caring for home:
It’s hard to believe that on this early mid-October morning, as I sit and watch the sunrise and put together my to-do list, that I’m adding holiday tasks to it. I heard someone say something about Christmas this week and to be honest, it took me by surprise. It’s going to be 87F degrees where I am today…how can Halloween be in two weeks? And that means Thanksgiving is only six weeks away, and Christmas only 9 or 10 weeks away. I must admit, a little panic settled in. But it’s always been a tried and true method for me: A slow and steady approach to the holidays.
01. Start planning now…
If you’re one of our state-side readers, then the Thanksgiving holiday is six weeks away. To some people that could mean preparing multiple side dishes to take and share, travel – or multiple travel plans, or hosting your own gathering of friends and neighbors or coworkers.
But if you are one who hosts, now is the time to lean in and start thinking of what needs to be done – and by whom. Sharing the duties is always the most practical approach to Thanksgiving – and what’s more – it will make the hosts holiday better, as well.
Starting now – at six weeks ahead – will give you a slow and steady approach to the holidays that will reduce stress and have you feeling prepared all the way through til the big day. I have created a Holiday Planner for 2025 that includes Thanksgiving plans and continues on until December 31. If you would like to receive a copy, I’ll leave the information linked here.
It includes 45 pages of lists, calendars and planning pages. In it you will receive: Here’s what you’ll receive in the free printable download:
- Advent Reading Calendar (two options)
- Thanksgiving Planning Tips·
- Thanksgiving Check Lists
- November monthly calendar
- November weekly calendars
- Gratitude Journal
- December monthly calendar
- December weekly calendar
- December check lists
- Holiday Prep & Plan Checklists
- Holiday Meal Plan & Shopping List
- Christmas Card Check List
- Party Planner
- Christmas Bucket List
- Christmas Gift Ideas List & Tracker
- Christmas Wish List
02. Give yourself the best start
So many times during my hosting years I found myself scrambling at the last moment to get everything together. There is so much to consider; who’s coming, how many people to prepare for, who needs overnight accommodations, are there food allergies to be mindful of?
And then, on top of it all, there is the cleaning and preparation of the home to consider. Over time, it became a slow and steady approach to the holidays for me to begin a gentle declutter of our home before the holiday week.
Did you know that decluttering your home releases dopamine? Or that sleeping in an uncluttered room actually improves the quality of your sleep? Did you know that surrounding yourself with less stuff reduces the symptoms of ADD and ADHD? Or that being in an uncluttered environment reduces stress and anxiety!? And that being in a simplified space increases productivity, focus, and overall mood?
While I’ve done whole-house decluttering projects and love a good deep cleaning session, now is probably not the time to dive into something like that. Instead, focus on your highest offenders like the drawer(s) that may not easily close, or the bathroom cupboard that is filled with empty containers, or the hall closet where there is no room for jackets or coats.
Giving yourself a slow and steady approach to decluttering is way less stressful than trying to get it done the week or two before the holiday.
03. Finally, consider ‘the good old days’
This one is a challenge to myself, friend. I love and protect my peace of mind at all costs. For me, that means preparing for the holidays way in advance and being ready for any last-minute surprises. There were a couple of years when we had both completed all of our Christmas shopping (and we were buying for more than 35 people that year) and had it all wrapped before Thanksgiving.
But what I learned that year was that I felt a little left out of the festivities. I missed the Black Friday shopping chaos, and the wrapping gifts while sitting beside the Christmas tree. It was a lesson – and a Christmas season – I’ll never forget. Why? Because while the preparation felt good, missing out on the festivities didn’t.
I recently read a really good opinion article from Heart’s Content Farmhouse. The title is “Stop Rushing Christmas: The Case for Waiting.” And while I don’t agree with some of the things she wrote, I am a chronic over planner, I do think she has a very good point. The blog is written by Katie Shaw and I would love to give you a couple of her ideas.
- Moving the work to October doesn’t make it disappear. It just stretches the to-do list across more months and turns a joyful season into a quarter-year project.
- December is supposed to the be December. Christmas prep is what so much of it is about. If you have everything done and tucked away by December first, then you spend that part of the. year… doing what? Living your life normally, like it’s mid-April?
- Thinking ahead is smart. But doing everything months early steals December’s soul. Jot down gift ideas if it keeps you sane. Pick a baking day and block it off so it actually happens. But don’t fill your freezer in October or stash every present by Labor Day.
I encourage you to go read the article and take a spin around her blog. It is really a show stopper, and I know you’ll be encouraged. https://heartscontentfarmhouse.com/keep-christmas-in-december/ Leave her a comment and tell her I sent you.
So while I have already pulled out my 2025 Holiday planner and am working away at my lists, I intend to really take Katie’s advice this year and allow myself to feel the Christmas spirit the way it was in the good old days…
04. Finding balance
Friend, please don’t feel like there is a one size fits all approach. I just wanted to give you a gentle reminder that sometimes preparation is the best method – and to encourage you in a slow and steady approach. With that said, though, I also want to repeat what Katie says in her article. Some things are best left for later. I speak from experience when I say that having it all done before the holidays arrive isn’t always the best approach.
I felt like I missed out on so much that year. I was invited to wrapping parties, but my gifts were already wrapped. I was invited to cookie bakes, but my cookies were already baked and frozen. Some things are better done in the moment. You must determine which activities are most meaningful to you. Prep for the ones that give you anxiety, and plan to participate in the ones that bring you joy!
Plan your lists, do the things you can with a slow and steady approach in mind. But by all means, don’t miss out on the things that will create the best memories for you and for your family!
One last shameless plug… if you want the 2025 Holiday Planner, you can download it here for free.
