Use this 6-week Countdown to Christmas checklist to stay focused and ahead of the game, so you can enjoy the holiday season to the fullest.

I'm a week ahead, but Christmas is almost only 6 weeks away people!! With the holiday season constantly influx, it's more important than ever to get organized early. I put together what I plan to do over the next 6-weeks in the order I plan to do it.

Here is what I have on my Christmas Checklist for this year.

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Make a List of Who to Buy For

Every year I feel like my list changes every so slightly, but this year I'm in a whole new world with a soon-to-be 2 year old and another baby arriving in January.

Get your list in order early this year because if you are like me, you will have to ship way more gifts than usual this year and all this talk of shipping delays is not something I want to worry about this season.

Here are the people that are on my list, so you don't forget anyone:

Start asking for lists from the family and get to ordering!

Set a Budget

Before you get too deep into ordering, it's probably a good idea to set a budget. We like to set per person for the closest folks and by family for the rest.

We are hosting Christmas this year, so we also set a budget for activities, groceries, and dinner's out just to get an idea of what we have upcoming.

Map Out Your Shipping/Delivery Plan

As we all know, this holiday is going to be unlike any other. To make sure your gifts arrive on time, get a plan of attack as to how many gifts you'll need to ship.

Also, decide whether or not you are going to send them directly to the people or wrap them and send them yourself. For us, this is going to vary based on the peeps were buying for.

All of this will take some time, so better to start now than wait last minute this year.

Make Your Own Christmas List & One for your Kids

You know as soon as you start asking for lists from the fam, they are going to ask for one too. Sit down and think about what you want with links.

For little miss thang this year, I created a Google sheet with a column of checkboxes and links to the items we think she could use this Christmas.

I sent it to all the grandparents and aunts and uncles, so they could check the box if they purchase it and avoid duplicates. Ain't no body got time for returns this year lol.

And if anyone has any advice on items for my Christmas list that don't involve spending hundreds of dollars, I'm all ears… my wish list is a little large and in charge this year!

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Decorate the House

This week I'm moving straight into a winter wonderland to make sure my house has all the Christmas spirit throughout. My take on Christmas color schemes and which one I'm going to choose is here.

You can see my tips for switching seasonal decor and the timeline I follow for when to decorate for each season too.

But go big this year! I'm taking it up a notch and really going all out, which is why I'm starting now. You can check out last year's Christmas home tour here.

And a quick helpful tip…

Did you know I have an entire Christmas Prep Library?

It literally has every reference material and planning tool I use to make sure every Christmas is stress-free.

Send Christmas Cards

I always forget how much goes into sending Christmas cards.

You first have to pick a photo, design the card, double check your address list for all the cards, order cards (with some extra just in case), stuff them, stamp them, and mail them.

Phew! Anyone else thinking digital Christmas cards for this year? lol

If no, then you better get on this ASAP.

Book Your Holiday Get Togethers

We have some new traditions were starting this year with a trip on the Polar Express and a Christmas lights at night tour at the local museum/garden in downtown Indy with our friends and family.

If you have any of these things in your area you'd like to do with loved ones, be sure to get it in your calendar now, including various holiday parties, too.

And, depending on the status in your area, you may or may not be able to see ALLL the people you'd like this year, so adding some virtual elements to your holiday might not be a bad idea.

Did you read my how to host a virtual holiday party post?

I've got tons of ideas for how to make the most of our virtual holiday.

In order to make it happen, I've gotta get going on setting dates and getting the goods to get that holiday party poppin'!

I'm also going to put together some holiday portal activities to make the virtual holiday parties extra special.

Here are some of the Christmas activities we came up.

Brainstorm Ways to Help Those in Need

We have to remember the meaning of the holidays first and foremost, right? Not everyone is as fortunate as we are, so a little cheer will go a long way.

Little miss thang is not old enough yet, but when she is, we have a plan to have her gather at least 5 toys she doesn't play with any more and give them away for other kids to enjoy on Christmas.

Things like giving away toys, shoe drives, donations at church, adopting a family for Christmas, and volunteering are great ways to spread a little Christmas cheer outside of your own enjoyment.

Talk to the fam and make a list of your main ideas to make someone else's Christmas delightfully memorable.

Stock the House

No matter how you're celebrating this year, you'll want to have your essentials ready and on hand.

Some of the things I'm going to stock up on early are…

• Toilet Paper
• Paper Towels
• Flour & other baking items
• Candles
• Wine (this is my favorite healthy wine)
• Booze & mixers
• Tape
• Wrapping paper
• Batteries

Decide What Special Touches You'll be Adding to your Holiday This year

Making the holiday special this year is priority numero uno, so I'm going to try to focus on adding special touches to the holidays this year.

Here are some of my ideas:

• Handmade gifts
• Gratitude gifts
• New traditions (Christmas Eve box)
• Facebook Portal meetups

For gratitude gifts, I'm thinking of making little goodie bags for the mail lady, the garbage crew, and some of my neighbors.

I haven't come up with my handmade gift ideas yet, but I want to do something fun for little missy's teachers.

And what better time to start some new traditions than now!

If you still have people you want to see that you won't be able to this year, don't forget about my favorite way to celebrate a virtual holiday to feel like you're together even if you can't be.

Wrap the Gifts

I'm always a last minute Suzie when it comes to wrapping gifts, but this year I don't think I have that luxury, so I'm hoping to get to the gift wrapping ASAP.

Coming in the next few weeks, I'll have a gift wrapping tutorial along with some other gift wrapping ideas, so be sure to snag your printable Christmas checklist and get notified when those posts are live.

We have some ideas going around over here about how we can have a covid white elephant with our family over the Facebook portal, so I may be wrapping more than usual with my gift wrapping organizer.

Gotta start early and wrap them as you receive them.

Some gifts I'm going to have to just send directly if they are larger, but no matter what, I'll still have plenty to wrap.

Map your Baking Plan

I'm a little sad this year because my mom and I always have a baking day where we hang out and make all the things.

This year she won't be able to fly in, so I'll be baking solo, but I think we are still going to setup a time for her to be on a video call with us as we whip everything up.

Who knows what the stores will be like, so be sure to think about your baking plan early and get all the essential ingredients in the pantry.

Make your Dinner Plans + Grocery list

My husband is the cook in our family and he is raring to go!

He is already scheming how to make an epic dinner for us.

Again, because we don't know how all this weird holiday shortage stuff will effect the grocery store, I would get a plan going, buy what you can now, and freeze any perishables.

Set your Holiday Schedule

Looking at a calendar and setting your holiday schedule is always a great way to feel on top of things.

If you don't get it on the schedule, it likely won't happen in the hustle and bustle of the holidays.

Get a plan and book the fun!

What other Christmas checklist items do you have on your list this year?

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