The holiday season is supposed to be the happiest time of the year, but you tend to lose sight of that when you think of everything that goes into planning for the month of December. Between being pushed around relentlessly in crowded stores, to cramming time to grab groceries for the holiday meal, to making sure you get something for everyone on your list, it can turn into a real nightmare.
At least, that’s how it was for me until a couple of years ago. As I mentioned in my 5 Ways to Give Back in November post, I am fortunate enough not to have to host Thanksgiving yet, but aside from that one dinner, November has become my unsung hero for making sure my December goes as stress free and smooth as possible.
1: Make a Gift List – EARLY!
Make a list of all the people you’re buying gifts for and start to write down potential gifts for each person.
2: Avoid Stores and Opt for Online Shopping
Even in November, try to avoid stores as much as possible. They become crowded, they over-stuff their aisles, and you lose sight of what you’re there for. Instead, make your gift list and look find everything online. If you buy them in November, you still have time to make exchanges if you don’t like what came in.
3: Preplan meals
Even grocery stores are get crazy during the holidays. Plan out the meals you want to make for December and buy your frozen and non-perishables early, then everything else the week prior so you’re not scrambling the find everything days before.
4: Plan Time Out
With the holidays, it’s safe to say you’re spending a good amount of money. Plan time out with friends and family ahead of time so you can plan your finances accordingly. Set dates and times for movie nights or going to the skating rink. Try to avoid “on a whim” activities as much as possible so you’re not blindsided financially.
5: Get Everyone Involved
Aside from gift wrapping, have your family involved in the prepping processes. Whether it be dinner, movies, hot coco – it’s more time spent together and less stress on you doing everything alone.
I think you get the gist that planning is the key to having a happy and stress-free holiday season. Utilize November as much as possible so that you’re not scrambling and dealing with all the pressure of last minute gifts and activities. It’s practically what it’s there for. Try to get as much of your shopping done before the first week of December, that way it leaves time for returns and last minute changes.
Let me know how you prep for the holidays and what you do to make sure they go as smoothly as possible!
