Bhg
  • Shop
  • News
  • Food
  • DIY
  • Garden
  • Renovating
  • Decorating
  • Health
  • TV
  • Hard to Find
Bhg
  • Shop
  • News
  • Food
  • DIY
  • Garden
  • Renovating
  • Decorating
  • Health
  • TV
  • Hard to Find
Subscribe
  1. Home
  2. Better Life

10 things to tick off your to-do list before Christmas

The BHG guide to an organised Christmas. - by Laura Barry
  • 13 Nov 2019

For many people, the festive season is busy and chaotic. However, the key to enjoying a stress-free Christmas season is getting organised early.

WATCH: How to deal with unwanted gifts

Christmas is a time that can very stressful for those of us who are buying gifts, planning Christmas lunch for the family and trying to navigate the various school and extracurricular Christmas events the children need to attend.

And while Christmas Day and the weeks leading up to it may be far from your mind right now, it pays to get organised early – so you can enjoying a relaxing holiday period and happy New Year.

1. Take stock

Now is a good time to take stock of your current financial situation, so you can make informed budget decisions this Christmas. Have a look at any outgoing expenses for the months of December and January, any incoming cash amounts, and any outstanding bills or tasks that need to be done. Make a plan to get everything paid, and ensure money is allocated to cover necessary expenses.

2. Declutter

Everyone knows that kids get heaps of gifts at Christmas, so now is the time to declutter the toys and clothes that have accumulated over the year, and donate unwanted items to charities. Now is also a great time to declutter your kitchen and determine any utensils you may be lacking for your lanned Christmas cooking.

3. Note down important dates

December is a time of Christmas parties, end of year school events, sporting group season break ups and family catch-ups. Note down any important dates on a calendar the whole family can see, so everyone knows where they need to be at any given time.

december calendar
Getty

4. Make arrangements for pets

If the family plans on taking a holiday away from home without the pets, now is the time to make arrangements for your pet. Get a petsitter or housesitter, ask a family member or friend to drop in on your pets or consider a well-respected cattery or kennel.

5. Make plans for the kids over Christmas

For parents who need to work throughout the Christmas period, now is the time to get in early and make arrangements for babysitters, day care or playdates.

6. Set a budget

After taking stock of the financial situation, now is the time to set a Christmas budget. Determine how much you can spend on food, gifts and holiday activities and stick to it. This will guarantee you won’t emerge from the holiday season with more credit card debt than you bargained for.

7. Plan a menu

If you’re the host, now is the time to work out your food arrangements. Work within your budget to plan a Christmas menu or family lunch, and decide if you want to cook for everyone, or if every person should bring a plate to share – then let all the attendees know well in advance.

christmas table setting
Getty

8. Write a gift list

Write a list of the people you need to buy gifts for, and allocate each person a dollar amount you can spend on their gifts. Ensure the total falls within your available budget. If you do this early enough, you can maximise sales such as Black Friday Sales, Cyber Monday Sales and any other retailer-specific promotions in advance.

 9. Locate the decorations

Last, but certainly not least, is locating all the Christmas decorations. Now is the time to dust-off boxes of baubles, air out stuffy trees and ensure no creepy-crawlies have made a home in your tinsel stash.

10. Give the house one last deep clean

We all know the first thing to fall by the wayside when life is busy is cleaning. Select a weekend before Christmas to do one last deep clean of the household before the festive spirit really sets in.

  • Better Life
  • Christmas Decorating, Tips & Traditions
Laura Barry
Laura Barry
Laura Barry is a writer, bookworm and interior design enthusiast with a love for reporting on all things homes, travel and lifestyle. When not tapping away at her keyboard, Laura can be found making endless cups of tea or perusing the shelves of Sydney’s many bookstores.

Treat yourself to a subscription-Save up to 25%

Plus, your chance to win

Subscribe Now
Treat yourself to a subscription

Treat yourself to a subscription-Save up to 25%

Plus, your chance to win

Subscribe Now
Treat yourself to a subscription

Recommended to you

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR
Watch 6:32

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR

{headline}

{headline}

Bathroom organisation mistakes everyone makes

Bathroom organisation mistakes everyone makes

The messy person’s guide to getting organised

The messy person’s guide to getting organised

The most common issues standing between you and an organised home

The most common issues standing between you and an organised home

How to do a post-winter pantry clean out

How to do a post-winter pantry clean out

{headline}

{headline}

Organisation mistakes we all make and how to fix them

Organisation mistakes we all make and how to fix them

Decluttering: Your plan of attack

Decluttering: Your plan of attack

The best food storage containers that will bring your pantry organisation dreams to life

The best food storage containers that will bring your pantry organisation dreams to life

{headline}

{headline}

The best personalised gifts for pets and pet owners

The best personalised gifts for pets and pet owners

Johanna meets Bella Taylor Smith and Penny McNamee

Johanna meets Bella Taylor Smith and Penny McNamee

Coconut and mint crepes with Christmas cake and ricotta

Coconut and mint crepes with Christmas cake and ricotta

15 best Advent beauty calendars for 2021

15 best Advent beauty calendars for 2021

How to wrap your Christmas gifts like a professional

How to wrap your Christmas gifts like a professional

7 eco-friendly ways to enjoy Christmas

7 eco-friendly ways to enjoy Christmas

9 best Christmas ham recipes

9 best Christmas ham recipes

Bhg
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
Bhg Magazine Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

Brands

  • All Recipes
  • BHG Shop
  • Girlfriend
  • Home Beautiful
  • New Idea
  • New Idea Food
  • Practical Parenting

Our Network

  • marie claire
  • Beauty Crew
  • Who
  • Women's Weekly Food
  • Bounty Parents
  • That’s Life
  • Perth Now
  • The West Australian
  • 7Plus
  • 7mate
  • 7NEWS
  • 7Sport
  • Sunrise
  • Starts at 60
  • Hard to Find
© 2022 Are Media PTY LTD
All products are independently selected, tested or recommended by our team of experts.If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Get more from Better Homes and Gardens

Magazine Subscription Offer

Treat yourself to a subscription-Save up to 25%

Shop This Offer
Treat yourself to a subscription