Christmas season is an exciting time for family and friends. It’s a time when most family members get together to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. However, preparing for the big day can seem like a daunting task. You need to know where to start and what to do next so that when you finally begin the planning process you won’t get overwhelmed along the way. To make your Christmas special, you must be more intentional with your planning. If you get ready for Christmas early enough, you will have all the time in the world to enjoy the D-day.
Simple ways to get ready for Christmas
Now, if you want to enjoy a smoother month of December with your loved ones, here are some things you need to get ready in advance.
1. Prepare your home
If there is something you need to consider when getting ready for Christmas in your home. This is the place that will set the mood of everyone in the family. Your home should make you feel that Christmas is finally here with us. When your home is set, you will be in a better position to make other preparations. Without further ado, here are things you can do in your house and around your compound to make your home the best place to enjoy a memorable Christmas holiday.
Declutter
First things first, clear out any clutter in your home before you think of anything else. A day or two are enough to check every room in the house and remove those things you no longer need. Those items and furniture you haven’t used for the whole year are better off removed. They are taking your space for no reason. Clear them away and create more space for your holiday décor.
Thorough clean
Please do not think of decorations if your home is not sparkling clean. Take advantage of the festive season to deep clean, dust, vacuum and mop every corner of the house. And don’t forget the refrigerator, it needs to be clean and well prepared for the task of storing the food during the festivities. This is also a good time to consider painting your house. Fresh paint can give your home the glow it has yearned for a while now.
To make the work easier and fun, involve other family members including the children. Undertaking the task alone can easily overwhelm you and remember the whole process should be able to give you that sweet feeling that comes with preparing for a special event. Discuss with your loved ones and decide on how tasks will be shared and the time each task should be allocated.
Decorate
If you haven’t bought the Christmas tree yet, then its time you get one. Set the tree in a strategic area where everyone in the house can enjoy its presence but ensure it is far away from heating to keep it fresh throughout the festive season. You can also use an artificial tree if it’s more convenient for you. Decorate the tree with lights and ornaments. To make it extra special, encourage other family members to hang their favourite ornaments on the tree.
Get the other festive decorations you have and put them on display. If you don’t have many decorations, make your own such as wreath from springs of pine, paper snowflakes or ornaments using household materials and hang them on the Christmas tree and around the house. Consider decorating the outside of your house as well to enhance the Christmas spirit in your home.
2. Other essential preparations
Even with a spotless clean decorated home, you still have things to do and plan for if the special season is going to be a success. Here are some great tips to help you get more organized this time around. Whether it’s going to be a big event or a cosy family moment, these tips can help you to make it one of the best.
Make your shopping list
Christmas isn’t Christmas without some cool shopping. You need to buy decorations, presents food items and even drinks. Thus, you need a list to determine the amount of each item and the budget you have allocated each one of them. Make your list, take time to go through it and decide the things you need to buy. This will discourage impulse buying when you finally go out to shop. If you are not careful, you can buy lots of things you never intended to since almost everything is on offer during the Christmas holiday. Also, this will save you the trouble of forgetting essentials and only remembering them the last minute.
Get your Christmas cards ready
If you want to avoid the post office when it’s pretty busy, then get your Christmas cards ready on time. Get your Christmas cards ready for mailing on time and cross that deal off your list. This can give you space to concentrate on other things.
Get Christmas music
A soundtrack full of classic holiday tunes is the best tool to spread Christmas cheer and set the mood in any home. Make sure you play music throughout December. Buy some CDs or find a playlist on the internet. You can also switch on to a local radio station playing the Christmas music. During the festive season, it is easier to get one playing your favourite tunes. In addition to music, even a Christmas movie can bring out nostalgic memories of Christmas since your childhood years and set the festive mood pretty well. It can also entertain you and your loved ones.
Buy presents
You do not have to wait until the last minute. Since you are going to buy gifts anyway, then why wait? Besides, Christmas sales begin earlier every year and so you do not have an excuse of waiting to get the best deals. Buy them early and save yourself from the last-minute rush. Once you purchase the gifts, wrap them up with a gorgeous wrapping paper, top them off with ribbons and address them to the receiver. Put the presents under the Christmas tree. They will not only beautify the area but they will look very Christmassy. However, if you have kids, avoid putting their gifts too early. Kids can be very impatient.
The takeaway
Make your Christmas season a time to enjoy and make merry with friends and family members. It happens once in a year. Making it more special than the last one is the way to go. So, what are you still waiting for? Cross a couple of things-to-do off your list early enough and get ready to enjoy the season while it lasts.
