Early Christmas Preparation You Can Get Started On
The festive season is just around the corner and we’re all familiar with how hectic the Christmas period can be. In fact, over one-quarter of Brits feel the pressure when it comes to festive prep.
While it’s not quite time to get your lights up, there is some Christmas prep that will allow you to enjoy a stress-free December. Think less last-minute gift shopping and decorating, and more time to savour the magic of the holidays.
1. Start Your Christmas Gift Shopping
One of the best ways to avoid the last-minute rush is to begin your Christmas shopping early. Not only does this prevent the December panic of sold-out gifts and long queues, but it also allows you to take advantage of early deals.
Money is an obstacle for many over Christmas, especially since the cost of festivities has tripled over the past 30 years. Getting in early allows you to spread the cost over several months and snag bargains.
Make a list of everyone you plan to buy for to help you keep track of your purchases. This will help you avoid the temptation of impulse buying and spending more than you need.
2. Plan Your Christmas Décor
Getting your decs up are a beloved tradition that really creates a jolly Christmas atmosphere. Of course, you don’t want to put them up too early but thinking about your theme and colour palette prevents you from scrambling to gather your decorations come December.
It’s also a good time to evaluate your current décor. You may need to upgrade your outdoor Christmas lights to something more fuel-efficient and brighter, especially if you’ve got broken bulbs. Limp tinsel and patchy Christmas trees can also be replaced.
3. Organise Your Christmas Calendar
The holiday season often means juggling Christmas parties, work dos and family gatherings, which can easily become overwhelming. By organising your calendar early, you can eliminate any last-minute chaos.
If you’re planning to host Christmas dinner or any festive parties, send out invites early so guests can save the date. It’s also wise to start booking tickets for local festive light shows and Santa’s grottos to prevent any disappointment.
4. Get Ahead with Food and Drink Preparations
Food is at the heart of Christmas celebrations and seasonal stress. Begin by stocking up on non-perishables like Christmas pudding, chocolates and drinks early on. If you have the freezer space, save yourself some precious time by pre-making bits or getting the dinner shopping done in advance.
You can decide on what you need for Christmas lunch by writing out lists of ingredients. That way, you can keep an eye out for sales instead of rushing around for it closer to the day.