The holidays are right around the corner, and if you’re like me, then this time of year gets super busy! Between all of the family gatherings, work parties, and holiday prep, I often struggle to fit in all of the activities that make the holidays fun and memorable!
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Because I always feel like I’m a day late and a dollar short when it comes to holiday prep and planning, this year I’ve decided to create a holiday to-do list to keep me in check and to help keep my priorities straight too! I mean, what’s Christmas time without an entire evening solo to wrap presents, drink wine and watch Elf? Y’all, you gotta plan!
If you’re like me, you live and die by your planner. But my planner just doesn’t quite cut it when it comes to holiday planning! This year, I’m using this printable Christmas planner… and let me tell you, I absolutely LOVE it! It’s over 50 pages of shopping planners, to-do lists, and family fun activities. Once you purchase, you can easily download and print it from anywhere! It’s super cheap, only $8.99! Right now, you also get a bonus Christmas journal for the kiddos!
You can click here to get yours too!
You can also get your own FREE printable 2019 Holiday Checklist from me!! Just CLICK HERE! Okay, so now let’s jump into the “To-Dos!”
Holiday Prep
- Make a holiday card list.
- Take a family photo if you plan on using it in your holiday cards.
- Order holiday cards. I like to send out my holiday cards the first week of December. Last year, I was a total slacker and didn’t get them ordered in time, so I had to change to a “Happy New Year” them!
- Create a holiday budget. The holidays are meant to reflect on the past year and to enjoy time with family and friends, not to go into massive debt. Plan now to avoid the holiday budget hangover! Pro Bonus Tip: Start a holiday fund for next year in January!
- After you create your holiday budget, you can now start to make your holiday shopping lists. You don’t need to know what to get everyone on your list, but you do need to know your whos and budget. Make sure to get this done early, so you can take advantage of Black Friday and Cyber Monday Deals! Wrap up your shopping no later than the first week of December!
- Create menus for friend and family gatherings. Now is the perfect time to browse Pinterest for some new holiday recipes, too! And, yes, I know there’s still quite a bit of time between now and Christmas gatherings, but if you’re anything like me, the closer we get, the busier we get! It’ll save sooo much stress if you have your menus planned out for gatherings and holidays now! Bonus: You can start to stock up on ingredients now too!
- Set expectations with friends and family now. We reserve Christmas Eve for just us as a family. Make sure your loved ones know ahead of time when you aren’t available for gatherings and get-togethers.
- Get everything on the calendar. Start with holiday gatherings, school programs, holiday parties, and any other activities that have set dates and times. Then fill in with all of the other important, but more flexible activities.
- Call and schedule your babysitter for any holiday parties or other activities that are adults-only. Your sitter’s schedule will fill up quickly too!
- Plan a day to put up the Christmas tree and decorations.
- Plan an evening without the kiddos to wrap presents, drink wine, and watch your favorite Christmas movies! My top choice is Elf!
- Make sure the everyone has their holiday outfits. If not, shop for them!
- Make sure that you have any necessary pre-holiday hair appointments, nail appointments, dog grooming appointments, etc. scheduled.
- Sort through the kids’ toys and get rid of things they no longer play with to make room for new toys and gifts.
squeeze in these things too!
- A day to do holiday baking
- Bake and decorate cookies with the kids
- Family traditions! If you don’t have any, now is the perfect time to start new traditions! Christmas Eve means new jammies and “Home Alone” in our house!
- Visit Santa and his reindeer. We always go see Santa at the Harley Davidson dealership!
- Drive around and look at Christmas lights
- A day to hang out in your Christmas pajamas and drink hot chocolate with lots of marshmallows
- Ice skating
- Make homemade ornaments
- Plan fun Elf-on-the-Shelf adventures
- Go sledding
- Build a snowman
- Write a letter to Santa
- Make a gingerbread house
- Brainstorm your New Year’s resolutions
So that’s it!! If you didn’t already, get my FREE printable Holiday Checklist HERE!
And don’t forget to grab your holiday planner too so you’ll be ready for everything the holidays throw at you this year! Get it here! Happy Planning friends!
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and Happy New Year from my tribe to yours!
With love, Amanda
Very helpful post. Thanks for sharing!
these are so cute and so well-thought out!! sending love to you and your family this holiday season ๐ x
This is AWESOME and so helpful! I will definitely be using this list to help keep me organized during the busy hustle & bustle of the holidays!
Great planner, I love your category shopping lists! Thanks for sharing!