5 Ways to Prepare Early for the 2023 Christmas Season

As we rapidly approach the busiest months of the year, it is never too early to start thinking about your Christmas preparation. Christmas is truly the most magical time of the year, but it can make you feel very overwhelmed and stressed without some important preparation. 

In this 5 step guide, we have identified the most important jobs you can tick off your to do list early to get ready for the festive season ahead. 

By starting your Christmas prep now you can ensure this year is a stress-free, joy-filled Christmas for you and your loved ones. 

 

Step 1: Create Your Christmas Budget 

With the cost of living affecting everyone this year, it is safe to say, we are all looking for ways we can still have an incredible Christmas without braking the bank. 

It is important to take the time to really understand your finances and work out where you are going to allocate your hard earned money on Christmas-related expenses. 

Breaking your expenses down into different categories like gifts, food, decorations and travel, for example, lets you create a clear picture of where you'll be spending your money and lets you make necessary changes to your budget. 

It is also important to consider any unexpected expenses that may arise such as additional shipping costs for gifts, spontaneous social gatherings or increased energy bills from decking out your house with twinkly fairy lights. These hidden and sometimes overlooked expenses can quickly add up to really blow out your Christmas budget so they are important to keep in mind. 

 

 

Step 2: Make a Start on Your Christmas Gift List

Preparing a Christmas gift list is a thoughtful and organized way to ensure you give meaningful gifts to your loved ones while staying within your budget. 

Write down the names of everyone you plan to give gifts to, including family members, friends, colleagues, neighbours, and anyone else you'd like to remember during the holiday season. I like to have a list in the notes app of my phone. This means I've always got the list with me when I pop to the shops, can easily track the gifts I've already bought and can also quickly jot down any gift ideas that come to mind sporadically throughout the day. 

By figuring out who you would like to buy for, you can then start brainstorming what you might like to get for each individual. Keeping your budget in mind, think about what that person enjoys doing, what they might need, any experiences they might like and any hints they've dropped recently. 

Creating a Christmas gift list is a wonderful way to show your appreciation and love for those around you. By preparing your list early, you can always be on the look out for sales or promotions in the lead up to the festive season to try and save a little bit of extra money on the gifts you would like to buy. 

 

 

Step 3: Start Searching For Any New Decorations You Would Like To Add To Your Collection 

If you have allocated money in your budget for new Christmas décor, it's always best to start looking as early as you can. Buying Christmas decorations early can be a great way to take advantage of sales, avoid the holiday rush, and ensure you don't miss out, as the good stuff always sells out early! 

When it comes to adding new decorations to your existing collection, its important to consider if your intent is add a few new cohesive pieces or to change your theme up completely. By having clear intentions for what you would like to do with your Christmas décor in mind, this helps you stay focused while shopping to avoid unnecessary spending. 

If you are after unique pieces this year, it's always a good idea to consider small businesses for your décor. Not only will you have beautiful items to add to your collection, but you will also be supporting local sellers and giving them an early Christmas present. 

If you're a Christmas lover like me, any excuse for some early Christmas décor shopping can ensure you have your home beautifully adorned for the festive season well ahead of time.

 

 

Step 4: Plan Out Your Festive Calendar 

There's no denying the end of year festivities can be incredibly enjoyable but also insanely busy. To ensure you don't miss out on any of the Christmas fun, it's important to stay organized to make the most of your time and create wonderful memories.

Every year I love to create a Christmas bucket list and try to tick off as many activities as possible to really get into the spirit of the season. Whether that be making time for Christmas baking, walking around the neighbourhood in search of Christmas lights, visiting Christmas markets or having a cosy Christmas movie night, a bucket list really lets you narrow down your priority activities. 

Once you have your Christmas bucket list, allocate specific dates and times for when you would like to do each activity. Be realistic about how much time each activity will take and how they fit into your overall holiday schedule.

Although I love spending every moment with my friends and family during the Christmas season, I'm also an introvert at heart who needs some down time to recharge my social battery. If this is also you, don't be afraid to schedule some much needed 'me' time into your festive calendar. 

 

 

Step 5: Have a Good Pre-Christmas Clear Out

Decluttering and clearing out your living space before Christmas can create a more organized and serene environment for the holiday festivities. Especially if you'll be the host for Christmas this year, decluttering early will help to relieve the stress of your in-laws staying (well not all of it!). 

Having a clear out isn't everyone's favourite thing to do in their spare time, so by starting the decluttering process early, you have the time to break down your tasks into smaller, manageable steps. Set aside dedicated blocks of time for decluttering. This can be daily or weekly sessions, depending on your availability. 

This is also a good time to pull out your Christmas decorations and sort through items you no longer want to use. These items can be donated or sold if they no longer fit your décor style, leaving more room for your new 2023 Christmas décor purchases. 

Decluttering before Christmas can create a more inviting and peaceful atmosphere for your festive celebrations. It's also a great opportunity to make space for new gifts and decorations while letting go of the items that no longer serve you.

 

In wrapping up our 5-step Christmas preparation guide, it's clear that a little planning goes a long way in making the holiday season truly special. By setting the stage with a clear vision and budget, organizing your gift list, sprucing up your surroundings with new decorations, planning delightful Christmas activities, and having a good old-fashioned clear out, you're on the path to the most magical and stress-free Christmas experience in 2023.

 

Happy Planning!

Love from Mollie at The White Christmas Co

xoxo