I hope that you and your family had a wonderful Christmas 2019! Believe it or not, the week after Christmas is a great time to begin planning for Christmas 2020. Read on for some tips.
*First, get a binder and some plastic pocket folders. This will become your Christmas planning binder. (If you prefer to keep everything digital, I suggest using Google docs since you can share those with other people if you want.)
*Next, start making lists in categories. Here are some ideas to get you started:
~gifts list (Who? What are some gift ideas? What is an approximate budget amount for each gift?)
~meal planning list (what are some meals that your family enjoys during the holidays?)
~baking list (does your family look forward to certain treats during the holidays? List them here.)
~food gifts (do you give gifts of baked goods or other treats to family friends or neighbors? Make a list of people and possible treats.)
~gifts to make (do you make some or all of your gifts? List what you will make and what supplies you need to make them.)
~decorations you want to make
~Christmas cards (who will receive your cards? Where will you purchase cards? Do you need to plan for family photos, or do you enjoy choosing photos of events through the year?)
~events list (what are some events that your family enjoys during the holidays? If someone in your family will be involved in a ballet performance of “The Nutcracker” or a musical performance, etc., make sure to list those events)
~traditions list (what are some traditions that your family especially enjoys? You might also list some new traditions that your family might try next year)
~Christmas movies or music playlists that your family especially enjoyed
~will you have house guests during the holidays? Make lists of what you might need to do to prepare for them.
*Think about what went well with Christmas this year. Make another list, but this is just a brainstormed list. You can use this list to add to your other, more organized lists after you brainstorm. What were your favorite moments, meals, family time activities? List those because they will give you hints for things to do or add next year.
*Now think about what you might want to revise or change for next Christmas. For instance, do you want to save some money each month for Christmas gifts? Did you notice some things that were “hits” as gifts? Did someone in your family receive something as a gift that could give you hints for next year? (something to add to a collection, perhaps?)
*Some people enjoy stocking up on Christmas decorations, wrapping paper, etc. at after-Christmas sales. I am personally all “shopped-out” by December 26, but I agree that this is a great time to stock up on items for next year. When I do buy some things like this, I never regret it!
*Speaking of next year’s needs, it’s a good time to take inventory of what you have and what you might need for gift wrapping. Do you need boxes, paper or tags for next year? How about more tape? Write it down!
*Take photos of your Christmas decor. Did you like how you decorated your tree or your mantel this year? Take pictures of everything. Even if it is something that you want to change next year, this will give you ideas when it is time to decorate again.
*Map out a time frame for next year’s tasks. See my post HERE about planning for Christmas when you’re already behind. Set some deadlines for yourself as to when you want to complete the tasks below:
*make gift lists – who and what
*when to begin purchasing gifts – start in October?
*gift places (local stores, online retailers)
*Christmas card photo
*order Christmas cards
*decorate inside your house
*decorate outside your house
*holiday baking/food gift prep
*decorate tree
*gift wrapping
*address & mail Christmas cards
*prep for house guests
*plan family meals for Christmas
As you see or hear about great ideas for Christmas (from magazines, Pinterest, friends), add the ideas to your Christmas planning binder. I keep my binder stored with my cookbooks so that I have easy access to it all year.
I hope that you have a chance to relax and enjoy this week!
