Christmas planning in July - choose 4 tasks

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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	Christmas card list template
Make or buy Christmas cards	Best Christmas cards from around the web
Make or buy Christmas tags	How to make your own gift tags Free printable Christmas gift tags Cheat's guide to DIY Christmas gift tags 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

Are you undertaking a planning Christmas in July? If so what are you working on?

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