It may be too early to start full Christmas decorating, but now is the perfect time to prepare. Avoid supply delays, shortages, and last-minute stress by taking a few simple steps today.
I know many of us feel it’s too soon to put out holiday decor—Thanksgiving hasn’t even arrived yet—but early planning can save time, money, and frustration. This year, with widespread supply delays and items selling out quickly, getting organized now makes a real difference.
I actually anticipated these shortages and started mapping out my holiday ideas in July, ordering pieces in early August. Even with that lead time, some items were delayed or became unavailable. You don’t need to rush into decorating now, but a little preparation will ensure a calmer, more joyful season.
Christmas Checklist
I’ve created a practical Christmas decorating timeline that guides you from planning to a fully decorated home in three weeks. The checklist breaks the process into manageable weekly steps so the job never feels overwhelming. I share this planner with my newsletter subscribers for free—get it here.
Make a Master Plan for Each Room
This year I tried a new approach that saved me a lot of time: I created a simple room-by-room plan. For each space I intend to decorate, I made a short document listing the areas to accent and the color palette or theme I wanted to use.
Once a room plan was complete, I noted any items I needed to buy, and I saved a few inspiration photos to keep the vision consistent. That organization let me pull exactly what I needed from storage and decorate a room in about half the time it usually takes.
My planner isn’t elaborate—just a practical list for each room—but it dramatically streamlined my process, especially when decorating early for a magazine shoot. Anyone can use this simple method to speed up decorating and limit impulse purchases.
With each room plan in hand, I visited my storage area, retrieved the exact pieces I needed, and finished the space quickly and confidently.
Take Stock of Your Decorations
Before buying anything new, inventory what you already own. Holiday decorations have a way of multiplying, and it’s easy to forget ornaments, ribbons, or garlands tucked away in bins.
Now is an excellent time to purge, organize, and label boxes. That will save you time when you’re ready to decorate and help you spot any broken ornaments or strings of lights that need replacing.
This post on attic organization offers helpful ideas for storing awkward items like wreaths, ribbons, pillows, and garlands so your decorations stay protected and accessible: How to Turn Your Attic into an Organized Haven.
Make a List and Check It Twice
Create a gift list now that includes everyone you plan to buy for and a budget for each person. A simple list prevents last-minute panic, forgotten ideas, and overspending.
My daughter keeps a running note on her phone for gift ideas; whenever someone mentions a wish, she adds it. That practice makes gift hunting easier and ensures thoughtful presents rather than frantic purchases.
Updated Classic Traditional Christmas Family Room Tour
Cozy & Festive Christmas Family Room
Wrap Gifts as You Buy Them
Wrapping all gifts at the last minute can turn a joyful task into a grind. I used to procrastinate and end up spending hours wrapping everything in one marathon session. Now I choose a coordinated wrapping palette for the year and wrap gifts as I purchase them.
Coordinated wrapping not only reduces last-minute labor but also makes packages part of the decor. When gift wrap and ribbon complement your tree and room themes, the whole scene looks put together and festive.
Rustic Glam Christmas Tree & Mantel
Pretty, Easy and Affordable Christmas Gift Wrapping
Involve Your Family
It’s easy to take on all the Christmas tasks yourself, but that often turns the season into a to-do list rather than a celebration. Involving family members—kids included—makes decorating more fun and creates lasting memories.
Let children help with simple tasks like hanging ornaments, fluffing garlands, or arranging wrapped gifts. Older family members can take responsibility for specific areas or traditions. Sharing the work spreads the joy and reduces stress for everyone.
My daughter, son-in-law, and the grands
What steps are you taking to prepare for a calmer, more joyful holiday season? Small actions now—planning rooms, inventorying decorations, organizing storage, budgeting gifts, wrapping as you go, and including family—add up to a much less stressful and more festive Christmas.