Getting ready for Christmas while juggling work, life, and kids?
You’re not alone – December gets overwhelming fast. That’s why getting ready for Christmas a little earlier (and smarter) makes a huge difference.
These 15 low-stress habits help you chip away at the chaos now, so you can actually enjoy the season later – with fewer lists, fewer meltdowns, and way more cocoa.
Table of Contents
1. Getting Ready for Christmas? Set a Weekly Gift Brain Dump Day
Why it helps:
You know that feeling in December when you’re digging through drawers trying to remember if you already bought something for your sister-in-law? Yeah — this stops that. It also saves you from the 2 a.m. brain spirals where your to-do list won’t shut up.
Mini description:
Pick one day a week (Sunday night works great) to sit down with tea and just brain dump gift ideas. No pressure to buy — just jot down anyone who comes to mind and whatever random gift idea popped in your head that day. Teachers, coworkers, that aunt who knits… write it all down while it’s still floating around in your brain.
Bonus tip:
Keep the list where you’ll actually see it — Notes app, kitchen whiteboard, back of your planner. Don’t overthink it. The win is that you won’t have to start from scratch in December when your brain is fried.
2. Getting Ready for Christmas? Stock Up on Long-Lasting Holiday Basics Early
Why it helps:
Ever found yourself in a store on December 23rd, fighting for the last bag of powdered sugar like it’s Black Friday? No judgment — we’ve all been there. But stocking up early means you skip the crowds and the stress.
Mini description:
Each week when you’re already doing groceries, toss in 1–2 long-lasting items you’ll need for the holidays. Think baking staples, canned goods, wrapping paper, batteries — anything that won’t go bad and always disappears right before Christmas.
Bonus tip:
Start a note on your phone titled “Holiday Stockpile” and check things off as you go. It takes zero extra effort now and saves your December self from five extra store runs (and the rage they cause).
3. Getting Ready for Christmas? Create a Quick Holiday Budget Snapshot
Why it helps:
Because nothing kills post-Christmas joy like a credit card bill that makes you want to fake your own disappearance. Even a loose budget now helps you stay in control before the spending snowballs.
Mini description:
Grab a notepad or open your Notes app and jot down rough numbers for gifts, food, events, travel — whatever your holiday usually includes. Don’t worry about making it perfect. The goal is to see the big picture before you start spending.
Bonus tip:
Set a 10-minute timer and call it done. This isn’t a financial planning session — it’s a sanity-saving overview. You can tweak it later, but at least you won’t be guessing in December.
4. Getting Ready for Christmas? Declutter One Shelf at a Time
Why it helps:
Because trying to squeeze new toys into already-stuffed drawers on Christmas morning is the kind of chaos no one needs. A slow, no-pressure declutter now means less mess — and fewer meltdowns later.
Mini description:
Pick one tiny area each weekend: a toy bin, a bookshelf, the art supply drawer. No giant cleanout needed. Just clear a little space for the new stuff that’s inevitably coming — and make it easier to find what you already have.
Bonus tip:
Make it a game for the kids: “What would you trade for something new?” Add a small donate box in their room so they can declutter without drama.
5. Getting Ready for Christmas? Build a “Santa Stash” Slowly
Why it helps:
You know that last-minute panic when you realize stockings are still empty and the store is sold out of literally everything? This is how you avoid that.
Mini description:
Each time you run errands, grab one small gift or stocking stuffer. Think mini games, candy, cozy socks, or whatever your kids are into this year. Hide everything in one secret spot — and start early so you’re not scrambling in your pajamas on December 24th.
Bonus tip:
Keep a sticky note in your hiding place with what you’ve already bought. Saves you from overbuying… or forgetting you already got something.
6. Getting Ready for Christmas? Set Boundaries Now for Holiday Plans
Why it helps:
Because saying yes to everything is how moms end up exhausted, resentful, and wrapping presents at midnight. Setting expectations early gives you room to actually enjoy the season.
Mini description:
Talk with your partner, kids, and extended family now — before calendars fill up. Decide what really matters (like one big family dinner) and what can go. It’s way easier to say “we already made plans” when you’ve actually made them.
Bonus tip:
Use a shared calendar (Google Calendar, wall planner, whatever works) to block off key dates — and protect the downtime too. “Doing nothing” counts as a plan.
7. Getting Ready for Christmas? Choose 3 Traditions – and Let the Rest Go (for Real)
Why it helps:
Trying to do all the things — gingerbread houses, Elf on the Shelf, matching PJs, hand-cut snowflakes — is a fast track to burnout. Focusing on just a few makes them actually feel special (and doable).
Mini description:
Ask your family: “What’s one tradition you really want to keep this year?” Pick your top 3 together and give yourself full permission to skip the rest — no guilt, no explanations.
Bonus tip:
Rotate traditions each year or simplify them. Movie night in PJs with popcorn totally counts. So does “fancy cocoa and zero pressure.”
