Want a stress-free Christmas? Don’t wait and start planning it. Not only will you save time, but you will also save money. You will enjoy your end-of-year celebrations in a different way, will be more serene: the month of December will go off without a hitch. And you too can savor this famous Christmas magic. You can be the most organized person in the world and still not escape the Christmas frenzy. So what is needed is planning. Some even do it during the summer holidays! With so much to do, from gifts to decorating to planning your New Year’s Eve meal, it’s best to plan ahead.
D-7 weeks: Choose a Christmas decoration
Take stock of what you already have
Before you spend extra money on Christmas decor, gifts, wrapping paper or other essentials, take an inventory of what you have. Get rid of broken items, sort out and set aside what you want to use this year. Untangle the twisted garlands, possibly classify the decorative elements by color. And already try to anticipate what you are missing or that you would like to buy or make yourself.
Decide on a theme
Now that you have made an inventory of the decorative elements you have, add a red thread, and here is your theme all found. A few white decorations near the ocean and here is a Christmas by the sea, objects in oak, beech, wicker and presto! a Christmas in the woods. You can also opt for a color: a pink Christmas, a silver Christmas, etc.
D-6 weeks: Plan your trips
Whether your family is large or small, the logistics of the holiday season can quickly become a real headache. This is especially true if you are all spread across the country or even the world. First, figure out when and where Christmas will be so that everyone has plenty of time to plan their trip. If you are planning to host at home, this is also the time to think about everything you will need. If you or other members of your family are relying on a hotel, you can also start looking for and booking accommodation.
D-5 weeks: Make your gift list
Ask the children for their list
Discuss with your children what they would like to receive as gifts for Christmas. For the little ones, help them write their letter to Santa Claus. All this with the aim of knowing what to offer them and conveying their wishes to those around you and to all those likely to give them gifts.
Thinking about gifts
List the people who will be present at your New Year’s Eve and try to put a gift in front of each name. Flip through magazines, get inspiration from the web – which you already do since you’re on this site, and brainstorm with a spouse, brother, sister or friend.
List the materials needed to make DIY gifts
If you’re the type who likes to give away homemade gifts, scarves, soaps, paintings for example, now is the time to embark on these missions. Make sure you have all the supplies you need so you don’t run out the day you start working on them.
Consider what you would like to receive
Why not think of gifts that would make you happy? Some of your relatives may ask you the question by asking you “your list to Santa Claus”.
D-4 weeks: Make your Christmas decoration
Install your Christmas tree
The tradition of setting up a Christmas tree and decorating it is one of those festive activities that children love the most. It’s true that she has the art of getting you into the Christmas spirit. For many people, the 1is December marks the date when you can start putting up your Christmas tree and decorations. It’s just days away from the start of Advent – the first of four Sundays before Christmas Day.
Advent calendar
Children love the Advent calendar which allows them the days before Christmas to be offered a small gift or a treat. You can buy this object ready-made or design it yourself. Here too, anticipate: there are many models. Whether commercial or DIY (Do It Yourself), the choice is vast.
Make your Christmas decoration
Christmas decoration is not just about the tree and the balls and garlands decorating it. Some decorate the entire exterior of their home and decorate the garden and the house with large and long multicolored garlands. Some equip their front door with specific decorations, such as a wreath of holly for example.
D-3 weeks: Buy and make gifts
Create a buying journey
You can give yourself an itinerary of stores to follow for the day you have chosen to make your shopping more efficient and save time. Also try to order on the Internet, this will save you from multiplying trips.
Set up RVs to make gifts
Will you have enough time to finish everything before December? You don’t have to start doing everything in the summer months (and still!), but make a battle plan so that everything goes according to plan and you don’t get burned out at the last minute. It’s up to you to create your own retro-planning!
D-2 week: Anticipate the Christmas meal
It may seem premature to think about your Christmas meal long before the holidays, but it will make the holidays and holidays much easier. Start with the meat (or meat alternative) of your choice, then consider side dishes, entrees, desserts and drinks. Designing the menu shouldn’t take too long and you’ll have two weeks to modify it if needed. If you try new recipes, consider testing them in advance so that you can adjust the ingredients or rule out a completely failed dish. At this point, it’s also a good idea to take stock of your crockery, dishes and cutlery, and replace or add items to complement what you already have.
Then, all you have to do is let yourself slide until D-Day, serenely enjoying the illuminations of your city and its Christmas market, the ice rink set up there for the occasion, having your picture taken with Santa Claus and rave about the beauty of the end-of-year celebrations.