How to Get Ready Early for Stress-Free Christmas

Set a Budget

One of the biggest stressors of Christmas can be all the extra expenses that hit at once. The average American rolls into the new year with over $1,500 in new debt, much of which is Christmas.

One way we can combat this is to plan our shopping and budget in October or earlier. To take advantage of not being frantic and buying last minute gifts, especially when the prices are at their highest (right before Christmas).

I use the printables from a Christmas Dose of Deb to do my planning.

Decor

One way to save some money at Christmas and storage space the rest of the year is to do simple, natural decor. I love to make garland out of Eucalyptus from Trader Joe’s and string it together with floral wire.

Even thinking about the whole environment of our home as decor is a fascinating way to decorate. Thinking about the 5 senses and even just having a smell good simmer pot is a great way to bring in those Christmas vibes.

Here is a video where I show you my favorite natural decor ideas!

And you really can’t go wrong by adding some beeswax candles. I love beeswax all year round to ramp up the cozy vibes for my family and even for lighting over a simple dinner. But a pretty tapered candle at Christmas time is just dreamy!

Christmas Candle for Stress free Christmas

Family Pictures for Christmas Cards

Another way to get ahead is to go ahead and plan your Christmas Card photos! They do not have to be super fancy like the one below. We don’t do this every year, but when we do this is how I put together our family outfits for family photos.

Gift List

This is probably the MOST helpful task I do to help me prep for an easier Christmas season. Planning the gift list! I have 5 kids and one of the way + some other family members I buy for every year.

Planning ahead on what size everyone is, keeping a record of what I bought already (bc I am prone to forget!), and what I bought for stockings (BIGGEST spot to accidentally go over board and blow the budget)- Helps sooo much!

Gifting Discussions

Having gifting discussions early before anyone buys anything can help a TON with extended family! One stressor can be when there are expectations for gifts, because there was never a clear conversation.

One example would be if there are a ton of nieces and nephews, how do you handle this? Is it time to start drawing names out of a hat or having a secret Santa buddy?

Having early conversations can help so much with this!

Another BIG example is last year I straight up told my mom, I know my kids will enjoy a children’s museum pass way more than they would a toy they would open and forget.

I kid you not, I asked my kids to name their favorite gift from last year. Guess what? They couldn’t remember ONE! And then they said, the only one I can remember is the Kaleideum Children’s Museum pass! What a WIN!

My mom had an easy shopping experience for all 5 of my kids and her gift is the only one they remember.

All because of an early gifting conversation!

Wrapping Supplies

I bought the cutest whimsical nature wrapping paper + this 4 pack that I loved from last year. Anything Kraft paper gives me that simple look I love.

And how about this simple ribbon for bows and string to fancy up the wrapping.

Then some simple tags (the green ones are for Christmas and I can use the others for canning year round).

Then tons of good tape and a tape dispenser so I can wrap with one hand.

Gift Wrapping Station in House

Having all of your wrapping supplies ordered ASAP and put together in a wrapping station (I chose a little spot in my husband’s office downstairs) is key.

That way when a gift arrives you document it in the Christmas Planning Notebook.

I talk about the Christmas Planning Notebook more in this video, but the sheets came from a Christmas Dose of Deb.

Meal Planning

Another stressor can be what meals are we having when. What special traditions involve food and when should I stock up so I am not facing the Christmas crazy as the store more than I have to.

Seriously! Planning out your Thanksgiving Meal, meals leading up the week of Christmas, + any special treats for traditions will give you more time to find the right recipe and get the pantry staples that might sell out or you can just keep on hand for less items on your brain later.

Advent Planning

Advent is a season for Christians to anticipate and wait for the birth of Jesus! I LOVE to keep the focus of the season off distractions and make way for real reason for the season-the birth of my savior.

One new Advent resource my family is going to use this year is called Advent Blocks. I have heard the best reviews from local friends about how much they have loved this simple practice of moving the star closer and closer as Christmas draws near.

And reading a short family devotion that ties in with the Advent Blocks. Use LANA15 to get 15% off Advent Blocks.

Here is another post I did that deep dives into lots of ideas to Keep Jesus the Center of Christmas for Advent!

And here is a YouTube video I did where I share all the ways my family tries to keep the Christmas season about Jesus:

Christmas Traditions

I cannot recommend this book enough: Treasuring God in Our Traditions. It is not exclusively about Christmas, but she gives so many beautiful ideas for all the holidays and for building traditions in our home that point to Jesus.