Here Are Seven Things You Need to Do Today to Get Ready for the Holidays (So You Can Enjoy the Holiday Season)

1. Compile a list of all the holiday preparations you have to make.

Create a to-do list of everything you need to accomplish in preparation for the holidays (especially if you plan to host). There are a variety of things you can do, some of which are listed in this blog post and others of which are unique to you. Anything that needs doing, whether it be shopping, cleaning, sending invitations, etc. You don’t have to start crossing things off the list just yet, but when it’s time to start getting ready for the holidays, you’ll be glad you did. You should schedule these activities, if possible, and group related activities together (e.g., purchases, decorations, party planning).

Joe and I recently hosted a party, and in preparation, we made a document outlining everything that needed to be done in advance. We could divide the workload and cross items off our lists as we went along. Super useful, thank you so much!

2. Make your holiday cards (if you’re sending any) and get them ordered.

Waiting until the last minute to order holiday cards can turn what should be a pleasant gesture into a stressful ordeal (I know from experience). Order your holiday cards early this year and you can avoid the hassle later. If you want to have them delivered by the first week of December, I recommend placing the order by the middle of November.

For the last few years, we’ve sent out cards printed by Minted. My favourite thing about Minted is how many different design options they provide. The fact that I can keep my address book in my Minted account and have the addresses automatically added to each envelope is another time-saver for me. One or more of these designs have caught my eye as potential options for our family’s holiday cards this year:

3. Settle on what, if any, seasonal decorations you’ll be purchasing this year.

The truth is that popular decorations (especially those that are less expensive) often sell out quickly. You shouldn’t feel compelled to go out and buy everything at once just because of this. But if you already know what you want to buy for holiday decorations, you can buy it on the spot if you find it for a price you’re willing to pay.

I think greenery is the best bang for the buck when it comes to holiday decorations, so that’s where you should focus first if you’re just getting started collecting things. Without any other decorations, it immediately creates a festive atmosphere. Early next week, I’ll be posting a blog about my favourite holiday decorations and why I chose them.

4. Invest in some gift wrapping materials.

Throughout the winter holidays, there will be an abundance of wrapping paper and ribbons. Wrapping supplies from popular collections (like Heath & Hand’s With Magnolia) often sell out, so if you have your heart set on getting some, it’s best to get them as early as possible. You can usually get a lot of ribbons for a good price if you shop at party supply stores like Litin’s, which is why I like to do my ribbon shopping there.

5. Gather your decorating supplies.

In the event that you decide to decorate your home for the holidays (and would prefer not to make a last-minute trip to Target), having tools like Command Hooks on hand will be very helpful. We use them to decorate the inside and outside of the house with garlands and wreaths. It’s not the most alluring way to spend your money, but if you want to avoid the aggravation of tripping over wreaths and stumbling over garland, you should invest in the tools you need to decorate properly. I am not making this up!

6. You should now begin making your holiday shopping lists.

Take a few moments to think about each person on your list, their interests, and hobbies, and come up with a list of potential presents. Don’t be shy about contacting the recipient if you come up empty. A quick Q&A to spark some ideas is fine, in my opinion.

See Also: A beta version of WhatsApp’s native macOS client is now available to the public.

7. Make a personal wish list.

Even though it’s frowned upon by some, I think it’s perfectly acceptable to send a list of things you’d like to the people you anticipate receiving a gift from. Send several options (so they can still make a selection) and provide direct URLs for each. I think it’s especially helpful to receive gifts that you truly want and will keep over time, what with all the talk of decluttering and donating items in our homes.