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Page Title Planning
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Page Content  To help make the holiday season a little less stressful, we have developed a printable Holiday Checklist (click to download) and a three month schedule, complete with links to our favourite holiday tips. Use these lists to plan your next dinner, party and all things gifting!
- Shop for gifts year round when the stores have a good selection and you can take advantage of sales. Watch for unusual or “just right” items while on vacation.
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- Start handmade gift items or crafts in January to ensure they’ll be ready in time.
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- Make a few extra preserves in special jars during the summer for gifts. See our Preserving How-To section.
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- Keep all items purchased or made in one place. A list of items (what, for whom) lets you know at a glance what you have on hand.
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 - Start a master grocery list. Buy items on sale and as the budget allows. Visit our Holiday Tips For Success page for more ideas on how to save money on groceries.
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- Decide what entertaining you wish to do and place dates on your calendar.
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- Complete redecorating projects.
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- Bake and season dark fruitcakes. Learn more about seasoning a fruitcake here!
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- Start purchasing or making gifts.
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- If you do not have enough, purchase gift wrap, ribbon, tape, cards, candles, decorations and napkins. For decorating tips and ideas, visit our Christmas Decorations page.
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- Write a gift list of items already purchased as well as those needed. Set a spending limit.
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- Check the post office for a list of mailing deadlines. Add pertinent ones to your calendar.
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- Decide what holiday parties or family “get-togethers’ you want to have. Set dates and begin thinking about guest lists and food.
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- Reserve babysitters as the dates of special holiday functions become known.
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- Stock up on often-used items as they go on special. Purchase specialty food items such as candy, nuts, crackers, specialty baking ingredients, etc. little by little as the budget allows.
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- Write and send holiday newsletters, Christmas cards or E-cards.
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- Wrap gifts. Save all receipts in one envelope until after Christmas. See our Christmas Decorations page for gift wrapping ideas.
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- Polish silver and then wrap in clean cloths.
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- Clean and press tablecloths and napkins and fold over a padded hanger to minimize wrinkles.
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- Prepare and season shortbread, light fruitcakes, Christmas puddings and other holiday baking. See our Holiday Baking page for ideas!
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- Freeze any special holiday breads or rolls.
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- Schedule some free time for concerts and parties.
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- Check Christmas lights and put up before weather gets really cold.
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- Check guest room for readiness.
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- Check table linens for cleanliness, stains, pressing required. Store ready-to-use cloths over a padded hanger to minimize the wrinkling
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- Prepare and freeze casserole meals for busy nights in December. See our Make Ahead Meals page for recipes.
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- Prepare any food that freezes well for planned parties or anticipated guests.
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- Purchase all non-perishable groceries needed.
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- Begin decorating the home. Check out our Christmas Decorations page for tips and tricks for decorating your home on a budget!
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- Prepare bread for stuffing and freeze.
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- Prepare cranberry sauce and freeze.
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- Record a holiday greeting on the answering machine.
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- Send Christmas plans to special friends and family.
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- Purchase turkey or remove from freezer and estimate thawing time. See our Turkey and the Trimmings page for information on purchasing to carving and everything in between.
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- Do a final housecleaning.
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- Put nuts and candy into serving dishes. Cover and store.
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- Decorate tree if it has not been done already. For decorating tips and ideas, visit our Christmas Decorations page.
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- Bring out inaccessible serving pieces, china, glassware, etc
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- Reorganize refrigerator for extra space.
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- Put condiments into serving dishes. Refrigerate.
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- Set table with flatware, napkins, wine glasses, water goblets, candles and centerpiece.
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- Wash and prepare salad greens.
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- Prepare dressing ingredients in separate packets and keep refrigerated.
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- Thaw frozen food for Christmas menu in refrigerator.
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- Combine punch ingredients except for carbonated ingredients.
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- Set the table for Christmas dinner. Cover with drop sheet.
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- Prepare soup or other starters and refrigerate.
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- Combine and refrigerate any overnight breakfast dishes or stratas, coffee cakes or sweet rolls.
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