Want Stress-free Holidays? This Simple Timeline will Help!

We all would love stress-free holidays. Just follow this simple timeline… and enjoy an easier, less stressful holiday season!

Starting to stress at the thought of the upcoming holidays?

This time of year I always feel the temptation to stress. But because I want to avoid holiday-induced stress as much as I can, I work hard to prepare for Christmas weeks in advance:

• I reason with myself that if I do a little bit here and there, I won’t turn into a ball of stress right before Christmas.
• I can enjoy parties and traditions more.
• And I can avoid anxiety by staying away from jam-packed stores.

I only started this pre-meditated planning after running from activity to party for years … and without fail, I sprinted through the stress-filled season, always exhausted and grateful when Jan. 1 would arrive and the busyness would be over.

Finally it sunk in that this was absolutely ridiculous.

For a season meant to focus on love, joy and the birth of the Savior, a hectic, stressful rush seemed like the exact opposite.

As much as I want to create and live in a haven, it’s ludicrous to be too busy to have a haven from Thanksgiving to New Year’s.

It’s obvious that I need to focus to take the stress out of the holidays. Chances are you do, too.

Avoiding the December rush

As counter-cultural as it may seem to plan ahead to avoid the rush of Christmas, planning ahead really works. In fact, it works really well.

Most Christmas seasons, my family focuses on one activity or party a day so we can really enjoy what we’re doing. We don’t have to rush around like chickens with our heads cut off.

For the past two years, my family’s been thrown for a loop. My son was cast as Tiny Tim in a production of A Christmas Carol, so last year and this year my nights are spent taking him to practices … and waiting for the 19 performances to hit in December.

Each year, when I knew he was interested in auditioning, I knew I had to have some sort of a reasonable plan in place so my head wouldn’t explode in stress this Christmas season.

So I’ve kicked up my planning a couple notches.

Based on my family’s tight schedule, I’m starting my holiday preparations this week.

Don’t get me wrong … I LOVE savoring November and all that Thanksgiving is. But I also know that with a little preparation right now, I can get ready for Thanksgiving and Christmas. And I can really cut back on my stress.

In case you have a busy schedule, too, or would just like a little help in getting your holidays organized and planned ahead of time, I’ll give you a peek into my timeline.

Copy, paste and use this in your own life to ease up the stress of the season!

Timeline for Stress-Free Holidays

Last Week of October

• Figure out holiday plans and get everything on the calendar.
• Clean closets and/or bedrooms.
• Buy holiday paper products and scented hand soaps.

This year I’m stocking up on Mrs. Meyer’s Iowa Pine hand soaps. I absolutely LOVE keeping holiday hand soaps in my bathroom and kitchen for guests … and my family. Just the scent makes everything smell so much more festive!

The good news is you can get your own for FREE through Grove Collaborative. When you place your first order of $20 (just click here!), you’ll get:

• Free Mrs. Meyer’s hand soap 
• Free Mrs. Meyer’s dish soap
• Free Mrs. Meyer’s multi-surface spray
• Free Grove Collaborative cleaning caddy
• Free Grove Collaborative walnut scrubber sponges

And, new customers who spend $40 will also get all of the above and a free stoneware tray. Existing Grove customers will get free Grove walnut scrubber sponges.

First Week of November

• Make holiday menus and start watching sales flyers for good bargains.
• Make Christmas gift lists … complete with gift ideas, where to buy, and how much to spend.
• Make Christmas card list.
• Deep clean your main living areas.

Second Week of November

• Plan and buy supplies for Christmas crafts.
• Buy Christmas cards and postage.
• Start Christmas shopping.
• Get serving ware and holiday plates out.
• Deep clean the kitchen. (Especially focus on cleaning out the inside of the fridge.)

Third Week of November

• Do a quick clean of the kitchen and bathroom for Thanksgiving.
• Cook and bake for Thanksgiving.
• Check out Black Friday sales and shop for great deals.
• Decorate for Christmas the Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving.

Last Week of November

• Decorate for Christmas.
• Start Christmas and Advent devotionals. (Asheritah Ciuciu’s Unwrapping the Names of Jesus * is a favorite!)
• Work on Christmas crafts.
• Christmas shopping.
• Bake and freeze one batch of Christmas cookies.

First Week of December

• Address and send Christmas cards.
• Continue Christmas devotional.
• Finish Christmas shopping.
• Attend Christmas performances and parties.
• Host a neighborhood Christmas brunch.

Second Week of December

• Bake and freeze one batch of Christmas cookies.
• Wrap gifts.
• Continue Christmas devotional.
• Attend Christmas performances and parties.

Third Week of December

• Bake and freeze one batch of Christmas cookies.
• Wrap gifts.
• Attend Christmas performances and parties.
• Clean your house … especially the kitchen and high-traffic areas.
• Continue Christmas devotional.
• Drive to see Christmas lights.

By December 24

• Relax! Enjoy the end of this Advent season.
• Enjoy Christmas parties, worship at church, be still and know that He is God … God with us.

Even though it seems a little early to get started, I love knowing that working steadily on holiday tasks all through November and December helps me actually enjoy the days leading up to Christmas. Plus, it fills my December with all sorts of fun activities.

Instead of feeling burdened with nearly impossible to-do lists and saving everything until the last minute, I’m able to actually take my time and enjoy different holiday tasks.

That alone has helped me keep the stress out of my holidays. And by working ahead little by little and bit by bit, you’ll be able to keep the stress out of your holidays, too.

How do you successfully manage to enjoy stress-free holidays?

* Disclosure: Links in this post may be affiliate links. This means that, at no added cost to you, I may make a commission on products purchased through these links. Thank you for supporting this website!

All images courtesy of Adobe Stock and Unsplash.