All The Holiday Planning Resources You Will Ever Need
Time seems to move at a super sonic pace between Halloween and Christmas. In the past, I would find myself in a tizzy that Christmas was trumping Thanksgiving.
The consumerism and the push to commercialize my favorite season always left me a wee bit Scrooge-y each year.
However, it also left me a wee bit rushed to get all my holiday things done when I waited around to after Thanksgiving.
Given that 2020 has been an anomaly, I want to give you full permission (you don’t really need it) to inject joy into your life as much as possible between now and the Christmas holiday. If that means decorating early, then by all means - do it! If that means listening to Christmas carols, then crank it up!
I’ve spent years editing my holiday season of things that I don’t enjoy, of things that I felt obligated to do, and of events that I never really wanted to attend. I made room for all the glorious things that I want to do and all that was left was to make a list and check it twice.
I support all notions that a planned holiday (even with “whatever you feel like” days) makes the holiday that much more enjoyable!
I know that all I want to do will get done and I don’t stress over trying to fit too much in. Planning in advance shows me the space I have; whatever doesn’t fit either gets booted or the priorities shift around to make room.
All the holiday planning resources you will ever need are below - enjoy this holiday planning roundup!
GIFT GUIDES & PLANNERS
I love this gift planner: UP TO 4 gifts/person. Great for family!
Free Printable from The Happier Homemaker
Free Printable from Lily & Val
WRAPPING GIFTS
HACK: Simplify the wrapping by choosing just one or two solid colored paper to wrap ALL gifts in! Dress them up with paper bows and individual tags. (via TrendNet)
Create a wrapping center on the back of a closet door like Porch Daydreamer.
Here are a few of my favorite organizers on Amazon:
ENTERTAINING & FOOD GUIDE
Keep all your meals and entertaining needs organized with these free printables from Yellow Bliss Road.
Create a holiday binder like 11 Magnolia Lane did - love the holiday card list!
SCHEDULING IT ALL IN
Create a holiday bucket list and then open the calendar to schedule it all in! Even the smores making and the sweater wearing. When it is scheduled, it gets done! (via Pinterest)
SHOPPING & DEALS TRACKER
Pre-shop for items on your gift list and then come back during Black Friday & Cyber Monday to scoop up any deals being offered. (via RADish Paper on Etsy)
STREAMLINE THE DECORATING
Streamline your decorating by creating statement areas and then ditching the rest.
Example: the tree and the mantle are statement areas.
Keep the decorating simple everywhere else by:
1- bringing in natural elements (bonus: no need to store it!)
2- printables (they take up minimal storage, just rotate printables in the same frame throughout the year)
3- use pillow covers to change up the vibe (again, minimal storage space, big payoff!)
Love this style by Julie Blanner
Love how Kelley Nan used the tartan plaid pillow to add a pop of Christmas
Here are a few favorites on Amazon:
DECORATE WITH THE SENSES
An easy way to decorate for the holiday without adding to the bulk of things to store 11 months out of the year AND adding more things to do during the small season:
Decorate with the senses.
Infuse your home with sounds:
CD's,
Spotify Playlists, and
my favorite —> stream a channel on YouTube. We expand the screen and leave it up all day!
Infuse the home with scents. I trend towards diffusing essential oils rather than lighting scented candles (because toxins, ya know?).
My favorite diffuser:
doTerra Dawn Humidifier + Diffuser (all in one!)
My favorite holiday scent:
doTerra OnGuard Blend (bonus: it is great to purify the air!)
If you found this guide helpful and resourceful, then don’t keep all that goodness to yourself!
Share away so your friends can simplify and organize their holiday season as well!
These are products I have and LOVE. Some of these products are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I get a commission if you click through and make a purchase. For more information, check out my disclaimer. Thank you for supporting!
