Christmas planning checklist: free 6-week plan to print
Plan Christmas without the rush: budget, gifts, cards, decorating, the menu and the food shopping, week by week. Free printable checklist, or plan it in Plenzu.
13 stepsAbout 11h of workPlanned back from your christmas day
What this plan is based on
How organised hosts do it: budget and guests first, gifts early, food shopping in two rounds.
The plan, step by step
6 weeks before
Set the budget for gifts and food20m
Agree who hosts and who is coming20m
5 weeks before
Make the gift list30m
4 weeks before
Buy or order the gifts2h
Order online gifts first; delivery slows down in December.
3 weeks before
Write and send the cards45m
Decorate: tree and lights2h
2 weeks before
Plan the menu and who brings what30m
1 week before
Order meat, fish or anything special20m
Wrap the gifts1h
3 days before
Do the big food shop1h 30m
1 day before
Prepare ahead: desserts and the table1h 30m
Christmas Day
Christmas Day
After the christmas day
Say thank you and keep receipts for returns15m
Christmas plan
Budget: … Guests: …
Gifts | For | Idea | Bought | |---|---|---| | … | … | … |
Menu - Starter: … - Main: … - Dessert: …
Who brings what - …
Questions
When should I start planning Christmas?
About six weeks ahead, in the middle of November. That leaves time to spread the cost of gifts and to order before delivery gets slow.
How do I keep Christmas within budget?
Set one amount for gifts and one for food before you buy anything, and write the gift list first. Buying from a list costs less than buying while browsing.
What can I prepare ahead for Christmas dinner?
Desserts, sauces and soup can be made a day or two before, and the table can be laid the evening before. Order meat or fish ten days ahead.