Want to get a head start on the holidays? Whether it’s planning gatherings or organizing your home. Maybe it’s finding the perfect gifts for everyone. Whatever it is. Here are 8-holiday tips to get ahead this year
It’s that time of the year again! The most wonderful time of the year!
But let’s keep it real. It can be quite hectic as well. Running around to get last-minute presents or pantry items. Every year you keep telling yourself – this is the last year for last-minute shopping and running errands. Next year will be better!
But it doesn’t. Does it?
Instead, it feels like Deja Vu, right?
Well, this year, maybe not. Try these 8-holiday tips to get ahead this year so you can truly enjoy your holidays.
1. Get ahead this holiday by planning
Planning helps make everything easier!
I’m sure you will agree. But do you take the time to sit down and intentionally plan your Christmas holiday list?
Dedicate 30 minutes to planning. You can choose to save your list on your notes on your smartphone or maybe you prefer to write it down on your planner or notepad as I do. Either way, work fine.
You can have as many lists as you wish. Usually, I keep about four lists.
One is for holiday shopping. On this list, I include who I need to purchase gifts for. How much I’m willing to spend on their gifts, ideas for gifts, and which store I may find their gifts in.
The second list is more or less a to-do list. This list has errands that need to be run. Bills I need to catch up on. Cleaning and decorating of the house. Pulling turkey. Choosing chinaware…
My third list includes my menu for dinner & who will be attending dinner. I include the date and time of the dinner. If any of our guests have dietary restrictions. I include it on this list. And is mindful of it when planning meals.
My final list is my grocery list. Now that I’m aware of who will be attending and dietary restrictions. I can prepare my grocery list. I usually go through this list alongside my menu list to make sure I get everything that is needed. To avoid extra trips to the supermarket.
Planning will eliminate many unwanted anxieties associated with this time of the year while helping you to stay ahead.
2. Shop early to get ahead of the game
Some of us like waiting last minute to do our Christmas shopping because we want to feel into the season while shopping.
The problem with this is. Many of the items you want may be gone when you arrive.
Go through your shopping list. For those on your list who are easy to shop for. Do yourself a favor and shop their gifts.
Dedicate a weekend where you will head to the stores with your shopping list and cross everything out.
Don’t wait for last-minute shopping is my second-holiday tip to get ahead this year.
3. Don’t try to impress anyone
Our anxieties grow as the holidays approach because of our need to impress. Does this sound familiar to you?
As humans, we are hard-wired to impress and be people pleasers. We want our home to look gorgeous (and nothing is wrong with that). I love my home to be well put together as well. We want to have it all! But the question is. Do we need it all?
Do we need the 10 trays of chocolate? The 5 bottles of Prosecco. 15 different dishes. Do you need to get new lighting or home decor?
Are these things for you? Or, do you want these things because of your inner ego? To impress others!
You don’t have to put yourself at your expense to impress anyone.
The holidays are not for this. It’s a time where we unite as one and cherish each other for who they are.
You don’t have to go over your budget while overwhelming your bank account and your mental health to impress your friends, family, and neighbors.
This leads us to # 4 holiday-tips-to-get-ahead-this-year.
4. Follow your spending
Many of us are usually surprised by our debit and credit card statements in January.
Don’t let this be you.
Track your spending using an excel spreadsheet or even one of the many saving apps on your smartphone.
Don’t go over your spending budget. If there’s something you should have. Then consider getting a short-term holiday job. Offer to babysit or do home cleaning. Maybe do a house purge and sell those items that you no longer need on Kijiji or E-bay.
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5. Have kids write their letters to Santa early
Usually, I get my kids to write and mail their letters to Santa the first week of December.
But, what I found with this – is that many of the times because the present they want from Santa is a trending toy. It’s usually really hard to put my hands on.
So, this year. We are switching things up!
We moved our Santa writing letter day to the second week in November. This gives me ample time to search for the “thing” they want without feeling hassle and stress.
Once their letters have been sealed and mailed to Santa. They cannot change their minds.
And we all know how often our kids changed their minds – when it comes to choosing the right toys.
6. Take care of yourself
Holidays can be overwhelming for many. And it’s no different for us.
Don’t get too worked up over it. Slow down when you need to! Slowing down is so refreshing and much needed in these chaotic and busy times we are living in.
Make time for yourself. Selfcare is not self-fish. It’s self-love. Make time for yourself. Even if it’s just for a few minutes every day.
If you don’t know what self-care may look like for you, here are some ways you can consider caring for yourself.
- Go for a nature walk.
- Breathe.
- Say something empowering to yourself.
- Express gratification.
- Read.
- Have a warm bath.
- Buy yourself some flowers.
- Listen to music.
- Look at a funny or drama movie.
Things may not go as plan for several reasons. Whatever those reasons are. I want you to remember that things happen for a reason. Don’t give too much of your energy to it. And always remember to take care of yourself.
Taking care of yourself is essential.
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7. Ask for help to get ahead this year
Holiday tips to get ahead this year # 7. Ask for help when needed.
I can not stress enough. How important it is to get help when needed. As moms, we’ve adjusted to the idea that we need to take care of everyone. But who takes care of us?
Nothing is wrong with asking for help. Regardless of what areas you need that help.
If we don’t ask for help, the people in our lives will assume we are okay and do not need help. If you are struggling. Please ask for help! There are some good people out there willing to help us. All we have to do is ask.
You will never know the answer until you ask.
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8. The best tip ever. Is to enjoy the holidays
What use is it to stress over the holidays if we can’t enjoy it?
Seriously! Ask yourself this question.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year. A time for giving and sharing. A time for reflection and forgiving. Forgive those who have hurt you. Kiss the ones you love, make the most out of the holidays, and don’t forget to be awesome!
I hope you enjoy the holidays as much as I do.
The holidays are not a time to bring on stress or create havoc in our own lives. It’s a time to love and honor those around us while creating memories that will last a lifetime. Make this holiday one of the best.
I hope that these 8-holiday tips to get ahead this year serve you right.
What is the one thing you love the most about the holidays? Share with me in the comments below.
Glad I’ve came across with this post. I badly need planning with shopping so I can manage my spending this Holiday.
The only thing I have left to do is wrap the presents! Totally asking my husband for help on that one this year!
Christmas is my favourite time of the year. I am always the last minuter in everything I do. So this was very helpful. Thank you for sharing.
I feel like I’m already behind for Christmas!
I like trying to get some of my shopping done through out the year when I see good deals and sales, it is so helpful and makes December less stressful.
i keep thinking i will plan and act ahead and end up pushing things to the last minute every year so this is just the right time for this reminder!! thank you
These are good points. Planning ahead is so important! I really need to get on top of taking care of these things.