A Christmas to do list to stay organised this festive season

Christmas can be really overwhelming, however, with the help of a Christmas to do list, you can start ticking tasks off early, so you can enjoy the season after all the hard work you’ve put into it.

If you want to prepare for Christmas so you’re not racing around last minute trying to remember everything, then this article is for you.

Below is the ultimate Christmas to do list, detailing everything you need to get done for Christmas, from booking Christmas activities, starting a gift list, remembering advent calendars, how to declutter your home to make space for new items, and so much more.

Best of all I’ve created a FREE Christmas list printable, highlighting what tasks to do when, so you can relax as Christmas approaches.

Download your FREE Christmas list printable here

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Why you need a Christmas to do list

Here are some reasons why a Christmas to do list will help you this Christmas:

• It shows you exactly what needs to be done by when
• It reduces stress, no more last minute panic buying or forgotten tasks
• Saves money because planning ahead enables you to utilise sales
• Enables you to enjoy Christmas, as big tasks get ticked off early

Your to do list for Christmas

Here’s all the things you can add to your to do list for Christmas, so you can start to prepare for Christmas now, allowing you to enjoy the festive season as it gets nearer.

You absolutely don’t need to do all of these things, pick and choose the things that are important to you and your family.

Book Christmas activities

Christmas activities start to be advertised as early as September, and sell out fast.

Think about the Christmas activities that are important to your family, that you’d like to add to your Christmas schedule.

This can include things such as Father Christmas visits, light switch ons, local events, pantomimes, or school events.

If tickets aren’t available yet, find out when they are and make a note in your calendar to book them, or make a note to revisit the website in a few weeks to check if there’s further information.

You can also block out dates in your calendar for family and friend visits, annual leave, and pre-Christmas hair and nail appointments.

Set a budget

Make a list of all the expenses you’ll incur over Christmas, including things like gifts, food, outings, gift wrap, and travel.

Determine how much you want to spend on each area, or in total, and see if there’s ways you can keep costs down, such as asking if extended family wants to do Secret Santa, or if someone else can host Christmas this year.

Start your gift list

Starting your Christmas gift list as early as October is a great way to take advantage of early Christmas sales.

Start your Christmas gift list by listing down everyone you need to buy for, and some gift ideas for each person.

Add teacher gifts to your list if needed, and add some spare gift ideas as well, like candles, books, or chocolate, in case you need a gift for a last minute party invite, or you forgot someone, or someone unexpectantly gives you a gift.

Something that I like to do with my Christmas gift list is to add a purchased and delivered section to it, so I can follow up any gifts that haven’t arrived by the date they were supposed to.

One way you can avoid overspending on kid’s gifts is to buy them one of the following:

• Something to wear
• Something to read
• Something they want
• Something they need

Top tip – Keep your final gift list so you don’t buy people the same gifts next Christmas.

Stocking stuffers and Christmas Eve boxes

If your family does Christmas stockings or Christmas Eve boxes, add what you need for them to your to do list and purchase them early.

Some ideas for stocking stuffers and Christmas Eve boxes include:

• Christmas pjs
• Socks
• Hot chocolate sachets

Here are some more stocking stuffer ideas that your kids will love.

Advent calendars

Purchasing advent calendars is something I like to do in October, which I know is early, but you’d be surprised how early the good ones sell out.

Here are a few that I’ve purchased in the past that my kid’s loved:

• Bluey book bundle advent calendar
• Lego Disney advent calendar
• Squishmallows advent calendar

If you like the idea of making your own advent calendar, here are some advent calendar filler ideas.

Check supplies and decor

In the first week of November I like to check to see that I have enough Christmas supplies, and if I don’t I purchase them the next time I’m out.

This includes making sure I have enough:

• Batteries
• Christmas cards
• Christmas crackers
• Gift tags
• Ribbon
• Sticky tape
• Wrapping paper (including Santa only wrapping paper)

At the same time it’s worthwhile checking your Christmas décor, throwing away any that are broken, and purchasing anything that you need.

