Holiday Prep Hacks for Moms:
Stress Less in October
October 12, 2024
I absolutely love my family's holiday traditions, but they can easily become stressful-and as much as I hate to admit it, they sometimes even become next to impossible to enjoy-if I leave them until the last minute. My goal is to be fully present with my family during the holidays, making memories and savoring the season together.
To keep things simple, I start prepping a little while in advance. Here are some things I do in October and early November to stay organized and stress-free for the holidays.
Create a Holiday Calendar: I start by marking key dates like family gatherings, school events, and holiday parties. Having a clear view of the season helps manage time and prevents double-booking.
Set a Holiday Budget: My husband and I agree on a budget for gifts, meals, and decorations early. Sticking to a budget reduces financial stress and prevents last-minute overspending. It also encourages me to eyeball sales as they come up!
Declutter in Advance: Organize and declutter spaces like closets, toy rooms, or storage areas to make room for holiday décor and gifts. It’s also a great time to donate items that are no longer needed.
Start Gift Shopping: Make a gift list now and start shopping. You can find an excellent Holiday Shopping Tracker here to help keep your gifting plans organized, and keep track of your budget as you slowly shop. Spread out purchases throughout the next couple of weeks to avoid last-minute shopping stress.
Plan Holiday Meals: This may seem silly, especially if you're the type to keep tweaking your menu plans, but this does work well for some. Decide on holiday menus and make a shopping list. Buying non-perishable items early can save time, stress and money in December-especially when it comes to the hot items that are more costly (I'm looking at you, seasonal rates) and get wiped off the shelves so quickly!
Order Matching Holiday Pajamas: With a family of 4 in various sizes, it's hard to find matching pajamas last minute, as all of the nice ones are usually sold out. Since most stores release their holiday prints in early October, it's a great time to purchase and ensure you'll get all the sizes you need.
Make Holiday Cards: Now that you all have matching pajamas and have taken cute family photos, order your cards, so that they can be mailed out on time (or even a little early).
Involve the Family: Get your kids and partner involved in planning and preparation. Delegate tasks like decorating or wrapping gifts to lighten the load.
Stock Up on Essentials: Buy extra household supplies (like wrapping paper, batteries, and pantry staples) so you’re not caught off guard during busy times.
Plan Your Family Experience: One of our Chanukkah traditions is to gift our littles an experience that the whole family gets to do together during the season. Sometimes we stay in a hotel downtown for a night, other years we've gone to a concert or a special holiday event. I do my best to secure those tickets and get it on my calendar for the season before tickets get sold out.
What do you do to create a stress-free holiday season? I'd love to see your ideas!
Is the thought of holiday season approaching and keeping up with the to-do's stress you out? Schedule a consultation to secure a virtual time management session, so we can help you get your affairs in order.
And if you're looking for a truly unique gift, why not give the gift of stress-free holiday organizing? It’s a thoughtful and timeless gesture anyone would appreciate!
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Shiffy is the founder of ClearSpace by Shiffy LLC, a Professional Home Organizing Business in South Florida, servicing Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach Counties. She loves creating systems out of chaos and is known for her attention to detail, and ensuring that each project is customized and streamlined to fit the customer's lifestyle. Her projects are easy to maintain long term, bringing function to any space. She shares her tips and tricks on Instagram @clearspacebyshiffy
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