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Half the battle with the perfect Christmas is all about the planning. Finding a way to avoid feeling overwhelmed this Christmas is really vital.
Christmas Planning
Some of us (I am us!) like to forward plan for Christmas and this can begin fairly early in the year. For me this is because I love Christmas so much but also because I like to try and keep my spending in check and stop from feeling exhausted by the whole thing.
Often the sales leading up to Christmas are a bit misleading. In that shops raise the prices and then reduce to make us think we are getting a good buy. In reality if you have planned ahead, you can find some true bargains.
It can be very overwhelming though, especially if you have a lot of people to buy for. You might also be hosting for lots of people. There can be so much pressure to give everyone the PERFECT Christmas. I promise you, that pressure only comes from our own heads.
To be able to get organised, you first need to establish a budget and a list of people you have to buy for and what you need to arrange for the big day. Previously I’d keep a mental check, I don’t know if its a sign of getting older, but I can’t get the information to stay in my head these days. I need somewhere to keep all of this information together that I can easily access.
Digital Planners
This is where Satin Journals * have been a huge help. They’ve created digital Christmas planners that can be used with the Apple pencil or stylus on an Ipad or tablet. This means I can keep a track easily of what I need to do, buy and organise.
It’s super easy to keep updated which means you’re more likely to be on top of your to-do list. Once you feel in control, the feeling of overwhelm will soon disappear.
The unique selling point for me is that I can print off these planners as well. I can then write my list and keep it in my handbag. This means I always have it on me to follow when I am out shopping. I can then update my digital planner when I am at home.
The digital planner also comes with space where you can record your meal ideas, stocking gifts and general Christmas related thoughts.
How to avoid feeling overwhelmed this Christmas
We have to stop being so hard on ourselves. Stop looking at the insta-worthy Christmas posts that leave us feeling inadequate. Just stop!
Here are some ways to keep your overwhelm at bay this Christmas.
- Use a digital planner or a paper version
- Write down all you need to buy for, take off the unessential people. Not everyone you’ve ever met needs a gift.
- Write a list of the Christmas cards you need to write and only buy the amount you need. This saves money and lots of left overs to store for next year
- Plan your menu for the big day
- Use your calendar to keep track of all events on the run up to Christmas
- Set a budget and work to stick to it
- Keep an eye out for big sales for the shops you know you will be using this year
- Plan what you and the family would like to do in the run up
- Do not overload yourself with unessential activities
- Make time for yourself during the planning stages, a bit of self care can really help when you’re feeling overwhelmed.
- Ask for help. You don’t need to do it all alone
- Make the planning as much fun as you can, if you enjoy it, it will instantly seem less stressful.
- Don’t sweat the small stuff, remember why this time of year is so important to you. Family and friends being together is so much more important than the little things you feel compelled to do.
Satin Journals
The lovely people at Satin Journals are giving my readers a discount towards any of their planners. Alongside the Christmas planners are plenty of other reasonably priced planners for you to take control of all aspects of life.
Use the code OURFAVOURITEJAR to get 20% off at checkout. This is a great offer to help you out this Christmas.
Do you struggle with overwhelm at this time of year? Do you use a planner for Christmas or is it something you think could really help you out?
I have begun developing Christmas anxiety over the last few years, so I’m definitely putting your list to use this time around. They are really helpful, I’m glad you shared them!
Good topic for Christmas.
I’ve started planning the advent treats and I always have to plan gifts early too because half (really half) our close family have birthdays in the 4 weeks around xmas. I’m not feeling the festive vibe at all yet though.
Wow you’re so organized Claire, I didn’t even know Christmas planners were a thing! I know this is an unpopular opinion but I am not a big Christmas fan. The holiday has always caused me tons of anxiety. I think it’s because of my parents divorced when I was a kid and having to go back and forth and all of that stuff. Also I tend to way over think gifts and I worry that people won’t like them and feel like I’m not in tune with what people want. It looks like this is an amazing solution to the financial part of Christmas though, great tips, thank you!
Hello Claire what a well written post as usual. On my case I have never been a Christmas planner because it’s never much of a big deal here at home instead people like to go have fun outside hopefully that will change over time as we working on uniting the family. But these can be very helpful going forward. Thank you for sharing.
