While we always want Christmas to be a magical time of year, the reality is, it’s not always. Life doesn’t stop just because it’s December. There’s still work to go to, the house to clean, dinners to cook, and school for kids. Now you’ve got the added stress of gift buying, stretched finances, and the unwavering want to make the holidays as magical as possible. All of this adds up to getting burnt out, going through the motions, and not feeling very festive. The days start to blend together and you’ve either done too much and you’re exhausted or everything you wanted to do kept getting pushed back and you realize you haven’t done anything besides barely get the tree up.

This is usually my reality every year as I try to make the season amazing - for everyone else. I forget about myself and how stressed out I am trying to find the perfect gift or DIY the entire family gifts. About two years ago, I got so hyper-focused on creating the perfect Christmas, I completely lost track of the days and ended up spending a lot more money than I should have. Not only that but I ended up putting it on a credit card that took us six months to pay off.

Things got better last year but since I went back home for the month of December this left my husband alone for Christmas. This year I’ve decided to do things differently and make it a magical holiday season for ALL of us (including me!).

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Put the tree and decorations up early

This year, my tree went up on November 3rd. The house is decorated and the only thing we have left to do is put up Christmas lights which my husband will do this weekend. The season already feels magical because we have everything up already.

2. Buying stocking stuffers in bulk

I tend to give the same stocking stuffers to everyone but why buy things that are in singles? This year I bought a large thing of Chapstick for like $8 and a reusable grocery bag set. I just broke up the items between family members. Cheap and now it’s done.

3. Planning out gifts

I am a planner at heart. But, when it comes to Christmas gifts I do tend to over buy and over spend. This year, I spent time planning out what everyone is going to get so I know what I’m buying and how much I’m spending.

4. Wrapping as you go and buying wrapping supplies early

I can’t sit on the floor for hours on end wrapping presents. My back would be on fire. When I buy a gift I wrap it that day so I don’t leave myself with too much wrapping at one time. I also like to buy wrapping supplies early while it’s not picked through. I am a big fan of buying wrapping supplies from the Dollar Store.

5. Decide what gifts to get on Black Friday

With my planning everyone’s gifts, I can sort out which gifts I want to wait on for Black Friday. Amazon will have a lot of sales leading up to it and a lot of retailers will start Black Friday early instead of on the one Friday. I save the expensive gifts for this and electronics.

6. Set Amazon lists for each person and put gift ideas on it

When I see something that my sister would like - I immediately add it to the Amazon list I have set up for her. She can’t see it - it’s only on my Amazon account - but I can keep track of what I want to get her. I can also scroll through it and see what’s on sale. I’m not good at remembering gift ideas so I have Amazon do it for me.

7. Meal plan in advance for the month

There’s nothing like holiday food in December. Meal plan the entire month if possible of December. Include any family gatherings or events so you know what to cook. Now there’s no scrambling for dinner and you can work on perfecting the green bean casserole (my fave) before the big Christmas dinner.

8. Pick 5 activities to do between November and December

Weekends tend to fill up fast and you want to make sure you get the fun holiday events in. 5 is a very manageable number, especially when split between 2 months. Ask the family what one thing they want to do each and make sure to get that scheduled in. Buy tickets in advance so you are set to go when the day comes.

9. Finish gift shopping by December 1st

This is something I’m working towards. I want to get all of my shopping and wrapping done, under the tree, or shipped out to my family by December 1st. I want to be able to have a stress-free holiday and worrying about spending money I don’t have and doing long intervals of gift wrapping is stressful.

10. Shop online and avoid the mall

I work at the mall. It’s BUSY. It’s the beginning of November and it’s insanely busy already. Skip the chaos and just buy online. All of the retailers are doing the same sales online as they are in the store. Plus, when you shop early, you don’t have to worry about shipping times.

11. Give the same gifts to extended family members

I generally do this for aunts and uncles. This year we did hand soaps and candles. They all have different scents, but it’s the same. It helps make things easier on me and it’s a nice gift.

12. Gift cards are easy

While you may prefer to stress about immediate family gifts, extended family will always appreciate a gift card. Starbucks, Target, or even if you want to do something nicer and get them a restaurant gift card. You can put it in with a Christmas card and stick a stamp on it.

13. Ask for help when you need it

There is no shame in asking for help. I sat down with my husband last night and he picked out which family member got which scented hand soap and I wrapped it. Even something as small as making the decision on that was so helpful because I didn’t have to sit there and think about it.

