The holiday season is one of the busiest times of the year, but it becomes more manageable with some early planning. Today, we share useful ideas to help you get ready for Christmas and set a beautiful scene for the season’s festivities. From tidying up rooms to bringing out your decorations, we’ve created the best Christmas preparation checklist.
Before You Begin
Preparing for the holidays can get hectic and feel utterly chaotic. Don’t worry! We have a Christmas preparation list to help you stay organized while taking your decorations out of storage.
- Pull in a friend or ask your children to help you decorate your space.
- Survey your Christmas storage and identify what’s in the boxes. Bring the box of décor into a spacious room so you can unpack it, inspect it for damage, and choose which pieces you’d like to use this year.
- Make piles according to the type of decoration or room. For example, dedicate a corner to Christmas wreaths or garlands. It helps to use a special box that individually stores each of your ornaments so you can see your whole collection before placing them on the tree. Place the Christmas tree ornaments and lights next to the tree for easy access.
- Decorate with one box at a time to minimize mess and repack as you go. Before moving onto another box, store the empty containers back into the box.
- We recommend covering your work area with old newspapers or towels to avoid glitter and other fallen trinkets from ornaments getting everywhere.
These tips should keep your stress levels at a minimum. Prepare well enough in advance, and you won’t feel overwhelmed when the holidays start approaching.
How To Prepare for Christmas
Getting ready for Christmas can be overwhelming at times. That’s why we’ve narrowed it down to seven steps to help you keep organized:
1. Clear Out the Clutter
Before decking the halls, set aside a day or two to declutter your home. Check rooms, shelves, and surfaces, and remove the things you no longer use or want to display. Decluttering helps create more space for Christmas home décor and makes it easier to visualize your decorating plans.
2. Keep an Orderly Kitchen
Christmastime usually involves a lot of cooking and baking, and an organized kitchen helps keep things running smoothly. Make sure that essential kitchen tools, utensils, and cookware are thoroughly cleaned and within easy reach. Check that your oven, stove, microwave, food processor, and dishwasher are in good working condition, and repair or replace any faulty appliance before the heavy cooking preparations of the season begin. Scan your fridge and dispose of stale or expired items to make room for freezer-friendly treats that you can make beforehand.
3. Set Up the Celebration Space
Choose a designated space as your holiday backdrop, whether the living room, dining room, or den. Assess the area and find the perfect spot for your Christmas tree. Don’t hesitate to rearrange, replace, or remove furniture to give your seasonal centerpiece the room it deserves.
If you’re using the fireplace mantel as a focal point, ensure your fireplace has been properly cleared of ash and soot before decorating. Consider setting up a fireplace screen for added safety and an extra touch of style.
4. Inspect Your Christmas Tree
Whether you plan to reuse your current artificial Christmas tree or buy a new one, it's always a good idea to inspect it a few weeks before setting it up.
Checking early gives you time to troubleshoot or request replacement parts. Look for loose branches or wires and make sure all lights are working properly. Do the same for your Christmas greenery, such as wreaths, garlands, or swags.
Examine your ornaments and other decorations to ensure they are complete and intact. Depending on your decorating theme, you may want to purchase new ornaments to add to your existing collection.
5. Be Ready To Entertain
Plan which dishes to serve and your table decorations. Stock up on everyone’s favorite treats, snacks, and holiday drinks. Pay attention to the details that will make your setup beautiful and unique. Use themed plates, cutlery, glasses, and serving stands and bowls.
6. Make It Warm and Cozy
A cozy Christmas house provides a welcome relief from the hectic holiday pace. Create a relaxing atmosphere with flameless candles. Arrange them on the mantel, coffee table, or any space you want to add a warm ambience. For texture, drape a plush throw blanket over your couch or dress up your Christmas tree with a lush tree skirt.
7. Brighten Your Exteriors
Christmas house lights will do wonders to brighten outdoor spaces and prepare your home for Christmas. Flank your front door with pre-lit topiaries and arrange lanterns on your porch steps. Wrap pre-lit artificial garlands around posts and railings or the door frame. If it snows in your area, make it safe for the family by clearing paths and walkways of snow and debris. Place a slip-resistant mat by the door to prevent slipping on wet floors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have some questions in mind? Keep reading as we answer some of them below.
How Do You Prepare Yourself for Christmas?
To prepare for Christmas, start by planning for your holiday activities, including gift shopping, decorating, and meal preparations. Set a budget, create a to-do list, and allocate time for relaxation to enjoy the holiday season without stress.
What Do I Need To Do Before Christmas?
Before Christmas, you need to buy gifts, plan and prepare holiday meals, decorate your home, and organize any gatherings you’re hosting. It’s also helpful to wrap presents early and ensure your home is tidy and welcoming for guests.
What Is the Most Important Preparation You Do Before Christmas?
The most important preparation before Christmas is planning and organizing your time and budget to avoid last-minute stress.
How Do You Start Planning for Christmas?
Start planning for Christmas by setting a budget for gifts, decorations, and food. Create a timeline for activities such as decorating, shopping, and wrapping, and list the tasks you need to accomplish to keep yourself organized throughout the season.
When Do You Start Preparing for Christmas?
It’s a good idea to start preparing for Christmas in early November to spread out tasks and reduce stress, followed by decorating in late November or early December.
We hope this post gave you ideas on how to prepare for Christmas. This year, avoid the last-minute holiday scramble to enjoy what matters most—spending quality time with your loved ones.
Learn More About Decorating for Christmas
Visit the links below for more Christmas decorating tips and ideas.