Are you tired of the last-minute rush to the stores at Christmas where you always spend more time queuing than actually shopping for what you need? What about the disappointment to find out those Christmas presents you were meant to get weeks ago are now completely sold old in every single shop? Although Christmas always seems so far away, sometimes it’s better to plan ahead instead of waiting to the last minute when it really kicks in how close you are to the 25th of December. Below we have included all the necessities when it comes to planning ahead for Christmas and how they can benefit you this year.
Start saving money/create a budget
This is something that will really benefit you at Christmas time because although Christmas is the season to be jolly, it can really take a toll on your bank account. By saving money prior to Christmas it means you will have more to spend during December and therefore will not feel so guilty about how much you have spent. It is also a great idea to make a budget for all things Christmas related. This includes food, events and presents because all of these items add up quickly and if you create a budget for each one that is realistic and you can stick to, your bank account will thank you for it.
Write a to-do list
When we say to-do list we are not talking about presents just yet. This is a collection of the things that make up Christmas for you. Although this is different for every person and family this can include buying decorations to put up around your house, booking a trip to go ice skating or even stocking up on hot chocolate powder. By including even the little things into your to-do list this Christmas, you will find yourself feeling more organised and not having any last-minute realisations that you have forgotten something.
Make a Christmas present checklist
There is nothing worse than having to plan presents for each and every individual person that you love and realising that everything they would want is sold out. This is why it is ideal to have a Christmas present checklist made in advance so that you can get present buying out of the way and not be left having to choose from what is left on the shelves a week before Christmas. This will also prevent any awkward Christmas present openings where you can see that someone is pretending to be thankful for the present you have brought them, even though they would never have brought it for themselves in a million years.
Plan traditions
It is always good to plan ahead for Christmas traditions and any traditions that you are planning on trying out this year. By making a list of what you want to do across the festive season you will not only be more likely to get a booking but you will also be creating a schedule for when you are free during December. This is great to let family members and friends know and to prevent any confusion or overbookings from occurring. Also considering places book up extremely fast for Christmas, by booking early there will be no future disappointments and you know you will be able to do everything you have planned to do.
Stock up for Christmas Dinner
One of the best parts of Christmas is the food that we see hit the shelves. The food for most people is one of the things that makes Christmas as special as it is. This is why it is important to make a list of all the things you will need for Christmas dinner and the days leading up to it. By doing this it leaves you less stress on the day when you realise that you don’t have the items you need for your perfect roast dinner (or whatever you enjoy on Christmas day) and all the shops are shut. Overall, this can prevent a lot of last-minute stress and will make sure you and those you love can have an enjoyable Christmas meal.
Finalize Christmas day plans
The last necessity to planning Christmas is to finalize the plans for Christmas day. By making sure that everything is sorted and that all those that are enjoying Christmas day with you are aware of what is going to happen on the day will prevent you from a lot of stress. This means making sure people know how the day is going to be laid out and what to bring to prevent any confusion.
At the end of the day, although Christmas is arguably the most wonderful time of the year, make sure it is not an event that ends up causing you more stress than not. Although planning ahead can be important, having a happy and memorable Christmas is what really matters.
For help with Christmas planning, you can download our FREE Christmas Planner 2023 here.
