The festive season is one of the busiest times of the year, but it becomes much more manageable with some early planning. Today, we’re sharing useful ideas to help you get ready for Christmas and create a beautiful setting for your celebrations. From tidying up rooms to bringing out your decorations, we’ve put together the ultimate Christmas preparation checklist.
Before You Begin
Preparing for Christmas can get hectic and feel utterly chaotic. Don’t worry! We have a Christmas preparation checklist to help you stay organised while taking your decorations out of storage.
Ask a friend or your children to help you decorate your space. Check your Christmas storage and see what’s in each box. Bring your décor boxes into a spacious room so you can unpack them, inspect everything for damage, and choose which pieces you’d like to use this year.
Make piles according to the type of decoration or the room they’re for. For example, dedicate a corner to Christmas wreaths or garlands. It also helps to use a special box that stores each ornament individually so you can see your whole collection before placing them on the tree. Place your Christmas tree ornaments and lights next to the tree for easy access.
Decorate with one box at a time to minimise mess and repack as you go. Before moving on to another box, store the empty containers back inside it.
We recommend covering your work area with old newspapers or towels to stop glitter and other small trinkets from ornaments getting everywhere.
These tips should keep your stress levels to a minimum. Prepare well in advance, and you won’t feel overwhelmed as Christmas approaches.
How To Prepare for Christmas
Getting ready for Christmas can feel overwhelming at times. That’s why we’ve narrowed it down to seven steps to help you stay organised:
1. Clear Out the Clutter
Before decking the halls, set aside a day or two to declutter your home. Check each room, shelf, and surface, and remove anything you no longer use or want to display. Decluttering helps create more space for your Christmas décor and makes it easier to visualise your decorating plans.
2. Keep an Orderly Kitchen
Christmas time usually involves a lot of cooking and baking, and an organised kitchen helps keep everything running smoothly. Make sure all your essential kitchen tools, utensils, and cookware are thoroughly cleaned and easy to access. Check that your oven, stove, microwave, food processor, and dishwasher are in good working order, and repair or replace any faulty appliances before the busy cooking preparations begin. Go through your fridge and dispose of any stale or expired items to make room for freezer-friendly treats you can prepare in advance.
3. Set Up the Celebration Space
Choose a designated space as your festive backdrop, whether it’s the living room, dining room, or den. Assess the area and find the perfect spot for your Christmas tree. Don’t hesitate to rearrange, replace, or remove furniture to give your seasonal centrepiece the space it deserves.
If you’re using the fireplace mantel as a focal point, make sure your fireplace has been properly cleared of ash and soot before decorating. Consider setting up a fireplace screen for added safety and an extra touch of style.
4. Inspect Your Christmas Tree
Whether you plan to reuse your current Christmas tree or buy a new one, it’s always a good idea to inspect it a few weeks before setting it up.
Checking early gives you time to troubleshoot or request replacement parts if needed. Look for any loose branches or wires, and make sure all the lights are working properly. Do the same for your Christmas greenery, such as wreaths, garlands, and swags.
Examine your ornaments and other decorations to ensure they’re complete and intact. Depending on your decorating theme, you might also want to purchase new ornaments to add to your existing collection.
5. Be Ready To Entertain
Plan which dishes you’ll serve and how you’ll decorate your table. Stock up on everyone’s favourite treats, snacks, and festive drinks. Pay attention to the details that will make your setup beautiful and unique. Use themed plates, cutlery, glasses, and serving stands or bowls.
6. Make It Warm and Cosy
A cosy Christmas home provides a welcome relief from the hectic festive season. Create a relaxing atmosphere with flameless candles by arranging them on the mantel, coffee table, or anywhere you want to add a warm ambience. For added texture, drape a plush throw blanket over your couch or dress up your Christmas tree with a lush tree skirt.
7. Brighten Your Exteriors
Christmas house lights work wonders to brighten outdoor spaces and prepare your home for the festive season. Flank your front door with pre-lit topiaries and arrange lanterns on your verandah steps. Wrap pre-lit artificial garlands around posts and railings or along the door frame. If it snows where you live, make it safe for the family by clearing paths and walkways of snow and debris. Place a slip-resistant mat by the door to prevent slipping on wet floors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have some questions in mind? Keep reading as we answer some of them below.
How Do You Prepare Yourself for Christmas?
To prepare for Christmas, start by planning your festive activities, including gift shopping, decorating, and meal preparations. Set a budget, create a to-do list, and allow time to relax so you can enjoy the season without stress.
What Do I Need To Do Before Christmas?
Before Christmas, you’ll need to buy gifts, plan and prepare festive meals, decorate your home, and organise any gatherings you’re hosting. It also helps to wrap presents early and ensure your home is tidy and welcoming for guests.
What Is the Most Important Preparation You Do Before Christmas?
The most important preparation before Christmas is planning and organising your time and budget to avoid last-minute stress.
How Do You Start Planning for Christmas?
Start planning for Christmas by setting a budget for gifts, decorations, and food. Create a timeline for activities such as decorating, shopping, and wrapping, and list your tasks to stay organised throughout the season.
When Do You Start Preparing for Christmas?
It’s a good idea to start preparing for Christmas in early November to spread out tasks and reduce stress, followed by decorating in late November or early December.
We hope this post has given you some ideas on how to prepare for Christmas. This year, avoid the last-minute festive scramble and focus on what matters most—spending quality time with your loved ones.
Learn More About Decorating for Christmas
Visit the links below for more tips and ideas on decorating for Christmas.