Tips for Preparing for Christmas in Early Fall

Christmas is a wonderful time of year when families have the opportunity to come together. But it can also be stressful, especially if you find yourself struggling to prepare (and pay for) everything at the last minute while juggling other commitments. 

Take away some of the stress by getting an early start on Christmas this year. There are plenty of things that you can do in the fall to start preparing for the Christmas season.

Make a Plan and a Budget 

Often, the biggest Christmas stressors, and expenses, are the things we forget and are forced to resolve at the last minute. This can be avoided by taking the time to sit down and make a detailed plan of what you need. This should include everything from big-ticket items like presents, your Christmas tree, and Christmas meal supplies, but also small things like Christmas cards, candy canes, and other small things that you like to have around the house during the Christmas period.

Figure out what you can buy in advance and what needs to be bought during the Christmas period. Assign a reasonable budget for each item. This will help you when making spending choices since if you spend a little bit more on something today, it will be very clear that you will have less money to spend on other, perhaps more important, items closer to Christmas.

If you can, start putting money aside now for expensive December items such as your Christmas tree. Don’t forget that your preferred Christmas protein, whether it be turkey or pork, probably has to be ordered well in advance to get a good price.

Audit What You Have

As part of your planning and budgeting process, you should also audit what you have! How many times have you spent money on new Christmas lights and wrapping paper only to find that you already had a stash of them at home? Do you have leftover Christmas cards from last year, or did you intelligently buy discounted Christmas items in the January sales?

Take the time to pull out all the Christmas things you have or presents that you have bought and intended to give to someone and still have hidden away. You might make a pretty big dent in your to-do list without leaving the house and saving a few pennies.

Start Gift Shopping

Some people, especially children, will give you a Christmas list. That’s great, and you can ask them to hand it over a little early this year, but not too early. You can also help your loved ones by making your own Christmas list a little early this year.

There are other people whom you know you have to choose something for every year. You wrack your brains, but as time pressure mounts, you end up buying them something uninspired or needlessly expensive.

Focus on looking for gifts for these people ahead of time. Do your research. Check out their social media accounts to see what they might be interested in, and check out lists of Christmas gift ideas for inspiration. You may be able to save money if you can find well-chosen presents that cost a little less. You might also have time to order special presents online or even make something yourself.

If there are things you know you want to order online, ordering early is an excellent option since extra deliveries around Christmas tend to mean mail delays!

Also, consider if there are specific winter markets or shopping locations further afield that you know are great for getting Christmas gifts. Plan these trips into your schedule now so that you don’t miss out.

Make Your Christmas Card List

As well as presents, there are Christmas cards to consider. Make a list of everyone you want to send a card to, and get your Christmas stamps (yes, they are usually available in September).

While it is too soon to send your Christmas cards this fall, you can start writing some of them now. You know which ones need up-to-date personal messages about what is happening in your lives and who can receive pre-written messages.

Even if you don’t start writing until late November, just having your cards, list, and stamps will help you feel more prepared.

If you have kids, this is a great opportunity to get them to draw or colour their own cards.

Start on Homemade Projects

Christmas gives you a lot of opportunities to exercise your creative side with homemade decorations, hand-drawn Christmas cards, and knitted sweaters. But sometimes, our best-laid plans for these projects fall by the wayside due to lack of time. Make sure that doesn’t happen this year by getting started early.

Making some of your Christmas decorations and presents doesn’t just save money; it also adds a personal touch to your Christmas. The people you care about notice when you take the time to do things yourself.

Do Your Christmas Card Photo

If you are a family that likes to do a Christmas card photo, why not book it for the fall? You may feel a bit silly putting on Christmas jumpers in October, but you can get much cheaper prices and a better choice of timeslots than in November and December.

Photographers tend to be prepared for this, and you won’t have any trouble finding someone able to deliver a Christmas-themed photo in November. They probably have lots of commercial clients who have already done their festive shoots.

Consider Your Wardrobe

As well as family fun, Christmas is the time of year for Christmas parties and reunion nights out with old friends. It is only natural to want to look your best on these occasions, and it can just add to your stress if you feel like you have nothing to wear when the big night rolls around.

If this sounds like you, it is worth shopping for your Christmas party outfit now, especially in the fall when new colder weather fashions are suddenly available. Don’t get caught in the trap of impulse buying something online that doesn’t end up suiting you because the party is this weekend. Enjoy walking the shops and getting yourself a special early Christmas present.

It’s not self-indulgent! When you feel your best, you are a better person for the people around you. Go ahead.

Preparing for any big event is stressful when you don’t give yourself enough time. Christmas can be especially challenging since everyone is trying to get their hands on the same goods and services at the same time. You could find yourself with limited options for scheduling your Christmas photo and looking at sold-out shelves of the essentials you need.

Reduce stress and have a better and more affordable Christmas by starting your preparations in the fall!