Christmas preparation – just the phrase can cause a busy woman to have a melt down!
However, with the festive season fast approaching, now’s the perfect time to get ahead of the Christmas rush and put a few things in place to ensure you feel a bit more “ahhhh” and a bit less “arghhh”! Trust me, a little planning and organisation now can make all the difference when the Christmas craziness kicks in!
I wasn’t always this organised. Before I had my sons, I used to leave a lot of it to the last minute – scrambling to get the house ready and rushing around the shops on Christmas Eve in a panic. Once I became a mum, Christmas felt different. I put pressure on myself as I tried to recreate the best memories from my own childhood and begin some new family traditions, too. I wondered how my own mum had done it all! Raising my boys and juggling all the extra Christmas to-dos made it all feel quite overwhelming.
Over the years, I’ve learned that getting organised in advance not only helps me enjoy the season but also gives me more time to be present with my family. So, let’s get started with some simple ways to declutter, organise, and spend less this Christmas!
Declutter to Create Space
Before the decorations go up and the gifts roll in, it’s important to clear out and make space in your home. Decluttering now will help you avoid that cluttered, chaotic feeling as the season gets into full swing.
Focus on high-impact areas
Start with the rooms that will see the most activity and the spaces where you will be entertaining guests – most likely, your living room, dining area, kitchen, and children’s spaces. Go through toys, games, puzzles, kitchen cupboards, fridge/freezer and décor items to see what can be donated or recycled. This clears physical space, but it also gives you a sense of calm and control before things get busy.
Prepare your wardrobes for winter
As the colder weather sets in, now’s the time to sort through and make sure everyone has what they need for the winter. I know firsthand how chaotic it can get, searching for hats, gloves, coats and boots amidst clutter when you’re trying to get out in the morning. A quick wardrobe reset will make it easy for everyone to grab what they need while keeping things tidy for the festive season. Store children’s gloves in coat pockets and tuck their hat and scarf inside the sleeves.
If you’d like some guidance and motivation with this, join in with my NoClutter November Challenge where I’ll be giving you a quick, easy decluttering task every single day of the month. The challenge is designed to help you declutter and create space before the festive season begins and you can join in here: NoClutter November Challenge
Get ahead with your gift planning
Gifting can quickly become one of the most stressful (and expensive!) parts of Christmas, especially when left to the last minute. I used to find myself rushing around, overspending, and sometimes even buying more at the very last minute because I was worried that what I’d already bought wasn’t enough!!! Yes, really! Now, I’ve learned that planning gifts in advance is key to enjoying the process, instead of dreading it.
Create a gift list early
Sit down and write a list of everyone you plan to buy for this Christmas. Do this now if you haven’t done it already. Keep the list handy (I love using my phone notes for this but you can use a physical notebook, too), so you can add ideas as they come to you and check them off as you buy them. This way, you avoid last-minute panic buying and keep track of your budget.
Set a budget – and stick to it!
Overspending is all too easy in the spirit of Christmas. By setting a clear budget now, you’ll avoid that January regret! Allocate amounts for each person and stick to it – this is where having your gift list ready really helps keep you on track. If you buy for children of friends or family, discuss setting a sensible budget with them to keep things under control.
To reduce costs further, consider grouping together for a gift or trying the Secret Santa idea, where instead of buying for everyone in a group, pick a name out, set a budget and only buy for that one person. One of my favourite gifting methods for children is using this little rhyme;
Something they want;
Something they need;
Something to wear and
Something to read.
Simple but effective! It’s a good reminder that we are not doing children any favours by showering them with gifts. Start the way you mean to go on, and don’t set a precedent when they are young that you can’t keep up with. They remember everything!
Look out for early deals
November is a great month to start your Christmas shopping and take advantage of sales and special offers. With your gift list ready, you can make the most of discounts, saving you money and stress as December gets close. I usually like to challenge myself to have all my gifts bought and wrapped before the end of November. It doesn’t always happen, but I feel so much more organised when I do, and it frees me up in December to simply enjoy the festivities.
However – try to avoid getting sucked into buying things you don’t need just because they are a Black Friday “bargain”! The savings are often not all they’re cracked up to be!
What not to buy: Avoid these common gifting mistakes
According to studies by The Works and The Good Registry, the most commonly regifted items include:
Health and beauty products: This is, without a doubt, the most regifted category. Soaps, bath salts, moisturisers, and cosmetics seem like easy gifts because everyone “needs” them, and you don’t need to know much about the recipient. However, here are three key reasons why these gifts often fall flat. First, for eco-conscious individuals, the plastic packaging can be a problem. Second, most people are loyal to their favourite products and brands and are hesitant to switch. Lastly, scents and formulas may not be suited to the individual’s skin, preferences or lifestyle.
Alcohol: Alcohol, especially wine, is often regifted because personal tastes vary widely. It can be seen as an impersonal ‘safe’ option but actually, it’s best to avoid unless you know exactly what the recipient likes. Not everyone drinks alcohol and not everyone likes wine.
Clothing: We love giving clothes, but styles and tastes are personal. What you love might not be what they love. Plus, choosing the wrong size could potentially offend.
Candles: A very popular go-to gift, but they can be highly personal in terms of scent and style. What smells amazing to you might be too overpowering or not appealing to the recipient, so unless you know exactly the candle to buy, avoid.
Following closely behind were books and games/puzzles as the most commonly regifted items.
What does all this tell us? In short, know your recipient! Try to be a thoughtful, conscious consumer and gifter. Find gifts that you know will be well received, and if in doubt, opt for a gift card, voucher or cash and allow the recipient to treat themselves to something they love.
Check out my blog post The Ultimate Clutter-Free Christmas Gift Guide, for lots of gifting inspiration and ideas that are sure to delight!
Planning ahead for a calm Christmas
One thing I’ve learned from raising my family and running a busy household is that planning ahead makes everything smoother. It’s so easy to get caught up in the busyness of the season, but a little prep now ensures that Christmas is something to enjoy, not something to stress about.
Break down your festive to-dos
Rather than cramming everything into the days before Christmas, plan ahead by breaking tasks into smaller steps. Make a list of what you want to do and reverse engineer it to determine the best time to execute each part. One weekend could be for Christmas shopping, one for writing cards, another for wrapping presents, and another for decorating. Spreading it out like this keeps things calm and manageable and ensures you can fit it in around your family’s activities and schedules.
Take inventory
Taking inventory before buying anything for Christmas is key to avoiding unnecessary purchases and staying organised. By checking what you already have – whether it’s gift wrapping supplies, food, drinks, or tableware – you’ll have clarity of mind which will save you money and reduce waste. Plus, it ensures you’re fully prepared for the festive season without any last-minute panic shopping. The ads we see on TV and online would have us believe we are planning, stocking up and buying for a medieval banquet. Keep it real and plan for your family, your home and your lifestyle.
Start thinking about your Christmas menu
If you’re hosting Christmas dinner or any festive get-togethers, start planning your menus now. Stock up on non-perishable items early, and plan for any fresh produce closer to the day. Book your online grocery delivery well in advance and plan your tablescape and place settings. The more you can tick off in November, the more relaxed you’ll feel in December!
Getting ahead of the festive rush doesn’t have to be complicated. By decluttering, organising, and planning ahead, you’ll not only save time and money, but you’ll also create a calmer, more enjoyable festive season. Take it from someone who’s been through the Christmas chaos—when you’re organised, you can be fully present with your loved ones, making the most of the special moments. So, why not prep now so you can relax later!
If you’re looking for more tips, check out my blog post 7 Tips For A More Organised Christmas!