As a lifestyle blogger and consultant, I’ve seen firsthand how the magic of Christmas can quickly turn into stress for many of my clients. Over the years, I’ve not only helped countless individuals navigate the holiday season but also refined my own approach to Christmas preparation.
Christmas is the best time of the year for many of us. It’s a time to relax and enjoy a cozy, pleasant time with your loved ones. It’s the best time to let go of your troubles and enjoy some much-needed downtime, and, of course, the perfect time to try all those recipes you’ve wanted to give a shot for a long time. However, because the holiday season is so loved, it’s also one of the busiest times. Leaving everything to the last minute will leave you cramming up everything in a couple of days before December 25th. By that time, it’s not improbable that you won’t find all the ingredients you need for your cake or that pair of fancy headphones you’ve been eyeing for a while and wanted to give someone as a gift.
As such, it’s probably best to start getting ready for Christmas in advance. Not only does it mean that you’ll be able to do everything according to plan, but if something doesn’t align with how you envisioned your Christmas day, you still have time to change it up and think of something else. Let me share some insights from my experience and the stories of people I’ve helped.
Contents
Plan Everything
I learned the hard way that leaving Christmas preparations to the last minute is a recipe for disaster. A few years ago, I found myself frantically searching for ingredients for my signature Christmas cake on December 23rd. The stores were packed, and half the items on my list were sold out. That’s when I realized the importance of planning ahead.
Now, I start my Christmas planning as early as October. I remember helping Lucy, a working mom of three, who was constantly overwhelmed during the holidays. We sat down together and created a comprehensive plan, breaking down tasks week by week. By the time December rolled around, she was actually able to enjoy the season with her family instead of running around in a panic.
To make everything more fun and festive, spice your schedule arrangement by adding the Funko advent calendar for 2022! Using this calendar makes you feel all the more pumped up and festive about getting everything done. In this way, you make planning a part of the celebrations.
Figure Out a Budget
Christmas is the perfect time to go a bit crazy and splurge on items that’ll make you happy. This can range from premium ingredients for your Christmas dinner to getting some lovely things underneath the tree for your loved ones to unwrap. However, you must still have some limits on your spending. Before you head to the shops, remember everything you’ll need. You don’t want to realize you have no more money left for decorations or the obligatory tacky Christmas jumpers.
Budgeting for Christmas was a game-changer for me and it’s one of the top pieces of advice I give to my clients. I recall working with John, a recent college graduate who wanted to make his first Christmas away from home special but was on a tight budget. We created a detailed spreadsheet, allocating funds for gifts, food, and decorations. This approach not only helped him avoid overspending but also made him feel more in control of his holiday experience.
Fill Out Your Calendar
It gets crazy around Christmas. Everyone you know is probably going to host a party, so it’ll be virtually impossible to honor every invitation. You need to figure out which parties you want to attend and which ones you’ll skip this year. You also need to take into account school events, family gatherings and everything in between. If you have any orders on the way, such as a new tree or something for the Christmas dinner, make a note of when you should be picking it up. With everything you have to organize, it’s not impossible it’ll slip your mind.
My own calendar used to be a mess during the holidays until I developed a system. Now, I use a combination of digital and physical planners to keep track of everything. This method came in handy when I was helping the Thompsons, a family of six, coordinate their holiday schedules. We color-coded events, set reminders, and even scheduled “down time” to ensure they didn’t overcommit.
Shop Early
I’ve made it a personal rule to start my Christmas shopping no later than November 1st. This strategy has saved me countless headaches. I remember helping Lisa, an aunt to seven nieces and nephews, who always struggled to find the right gifts. We started browsing and purchasing gifts early, which not only allowed us to snag some great deals but also gave us time to be more thoughtful with our choices.
Remember everything you need to buy. You need to keep a few people in mind, like work colleagues, neighbors, kids’ teachers, and maybe even your pet. You’ll make wiser decisions when you take your time and don’t do your shopping in a rush. For instance, you may already have something in mind for a particular person, but being in the shops can help give you a better idea of what you should buy. Or you might remember something they’ve mentioned once, in passing, and find something that fits the description perfectly.
And remember that relatively close to Christmas, there are a lot of sales. Black Friday is the most obvious choice. With the prices significantly reduced, you can sneak in a few extra items for those who are extra unique to you.
Cook Early
There are many options for what you can cook. You might be torn between choosing the tried-and-tested recipes or going out on a limb and trying something completely new. The best thing to do is look up the dishes you want to make in advance if it’s more complicated to prepare and you might not get it right from the first. You might also need some specific ingredients that are harder to come by. If you can’t decide on a single menu, browse through food blogs and websites and determine which recipes sound best.
If it’s feasible, you can also cook some of the foods before, freeze them, and then defrost and reheat them on the big day. This helps remove a lot of the strain from cooking several courses over a very short period of time and multitasking a great deal. If you’re already tired from all the preparations by that time, you might even make some mistakes. If one dish burns down while you’re attending to another, it’ll be pretty impossible to save it, and you’ll have to cut one of the courses out of the Christmas dinner. Gravy or stuffing lend themselves well to the freezing method, and doing it can save you a lot of time.
Planning ahead allows you to enjoy Christmas to the fullest. When everything comes out exactly how you want it to, you’ll be at your happiest and most relaxed.
Embracing the Spirit of the Season
Through all my experiences and those of my clients, I’ve learned that the key to a magical Christmas is not perfection, but presence. By planning ahead and being organized, we create space to truly enjoy the spirit of the season.
Remember, Christmas is about creating memories with loved ones. With a little forethought and organization, you can transform the potentially stressful holiday rush into a truly joyous celebration. And if you ever feel overwhelmed, don’t hesitate to reach out for help – whether it’s to a friend, family member, or even a lifestyle consultant like myself. After all, spreading joy and reducing stress is what the holiday season is all about!