Getting Ready for Christmas in 4 Steps

by

Getting Ready for Christmas in 4 Easy Steps. All of the preparation for Christmas is broken down into four manageable steps so moms can easily prepare. How to get ready for Christmas early.

Mom and child wrapping Christmas gifts together

I remember one year, my great-aunt posted a rant (in the nicest way possible; she is a sweet woman) on Facebook about her frustration with Christmas items being up in stores at the same time Halloween items are up in stores.

At the risk of frustrating my aunt further, today I am talking Christmas gifts. This is absolutely the time of year I start planning Christmas, and I am often done shopping and have my Christmas Cards ordered by this point. This seems impressive to some. I am not a procrastinator at all and I like things done early. A big reason for this is because doing things last minute stresses me out and I basically freeze up if something has do be done spontaneously. It is really about me being able to cope well.

I like to give thoughtful and meaningful gifts. I like to not fill my house up with things I will just throw away in a few weeks. I take my time thinking about gifts and I choose with intention.

If you want to get ready for Christmas early (without the last-minute scramble), this is the simple four-step process I follow every year. It works whether you’re shopping for a newborn’s first Christmas or for a house full of kids, teachers, neighbors, and extended family.

Getting Ready for Christmas in 4 Easy Steps. All of the preparation for Christmas broken down into four manageable steps so moms can easily prepare. How to get ready for Christmas early.

Step 1: Make a List of Who To Give Gifts To

You need to know who you are shopping for. Make a list of all of the people you would like to give gifts to. Neighbors, teachers, friends, family, co-workers…who is on that list. Write it all down.

I find it easiest to group the list so nothing gets forgotten: immediate family, extended family, friends, teachers and caregivers, neighbors, and co-workers. Don’t edit yourself yet. If you’re not sure whether someone belongs on the list, put them on for now. You’ll sort that out in the next step, once you know what you actually have to work with.

Step 2: Set a Budget

You don’t want to go into debt for Christmas. I think that is not what the Savior of the World would have for His birthday celebration. We live in a day and age when we can find countless nice ideas online; we don’t need to spend more than we have. 

Start with one total number you are comfortable spending, then divide it among the groups on your list. Remember to count the little extras that sneak up on you: wrapping paper, shipping, postage for Christmas cards, and teacher or neighbor gifts. If your list is longer than your budget, this is the moment to decide who gets a larger gift, who gets something small, and who gets a handwritten card or a batch of treats instead. Keeping your budget in one place (a notes app or the back of your planning sheet) makes it easy to see where you stand as you shop.

Step 3: Brainstorm

Make lists of ideas for your groups of people. Don’t consider thsi time the final list time; this is the time for all ideas to be thrown out there. I use these planning sheets I made for my kids–you can get one free: How To Organize Gifts for Children

When you’re brainstorming, think about the person before you think about the price. What are they interested in right now? What have they mentioned wanting or needing this year? Jot down ideas as they come to you, because the best gift ideas often show up in the middle of a normal week. For kids, it helps to think in categories: something to play with, something to read, something to wear, and something to do together. And if you’re like me and don’t want to fill your house with things that will be thrown away in a few weeks, consider gifts that get used up (art supplies, a special treat), gifts that grow with a child, and experiences you can enjoy as a family.

Gift Ideas

Here are my posts full of great ideas for gifts–I have you covered!:

Babies and Pre-Toddlers

Toddlers and Preschoolers

Older Kids and Tweens

Teachers

Favorites and Toy Reviews for Every Age

Step 4: Decide What to Get

Now you have your people, your budget, and your ideas, you can make your decisions and start shopping. Here is how I ultimately choose gifts:

How I Choose Gifts

A tip that keeps me on track: match your best ideas to your budget one group at a time, and write the final choice right next to each name. Then buy in batches and cross things off as they arrive. Having one finished list means you never have to wonder, “Wait, did I already get something for her?”

Step 5: Relax! 

Now you get to relax. When it gets closer, you will need to do some wrapping, but when you get your gifts organized and purchased early, you can spend more time enjoying the reason for the season with your cute little family. And with that goal in mind, I am okay with thinking about Christmas in October. Even if it disgruntles some 🙂

My own planning starts in October, but you can use the same order of steps whenever you begin. If you’re starting in the fall, spend your first few weeks on Steps 1 through 3: your list, your budget, and your brainstorm. As November arrives, move into Step 4 and start buying, and order your Christmas cards while you’re at it. By early December, the heavy lifting is done, and all that’s left is wrapping, mailing, and enjoying. If you’re reading this closer to Christmas, don’t panic. Do the four steps in the same order, just a little faster, and you’ll still feel far more in control than you would shopping without a plan.

Christmas Planning FAQs

When should I start Christmas shopping? As early as you like! I start in October because last-minute planning stresses me out, but any time you can give yourself a few weeks of breathing room is a win. The earlier you finish your list, budget, and brainstorm, the less rushed your shopping will feel.

How do I set a Christmas budget? Choose one total amount that fits comfortably in your family’s finances, then divide it among the groups of people on your list. Include extras like wrapping, shipping, cards, and postage so there are no surprises.

How do I avoid overbuying at Christmas? Write a final list with a gift next to each name and stick to it. Choosing gifts with intention, rather than grabbing extras, keeps your spending down and your house free of things that will be tossed in a few weeks.

What if I have a lot of kids to shop for? A planning sheet for each child helps you keep ideas, sizes, and purchases organized in one place. You can grab my free one here: >>>Read: Organizing Gifts for Children

Related Posts

How to Get Ready for Christmas Early in 4 Simple Steps pinnable image

Leave a Comment