You couldn’t have written this post at a better time for me, Claire. I haven’t started on my Christmas planning yet. I have no clue what I’m getting for friends and family and I haven’t sorted out my Christmas card list yet either. Not only is this post the nicest and friendliest prod to get moving but Satin Journals have some amazingly good value products too. Thank you so much! xxx
Oooh those planners are a fantastic idea for staying organized this Christmas! This is such a stressful and overwhelming time of year, anything we can get to make it a little easier on us is worth it IMO! I’m almost finished my Christmas shopping. If I leave it too late I stresssss! xxx
I am starting to feel quite overwhelmed with Christmas – not just the gifts but not seeing family, trying to be strong for everyone and really just wanting to see my sisters and have a cuppa and a cuddle!
So many great tips in this post, thank you, I’m going to use lots of them to help me feel better!
Rosie
What a great idea! I never really stay as organised as I want to on the run up to Christmas, so I could definitely do with a digital planner 🙂
I’m trying something different this year/-minimalist gifts! I’m trying to buy things fir my family that they can use rather than keep. And I’m not buying for a lot of people this year.
Giulia tidbitsofcare.com
Like you, I love Christmas and start buying bits as soon as the previous one is over. That digital planner is such a good idea.
These are some great ideas, it can be so easy to feel overwhelmed with everything that needs doing in the run up to Christmas.
Planning is key isn’t it , I’ve been trying to plan and start prepping for Xmas and it’s really helped the stress load x
I have tactics to deal with Christmas. I can’t cope otherwise it’s just far too much for one person to have to do. Great ideas. Lists always work well for me!!!!
I’m lucky that I don’t have much to plan for Christmas, just presents for my partner then closer to the time, sorting out the food we want over that period. But I can certainly see how planning ahead would be important if you have a family
It’s always stressful trying to think of gifts but I have never had the ingenious thought of trying to plan it like this! The budgeting seems especially useful, I always go overboard & buy too many presents for my girlfriend. Great & timely post for me!
I think making lists and planning as far in advance as you can will help you stop the overwhelming feeling. I always have lists of presents so I can track what I’ve bought, for who and how much I’ve spent. And I’ve got lists for our Christmas shop etc x
That looks like a great planner! I am finding the whole prospect of Christmas completely overwhelming at the minute.
This is such a great post!
No one ever talks about feeling Christmas overwhelm so it’s really great that you’ve written this post!
Planning is so important!
Love Lozza x
http://girlygabble.com
Lots of great suggestions, I love the idea of using a digital planner to keep on top of everything as it can be so easy to lose track! I am definitely guilty of feeling overwhelmed or wanting to make everything perfect so these tips are really useful, thank you!
It is such a good idea to write everything down as it is so easy for costs to spiral
Love an excuse for more stationery :). I am organised and enjoy planning for Christmas. I always get overwhelmed with the family politics of it all!
Totally agree with you about the sales too. I did most of my shopping in October and got some great deals.
I’ve never thought of using a digital planner but what a great idea! Maybe something I’ll try this year to be more organised.
Due to all the current restrictions and lockdowns I started planning Christmas a while ago as I knew if I left it I would be so stressed out. I’m actually quite calm this year.
This is an excellent post with some very useful tips. I totally agree early planning and budgeting is the key to get things done with our stress .
I like how the planner can be digital or printed off. It suits both kinds of people. My husband loves a paper list whereas I much prefer to have something on my phone I can refer too.
I thought I was winning at life starting to make Christmas cards at the end of October. It’s now nearly December and that’s as far as I’ve got. Think I need a planner immediately!
LOVE this post!! You look so organised and I like how you have lists too we have loads of them and they deffo help xx
Thanks for sharing, these planners look a good idea to plan everything, hopefully, this year I shall be calmer 🙂
I really struggle with Christmas overwhelm, so much so in recent years I haven’t really enjoyed the lead up to the big day at all! Will definitely be taking all your tips on board!xx
Great tips. Satin Journals sounds great, I will have to check their page out. Planners are so helpful for staying organised and digital planners are too good 😍
great ideas, I am normally a last minute.com person but this year I have tried to be a bit more organised all be it slight chaos lol
Very good tips again Claire! I like to send my cards early and did it yesterday. Also I sent all the gifts to the Finnish family in one large box (instead of many small ones as it saves a lot of money, I learned). I wanted to have that parcel going out early so it’s definitely on time. Last week I got my Nordic Christmas in Ikea but already ate some chocolates so might have to restock 😀 Have a good month xx