Regular readers of the blog would be familiar with my Christmas in July planning series. It is not about going over the top and getting everything sorted for Christmas, but it is about taking some time out at a more quieter time of the year and choosing a few activities to take the pressure off the end of the year.
Last year I shared a complete checklist for Christmas planning which is now my go to guide for Christmas planning. It made working out to do this July so much easier!
From this list I am going to do the following four activities this July:
- Decide on theme for Christmas
- Make handmade gifts
- Christmas gift idea list
- Christmas present tags
Each week I will share my progress here on the blog. If you haven’t undertaken some Christmas planning in July before, I can highly recommend it.
Through creating a Christmas plan, you are able to better manage the workload of the activities. Take four activities from the list that you know will help make your life a little easier by the time December rolls around!
How to use the Christmas planning checklist
It has over 50 activities listed. You may not need or want to do all of these items, but it will provide inspiration and motivation to get you organised for Christmas 2016. You can see the Christmas planning checklist in the table below. I have also uploaded a spreadsheet that you can freely download in two formats:
- As an excel spreadsheet here – PWK Christmas 50+ things to do checklist
- A google drive sheet here – PWK Christmas preparation checklist
The spread sheet contains some extra columns for dates and notes. You can either use it directly on the computer or print it out depending on your personal preference. If you are using the Google sheet version, click on ‘File’, then ‘make a copy’ to have your own version you can edit.
Once you have selected your four activities you can keep the list as a work in progress as Christmas comes closer. This will help you spread the work load more evenly.
Happy planning!
| Activtiy | Resources |
|---|---|
| Create a Christmas planning spreadsheet | How to start a Christmas planning spreadsheet |
| Choose a theme for Christmas | Christmas theme ideas |
| Conduct Christmas supplies audit (wrapping, presents stashed away etc). Make sure you know what you have before you start buying anything. | |
| Update or create Christmas budget | How to set a Christmas budget 33 parent tips for saving at Christmas |
| Update or create Christmas card list | Upcycled Christmas gift tags |
| Buy or source Christmas wrapping paper | Thrifty gift wrapping for Christmas Free Christmas card and wrap freebies |
| Buy or source sticky tape / ribbons / bows etc | Thrifty gift wrapping for Christmas |
| Set up a wrapping caddy | Creating a wrapping caddy |
| Create a Christmas present ideas list for family | Teenage Christmas Gift Ideas For Less Than $35 Christmas Gift Ideas For Under $30 Christmas Gift Ideas For Kids For Under $30 |
| Create a Christmas present ideas list for friends | As above! |
| Write Christmas cards | |
| Schedule all Christmas festivities on/in your calendar | |
| If hosting create a Christmas menu plan | Christmas menu plan ideas |
| Create a work plan for the month out to Christmas to create the menu plan | Christmas Day Preparation – What You Can Do Ahead and When |
| Undertake a wardrobe declutter and check that everyone has an appropriate outfit for Christmas | Tips for decluttering your home |
| Make or purchase small handmade treat for the kids' class gifts | Marshmallow Christmas trees Christmas popcorn Candy cane freckles Milky way sleighs |
| Make or purchase teacher gifts | Christmas gifts for teachers Easy DIY ideas |
| Make or purchase neighbour gifts | Peppermint bath salts Essential oil roll on DIY herb planter box How to make your own candles Make your own coasters |
| Make handmade Christmas decorations with the kids | Simple Christmas Decorating Ideas You Can Do With The Kids |
| Make Christmas gifts for friends | As per neighbours: Peppermint bath salts Essential oil roll on DIY herb planter box How to make your own candles Make your own coasters |
| Undertake online Christmas shopping | 11 Christmas gifts you can buy online for under $40 (incl postage) |
| Undertake retail shopping | 11 secondhand, salvaged and upcycled stores in Melbourne 10 Practical Christmas Presents For Children |
| Make a donation to your favourite charity | Donating at Christmas |
| Make a Christmas hamper | How to make your own Christmas hamper |
| Make or purchase Christmas crackers | Easy DIY Christmas crackers |
| Make or buy an advent calendar | 35 DIY Advent Calendars to Make 30 DIY Christmas Advent Calendars |
| Wrap presents | Christmas wrapping ideas |
| Send Christmas cards and overseas presents | |
| Set up and decorate the Christmas tree | Martha Stewart Christmas Tree Decorating Ideas BHG how to decorate a Christmas tree |
| Decorate the house with additional Christmas trimmings | Natural Christmas decorations |
| Make or buy a Christmas wreath | Homemade magazine wreath Whimsical paper wreath Pine cone wreath |
| Set up Christmas lights | 25 Gorgeous Ways to Use Christmas Lights 23 Unique Ways to Decorate With Christmas Lights |
| Stock up pantry | Pantry staples list |
| Stock up the drinks cabinet | |
| Make homemade Christmas food gifts | Almond butter Dukkah Tea gift |
| See the Christmas lights in your area | |
| Create a Christmas table setting plan | Affordable festive ideas for a lovely Christmas table Christmas Centre Pieces – Easy DIY |
| Create Christmas week work plan | Christmas Day Preparation – What You Can Do Ahead and When |
| Create Christmas day work plan | Christmas Day Preparation – What You Can Do Ahead and When |
| Make a Christmas playlist | 50 best Christmas songs Best Christmas Songs - 2015 ♥ Playlist (Youtube - over 60 mins) |
| Make a gingerbread house | How to make your first gingerbread house |
| Watch a Christmas movie with the family | The 20 best Christmas movies for kids Favourite Christmas Movies |
| Read Christmas stories together as a family | Best Christmas books |
| Print out some Christmas printables for the kids | 8 Free Christmas Printables |
| Volunteer time at a charity | |
| Declutter the kids toys (make room for the new ones and give unwanted to charity) | Tips for decluttering your home |
| Undertake a family clean of the house | |
| Take a famiy Christmas photo | Tips On Taking Photos For Christmas Cards |
| Make Christmas party treats | Christmas Treats To Make With Kids 13 sweet treat recipes (without the cane sugar) |
| Take the kids to visit Santa | |
| Attend a Christmas vigil | |
| Put the stockings out for Santa | |
| Leave Santa a drink and snack and something for the reindeers | |
| Enjoy your family Christmas traditions |