For me, Christmas is a season, not just a day. I relish the whole month of December: the music, the decorations, the wrapping and spending time with the people I love. My family have put their foot down about the tree. I’m not allowed to put it up until the last week of November! But once the decorations are up and the Christmas music is on, I’m enjoying every minute.
Over the years, I’ve learned that the earlier I prepare, the more I enjoy it. There have been years when work and life meant leaving things until the last week, and everything felt that bit harder. When I give myself time, I can enjoy the preparations instead of rushing through them.
So I’m sharing how I get ready for Christmas, from buying gifts throughout the year to getting everyone involved in preparing dinner. Take whatever suits your life and your budget. You don’t have to do everything. Even one little idea that makes Christmas more enjoyable is enough.
Start with a list and a budget
My Christmas gift list is fairly similar each year, with a few people added or taken off as life changes. I know how many people I’m buying for and roughly what I can afford to spend on each person. I also start thinking about whether I’ll have a get-together, who might be coming and what I’ll need. I don’t want a massive expense landing in the last couple of weeks.
For me, a good offer has to be good value within my budget.
A €1,000 jacket reduced to €300 might be a fantastic purchase for somebody else, but I can’t afford €300 for one present. It could be 70% off and still be beyond what I want to spend.
I keep an eye on prices throughout the year, check whether a reduction is worthwhile and shop from my list. I like a good discount, but the price I actually pay is what matters.
Yes, I start Christmas shopping in January
Some people will think I’m mad, but I start buying Christmas gifts in the January sales.
I look for things such as candles and beautiful Christmas ornaments, including Tipperary Crystal decorations. These are often thank you gifts for people who have been part of my year: neighbours, people I’ve worked with, the lady in the pharmacy or the post lady.
I’m a big gift giver. I love being able to give somebody a little something to say, “Thank you, I appreciate you.”
Then, throughout the year, I listen. If a friend or family member mentions something they’d love, I keep it in mind. If the opportunity comes up in the summer sales and it fits my budget, I’ll buy it then.
By Black Friday, I might only have one or two specific things left to look for, perhaps something special that a family member has asked for. Buying this way helps me spread the expense and get more from the money I’ve set aside. It also means fewer last minute trips into packed shops and less worrying about delivery times in the run up to Christmas.
For me, that makes the whole thing calmer.
Keep your gifts and supplies together
I have what I call my “gifting wardrobe”. It’s where I keep the presents I buy throughout the year, along with wrapping paper, cards and little finishing touches.
After Christmas, I stock up on wrapping supplies and cards when I find them reduced. That’s often when I decide how I’ll wrap the following year’s presents.
I might choose one theme for family gifts, another for friends and something different for my thank you gifts. Everything goes into the wardrobe until I need it. Having it all together means I can see what I already have before buying more. Little bits left over from one year can also be used the next.
I keep a small supply of gifts for unexpected visitors too: candles, Christmas decorations, a couple of bottles of wine or home fragrances. If somebody pops in over Christmas, I like having a little something there for them.
Give thoughtfully, and don’t be afraid to regift
For the people I know well, I try to choose something personal or useful. Sometimes I’ve found something so handy throughout the year that I think, “I have to share this with my friends or family,” and buy it as a gift.
For somebody I don’t know as well, I might choose a beautiful Christmas decoration, a festive candle or something for their home. Of course, I don’t always get it right. And that’s okay.
I’m perfectly happy with regifting. If you’ve been given something that isn’t right for you, but you know somebody who would love it, I don’t see a problem in passing it on. I say the same to people I give presents to: if I’ve got it wrong, don’t be afraid to regift it. I want the gift to be enjoyed!
And I don’t give gifts to get gifts back. A lot of my Christmas presents are simply thank yous. Giving them is the part I love.
Make wrapping part of the enjoyment
Wrapping presents is something I look forward to.
I put on Christmas music, make a cup of tea, or have a glass of wine, and settle down with everything beside me. I might use brown kraft paper with string and a little dried flower, or gold Christmas paper with a red velvet bow. To me, beautiful wrapping can make even a €5 present feel luxurious.
It’s another little way of showing care!
You absolutely don’t need a theme or fancy wrapping. It’s just something that makes me happy.
That’s how I approach a lot of Christmas preparation: I try to make the experience enjoyable while I’m doing it. The music, my favourite drink and a bit of time to myself are all part of that.
Keep Christmas hosting manageable
Christmas is my time of year for hosting. Other people love having dinner parties throughout the year, but my focus is always Christmas.
Charcuterie boards and nibbles are my best friends when I’m having people over. Crisps, dips, olives and a selection of party food help keep things simple. A one pot chilli or curry that I can cook ahead is another favourite. I also like making a big jug of a cocktail to keep in the fridge as a welcome drink.
Then I bring out my little festive touches. About ten years ago, I bought Christmas jumpers and hats for my wine bottles, and they still come out every year. They make me smile every time.
I have Christmas coasters and funny photo props too: little hats, moustaches and Santa beards that people can pick up and have a laugh with.
I bought these things in sales, kept them and reuse them every Christmas. Afterwards, they go back into my Christmas wardrobe.
Sometimes I’ll give everyone a little take home something as well, perhaps a bath bomb or a makeup brush. It’s another small thing I enjoy doing.
For me, the aim is to have food people enjoy, a few festive touches and time to spend with my guests.
Make the preparation a family affair
Before the decorations go up, I give the house a good clean. With Christmas music playing and the decorating to look forward to, even the cleaning feels more enjoyable. I can see why I’m doing it. For Christmas dinner, especially when extra family members are joining us, we do as much preparation as we can the day before.
And everybody gets involved!
One person makes the trifle, another prepares the vegetables, somebody peels the potatoes and somebody makes the stuffing. I’ll have my Christmas jumper and hat on, the music playing, and perhaps a mince pie and a cup of tea. I’ve added to my Christmas jumper collection over the years by buying a new one in the January sales each year, so I have a lovely selection to bring out every December.
There’s singing, chatting and everyone doing their bit. That time together is part of Christmas for me. We’re making memories while we’re getting things ready.
Celebrate Christmas your way
There’s one rule above all the others in our house: if my family and I aren’t enjoying it, we’re not doing it.The house doesn’t have to be perfect. The get together doesn’t have to be perfect. The dinner doesn’t have to be perfect.
For me, Christmas is a time to give thanks for the people I care about. All the preparations and festive touches are there to enhance that time together.
I make it the biggest occasion of my year, but yours can look completely different. It doesn’t have to involve a party or a big get together. It could be you and one other person sitting down together, telling each other how much you mean to each other.
Celebrate it in whatever way feels right for you.
If one of my ideas helps you enjoy it a little more, I’m delighted. But if you take just one thing from this post, let it be love. Being with the people we love and showing them we care is what matters most.
And to help you with your Christmas planning, I’ve a gift for you guys: my free Christmas planner. Download it as a little gift from me to help your Christmas run more smoothly, so you have more time to enjoy the season and the people you’re sharing it with.