14. Schedule YOUR favorite part of the holiday first

The holidays are for you too! If your favorite thing about Christmas is drinking hot chocolate and driving around looking at Christmas lights - schedule that in first. Make sure you don’t give up your favorite part. It’ll have you feeling much more festive and relaxed.

15. Trim down your gift list

You do not need to get everyone something. Just a simple Christmas card will do. Stick to immediate family or just get the kids something. It’s your budget and your stress. No one else’s. And if it’s too much for you to have that long list - get rid of it.

16. Consider catering

Never underestimate the power of Honey Baked Ham. It’s a great place to get side dishes from or to get the main dish. If the thought of cooking for twenty people is too overwhelming - pick up store bought. Or pass it off as your own - I won’t tell.

17. Don’t send Christmas cards if it’s too much trouble

Save the holiday stress (and your hands) and skip writing out Christmas cards. If you do want to send them, consider a Christmas newsletter you can print multiple copies of or a picture one you can order from Shutterfly.

18. Use Zone Cleaning instead of a massive deep clean before guests arrive

Zone Cleaning is where you break up your deep cleaning tasks in “zones” and work on one zone per week. Then you can just touch up the other areas. Don’t break yourself deep cleaning right before guests come. Start early. I promise your baseboards won’t be that dusty if you clean them two weeks prior. Read my post about Zone Cleaning here.

19. Don’t worry about decluttering before the holidays

Shove it all in a closet and close the door. You are too busy to go through all of your stuff right now. After Christmas you can worry about that closet and declutter.

20. Make a list of who gave what when you get the gift so you can send thank you cards

I always send thank you cards. Any gift I receive, I send a thank you. I started keeping a list of what I got when I opened it so I could write a personal note. It’s saved me a lot of staring at the gift trying to remember who it’s from and then possibly getting it wrong.

21. Consider staying home and not traveling for Christmas

Travel is insane during the holidays. We’ve all done it. Consider skipping the chaos and just visit at a different time when prices and lines are down.

22. Consider not hosting this year

Just be a guest! Hosting is very stressful and unless you truly, in your heart, enjoy it (and it’s not just an obligation to you) - skip it. Someone else can host. And you can show up with a side dish.

23. Take one day off work for yourself

If you’re able to - call out of work (or plan it). But take one, whole, selfish day to relax. Don’t do anything Christmas related - just relax. You deserve it and you’ll need to recover.

24. Put a post-it note on a wrapped gift to remember what it is

With wrapping things early, you’ll tend to forget what it is. I stick a post-it note on the package so I remember and then I just remove it before Christmas.

25. Buy gift wrapping from the Dollar Store

The Dollar Store sells any kind of wrapping supplies you need. Rolls of wrapping paper, curling ribbons, gift bags, gift tags, gift boxes….the list goes on. It just goes in the trash anyway so there’s not a need to buy expensive things.

26. Skip gift tags - wrap each person’s gifts in different wrapping

If it’s easier on you to just wrap your husband’s gifts in red wrapping and your sister’s gifts in blue - just do that. No reason to handwrite all of the gift tags.

27. Your wrapping does not need to be perfect

This is one I need to remember because I always have to wrap perfectly. The wrapping gets torn off and put in the trash. If your corners aren’t perfect creased and your tissue paper isn’t perfectly symmetrical - it’s okay.

28. Consider donating to charity instead of giving adults gifts

A charity donation is always appreciated and it’s a lovely way to embrace the holiday giving spirit. You can take what you would have spent on gifts and instead of stressing out to get the perfect one for each person - you can donate it to charity.

29. Ship Amazon to out-of-state relatives as much as possible

Two years ago, I spent $300 in shipping alone. Don’t do that. Ship things through Amazon (which is free if you have Prime) and just let your family member know. Amazon will even wrap things for you.

30. Book flights as early as possible

I think Southwest lets you book flights three months ahead of time. Book them ASAP. The prices will be a lot cheaper and you can get the seats you want. Don’t wait until last minute to book any travel accommodations.

31. Plan guest arrangements early

If you are having people stay with you, make sure you know where everyone is sleeping and if your old air mattress still inflates. It’ll save you a lot of trouble when they actually arrive.

32. Don’t overcommit

Don’t stress your schedule out. You want to leave space open for things you want to do and events your family wants to do. If you get invited to a party the same day as you were going to go ice skating as a family - turn down the party. The ice skating was on the schedule first.

