The holidays are hectic. Period. But what makes them even crazier is trying to cram too much into an already busy time. Make your holidays easy-breezy this year by prepping and planning a few things now.
If you start in September, by the time December rolls around, your Christmas will truly be a Silent Night.
Christmas in September – Why Not?
I was looking for a specific knitting needle the other day, so I started digging around in my knitting basket by the couch. I uncovered a half-knit Christmas stocking and was filled with dread. The stockings! I had completely forgotten. I bought yarn last year to make our family new Christmas stockings for this year (seven in total), with the intent of working on them all summer.
It’s now September.
So, I ditched my other project and started working on the stockings. Of course, this got me thinking about Christmas (in September, as one does). I remembered that I had wanted to buy specific Christmas lights last year, but they were sold out by the holidays. So, I checked the website and ordered the ones I wanted now. It just snowballed from there.
I got thinking of all the other little things I could do now that would make my life easier come December without going into full Christmas mode. I’m sharing that list to help everyone else out. Let’s just say I’m doing my bit for “peace on earth and goodwill to men.”
The Right Mind Set
Before we jump into the list, I want to set you up for success. If you’re anything like me, you’ll read this and immediately stress out trying to get it all done as soon as possible.
That’s not the point. The result we’re after is less stress in our lives.
We’re not making Christmas a huge priority yet. We’re just making things easier for future you. So, read the list and work through each task a little at a time. Maybe you do one item per week or pick a Sunday afternoon to do a few of them.
Christmas Planning to Start in September
1. Set a Holiday Budget & Start Saving
If you don’t already set aside money throughout the year for Christmas, September is a good time to start. Every little bit helps make the holidays more manageable.
Create a holiday budget.
Look, I’m terrible at sticking to budgets. But I have noticed one thing over the years: even if I go over budget, I spend a lot less with one than I do without. Having set parameters for gifts per person, as well as for spending on outings, travel, and food, makes managing your finances over the holidays so much easier.
It doesn’t have to be anything fancy. I jot things down in a paper notebook each year.
2. Start Gift Planning
Okay, it’s a bit early to start asking people for gift ideas, especially the younger set. However, now is a good time to create a master list of recipients and set a budget for each person. (Bonus points if it’s on your phone for easy access and updates.) The nice thing about doing this early is that it makes it easier to jot down gift ideas that come up in conversations or interactions with people.
For instance, last fall, a friend and I were discussing what we were reading. I told her, and she asked if I had read my author’s newest book. I had not. Guess what she gave me for Christmas? By starting now, thoughtful gifts become much easier and far less stressful.
3. Plan and Start Homemade Gifts Now
Look, I’m a knitter and generally a crafty person. I’m ashamed of the number of IOUs I’ve given out on Christmas morning, and I’ve lost track of the number of Christmas Eves I spent up until nearly dawn finishing gifts.
Get started now because there’s nothing better than being done with homemade gifts early. Plus, you’ve got plenty of time to make other arrangements if a homemade gift doesn’t turn out the way you expect it to. (We won’t talk about the Wonky Christmas Hats of ’07.)
4. Start Buying Stocking Stuffers Now
It’s September. There’s no need to start buying gifts yet, especially when we know better deals are on the way. However, it’s a great time to pick up stocking stuffers. You can easily check this off your list well before December.
If you want to be even more organized, grab plastic zip-top storage bags and put each family member’s name on one. Put each person’s stocking stuffers in their bag as you buy them, so on the big night, all you have to do is fill the stockings.
5. Prep and Plan Dinners & Recipes
There’s nothing quite as embarrassing as trying out a fancy new recipe for a big family function only to find out it’s a flop. Now is the time to start searching for new recipes and trying them.
As far as recipes for meals go, it’s one thing to read some food blogger’s estimation of how long it will take to make their fabulous casserole or incredible roast; it’s another to make it yourself. Testing out new recipes well before the big day allows you to have a better idea of how long they take, changes you would make to the recipe and, more importantly, whether or not you even like it.
Are you tired of the same old Christmas cookies? Hit up Google and pick out a couple to test this month. Wash, rinse, and repeat a few times, and you’ll have a fresh cookie tray with new favorites come December. (By the way, I think this is the world’s best Christmas cookie.)
6. Stock Your Pantry with the Basics
Now is a great time to start stocking up on the staples that we all use during the holidays. Buying a little at a time with each grocery trip means you won’t get socked with a huge bill during a month when money is already tight. You can store flour, sugar, nuts, spices, and other staples in your freezer or pantry until you need them in December.
7. Book Important Services and Travel Before the Rush
It’s a good idea to lay the foundation for holiday travel as early as possible. This allows you time to hunt for the best deals on flights and make arrangements for things like pet sitters, rides to and from the airport, someone to water the plants while you’re away, etc.
It’s better to iron out these details well ahead of time rather than stress at the last minute because everything is booked. I still have flashbacks from trying to find a pet sitter three weeks before Christmas.
8. Check On Your Holiday Gift Wrap Supplies
Obviously, it’s too early to start shopping for seriously cute wrapping paper. But it’s the perfect time to get organized. Take stock of what you have and make a list of what you need. Tape, scissors, fancy pens, etc., are all easy enough to pick up now and check off the list.
That way, when you do find the perfect wrapping paper, you’ll already know how much you need.
9. Lock Down Your Down Time Now
My calendar fills up fast most of the year, but the holidays give me whiplash!
Sit down with your calendar now and pick out a few times to block off where you refuse to schedule anything. I mark these in my calendar as “Protected Time.” Try to aim for at least one full Saturday or Sunday in December. Block out four evenings as well.
Use these blocks of time to rest, watch Christmas movies, or catch up on cleaning/baking/whatever you need. These are baked in times that will save your sanity in December when the invitations and events start flying like snow.
Now is also a great time to book things like family photo sessions, hair appointments or nail appointments. These all fill up fast for the holidays.
There, see? Nothing crazy, nothing too hard. Christmas is still a ways off, and by starting early with easy-to-manage tasks, it won’t hit us like a freight train when we realize it’s only a few weeks away.