Meal planning

Food is a huge part of Christmas, and there’s quite a few things to remember when it comes to Christmas meals.

If you want your Christmas food delivered, in early October check to see when your supermarket or specialty food retailer’s food delivery slots open, and make a note to book a slot as soon as you can.

When thinking about how to prepare for Christmas when it comes to Christmas meals, to make this easier you can start meal planning in November, by writing down the meals you want to have over Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and any other day you need festive food for.

You can then make a shopping list for the ingredients you’ll need, adding any long life items like biscuits, mince pies, and drinks to your list, then working out a timeline of when each meal needs to start being prepared and cooked, so everything is ready at the same time.

You can also start batch cooking in November, freezing what you can, so you save time in the lead up to Christmas.

Don’t forget to add foil, cling film, baking paper, napkins, food storage containers, bin bags, and Santa and reindeer treats to your grocery list.

Letters to Santa

If your kids are writing a letter to Santa, towards the end of November check your postal service’s website for when the letter needs to be posted by.

Decluttering

There are a few areas you can declutter before Christmas including:

• Decluttering kid’s toys and clothes to make space for new items that will enter your home, you can sell anything in good condition for extra Christmas budget money
• Clearing out your fridge, freezer, and pantry to make space for Christmas food

Decorating your home

Home decorating is often the first thing on a Christmas schedule, which I like to do in the first week of December.

Decorating your home for Christmas is fun to do as a family, and if you have little kids, letting them decorate their own small Christmas tree, makes the day extra special.

Here are some extra Christmas décor items you may like to decorate your home with in addition to your Christmas tree and lights:

• Christmas bedding
• Christmas village
• Christmas wreath

Gift wrapping and card writing

There’s two ways you can approach gift wrapping, the first is to wrap gifts as you buy them, so you don’t have a mountain of gifts to wrap at once.

Or, you can wrap them all at once while listening to a podcast, audio book, or Christmas songs while enjoying some Christmas snacks.

When wrapping gifts keep your gift wrapping supplies nearby, and when it comes to writing Christmas cards post them early.

Christmas traditions

Don’t forget to make time for any Christmas traditions your family likes to do, some ideas include:

• Baking Christmas treats
• Doing Elf on the Shelf
• Going for a Christmas Day walk
• Reading Christmas books, some of my favourites are How the Grinch Stole Christmas and The Polar Express
• Watching family Christmas movies, like Elf and Home Alone

As well as spending time with family, making time for yourself is essential to avoid mum burnout over the holidays, and can include activities like reading, connecting with friends, or enjoying some quiet time.

Reflect on the day

Reflecting on Christmas so you can make changes next year is a great thing to add to your Christmas to do list.

Some things you can reflect on include whether you bought too many gifts, if there was food that wasn’t eaten, and any Christmas events you don’t want to do again.

Reflecting on the day and making notes of what not to do next year, will save you time and money next Christmas.

A Christmas to do list – a recap

Christmas is a special time of year, but it can feel overwhelming when you’re juggling shopping, cooking, decorating, and family traditions, on top of daily life.

That’s why having a Christmas to do list is essential, it provides clarity on what you need to get done, helps you stay on track, and frees up time for the fun, festive moments that matter the most.

One of the best things about a Christmas to do list is that it’s flexible. You don’t need to do everything, simply pick and choose the things that are most important to you and your family.

This may mean getting your gift list sorted early, prioritising family traditions, making sure your fridge is stocked with Christmas food, or your kid’s Christmas stockings are filled.

So this Christmas plan ahead, and simplify where you can, so you not only survive the season, but enjoy it.

Want a Christmas checklist to make Christmas prep simple? Be sure to download your FREE Christmas list printable so you’re ready before the big day arrives.

What’s one Christmas task that always stresses you out?

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