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It’s never too early to start planning for Christmas!
If you’re like most people, you probably wait until the last minute to do anything festive.
But what if there was a way to prepare for Christmas in January?
Believe it or not, it is possible and actually makes a lot of sense!
In this blog post, we will discuss how to get started on your Christmas planning and give you some tips for making the process easier.
Christmas Planning in January…Really?
When it comes to Christmas, it can feel like the earlier you start planning, the better. But at the same time, is it really necessary to start your Christmas planning in January?
Getting ready for Christmas in January may seem like a bit of a strange idea, but if you think about it, it makes perfect sense! After all, by the time December rolls around, you’re already so busy with work and social commitments that trying to get everything done can be a real challenge. By starting your preparations in January, you can take things at a more leisurely pace and avoid rushed last-minute decisions (and associated stress).
Starting your Christmas planning in January while the previous Christmas is still fresh in your mind is a great way to ensure that you don’t forget anything important. You can also take advantage of sales, store Christmas cards and wrapping paper, and declutter your old decorations as you put them away.
Making a note of how much wrapping paper you still have on hand, and stocking up on cheap Christmas decorations in the post-Christmas sales is a great way to save money and is likely to be the only opportunity to do so until next Christmas.
Christmas shopping in January can uncover some real bargains for next years Christmas gifts with gift sets and stocking fillers often at rock bottom prices to clear stock.
Getting a head start in January is may seem excessive but if time or money is an issue, it can be a real lifesaver.
If you’re someone who struggles with Christmas planning, starting in January can give you a much-needed head start. It can also help to spread the cost of Christmas over a longer period of time, which can be a big relief come December!
But if you feel like January is just too early to start thinking about Christmas, that’s totally understandable too! Often by the time the decorations come down we just want to get back to normal and put Christmas behind us for another year.
Should I Start Planning for Christmas In January?
There are a few things to consider if you’re trying to decide whether or not to start your Christmas planning in January:
What is your planning style?
Do you prefer to be super organised and have everything planned out well in advance, or do you prefer to leave things until the last minute? If you’re the latter, then starting your Christmas planning too early may not be for you. On the other hand, if you’re the type of person who likes to have everything sorted well in advance, then starting your Christmas planning early will help you to avoid any last minute stressful situations.
Christmas Planning All Year
If you love planning or just want to get ahead for next Christmas we’ve put together a month-by-month plan to make December as stress-free as possible.
We’ve listed out tasks you can complete every month of the year to help you save time and money come December.
What is your budget?
If you’re on a tight budget, then starting your Christmas planning early will give you time to save up. It will also allow you to take advantage of any sales or deals that might be available. Christmas 2022 looks set to be an expensive one, so if you can start saving and shopping for non-perishables now, it will definitely pay off in the long run.
What are your Christmas plans?
If you’re planning on going away for Christmas or hosting a large family gathering, then starting your planning early is a good idea. This will give you time to make sure that everything is organised and that you have everything you need. It will also help to avoid any last minute stressful situations. Even a quiet family gathering can be a lot of work, so if you’re planning on hosting Christmas dinner, it’s best to start thinking about your menu and shopping list well in advance.
Another thing to consider is how much Christmas planning you actually need to do. If you’re someone who already has a pretty good idea of what they want and just needs to make a few small tweaks here and there, then starting in January may not be necessary. But if you’re starting from scratch with your Christmas plans, then it might be a good idea to start early.
How Do I Prepare For Christmas In January?
If you’ve decided that starting your Christmas planning in January is the right move for you, then here are a few tips to help you get started:
Start small – don’t try to do everything at once. Just pick one or two things to focus on each week and build up from there.
Make a list – sit down and make a list of everything you need to do, buy, or organise for Christmas. This will help to keep you on track and ensure that you don’t forget anything important.
Set a budget – work out how much you can afford to spend on Christmas and stick to it. This will help to avoid any financial stress come December.
Get organised – once you have your list, start organising everything into categories such as food, presents, decorations, etc. This will help you to see what still needs to be done and make the planning process less overwhelming.
Start shopping – if you’re able to, start buying some of your Christmas presents and non-perishable food items now. This will help to spread the cost and avoid any last minute panics come December.
Take your time – Christmas planning doesn’t need to be done all in one go. Take your time and enjoy the process!
Start a Christmas Planner – Making plans is one thing, but sticking to them and remembering where you left them is another. Creating a Christmas planner will help you stay on track and ensure that everything gets done in time.
Christmas Planners
Check out our Christmas planners designed to make Christmas planning easy. We’ve made sure everything you need is included, from budgeting to gift lists, and more!
If you’re looking for Christmas planning tips check out our post about Christmas planning through the year. We’ve broken down all of the most important tasks into easy month-by-month tasks so you’ll be organised and ready for Christmas.
Christmas planning in January may not be for everyone, but if you’re someone who likes to be organised and prepared, then it’s definitely worth considering. By following these tips, you’ll be well on your way to having a stress-free Christmas.
Merry planning!
