Over the years I have created a master Christmas planning and preparation checklist. When it comes to Christmas, my preference is to do some work each week in the 10 weeks leading up to Christmas so I am not stressed out or feel rushed when it comes to December. With this approach, it means I can enjoy more of the lead-up festivities knowing I have much of Christmas planning sorted.
But if you didn’t start your Christmas planning and preparation weeks before Christmas and only have a few days before the big day, don’t worry there is help for you too! There is a second tab in the spreadsheet that caters for the last few days before Christmas.
Christmas planning and preparation checklist
You can see the Christmas planning checklist in full in the table below and I have included links to helpful posts on the blog. 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 spreadsheet 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 – there are further instructions below on how to do this.
Last few days checklist
If you have come to this list with only a few days left before Christmas, then don’t worry the Google Spreadsheet can still help you! There is a second tab named “Last few days checklist” and it lists the key tasks needed to do in the days leading up to Christmas to make sure it goes smoothly.
Some of the items on the list require further planning, for example creating a menu plan, Christmas Day work plan so you can create additional tabs in the spreadsheet to keep all your lists in one place.
Christmas planning and preparation checklist with helpful links
If you plan to undertake most of the 50 activities listed, try allocating a group of activities to each week that you have left before Christmas. For example, if you are 10 weeks out from Christmas aim for 5 activities a week. That way you are not left with 30 things to do in the final week before Christmas. When choosing tasks for the week, make it a combination of big and small tasks. Again this will help you spread the workload more evenly.
Don’t be afraid to delegate tasks either. If you are using the Google sheet version, you can share the checklist with your significant other, allocate due dates to tasks they can complete.
And while this list may seem long, it contains many simple and fun things to do as part of your Christmas festivities. The plan shouldn’t take away the fun of Christmas, but enhance your time as it reduces stress by smoothing out the workload.
| 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 |
Accessing the Google Spreadsheet
To be able to edit a copy of the Christmas planning and preparation checklist sheet and add your items and notes, you need to make a copy of the sheet first. To do that you need to:
- Open the Christmas Planning Checklist spreadsheet
- Click on ‘file’, then ‘make a copy’
- Name the sheet and click on okay
- You will now be able to make whatever changes you like.
You will need a Google account to do this. If you don’t have a Google account already you will need to sign up for one. This doesn’t mean you have to get a Gmail address. Google accounts don’t have to use Gmail addresses. A Google account is simply a unified sign-in system that gives you access to Google products, including Drive, Docs, Sheets, and Slides. You can associate any email address with a Google account. To sign up for a Google Account go here.