A Christmas To-Do Checklist For 2024: Everything You Need To Know

It’s never too early to start planning for Christmas. Some people may even shop for gifts and decorations before the holidays, whenever they find the perfect item. Creating a Christmas to-do checklist now allows you to focus your energy and ensure a great holiday season with minimum fuss and stress, especially with the busy months ahead.

Every Christmas is unique, but our comprehensive to-do list below can help you plan and prepare for a smooth, stress-free festive period. Read on to start prepping!

How and When to Start Planning for Christmas

Early planning is the secret to a stress-free holiday season. As early as mid-October, start thinking about your Christmas to-do checklist. With 12 weeks leading up to the big day, you should arrange and complete the major tasks before the hustle and bustle of December hits you. Then, plan to budget and set a holiday schedule.

November is dedicated to action—buying gifts and cards and finalizing the grocery list. This leaves that month for more things to do, such as decorating and wrapping gifts. Planning and preparing helps you avoid last-minute panic buying at higher prices or unnecessary items.

A Complete Christmas To-Do Checklist That You’ll Need

Mid-October: Make a Christmas plan

To kick off your Christmas to-do checklist, planning your Christmas Day activities in mid-October can help everything else work smoothly. Inform your loved ones about the plans and estimate the number of guests. This early plan allows you to determine travel plans, including driving time or train tickets. If you want an overnight stay, book a reservation and any extra bedding you need.

Late October

1. Start filling in your December calendar

After planning, you might have received invitations for December events. So, note down your busy days and schedule pre-Christmas catch-ups with friends or family to find a suitable time for all. 

It’s a perfect time to make essential festive bookings, like hair and nail appointments or online deliveries. If you leave this any later, it could be difficult to find what you want, and you might have to pay a higher price.

2. Define your budget

As late October approaches, you should create a list of gift recipients and set individual and overall budgets. While you don’t need to choose specific gifts right away, having a savings goal will make it easier to prepare for December.

Mid-November

1. Do holiday shopping for presents

To steer clear of the crowds, November is ideal for beginning your holiday shopping. With your list and, hopefully, some budget saved, you’re all set! Many retailers extend their return period for Christmas gifts around this time, but it’s always good to double-check to avoid extra return fees.

2. Write Christmas cards

Start this task early; it’s one of those things we tend to procrastinate. If you’ve crafted your Christmas cards, early preparation ensures you have enough time to make an adequate quantity to send to everyone.

Late November: Bake some cakes

On the last Sunday before Advent day, families traditionally come together to prepare Christmas pudding. This makes it an ideal time for baking lovers to make homemade cakes. Whether it’s classic fruitcake or festive cookies, early baking allows you to freeze treats for later and prevent the holiday baking stress.

Early December

1. Decorate the Christmas tree

Christmas tree decorating is one of the most exciting and fun parts of the Christmas to-do checklist! If you’re into real trees, it’s best to shop a few days before decorating to let the branches settle. Bring out your decorations, see if you need new ones, and get the whole family in on the festive fun of decorating. Happy decorating!

2. Send overseas Christmas cards and gifts

If you have friends and family abroad, ensure their Christmas surprises arrive in time. International shipping may take lots of time, so plan to avoid any delays. 

However, if the first week of December is too hectic, you can delay sending cards until after the holiday rush. People still appreciate cards arriving a bit later when things calm down, and they can truly sit back and notice the mail.

Mid-December

1. Wrap the presents

Christmas is approaching quickly! Wrap your gifts well in advance and hide them to keep them a surprise for your kids until Santa arrives. Don’t wait until the last minute; this will free up time for other tasks on Christmas Eve.

2. Create a shopping list and order food

While you can’t shop for all your festive food yet, creating a detailed list of everything you’ll need can help ease your mind. Pre-order dishes like turkey and party food now to ensure you get exactly what you want!

3. Clean the house

Cleaning may not be a favorite task, but a tidy house will set a great backdrop for long-lasting Christmas memories. Roll up your sleeves, start cleaning up your living, and give your home an inviting atmosphere this holiday season!

A week before Christmas: Do a present check

Take a moment a week before Christmas to make sure all your presents are accounted for and ready to go. Double-check your gift list and make any last-minute adjustments. If the gift quantity isn’t enough, you still have time to order and gift on time. Don’t forget essentials like batteries for the kids to enjoy their new toys!

Two days until Christmas: Do your food shopping

2 days before Christmas day, having food shopping is a must to have all the ingredients you need to cook a delicious meal. You should allow ample time (expect queues) and be ready with a backup choice if items are out of stock. Keep an eye out for festive deals or promotions that might help you save on your holiday grocery haul.

Christmas Eve

1. Set the table

On Christmas Eve, setting the table beautifully for the festive dinner will infuse the entire house with a holiday atmosphere. Candles, twinkling lights, and festive music are needed to create a magical atmosphere. Moreover, seasonal fragrances like pine and peppermint are excellent to add to the merriment.

2. Prepare lunch

Let’s simplify your Christmas day by preparing some elements of the festive lunch in advance. Peel the veggies, prepare stuffing and pigs in blankets, and get your turkey ready to roast. This way, you can enjoy the festivities without the stress of last-minute preparations.

3. Lay out the presents

The easiest part of the Christmas to-do checklist finally comes! Create the magic of Christmas by silently arranging the presents once the kids are asleep. After leaving milk, a mince pie, and carrots for Santa and his reindeer, lay out the gifts beautifully under the tree. Finally, get ready for the joyous moment when the little ones wake up in the morning!

Read More:

• French Christmas Traditions

• How To Make A Christmas Bow

Bottom Line

Following this Christmas to-do checklist, we hope you’ll be well-prepared to embrace the holiday season with joy and ease. From planning your Christmas dinner to wrapping presents and setting the table, each task contributes to creating lasting memories with loved ones. So, start early, stay organized, and just wait to make this Christmas a celebration full of happiness and excitement!