25 Tips Planning for a Stress Free Christmas

Looking for help planning for Christmas? Take the stress out of the Christmas season by preparing early with these 25 tips.

Christmas is my favourite time of the year, but it can also be the most stressful! These 25 tips will help you prepare early so you can enjoy the festivities with your loved ones.

You’re going to learn my tried and tested Christmas planning tips to get organised for the festive season. With so much to do you it’s easy to get overwhelmed, this guide will help you to enjoy the holidays.

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1. MAKE A BUDGET

The fist thing I do when planning is to workout a budget that includes presents, wrapping paper, decorations, seasonal trips or days out and food. That way you can be prepared in advance and know how much you can spend on each.

2. prebook any day trips or visits to santa

If you’re planning to visit a light trail, a winter wonderland or go see Santa, prebook them well in advance to avoid disappointment. A lot of places take bookings as early as September so it is best to be prepared.

3. Christmas cards

Buy and write out your Christmas cards early, even if you don’t want to send them. Preparation is key to being organised, so if you write them out and put your stamps on, when your ready you just have to pop them in the post.

4. Order your turkey

If your are cooking this Christmas you’ll want to order your turkey a month before, especially if you’re ordering from a local farm. Then on Christmas Eve you only have to go and pick it up.

5. Christmas baking

I love baking for the festive season, the smell of freshly baked mince pies and Christmas cake so good! to be organised go through your baking cupboard and make a list of all ingredients you will need. Check you have baking tins bowls and measuring spoons. If you are looking for Christmas bakeware here are some baking essentials.

1. KitchenAid Artisan | 2. Red Mixing Bowl | 3. Nesting Storage Tins |4. Deep Cake Tin

6. Advent calendars

Decide which advent calendar you want this year. There are so many to choose from , whether it’s a chocolate one, beauty or if you are making one. Make sure you order it or buy it early, these sell out so quick. If your unsure of which beauty advent calendar you would like you can read this guide to the best beauty advent calendars to help you choose.

7. Travel

If you’re visiting family or friends over the holiday season check with airlines and bus or train timetables. You can often save move the earlier you book your transport and it will give you peace of mind that you have it organised. If you are planning on travelling abroad check your passport is in date and you have the appropriate visas you need.

8.meal planning

Pre plan your meals for the festive season, that way you will know exactly what you need and which days you will need to cook or if you are eating with friends and family. Doing this will save you time and money.

9. Dining out

The Christmas period is one of the busiest of the year for dining out, so if you are planning to go out you will need to book as soon as you can. A lot of pubs and restaurants have their festive menus available from September.

10. buy batteries

Always stock up on batteries before December, you may need them for lights, toys or gifts. You will always use them.

11. Festive lights

I love putting up lights all over the house at Christmas. One thing I learnt the hard way was not checking my lights before I decorated the tree! Needless to say they didn’t work when I switched them on. every year now I check all lights before decorating.

12. PLACE YOUR ONLINE FOOD SHOP

If you place you Christmas food shopping online make sure you book the delivery slot early as they go like hot cakes! I like to make a list of all the Christmas food I would like. Don’t forget to add your weekly essentials like toilet paper, bin bags and wash powder. It’s easy to forget when your thinking about all the festive food.

13. wrapping paper

Before you buy wrapping paper work out how much you will need and who it is for. It is sometimes easier to wrap each persons presents into different colour wrapping paper so it is easily identified.

(Related post: Christmas Wrapping Paper Guide for 2024)

14. Wrap as you go

To avoid a huge pile of gifts to wrap on Christmas Eve, wrap your presents as you buy them and write a list of what you have bought for each person.

15. Look out for sales on gifts

Throughout November and December there are lots of sales and offers to take advantage off to save money on gifts and decorations. One of the biggest weekends for this is Black Friday weekend, it usually runs from Friday to Monday and you might be able to grab a bargain. This year Black Friday weekend starts 29th November 2024.

16. Book beauty appointments

If like me you like to get your hair and nails done for Christmas, make your appointment booking far in advance as it is the most busiest time of the year.

17. Clean your house

I love putting up the decorations each year, but before I do it always clean the house to make it feel as fresh and clean as possible.

18. Check your decorations

Before putting them up go through your decorations, take stock of what you have or if you have had any breakages then you’ll know if you need to replace any. After you have decorated you might look at buying a couple of special ones for this year.

19. Outfits and party wear

Known as the party season, you may want to treat yourself with something special to wear wither for the big day or for a Christmas party. Look out for sales and plan in advance what you are going to wear. Then on the day you can get ready and enjoy the occasion.

20. Real or artifical?

Decide whether you are going to get a real or artificial tree this year. There are pros and cons to each. if you are going to get an artificial tree you can put them up early as they won’t drop there needle. however, if you are going for a real tree you can take steps to help them look fresh for longer. Make sure you water them regulally and keep it in a cool place. There’s nothing like the smell of a new tree.

21. buy hooks and clips

Before decorating check you have enough hooks and clips to hang your decorations on.

1. Hooks 2. Gutter hooks 3. Light hooks

22. Clear out your fridge and freezer

Cleaning out your fridge and freezer before you collect your food will give it a freshen up and also space to put everything.

23. Request time off

Wanting some days off to get your shopping done or spend time with family, it’s best to request time off as soon as possible. You can then make plans when you’re request has been confirmed.

24. Christmas traditions

Plan ahead if you have any Christmas traditions with your family and friends. We have a Christmas eve box and I like to plan what I want to put in it while I’m doing my Christmas shopping. A Christmas eve boxis a box we like to give to one another with a some gifts for Christmas eve. (Pyjamas, chocolate gold coins and a bath bomb).

25. Take some time for you

Take some time over the build up to Christmas to relax and enjoy it! set aside some time to do something you enjoy, wether it’s going to see the Christmas lights in your neighbourhood or curling up watching your favourite Christmas movie with a hot chocolate. It’s important to have some time for self love.

This post is all about 25 tips planning for Christmas