“Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle all the way!” – Oh, how we all love the sound of this famous Christmas song. But alongside the season of joy, there comes a lot of stress, especially when it comes to preparing for the big day itself. From shopping for gifts and decorating the house to cooking a grand feast and dealing with visitors – it can quickly become overwhelming. But what if we told you that you can spread the joy of Christmas throughout the year, and reduce your stress levels significantly?
Yes, you heard that right! In this blog post, we will take you through a step-by-step guide on how to plan for Christmas throughout the seasons so that you can sit back, relax, and enjoy the festive season to the fullest.
So, let’s get started!
January: Set Your Budget
The first step to preparing for Christmas is to set a budget. You don’t want to be left with a pile of bills and no money in January, do you? Determine how much you can afford to spend on gifts, decorations, and festivities. This will help you prioritise your expenses and stick to your budget throughout the year.
January: Start Stocking Up on Decorations
Once the New Year has been and gone, stores begin to put away their holiday decorations and launch their January sales. This is the perfect time to start stocking up on decorations for the next holiday season. Look for clearance items to save money – you’re sure to pick up a bargain. You can also start making some DIY decorations to add a personal touch to your home.
February: Make a Gift List
February is the perfect time to start thinking about the gifts you want to give to your loved ones. Write down a list of everyone you would like to give a gift to and what you would like to give them. This will help you avoid last-minute shopping and overspending.
Summer: Shop for Gifts
Summer is the perfect time to start shopping for gifts. By getting ahead of yourself, you can cross off a few gifts from your list and save some money in the process. Take advantage of early bird sales and discounts to save even more.
Autumn: Get Your Home Ready for Christmas
Now that you’ve got your budget set, gift list ready, and decorations and menu planned, it’s time to get your home ready for Christmas. Start decluttering and organising your home to make space for your festive decorations. You can also start planning any home improvements or renovations you’d like to make before the holiday season.
September – October: Plan Your Festive Activities
September is the perfect time to start planning your festive activities. Whether you’re planning a family gathering, a holiday party, or just a quiet night in with your loved ones, start making plans now, so you have time to arrange everything. Decide on your menu, activities, and games, and make any necessary reservations or bookings.
November: Plan Your Festive Menu
The next step in planning for Christmas is to plan your festive menu. Whether you’re hosting a Christmas dinner or just planning on making some festive treats, start jotting down recipe ideas and ingredients you’ll need. This way, you’ll have plenty of time to make adjustments to your menu if needed.
November: Send Out Your Christmas Cards
With the holiday season fast approaching, November is the perfect time to start writing and sending out your Christmas cards. Write a personal message to each recipient and send your cards in plenty of time for them to arrive before Christmas.
Late November: Get Your Home Decorated
Late November is the time to bring out your decorations and start transforming your home into a festive wonderland. It’s true what they say, Christmas seems to get earlier and earlier every year! Whether you prefer a traditional red and green theme or something more modern, now is the time to get the decorations out of the loft. Don’t forget to get the kids involved in the fun – they’ll love helping you decorate the house!
Early December: Start Preparing Your Home-made Treats
August is the perfect time to start preparing your home-made treats for Christmas. Whether you’re making Christmas cookies, candies, or other festive treats, start preparing them now, so they have time to mature and develop their flavours.
Mid-December: Wrap Up Your Gift Shopping
July is the perfect time to wrap up your gift shopping. By now, you should have a good idea of what you want to give to your loved ones, and you should have taken advantage of sales and discounts to save some money. Pop on some festive music to get yourself into the spirit!
December: Enjoy the Festive Season
Finally, it’s time to sit back, relax, and enjoy the festive season. Spend time with your loved ones, attend festive gatherings, and make memories that will last a lifetime. And, of course, don’t forget to leave out a glass of milk, some carrots and some mince pies for Santa on Christmas Eve!
In conclusion, planning for Christmas doesn’t have to be stressful. By following our step-by-step guide, you can spread the joy of the festive season throughout the year and enjoy a stress-free holiday season. So, put on your Santa hat, get your shopping list ready, and let the festivities begin!
Santa Claus and Receiving a Letter from Santa
No Christmas is complete without a visit from Santa Claus. For many children, receiving a letter from Santa is a magical experience that they will never forget. You can easily make this happen by sending a personalised letter from Santa to your child or loved one.
Real Santa Letters offers a premium service, where you can customise the letter with your recipient’s name, address, and personal details. Your child will be overjoyed to receive a letter from Santa, filled with Christmas cheer and good wishes.
Plus we also offer a vast range of other gifts and treats to accompany the letter, including activity packs, reindeer food and even a hamper full of festive treats.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
