The Ultimate Christmas Planning Schedule and Printable Checklist

While Christmas definitely is the most wonderful time of the year, without a thorough Christmas planning schedule, it can also be one of the most stressful!

Here is a great guide and Christmas planning schedule that you can use to save yourself a whole lot of time and sanity this holiday season!

Feel free to use this simply as a guide, and to cross off anything that does not apply to you, or add anything that you feel you need. Cheers to a stress-free holiday season and a very joyful Christmas with your family!

Free Download: Printable Christmas Checklist

This time of year can be very stressful if we’re not careful. While it’s meant to be jolly and beautiful, often times hosts feel very overwhelmed and things get chaotic during this holiday season. I hope this tool helps to reduce that stress for you, and helps you get ahead of the game and on top of your stuff so you can actually enjoy this wonderful time of year!

Christmas Planning Schedule:

January

• Stock up on Christmas wrapping supplies, entertaining supplies, and home decor, as it is usually on sale right after the holidays.
• Start a new “gift ideas” list so you can begin shopping throughout the year

September

• Plan a family photoshoot or save a beautiful photo for your Christmas cards
• Plan any major home updates or repaired now, while there is still time to get them done
• Create a Christmas budget
• Start making a Pinterest Christmas Vision Board

October – November

• Begin making and freezing pie and cookie doughs
• Update your gift and card lists, retiring old contacts, and adding new ones
• Create and order Christmas Cards
• Shop for and wrap gifts for out of state family
• Start preparing your home for guests throughout the holidays, cleaning space for extra coats and shoes in the entry closet.
• Try spending a few hours each week shopping on weekdays after work when stores are calmer.
• After Thanksgiving, deep clean the oven, fridge, and freezer.

First Week of December

• Plan out your whole month of December ahead of time
• Put up your Advent Calendars
• Put up your Christmas Decor (if you’re getting a real tree, get it now)
• Put up outdoor lights and greenery
• Send out your Christmas Cards
• Plan out holiday calendar and outfits so you can shop if needed 😉
• Plan your holiday menus; ordering any meats ahead of time (ie. Ham, tenderloin, etc.)
• Take inventory of baking supplies and stock up anything that is missing
• Order a case of wine for home delivery so you’re ready ahead of time
• Ship out of state gifts so they arrive in advance
• Make and begin playing your Christmas Playlist!
• Go for a winter skin facial and massage

Second Week of December

• Shop for remaining gifts and don’t forget stocking stuffers!
• Give service providers holiday tips and homemade gifts
• Finalize any travel plans
• Hand-wash and dry stemware and polish silverware
• Prepare homemade bone broth and chicken stock and freeze
• Host a cookie exchange with girlfriends
• See a holiday show or performance such as the Nutcracker
• Create a day-of cooking timeline
• Notify guests of timeline and dinner time

Third Week of December

• Deep clean your home
• Finish any last-minute wrapping or tasks
• Begin making dishes ahead of time and freezing what you can (ie. Appetizers, gravy, rolls, bread, etc.)
• Shop for fresh food and ingredients at an off-hour to avoid crowds
• Go see a holiday light show at the botanical gardens or by driving around neighborhoods
• Stock up on entertaining supplies if hosting
• Finalize the day’s itinerary if you’re hosting one of the holidays

Christmas Eve

• In the morning, set the table for the meal whether it’s on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day
• Plan breakfast for Christmas morning
• Leave out milk and cookies for Santa
• Fill stockings and arrange gifts under the tree

Christmas Day

• Open presents!
• Make breakfast and enjoy the day

I hope this checklist helps you stay on track all year with your Christmas planning. Ultimately, I hope it helps you prepare and plan ahead so you can have a less stressful Christmas and truly enjoy the most wonderful time of the year!

Free Download: Printable Christmas Checklist