Prep for the holidays now with these simple tips!

Taking time to prep for the holidays now can help you not end up in holiday overwhelm. Have you ever been in the middle of December and felt like you were just surviving the season? I know I have. I felt like all I did was try to play catch up while all I wanted to do was savor the moments. One thing that has helped me to savor the holidays has been to start prepping now.

As you read through these tips, take one at a time. You do not have to do it all in one day. That is the point of starting now, you have time to break up the tasks.

For more tips, join the 15-day Holiday Organization Challenge!

Simple Ways to Prep for the Holidays

Do a brain dump. 

Chances are, you already have holiday thoughts swirling through your mind. Take some time now to do a holiday brain dump. Write down every single thing you think of. It does not have to be neat, just get it written down.

Create your lists from the brain dump. 

Now that you have your brain dump, take some time to divide everything into lists. Lists you may have:

• Things to Buy
• People to Shop for
• Traditions/Family Activities

Consider using the Holiday Planner to keep everything organized!

Decide what you are not going to do this year. 

A couple of years ago, I decided we were not going to send Christmas cards. We were in the middle of moving and I needed to simplify things. You do not have to do all of the holiday things. This is your chance to decide what you will let go of.

This is also the perfect time to remind you to be aware of your season. If you have a newborn or a lot of little kids, keep things simple! If you are in the middle of changes in your life, keep it simple. Christmas does not need to be overcomplicated. We often overcomplicate it as we try to do all the things we think we should be doing.

Do some scheduling prep

Schedule what you already know is happening. If you already have dates that you know have plans on them, go ahead and write those down.

Schedule the important things. What are the activities or traditions that you want to make time for? Take time to write those on your calendar so they actually happen. Far too often we have activities we want to do but then we get busy and never actually do the things.

Leave time for rest. The holidays become stressful when we overschedule. You do not have to do every cookie exchange. You do not have to attend every gathering. Carve out intentional time for rest. Go ahead and write it on your calendar so you have a visual reminder.

Do some practical Prep

Get your gift-wrapping supplies ready. 

Instead of running around last minute to gather supplies, grab what you need now. Put it all in one spot so it is ready.

• Scissors
• Tape
• Ribbon
• Gift Wrap
• Gift Bags
• Tissue Paper

Take time to declutter the toys now. 

Now is the perfect time to declutter the toys! It will help you see what you no longer need and give you ideas for Christmas.

Think about advent. 

Will you do an advent plan personally? Will you do something with your kids? Take time now to do your research and make a decision.

Ready to prep for the holidays?

The holiday season does not have to take us off guard. We can take time now to prepare for the holidays so we can enter them ready to celebrate. Make sure to join the 15-day challenge!