The ultimate Christmas planning checklist

Written by SM Team

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November 20, 2023

Space Managers Blog Image - Jonathan Borba

While Christmas is the most cheerful and merriest time of year, it can also be one of the most stressful – especially with young kids and a mile-long wish list, unrealistic Elf on the Shelf expectations, an impossible schedule of Christmas programs and parties, and all around high hopes for the entire month of December. Let’s not leave out hosting out-of-town guests, decorating your home for the holiday, planning extravagant feasts and parties, and shopping for 44,000 Secret Santa and Christmas gifts – all while trying to get into the spirit of the season.

“Gifts of time and love are surely the basic ingredients of a truly merry Christmas.” – Peg Bracken

As a timeless tradition of universal celebration in light, love, and togetherness, preparing to deck the halls and adorn our homes can become crushing.

The key to not getting overwhelmed during the holidays is to plan.

An epic planning to-do list will leave the stress behind for a great Christmas. Welcome to the best in pre-Christmas decluttering and planning ideas in the lead up to the Big day.

Christmas planning checklist

October

✅ Plan travel: book tickets, reserve hotels, rental cars and holiday spots

✅ Start a gift list to prepare for Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales

✅ Declutter and review holiday decorations, test Christmas lights and shop for Christmas wrapping paper

November

✅ Schedule Christmas events and activities into your calendar

✅ Finalise travel plans

✅ Create a list of names and addresses for sending out Christmas cards

✅ Plan Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping lists

✅ Start Christmas pudding baking

December

✅ Put up Christmas decorations and decorate your Christmas tree

✅ Make or buy an advent calendar

✅ Write out Christmas cards and send presents for the mail

✅ Set up a gift wrapping station

✅ Avoid the rush and finalise buying gifts

✅ Plan a Santa visit for your Christmas card photo

✅ Create a list of toys and food to donate to local Goodwill

✅ Create a random acts of kindness list

✅ Create holiday meals and drinks grocery lists for Christmas Eve dinner, Christmas morning breakfast, Christmas lunch and dinner – and any big meals or parties throughout the month

✅ Stock up

✅ Drop off toy and food donations.

✅ Build a gingerbread house

✅ Have a wonderful Christmas