How To Prep For The Holiday Season

Happy Friday My Friends! It’s finally the weekend, so we can all take a big breath and enjoy a little time off. Well, maybe some of you work on the weekend, I mean I do. Anyway, do you feel like every year Christmas starts creeping up on us earlier and earlier? I mean I saw Christmas decor and gift ideas at Costco and Target starting Mid-October…before Halloween was even over! I feel like this gives me a little anxiety at first because it just seems so early, but in reality it always sneaks up on me faster than I think it will. So I have started a few Holiday Prep traditions as soon as November hits to help make this time of year more fun and enjoyable for me and my family.

I would be someone that you could call a planner. I love to plan things out and have an idea of what things should look like. However I am not that organized (aka, see this post). But THe older and busier I get having a plan makes all the difference in the world. So today I want to share with you my tips for prepping for the holiday season. This is such a fun time of year with the holiday spirit, parties and gift giving that you should enjoy it…not be stuck at home stressed out and running around like a crazy person trying to get it all done. Don’t worry, if this is typically you. I’ve been there and it can really suck the fun right out of all of this.

How To Prep For The Holiday Season

1. Make a List. Start with a list of everyone you need/want to buy a gift for. This includes EVERYONE, your family friends, coworkers, annual gift exchanges and people who got you gifts last year. This is so you can get an idea of the number of gifts you need to buy and get you setup for the next step. Do this in an excel or Google Docs spreadsheet so you can utilize the columns, this will also be a great starting off point for following years.
2. Set your budget. Now next to everyone’s name on your list from step one, write down what you spend on each of them. Add them up and ensure you’re good with your overall budget. You can go back and adjust each of them until you get to a place you’re comfortable.
3. Brainstorm gift ideas. Now in the next column list an item or two you’re thinking about for their gift. This is so once you start shopping you can go with intention and be less distracted by all of the extras out that are begging you to break your budget.
4. Create a shopping plan. Will you shop in store, online wait til Black Friday or Cyber Monday? Planning and scheduling out your shopping keeps you from having to go out every few days to grab this and that, which you may still do, but it’ll be less frequent. This also helps you get an idea of when and where to get the items at their best price. You will also find that you can start and finish your shopping much earlier.
5. Get Your shopping done. Now it’ll be super easy, because you’re all ready.

Take a Deep Breath and Enjoy

After all that’s over, it’s time to take a deep breath and enjoy all the little moments. Since you have a list, budget and plan you can now just take a deep breath, get it done and actually have fun during the Holidays!

This is how I plan and get through the holidays. having a spreadsheet with everything on it is the best holiday assistant you could have. It’s all there in front of you, and as you get things done you can write in what you bought and actually spent.

How do you plan and prep for the holiday season? I’d love to hear your tips in the comments below!

Thanks so much for stopping by! Now Get Out There Gorgeous and have a fantastic weekend!