Three months may seem like plenty of time… but let’s be honest, Christmas always arrives quicker than a blink. One minute it’s pumpkin spice season, the next it’s mulled wine and tinsel.
This year, I’m diving in early with my Christmas planning.🎄 I’m determined to avoid the last-minute rush that often leads to frantic shopping trips and last-second decisions that I regret.
🎁 The First Thing: Gifts for the Boys
As the boys are getting older, gift-buying is becoming trickier. Every year I dread the infamous family question: “What do they want for Christmas?”
Last year I discovered the 5 Gift Rule on Pinterest (aka my holy Bible of ideas):
- Something they want
- Something they need
- Something to wear
- Something to read
- Something to do
And it worked beautifully! This year, I’m expanding the list with extra categories like:
✨ Drink, Eat, Create, Watch, Listen, Smell, Touch, Collect and more.
I even made a letter from Santa explaining that the lists need filling in now to help “Santa’s workshop run on time.” (Yes, my eldest knows the truth, and my youngest is starting to twig, but I’m holding onto the magic with both hands!)
To make it extra special, I found:
- Classic Santa letter envelopes from Printabulls
- Cute Christmas envelopes from This Heart of Mine Blog
Both are free printables, though I popped the ‘return’ envelopes into Canva and added my own “North Pole address” to make them extra fun.
🎅 Gifts for the Grown-Ups
The past couple of years we’ve kept it simple with a family Secret Santa. Everyone gets one person, budget set at £30 max, and that’s it. Stress-free and so much nicer to focus on one thoughtful gift rather than scrambling for everyone.
I’ve already got my name picked — now to get thinking…
🧝 The Elf Planning (Help Me Now)
Yes… I fell into the Elf on the Shelf trap back in 2014 when my eldest was 2. By 2019, another elf “appeared” for my youngest. And once you’re in, you’re in.
Pinterest is, once again, my lifesaver for ideas. I even made my own little set of “elf signs” this year to use with props. I keep a plan of set moments (arrival, goodbye, decorating day, last day of school, Christmas jumper day), and then fill in the rest with silly chaos.
✨ Elf goals this year:
- Write out a full calendar so I can prep/buy props in advance.
- Decide whether I really need to buy that hilarious Snoop on the Stoop I discovered last year. (Spoiler: I probably will. Purely for me and OH’s amusement.)
✨ Decking the Halls
Next up: decorations. It’s time for the yearly check — anything broken, anything not working, anything missing? (Already on my list: more snowflakes to hang from the ceiling in the entryway ❄️).
One of our traditions is that we each buy a new bauble every year. And I’ll say it loudly: I will never do a perfectly co-ordinated, Instagram aesthetic tree. I want tacky, multicoloured joy. Because Christmas is meant to be fun, not boring white/silver etc.
📌 Pinterest Mood-Boarding
And of course, my festive prep wouldn’t be complete without a deep dive into Pinterest for DIY and decorating inspiration. I’ll tweak whatever ideas I find to fit our flat and make it cosy, warm, and wonderfully Christmassy.
Lastly Christmas Eve Dessert Board 🍫🍓
This year is a little different. We’re celebrating family Christmas Day on Christmas Eve at Mum’s, since my sister will be with her in-laws on the 25th. (Meanwhile, I’m being dragged to OH’s family for the first time in 15 years… not thrilled 😒).
Mum’s in charge of the main food, so I volunteered to handle dessert. My plan? A Christmas dessert charcuterie board.I’ll be raiding my baking books for festive recipes — think spiced cookies, mini cakes, chocolates, and maybe something fruity to balance all the sugar.
Wrapping It Up (pun intended) 🎁
So that’s the plan so far:
- Gift lists & Santa letters ✨
- Secret Santa plotting 🎅
- Elf mischief scheming 🧝♂️
- Decoration check-up ✨
- Dessert board planning 🍪
It feels like a lot, but honestly, getting a head start means December will (hopefully) feel less manic. Well… until the elves start wreaking havoc anyway.
🎅 Join Me!
Are you starting your Christmas planning yet, or do you leave it until December panic mode kicks in? Share your favourite gift ideas, decoration tips, or Elf mischief moments with me — let’s survive the festive season together!
The Reading Nook 