11 Things to Do Early to Make Christmas Easier and Less Expensive

Are you itching to get started on Christmas? I know the feeling, and the good news is you can start now. Some of the prep is fun, like daydreaming about baking marathons or shopping for toys, and some of it is just the little jobs that make everything go smoother. I promise this is not one of those long, awful to-do lists of chores. These are simple things I like to do early, and every year they make December feel calmer, easier, and honestly more enjoyable.

1 – Baking Pans

When’s the last time you actually looked at your baking pans? Dig them out from the back of the cupboard and give them a good scrub. If they are past saving, replace the worst ones now so you are not running to the store mid-baking marathon.

I like to get this part done early because when I finally crank up the carols and start baking, I want to keep going, not stop to scrape off last year’s burnt mess. Bonus points if you can convince someone else in the house to help with the heavy scrubbing.

2 – Kitchen Supplies

Here’s a quick win-win for the kitchen. When you are out doing your regular grocery shopping, add a couple of extras to your list. Pick up Christmas-themed tea towels, a storage container or twelve, depending on how much you bake, some adorable holiday cupcake liners, or maybe even a new cookie cutter. And while you are at it, grab the not-so-glamorous stuff too, like parchment paper, freezer bags, dish soap, and scrubbers.

The nice thing is that it does two jobs at once. You can stop thinking about it because it is already done, and the cost is spread out a little, so December’s budget does not feel like such a hit.

3 – Baking Ingredients

Even if you have not decided exactly what your Christmas baking list looks like yet, there are obvious basics you know you will need. Butter, flour, sugar, brown sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon are always in mine. Check what you already have on hand, and replace what you are low on. I usually grab raisins, currants, molasses, and chocolate chips as well.

Just like the other supplies, buying these things early saves a lot of stress later. And you will smile when you see the store prices creeping up at Christmas, knowing yours are already bought.

4 – Gifts for Mailing

Notice we have not done any housework yet, do not worry, I will get there. For now, I am encouraging you to follow along with the plan before we dive into cleaning. One of the easiest wins is to get gifts that need mailing out of the way early.

If you are worried the receiver will open them too soon, you do not have to mail them right away; just have them wrapped and ready to go. Otherwise, send them off and enjoy crossing them off the list.

5 – Items Your Order and Appointments

Think about the things you usually scramble for in December and see if you can get them booked or ordered now. Hair appointments, dog grooming, dentist check-ups, whatever it is, the earlier you call, the better your chances of getting the time you want.

Special food orders are another one. I order extra lean ground pork for my tourtiere, and a girlfriend always orders a precooked turkey. Whatever your tradition looks like, getting those orders in now means you can cross it off and relax knowing it is handled.

6 – Alcohol or Other Special Beverages

When the boys were little, this one was easy to plan for, but I could not afford to do it, so we didn’t. I made spiced apple juice and hot chocolate instead, which everyone loved. But now that Mama Bear can afford liqueurs, I pick them up early.

Even if you do not drink much, having your special holiday beverages on hand makes December easier. Whether it is wine, a favorite liqueur, or just the makings for fancy hot chocolate, buy it now and tuck it away. It saves you from fighting the crowds later, and you will already be stocked when the season starts rolling.

7 – Odds and Sods and Other Little Parts

It is always the little things that trip us up. Ornament hangers, command hooks, suction cups, a wreath hanger, picture hooks, none of it is exciting, but all of it is handy to have ready. I remember my mom sending me around the house as a kid, hunting for hairpins to bend into ornament hooks, and even at six, I would cringe knowing that was not how it should be done. With my thick mop of hair, I was not about to give mine up, so now I always make sure to buy proper ornament hangers early.

These are the kinds of little things you do not think about until you need them. Toss them in your cart now, and one more stress is gone.

8 – Toys

This one is probably the most important, especially if you have little ones. Once the toys are chosen and tucked away, everything else feels easier. I like to buy the girls’ gifts early, then check in with their mom so we do not double up. That way, the fun part of shopping is done, and I can relax knowing the big stuff is taken care of.

When I was a single mom, getting the toys bought always gave me peace of mind. I knew if the kids were taken care of, the rest would work itself out. A batch of peanut brittle or a loaf of homemade bread can always be a gift for the adults, but the children’s joy is what makes Christmas shine.

9 – Linens and Tableware

It is easy to forget about the table until the last minute, but a quick check now can save stress later. Pull out your tablecloths, napkins, dishes, and glasses to make sure they are clean and ready to go. If something is stained, chipped, or missing, you have time to fix it.

One old trick I still love is folding napkins in fun ways. If you just want to keep it simple, wrap Dollar Tree plastic forks in a paper napkin with a little bow and call it done. If you are planning something fancier, look up a pretty fold for cloth napkins, get them ironed and styled, and tuck them away so they are ready when you need them.

10 – Kitchen Cleanup

Notice I saved the housework for last. Before the baking starts, give the fridge, the stove, and your serving dishes a once-over. A good clean now means you are not scrubbing when you would rather be rolling cookie dough or setting the table.

Check that the fridge has space for big trays and leftovers, give the stove a good wipe so it is ready for long baking days, and pull out your serving dishes to be sure they are clean and chip-free. It is a small investment of time now that pays off big once the holiday rush begins.

11 – A Little Treat for you

By now, you might be thinking this is all work, but not everything has to feel like a chore. At this point in the plan, I say give yourself a small treat. Book a pedicure if the budget allows, or keep it simple with a coffee to go and crank up the Christmas carols while you drive around.

Doing something for yourself along the way makes the whole season more enjoyable. It is not just about getting things done; it is about finding little moments of fun while you prepare.

I raised my boys without child support, and it taught me that you really can have big, elaborate holidays if you plan. I learned early on to start sooner and spread both the time and the cost out from September through December. Now that they are grown, I still find that philosophy makes Christmas easier, less stressful, and a lot more fun. I never saw this as spending more; I always saw it as spreading things out so December did not flatten me. It is about doing the best you can with the time and budget you have, and it makes the holidays feel easier.

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