12 Lists to Make: Plan & Get Ready for the Holidays

It’s the most wonderful time of the year …also one of the busiest and most stressful times of the year. One way to keep yourself organized and your mind in less of a jumble for the holidays is to make a few lists. (You know, just like Santa!)

It dawned on me last year how amazingly useful lists are during this time of year. For example, I hate having to ask people, yet again, what their address is. I get asked for my address a million times, and I totally don’t mind, but it’s annoying when you’re the one doing the asking.

Another great list is gifts for your kids. We’re trying to reduce the clutter, so gift lists are awesome. But when I asked my girl if she would rather do something (like an experience) instead of getting a gift, she said, “Yes, I want to go to the store and buy something.” 🙄 

Aside from these two lists, I have a list of twelve – that’s right – twelve lists you can make to get ready for the holidays.

01.  You and your gift lists

Want to keep from getting extra clutter this Christmas? Have each family member make a wish list that you can send to relatives before the rush of the holidays begins on Black Friday. Not everybody will stick to the list, but it’s really nice to have some guidelines. I think a lot of people have a hard time deciding what to get others, and it’s nicer to give someone something they’ll appreciate. Right?

02. Gifting list

Make a list of all the people you want to give gifts to, plus any gift ideas. That way you don’t forget somebody and you can budget wisely.

Take it a step further by using my Christmas gift-planning template.

If you don’t know what to get someone, ask for a wish list. I think most people appreciate that.

03. Holiday budget

There’s always something else to get each Christmas. Make a list of all the things you have to buy, like new decorations or gift wrap, so you can figure out your budget. It’s so much easier to prioritize when you see everything on paper.

Finances can be a big stressor around the holidays, so it’s a good idea to set limits on your budget.

04. Bucket list

Yes, they’re all over the internet. But it’s fun to have a list of potential activities to do during Advent and Christmas. It’s all about making memories.

05. Events

Every year we know we will attend a Living Nativity our friends’ host. I also know there will probably be a Favorite Things party too. I’ll make sure they’re on the calendar, or at least on a list somewhere if the dates aren’t announced so I don’t forget.

06. Christmas Card List

To cut down on time spent looking up addresses or wondering who got a Christmas card last year, I made a master list of all recipients and their addresses. (This list is included in my Christmas Planning Template.)

07. Traditions

Each family has its own traditions. For us, we’ve started using an Advent Wreath and celebrating the feast of St Nicholas.

Other families go caroling or give gifts to their neighbors.

Keep a list of traditions you currently do and some you’d like to try. The following year you can decide if you want to continue any new traditions.

08. Christmas Movies

Speaking of traditions, one tradition my family had when I was growing up was to watch Christmas movies leading up to Christmas Day. Although my husband isn’t as into this as I am, it’s something I’m carrying on with my daughter.

So, I pick and choose my absolute favorites (It’s A Wonderful Life and Charlie Brown) and a new favorite (The Star).

09. Food

You can’t have holidays without food. That would be blasphemy!!!

One of my favorite holiday lists is the MENU! Every year we look forward to traditional Italian cookies, soup on Christmas Eve, homemade lasagna on Christmas Day, and usually prime rib and crab on New Years.’

(If you’re doing a lot of the cooking and baking, get your pantry into tip-top shape using this post.)

10. Decluttering & Donating

Since this is when there’s usually an influx of stuff coming into the house, before the holidays is a good time to make a list of all the places you should declutter. A lot of those items can be donated, so there’s the added bonus of feeling good about it.

And guess what! I already made you a list right here!

11. Goals

Yes, I said it. The dreaded goals list.

At least, it used to be dreaded.

Since I started using the PowerSheets from Cultivate What Matters, setting goals has become one of my favorite parts of the year.

Read this post to find out if the PowerSheets are the right goal list tool for you.

12. Holiday To-Do List

Would I be totally off to say that you don’t have anything else to do besides these lists? 

You’re going to have to make a list of all the things that go along with all these things …you know, picking up stamps, going to the post office, wrapping all the gifts, shopping for supplies.

Yep. Busy, busy, busy.

So, what do you think? Will you totally make any of these lists? What other lists will you make that I left out?

Swipe the FREE Christmas Card & Gift Tracker (Planning Template) to get started with your holiday listmaking.