Complete Christmas Prep Checklist For 2025: Your Step-by-Step Guide
The MySanta team has prepared a comprehensive Christmas countdown checklist that covers everything you need to do in advance for a stress-free holiday season.
Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year, but also the most hectic. Gifts, grocery shopping, cooking, decorations for home and office, reservations, sending Christmas cards, and a myriad of other things to take care of.
If that sounds familiar, take advantage of our Christmas planning checklist below. It will help you complete the preparations in time, stay organized, and enjoy the holidays to their fullest without feeling overwhelmed.
2-3 months before Christmas
Start preparations for Christmas two or three months before the big day. Thus, you’ll have plenty of time to brainstorm, explore new ideas for décor, and try new leisure activities. Here’s what you can do early:
- Set a holiday budget. Plan how much you can realistically spend on Christmas. Include Christmas decorations, meals, entertainment, gifts, travel, and other expenses. Consider creating a Christmas savings account to cover all items on your list.
- Map out your holiday calendar. Decide what you’d like to do during the holidays. Add events, concerts, parties, school events, and other activities to the calendar. Christmas holidays are busy, so buy tickets and make reservations early.
- Write a gift list and browse ideas. Make a list of people you’ll be giving gifts to and see if your plans align with your budget. Start browsing gift ideas early to avoid hectic last-minute shopping and stocking issues.
- Plan the Christmas cards list. Write a list of this year’s card recipients, choose Christmas card design, and order cards early. You might want to organize a photoshoot to make them personalized.
- Research travel plans. If you plan a domestic or overseas travel this year, take the time to research accommodation, tickets, and tours, and book everything before the prices skyrocket.
- Plan holiday décor. Think about the décor theme you’d like to use this year. Explore design ideas, trends, and creative ideas you might not have considered before. Take inventory of what you have in stock and buy extra décor items. To save money, think about what décor elements you can do at home with kids.
6 weeks before Christmas
In early November, it’s time to refine your plans, stock up on supplies, decorate, and keep looking for perfect gifts. Here are some ideas of what you should do:
- Start shopping for gifts. If you know exactly what to buy, start purchasing early to take advantage of early promotions and sales. Order presents from international stores to ensure they arrive on time.
- Order personalized items. If you plan to give a customized present to someone, order such gifts in advance as they require extra processing time.
- Start addressing Christmas cards. Sign Christmas cards to your family members who live far away, old friends, coworkers, and neighbors. It will save you tons of time during the super busy pre-Christmas days.
- Buy wrapping paper. Review your stock of wrapping paper and buy more if needed. Or, consider creative DIY ideas for gift wrapping, such as using colored paper, old newspaper pages, and ribbons.
- Buy final decorations and home supplies. Stock up on new fairy lights and décor items you need to create a festive and welcoming space. If you have guests coming over, ensure that you have all the essentials to make them feel comfortable at your home.
- Arrange for Secret Santa. If you’re doing Secret Santa with friends, family, or coworkers, it’s time to send invitations, set a gift budget, and discuss the details for a smooth gift exchange.
Take advantage of the MySanta organizer. You can create a game and draw names in seconds online to see who gives a present to whom. Set a gift budget and theme, and get reminders to ensure that nobody forgets to buy a present. Plus, all players can create personalized wishlists and get desired gifts this year.
4 weeks before Christmas
The holiday season is approaching, so continue the preparations. It’s time to buy gifts, adjust holiday plans, and arrange for fun activities.
- Take advantage of holiday sales. Use the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales to shop for gifts on your bucket list. If you know exactly what to buy, you can find great deals. If you do Secret Santa, find out your giftee’s preferences for buying the present at a good price. Purchase a few generic gifts, such as fine wines, Christmas socks, self-care sets, and chocolate boxes just in case.
- Send Christmas cards. Send out Christmas cards to recipients who live far away to avoid any holiday delays.
- Finalize your party planning. If you’re hosting a Christmas party or have guests coming over this year, finalize your preparations. Make sure you have a party theme, a list of activities, and a menu. Prepare a list of gifts to buy, and a list of guests for your party if you’re hosting it this year.
- Begin culinary preparations. Plan the Christmas Eve and Christmas Day menus. Think about dishes, snacks, and drinks you’d like to serve and take into account any dietary restrictions of your family and guests. Map out items you can buy and cook in advance.
- Mail international gifts. If you’re doing a virtual gift exchange or want to send presents to family members who live far away, do it a month in advance.
- Start decorating your house. Buy and decorate a Christmas tree. You can turn it into a festive family event and take amazing pictures. Decorate your home and outdoor space to create a holiday atmosphere for the entire month.
- Send party invitations. Inform your guests about the time, date, dress code, and what they should bring. You can send emails or get creative and use paper invitations decorated according to the party theme.
- Start purchasing food. Stock up on non-perishable ingredients for your Christmas meal. You might also want to order special food items (such as fresh turkey) in advance. Moreover, some ingredients are in high demand before Christmas, so by purchasing early you’ll ensure that you have everything you need in stock.
2 weeks before Christmas
Christmas preparation is in full swing, and it’s time to finish decorating your house, clean up everything, and wrap up presents. Here’s what to do from early to mid-December to ensure a smooth, fun celebration.
- Clean up the house. Deep clean your place a couple of weeks in advance to ensure everything is clean and organized when your guests arrive. Throw out or donate items you don’t use – it will symbolize your willingness to leave the past behind and have a fresh start in the new year.