33. Embrace the job of Black Friday deals - at home

In conjunction with not going to the mall - just online shop Black Friday deals. It’s a month before Christmas and even if the shipping is SLOW, it’ll still arrive before 4 weeks. Skip the chaos.

34. Give practical gifts

I am the queen of practical gifts. I’m considering gifting my husband a toothbrush for Christmas. Does it get more practical than that? While it may seem odd to get someone something as practical as a toothbrush - they’d appreciate it and use it daily. Gifts don’t need to be crazy.

35. Stock up on essentials in November

If you have people staying with you - stock up on toilet paper and cooking supplies in November. You do not need to be making a midnight run to the store.

36. Limit alcohol during family functions

Ok, admittedly, this is one I have to work on. Things will go smoother and you’ll feel much better if you limit alcohol. Or, if you’re worried about others - make it an alcohol free event.

37. You don’t need to do everything

Pick and choose your holiday events. While it may seem like you want to do all of it - it will be a lot more enjoyable if you slow down and savor the event you’re actually at - instead of running to the next one and clock-watching.

38. Focus on family

‘Tis the reason for the season! It’s all about family and spending time together - not the commercial gift-giving and light displays. As long as you’re spending time with your family, you’re doing the holiday right.

39. Plan holiday events with your family

Have everyone pick one event they really want to do and make sure those get scheduled first and are top priority (and don’t forget to schedule what you want to do too!)

40. Shop for Christmas decor as soon as retailers come out with Christmas

Christmas starts coming out in the end of October. Grab some decor if you need it far in advanced so you don’t have to worry about the rising prices. I bought my Christmas tree in September when it was half off.

41. Spread out plans

Don’t try to shove everything in on one weekend. Spreading out your plans will make everyone enjoy it much more.

42. Ask guests to bring food instead of cooking all of it

If you’re hosting, just focus on the main course and have your guests bring the side dishes. Everyone can bring their favorite, which guarantees that everyone at that table will like something.

43. Shop for new Christmas decor after Christmas

After Christmas is the best time to get everything on sale. Run into any retailer and you’re sure to find great stuff for low prices. Plus, after you put it in storage for a year you’ll be pleasantly surprised when you find the new things!

44. If you don’t want family photos - don’t!

While it seems mandatory to get everyone together and do family photos, if it’s a pain and something you aren’t looking forward to - skip it. Do spring photos instead.

45. You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do

My therapist has to remind me of this. You’re an adult and if you do not like going to the holiday light show drive-thru…don’t go. If the entire family is going but the thought of sitting in a car for two hours moving at a snail’s pace is the last thing you want to do - don’t go. Stay home and enjoy some quiet alone time.

46. Don’t spend on credit cards

This is where we get into the most trouble. You do not want to pay for Christmas in July. Don’t spend on credit cards. If getting extravagant gifts is not in your budget - then don’t buy them. A card with a nice note goes a long way and it’s the thought that counts. You’ll be thanking yourself later when you didn’t go into debt over Christmas.

47. Cook breakfast Christmas morning the night before

In my family we have breakfast casserole. It’s pretty much made the night before and popped in the oven in the morning. Do what my mom does. Do all the prep work the night before so you can just enjoy spending time opening gifts and not worrying about when you have to stop to cook breakfast.

48. Limit the bad eating

Christmas is the time of candies and chocolates and everything else that you don’t eat on a regular basis. Limit the bad eating and you’ll feel so much better and not need to lose weight in January.

49. Don’t plan another even while you’re at an event

Enjoy the moment with the family and be present. Don’t worry about what else you have to go do or where you have to be or try to plan anything else. Just be.

50. Cancel plans

Don’t have the emotional bandwidth to go gingerbread house decorating? Cancel it. Really don’t want to go to the office ugly sweater Christmas party? Decline the RSVP. Your health and sanity is much more important.

Stay sane this holiday season. It comes every year. If you don’t get to an event or a party, chances are it will be there next year too. Your family needs YOU the most this year, not the stressed out, frantic you. Stay calm, cool, and collected. Cancel what you don’t have time for. Don’t go to things you don’t want to. And start early! If all of your gift buying is done by December 1st, you can sit back and enjoy the month of December.

50 Tips To Make The Holiday Season Manageable This Year

Put the tree and decorations up early