book Having a Stress-Free Christmas and come back next week because I have something else up my sleeve that will be done soon. 🙂

      Reply

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Welcome to my blog! My name is Lisa and I'm the Retro Housewife trying to live a greener life. I share my love of all things vintage, homemaking and green living here on the blog. To read more, click here.

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