As the merriest season approaches, it’s easy to get swept up in the delightful hustle and bustle of December. However, the secret to a truly joyous Christmas lies in preparing ahead of time!
By tackling those little festive tasks early, you can sidestep the last-minute chaos and fully savour the magic of the season. From gift shopping to penning heartfelt Christmas cards, early preparation not only lightens your to-do list but also allows you to embrace the spirit of the season with a calm mind and a full heart.
Let’s explore some simple, festive steps to get you started on your Christmas preparations, ensuring that this Chrimbo is filled with cheer instead of stress!
Christmas Cards
It may sound like a lengthy task, but trust us, it’s a labour of love that’s well worth it! Treat this time as a cosy moment for yourself: snuggle up with a warm cuppa and create a list of everyone you want to send a Christmas card to this year—friends and family near and far, neighbours, colleagues, distant relatives, and even the dog! As you tick each person off, you’ll feel the warmth of the jolly season spreading, and there’s nothing quite like the satisfaction of a completed tick list!
This process also gives you the chance to update your address book. You might see a name and think, “Oh, I believe Auntie Susan moved a couple of months back; I’d better ask for her new address!”
Now comes the fun part: finding the perfect Christmas card that captures your loved ones’ personalities and interests. Surprise them with a beautifully crafted 3D Christmas card, let the card sing merry christmas to them or a hand finished card that will outshine any christmas tree. Share your favourite festive memories, sprinkle in some festive cheer, or express your heartfelt gratitude for having them in your life. Let your words sparkle like tinsel on the tree!
Trust us when we say that having all your cards ready to go by 1st December (or before!) will feel like a true achievement, wrapping you in a fuzzy feeling of Christmas spirit as you fully enjoy the lead-up to Christmas.
Addressing Christmas Cards in Advance
If you’re super organised, you can prepare your Christmas cards any time of the year! Once you have your list, dive into the festive spirit whenever and purchase all your cards, each adorned with wonderful messages of love and Christmas wishes. Seal them up, pop on a stamp, and write the addresses so they’re ready to drop in the post box as the jolly season begins!
Stocking Fillers
• Sassy Socks: To keep their toes toasty during the chilly evenings.
• Mugs: To remind them of you as they sip their morning brew.
• Adorable Bookmarks: Perfect for bookworms who always need a new companion for their reading adventures.
• Cosy Candles: Warm the senses with Christmassy scents like cinnamon and nutmeg.
• Little Trinkets: Keyrings, charming keepsakes from East of India, or delightful Cotton & Grey 20-minute candles.
• Notepads & Pens: You can’t go wrong with a new notepad and pen set, ideal for jotting down notes at school or in meetings, writing shopping lists, or simply doodling away.
• Christmas Sweets & Chocolates: Those with a sweet tooth or a fellow chocoholic will be ever so grateful for these festive treats.
Christmas Gift Wrapping
In addition to Santa-elf-approved wrapping paper, it’s always handy to have a variety of Christmas-themed gift bags for those tricky-to-wrap presents.
Recycle & Reuse Old Christmas Cards For Gift Tags!
One lovely way to give your Christmas cards a second life is to transform them into charming gift tags. Simply sift through your collection, pick out the most eye-catching designs, and trim them to fit your presents perfectly. For an extra touch of flair, punch a small hole at the top and thread through a lovely ribbon. Voilà! Your gifts will sparkle with an extra dash of festive cheer, adorned with unique, upcycled tags. It’s a merry and eco-friendly way to breathe new life into your treasured Christmas cards!
Advent Calendars
There’s no real time frame for when to buy an advent calendar! Whether it’s a lavish chocolate advent or a charming build-as-you-go DIY creation, you can snap one up as early and it will be just as wonderful as if you bought it at the end of November.
Typically, advent calendars begin to grace supermarket shelves at the start of October, nestled among the spooky treats of Halloween. The same goes for most websites, including ours, even as early as September! There’s no reason not to pop one into your basket and tuck it away in your wardrobe, ready to surprise yourself or your little ones when December arrives at your doorstep.
For more inspiration, be sure to check out our blog post, “An Extra Special Christmas Countdown: Unique Advent Calendar Ideas,” and discover how to make your countdown to Christmas truly magical!
Personalised Christmas Cards & Gifts
Some things just have to be done early to ensure they’re tucked away under the Christmas tree in time. That is definitely the case when it comes to getting personalised gifts for your nearest and dearest. Crafted with care and bespoke for that special someone, these gifts naturally take a little longer to arrive at your door.
We’ve put together some delightful, customised gift ideas for your family:
• Bauble: Have one made with a special date for their Christmas tree; it’ll be a keepsake that brings joy year after year.
• Sweets Jar: A festive sweet jar with their name on it is sure to make it clear that those treats are just for them!
• Jewellery: Engrave a heartfelt message or initials on a thoughtful piece of jewellery.
• Books: Add their name to a magical Christmas tale or a personalised colouring book for hours of festive fun.
• Christmas Stocking: Add to the Christmas magic with a stocking featuring their name, ready for them to open on Christmas morning.
• Candles: For those who adore candles, a personalised one will not only warm their senses but their hearts too.
With Love,
