Avoiding the holidaze: 7+ Tips on getting ready for the holiday season

Getting ready for the holidays is an event in itself; there are countless things to whip up and work out even weeks in advance. To lessen stress, confusion, and chaos during this joyful holiday season, here is a guide to help you manage your tasks and maximize efficiency.

Mapping out your holiday game plan

Writing a checklist for the holiday season (Source: iStock)

It is wise to start with budget planning and task scheduling because these two things will define every aspect of your holiday preparations.

Setting your budget

Setting a budget in line with your means and expected expenses is essential since holiday spending can easily get out of hand if you are not careful. To avoid overspending, you can start by:

Knowing your priorities

During this time of year, it is easy to fall prey to deals and sales discounts. So, you should determine and prioritize your holiday needs before making unnecessary purchases.

Keeping track of your expenses 

Budgeting for the holidays also entails maintaining a record of your spending. You can use various tools—from phone apps and spreadsheets to the good ol’ pen and paper—to log in all your festivity-related expenditures and ensure you follow your spending plan.

Scheduling your preparations

Gearing up for the holidays can overwhelm you if you try to do everything simultaneously. In this regard, creating a digital or written timetable can greatly help. This simple process entails:

1. Listing down all your holiday duties;

2. Sorting them based on priority; and

3. Indicating a timeframe per task (while allowing for flexibility in case of sudden changes in plans).

If some chores seem difficult, you can break them down into smaller assignments to make them more doable or ask someone to assist you. Incorporating breaks in between demanding tasks is also important to avoid taxing yourself.

Creating a welcoming holiday environment

Adding vintage ornaments to a stylish boho Christmas tree (Source: iStock)

Getting Christmas-ready includes setting the atmosphere. A simple way in terms of how to prepare your home for the holidays is to put up decorations.

Decluttering for a fresh start

Cleaning for the holidays offers a pristine canvas for the adornments that will soon grace your home. For better efficiency, you can divide this step into three parts:

• Getting rid of rubbish and items you no longer need

• Fixing broken furniture and structural features (such as stairs)

• Performing a general cleaning

Planning your décor

Before decorating your home for the holidays, you should figure out which theme to go with. You can choose a classic one, such as white Christmas, red and gold, or The Nutcracker. You can also go with a concept like coastal, rustic, or sustainable.

For a harmonious ambiance throughout your home, try to apply the theme to your string lights, Christmas tree, other indoor trimmings, and even your outdoor space.

To make setup and takedown more manageable, you can:

• Store your decorations by category in see-through boxes; 

• Perform tasks by room or area; and

• Ask for help from your family and friends.

Designing a delightful holiday menu

A beautifully set table, ready for a Christmas feast (Source: iStock)

Because cooking for the holidays is one of the most crucial duties when organizing a Christmas get-together, it is important to plan this task diligently through the following:

Selecting your dishes

When choosing which food to serve to your guests, you should take their preferences and dietary restrictions into account. Crowd-pleasers like baked ham, roast turkey, and mashed potatoes are always safe options, but don’t be afraid to have unusual offerings for those with adventurous tastebuds.

You should also consider your cooking ability, as well as the amount of time and effort that comes with making each dish. If you think that you will probably have a lot on your plate, don’t forget that employing a chef’s help and hiring a caterer are possible options, too.

Streamlining your grocery trips

Make your grocery trips well-planned by doing them after creating your holiday meal plan. You should also create a list, carry a reusable tote or two, and compare prices. If you are pressed for time, hiring someone to buy your groceries—including frozen and fresh food—works as well.

Additionally, you can apply a methodical meal prep strategy that involves making certain dishes, desserts, and condiments in advance, such as meatballs, brownies, and cranberry sauce.

Navigating gift shopping with ease

Christmas gifts, wrapped with love (Source: iStock)

The season of giving beckons, which means it’s time to prepare for early holiday shopping through the ways enumerated below if you want to avoid the incoming hustle and bustle.

Curating meaningful gifts

In most cases, the best gift you can give someone is an item related to their hobbies, interests, or needs. If you are unsure what to offer them, gift cards are tried-and-tested presents.

But while it’s always satisfying to fulfill a loved one’s wish list, don’t forget to stick to your budget by tracking your purchases, buying during sale periods, and not being impulsive. You can also go the DIY route for certain gifts. For instance, if you are a knitter, you can give your friends scarves or socks.

Simplifying your shopping process

Shopping in retail stores during non-peak hours and days is a good way to avoid crowds. However, since most people are also getting ready for the holiday season, finding idle periods during the holiday rush can be difficult.

As such, online shopping for the holidays has become the norm for many. It offers convenience and other benefits, including online-exclusive discounts, the lack of crowds, and easy price comparison. Some shopping sites also offer to wrap gifts for a minimal fee.

Orchestrating pre-meal festivities

A little girl having fun with her family on Christmas Day (Source: iStock)

A Christmas party doesn’t have to start and end with a meal; you can cook other schemes for a more entertaining and joyful celebration.

Scheduling engaging activities

Family games for the holidays, including charades, musical chairs, and 20 questions, are inclusive and suitable for all ages. You can also choose among several card and board games, whether you’re hosting an adults-only party or a family gathering. Just don’t organize too many activities and take necessary breaks so your guests won’t be too tired to eat afterward.

Arranging your entertainment

Aside from participating in games, other things you and your guests can do before partaking in the holiday meal are singing karaoke, watching a Christmas movie, or even just catching up in your living room.

If you’re hosting a big celebration, you can also hire an entertainer, such as a DJ, magician, or even a professional Santa Claus.

Hosting an unforgettable holiday dinner

A heartwarming Christmas dinner with loved ones (Source: iStock)

Looking at the big picture and taking care of the small details can make your holiday dinner memorable, whether it takes place on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, or New Year’s Eve.

Setting the ambiance

Just like the rest of your home, your dining area will benefit from lighting and décor that aligns with or complements your chosen theme. For instance, you can add Christmas lights or candles for a more intimate vibe or surround your table setting with hollies and evergreens for a more festive feeling.

Managing dinner details

The way your dinner starts can affect the energy that will be carried through the night. By saying grace or sharing things that you and your family members are thankful for, everyone at the dinner table can feel grateful and positive even before consuming your prepared feast.

You can maintain this pleasant atmosphere even if unexpected issues arise by having backup snacks and drinks, ordering food when necessary, and asking for help.

Restoring order post-celebration

Pine needles and Christmas ornaments scattered on the floor (Source: iStock)

After filling your tummy and catching up with your loved ones, it’s time to deal with the aftermath as this busy season winds down.

Organizing your cleanup

Like with décor setup, after-party cleanup can also be done by room or area for a more organized process. Make sure you have all the cleaning tools and storage boxes ready before starting, and don’t be afraid to ask for help overcoming this demanding task.

Managing post-party waste

It’s already a given that you’ll accumulate a lot of trash after you celebrate the holiday season. A way to efficiently handle waste is by segregating biodegradable and non-biodegradable garbage. Additionally, you can repurpose still-usable items and recycle those that cannot be salvaged.

Make your holiday celebrations stress-free with Airtasker

Relaxing on a sofa near a beautifully decorated Christmas tree (Source: iStock)

Preparing for the holidays does not have to be done on your own; you can enlist the help of an expert at organizing events to prevent holiday stress from getting to you. With Airtasker, it’s easy to connect with event coordinators near you and choose the one who can handle your needs best.

To begin your search, simply post a task that indicates your needs, location, budget, and project details.