- Plan your family Christmas photo. If you’re planning to take a Christmas family photo, think about outfits, location, and other details.
- Make special meal preparations. Finalize your menu for the holiday. Ensure that you’ve bought and ordered everything you need in advance so that you will only have to purchase fresh items a couple of days before the holiday.
- Wrap up gifts. Wrap up presents for those you’ll meet in person and for the Secret Santa gift exchanges. You don’t want to spend the night before the holiday wrapping countless presents, so take care of it early.
- Find ways to help others. Christmas is the time to give back, so think about how to help your community or those in need. Donate old items to a local charity or volunteer for a soup kitchen. If you’re too busy on holidays, donating a small amount to a charitable organization is always a good idea.
Christmas week
Christmas is almost here, and it’s time for cooking, last-minute shopping, and celebrating. Take care of the things below if you haven’t done it before.
- Do a grocery run. Go to the grocery store to shop for perishable items and fresh ingredients for your meals a couple of days before the holiday. Make sure you’ve bought everything for the Christmas celebration.
- Hang up stockings. Hang stockings around your home and near the fireplace. You can fill them with small gifts and sweet treats in advance or on Christmas Eve.
- Start cooking. Don’t postpone all cooking until the Christmas day. You can make sauces, chop vegetables, and prepare other items in advance to minimize cooking on Christmas day.
- Set aside time for baking. Christmas cookies, cakes, pudding, and other pastries are the essential element of the holiday. If you plan on making homemade cookies, do it a week before the holiday or earlier so the family can indulge in delicious cookies all over the holidays.
- Make a Christmas playlist. Set the vibe for the upcoming Christmas celebration! Have your spouse and kids contribute their ideas and ask the guests about their preferences.
- Do the last-minute preparations. If you forgot to buy a gift for someone, send out Christmas cards, or there were any last-minute changes in holiday plans, address them before the holiday to minimize stress.
- Plan enjoyable holiday activities. The Christmas week shouldn’t be all about cooking, cleaning, and making preparations. Set aside time for fun holiday activities with family and friends. Watch some holiday movies, play charades and board games, and go out to enjoy the atmosphere as the holiday approaches.
Christmas Eve
If you started holiday preparations early, take a few small steps before you can enjoy the Christmas with your loved ones.
- Prepare a Christmas meal. Finalize your Christmas meal preparation according to the menu and cooking schedule. Have appetizers available to keep guests and family satisfied and entertained while the festive dinner is being prepared.
- Leave out cookies for Santa. Leaving cookies and a glass of milk for Santa is a timeless tradition. Place the snacks for Santa near the fireplace or Christmas tree to show appreciation for Santa’s hard work during the holidays.
- Spread reindeer food. Another Christmas tradition that little kids enjoy is spreading out reindeer food. Mix the oats with sprinkles, dry fruit, and cereals, and have kids sprinkle it on the lawn to feed the hard-working reindeer.
- Charge your phone and camera. Charge all electronic devices you might need during the holiday night, such as your phone, laptop, camera, headphones, etc. On the festive night, you want to capture moments quickly and not rush around the house in the middle of something looking for a phone charger.
- Place presents under the tree. Put all the presents you’ve bought under the Christmas tree and in other designated areas, and encourage your guests to do the same.
- Reveal the Secret Santa. If you’re doing Secret Santa, have guests unwrap their gifts and guess who prepared a present for them! Accompany the reveal with charades, quizzes, and games to make the guessing more fun and entertaining for everyone.
- Set the table. For a great festive dining experience, set the table using decorative touches that align with your décor theme. Use the best tablecloth, silverware, candles, and other elements that create a festive and welcoming vibe.
- Time to celebrate! After weeks of planning, preparations, and decorating, Christmas Eve is the time to get into the holiday spirit and celebrate with your loved ones. Plan the activities you enjoy, be it Christmas movie night, active games outside, scavenger hunt, or board games and simply enjoy each other’s company to create memories that last.
The Ultimate Printable Christmas Countdown Checklist
Want to stay organized as you are preparing for an unforgettable Christmas celebration? Print the Christmas 2025 checklist below so that you don't forget anything.
FAQ's
How do I divide holiday preparation tasks between family members?
Start by listing all necessary tasks, from shopping and cooking to decorating and cleaning. Then, have a family discussion to assign responsibilities based on preferences and strengths. Even small kids can assist with decorating the house, gift wrapping, or simple meal prep. Involving everyone in preparations will foster a sense of responsibility in kids and strengthen family relationships.
What should I include in my emergency backup plan for Christmas day?
Here's what you might want to include in a backup plan:
- Alternative recipes or readily available takeout options in case of cooking mishaps
- A list of nearby open stores for last-minute grocery shopping
- Extra batteries for toys and electronics
- A plan for entertaining guests if the weather prevents outdoor activities
- A few spare gifts in case someone forgets to bring their Secret Santa present or unexpected guests show up.
Having these contingencies in place will minimize stress and allow you to adapt gracefully to unexpected challenges.
How can I track my holiday spending on gifts, food, and decor?
Use a spreadsheet or budgeting app to create a detailed list of gifts, food items, decorations, and activities, and assign a budget to each category. Next, record all purchases, noting the item, retailer, and how much you spent. Review your spending against budget regularly to adjust your purchasing habits and avoid overspending.
