Wow! Christmas will be here in about 8 weeks and are you on target with Christmas organizing preparations yet? If not, below you will find the post I did in August that will help prepare you for getting organized in time for the big day.
We all know what day Christmas falls on. Â But how many times have you found yourself unprepared and totally unorganized for Christmas? Â I know I certainly have. Â And, I’m optimistic that if you start planning and organizing monthly, you will be more than ready for Christmas 2017. Â Below is a list for each month leading up until Christmas. Â Now, let’s get organizing for Christmas 2017!
Month by Month Christmas Organizing Preparations
August 2017:
- Determine amount of Christmas budget.
- Make list of everyone to receive gifts.
- Brainstorm gift ideas for each person and determine amount to be spent.
- For people that will receive a gift certificate as a gift, begin checking online for discounted gift cards.  Check daily at Ebay, Giftcards.com, Giftcardbin.com and Cardpool.com.
September 2017:
- Check stored Christmas wrapping materials to determine what you will need to buy.
- Start checking weekly grocery ads for sales on baking staples that you will need for food gifts, holiday meals, etc.
- Get outside of house tidied up while weather is good for Christmas decorating.
- Start scouring Pinterest for inspiration for DIY gifts for teachers, clergy, mailman, etc.
- Make list of craft materials that you will need for DIY gifts and keep an eye out for upcoming sales.
- Check online for Christmas cards (if you go that route). Â Keep an eye out for good deals if ordering online.
- Check Dollar Tree or any dollar store for small gifts for your children to give out to classmates, friends, etc
- Continue to check daily for discounted gift cards at Ebay, Giftcards.com, Giftcardbin.com and Cardpool.com.
October 2017:
- Officially start Christmas shopping.
- Purge unused items in entire house and try to sell on Ebay, Craigslist or donate to Goodwill.
- Purge children’s unused toys and outgrown clothing.
- Possibly have a yard/garage sale to beef up the Christmas budget. Â Check out my tips for having a stellar yard sale.
- Start brainstorming what Christmas food gifts/cookies/gift mixes you will be making that can be made ahead (frozen) of time. Check out Allrecipes.com or Pinterest for inspiration.
- Find out clothing sizes of people for gifts and keep handy to reference when shopping.
- Order Christmas cards if purchasing online.
- Update Christmas card list.
- Start making DIY Christmas gifts.
- Keep an eye out for online magazine subscription deals to give as gifts.
- Continue to check daily for discounted gift cards at Ebay, Giftcards.com, Giftcardbin.com and Cardpool.com.
- Check weekly grocery ads for sales on baking staples that you will need for food gifts, holiday meals, etc.
November 2017:
- Check Amazon daily for great deals on potential gifts.
- Start addressing Christmas cards.
- Wrap all gifts as you are buying them.
- If you are shipping any gifts overseas send this month to ensure Christmas delivery.
- Start looking online for store deals for Black Friday. Be certain to go to Ebates.com before shopping online for additional savings, free shipping offers and cash back on purchases.
- Cyber Monday is November 27. Â Look online for great deals for gifts on your list.
- Take down fall decor and clean all areas where Christmas decor will go.
- Touch up paint as needed inside of house and clean top and front of kitchen cabinets, baseboards, etc.
- Start Christmas decorating later in the month.
- Continue to check daily for discounted gift cards at Ebay, Giftcards.com, Giftcardbin.com and Cardpool.com.
- Check weekly grocery ads for sales on baking staples that you will need for food gifts, holiday meals, etc.
December 2017 (Week of December 4 & December 11):
- Mail Christmas cards at beginning of month.
- Complete all Christmas shopping early in the month and continue to wrap gifts as you purchase them.
- Start making and freezing all food gifts.
- Complete all DIY gifts.
- Plan Christmas dinner. Purchase all non-perishable items. Â Make and freeze what can be prepared ahead.
December 2017 (Week of December 18):
- RELAX. Â You deserve it.
I am determined to not stray from this list so that this Christmas will not be a blur. Â I want to enjoy shopping and baking and all the other Christmas organizing preparations that need to be completed so that it won’t seem like a chore. Â Hopefully, you will stay on task month-by-month so you too can enjoy all the Christmas season has to offer.
How far are you along with your Christmas organizing preparations?
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