8. Getting Ready for Christmas? Pre-Schedule Your Self-Care Days
Why it helps:
If you wait for the holiday chaos to calm down before taking a break — it won’t. You’ll end up wiped out, snappy, and wondering why everyone else is having fun.
Mini description:
Block off 2–3 “mom’s off duty” slots in your calendar now — even if it’s just an hour. Make it non-negotiable. Whether it’s a solo walk, a quiet coffee, or a bath with no one yelling “Mom!” through the door, you need it in writing.
Bonus tip:
Let your family know in advance. “This Saturday morning is my recharge time — no errands, no questions.” Stick to it like it’s a doctor’s appointment. Because it kind of is.
9. Getting Ready for Christmas? Decide Now: Holiday Cards or Hard Pass
Why it helps:
Because nothing adds unnecessary guilt like realizing on December 20th that you still haven’t ordered cards… and now you’re stress-scrolling Shutterfly at midnight.
Mini description:
Make the call early: Are you doing cards this year or not? If yes — great! Choose your photo, order them now, and enjoy being that mom who’s ahead. If no — skip it with confidence. Traditions are only worth keeping if they bring joy.
Bonus tip:
If you still want to send a little cheer, try an easy digital card or group photo collage — no stamps, no stress, still sweet.
10. Getting Ready for Christmas? Make a December “Joy List” with the Kids
Why it helps:
Because between shopping, cleaning, and a million logistics, it’s way too easy to miss the actual fun part of the holidays. A Joy List keeps the focus on what really matters — the little moments.
Mini description:
Sit down with your kids and ask: “What makes the holidays feel fun and cozy for you?” Write down their answers — even the silly ones like “cocoa with marshmallows” or “watch Elf in pajamas.” Post the list on the fridge and check off the fun stuff as you go.
Bonus tip:
Keep it super simple. No pressure to do it all. Even checking off 3 things from the list makes the season feel intentional — and actually memorable.
11. Getting Ready for Christmas? Start a Rolling Wishlist for Each Family Member
Why it helps:
Because answering “What do you want for Christmas?” on the spot never works. This saves your brain and theirs.
Mini description:
Create a shared note or paper list where each family member can drop in ideas as they think of them. Helps with gift planning and reduces the risk of random impulse buys later.
Bonus tip:
Encourage kids to list non-toy items too: activities, experiences, favorite snacks. (Great convo starter too.)
12. Getting Ready for Christmas? Plan One No-Obligations Weekend in December
Why it helps:
If every weekend is booked solid, no one has fun — especially the person driving everyone around and cleaning the house.
Mini description:
Look ahead now and block off one full weekend as off-limits. No parties, no errands, no guests. Just your family doing whatever sounds good in the moment.
Bonus tip:
Label it something fun like “Cozy Weekend” or “Recharge Weekend” — and guard it like a holiday treasure.
13. Getting Ready for Christmas? Prep Your Go-To Holiday Outfit Now
Why it helps:
Because digging through laundry 10 minutes before a party = pure mom rage.
Mini description:
Pick one outfit you feel great in (even if it’s leggings + a sweater you love). Wash it, hang it, forget about it until the event pops up and you’re already winning.
Bonus tip:
Add earrings, a lip tint, and you’re holiday-ready in 5 minutes. No need for full glam unless you want to.
14. Getting Ready for Christmas? Create a “Holiday Chores Lite” Plan
Why it helps:
Because trying to deep-clean the whole house on top of holiday chaos is a recipe for tears. Yours.
Mini description:
Make a bare-minimum cleaning plan for December: which rooms actually matter (hello, guest bathroom), and what can wait. Delegate or drop anything that doesn’t truly need doing.
Bonus tip:
Put on a cheesy Christmas playlist and do a 20-minute clean blitz as a family — it’s enough, truly.
15. Getting Ready for Christmas? Write Yourself a “Reminder Letter” for Next Year
Why it helps:
Because every January, you think “next year I’ll start earlier”… and then forget.
Mini description:
Take 10 minutes in December to jot down what worked, what flopped, and what you want to remember for next year — gifts, recipes, what not to do. Save it in your planner, Notes app, or email it to yourself with a subject line like “READ THIS IN NOVEMBER.”
Bonus tip:
Include a few words of encouragement too — like “You did enough. You were enough.”
Instead of Conclusion
Getting ready for Christmas doesn’t mean having everything perfect – it means making space for what matters most. A few smart habits now can turn December from survival mode into something (almost) magical.
If you’re working on getting ready for Christmas and planning a joyful New Year with your family, you might also like these:
→ 25 Quick Ideas for a Self Care Morning Routine for Moms
→ 15 Fun Family New Year’s Eve Activities to Wrap Up the Year
And if you want more low-stress tips, printables, and real-mom strategies – come hang out with me on Pinterest. It’s where all the good stuff lands first.
