My Holiday Preparation Calendar has reduced the stress of my Christmas preparations. The past 24 years as a mom have taught me that advanced preparation and pacing yourself are the greatest invention since the Ziploc bag.
For me, decorating and shopping take most of my time. I do the bulk of that in November. This allows December to be a time to spend time with family, attend school concerts, create memories, and ponder the birth of our Savior. Our tree goes up the week before Thanksgiving because it’s artificial. Some people think I’m a bit odd for doing it then, but I think my family likes a stress-free mom on Thanksgiving Day. I’m a bit ahead and behind, but on my way. Feel free to copy, adjust for yourself or save for next year. Here is a PDF file.
Holiday Preparation Calendar
September 1st WeekPut up Fall decorations
2nd Week
Update Christmas card address list
Order Christmas address labels
3rd Week
Decide on Christmas budget
Decide what Christmas traditions this year
Decide on holiday travel plans
4th Week
Create a Master Christmas Gift list
October 1st Week
Put up Halloween decorations
Work on homemade Christmas gifts
2nd Week
Buy supplies for Halloween costumes
Shop for girl’s holiday dresses
3rd Week
Buy pumpkins for Halloween
Family Christmas picture taken
Order copies of family pictures
Ask family for Santa wish lists
Work on Homemade Christmas gifts
Start Christmas shopping
4th Week
More Christmas shopping
Enjoy Halloween!
November1st WeekTake down Halloween decorations
Put up Thanksgiving decorations
Send invites for Thanksgiving if at our house
Christmas shopping
Write family Christmas letter
Make copies of Christmas letter
2nd Week
Inspect/put up outdoor Christmas lights
Inspect Christmas decorations
Buy stamps for cards/letters
Calendar holiday activities/parties
More Christmas shopping
Decide holiday party menus
3rd WeekSet up/decorate Christmas tree
Find Thanksgiving tables, chairs, utensils
Decide on Thanksgiving table decorations
Shop for Thanksgiving meal items
Wrap/box relative gifts
4th Week
Enjoy Thanksgiving
Give relatives Christmas gifts
Take down Thanksgiving decorations
Set up advent calendar and nativity
Finish online Christmas shopping
December
1st WeekAddress and sign Christmas cards
Shop for stocking stuffers
Mail all packages & cards
Wrap presents and listen to Christmas music
Tradition: Read nightly Christmas stories
Tradition: Go to 1st Presidency Devotional
2nd WeekTake kids shopping for siblings & teachers
Kids wrap gifts for siblings & teachers
Tradition: Read nightly Christmas stories
Tradition: Go visit temple lights
Tradition: Go work at homeless shelter
Tradition: Make Christmas goodies
3rd WeekPurchase food for Christmas breakfast/dinner
Tradition: Go caroling
Tradition: Read nightly Christmas stories
4th WeekMake Christmas Eve dinner
Tradition: Read the Christmas story
Enjoy Christmas Day and family
Shop after Christmas sales
Purchase next years decorations
Plan New Year’s activities
Tradition: New Year’s Eve countdown