4 Things to Do Now to Get Ahead for the Holidays

Written by

Adrienne BreauxHouse Tour Director at AT Media
Adrienne BreauxHouse Tour Director at AT Media
For more than 10 years, I've led Apartment Therapy's real home content, producing thousands of house tours from around the world. Currently, I live in my maximalist dream home in New Orleans, Louisiana, with my partner, a perfect dog, and a cute cat.
updated Mar 11, 2020
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(Image credit: Nicole Crowder)

For all those in-charge, always-organized holiday pros already far into holiday planning, this post isn’t for you. For the rest of us who just recently noticed it’s already the middle of October, you might find these four get-ahead-holiday things to tackle right now helpful!

Although thinking about the holidays when you still need to figure out what costume you’re wearing for Halloween can be about as appealing as walking into a store blasting “Jingle Bells” in July, even just brainstorming about these four things will get you ahead of the game.

1. Loosely figure out your holiday calendar
Not only will getting all of that stuff — family trips, work parties — out of your brain help free up some space for thinking about all kinds of other fun holiday things, actually writing it down (or getting digital) with the concrete holiday plans you know you need to have in your calendar now means that when the invites for parties and events start pouring in, you won’t accidentally overbook and you’ll always feel like you’ve got a handle on what’s happening.

(In case you want to get analog) 2014 Calendars: Graphic, Geometric and Gorgeous

(Image credit: Lauren Naimola)

2. Brainstorm where you’re going to put everyone
If you’re planning on accommodating overnight guests or hosting a large dinner party, start making plans now on where everyone’s going to go. Getting these logistics out of the way early will mean more time for the fun parts of planning visits and menus. Also consider whether you have enough sheets and plates and other home elements for as many people as you’d like to host.

3. Update your holiday card list
If you love sending out holiday cards, get that list together now, and make sure it’s updated with everyone’s correct addresses. Make sure you add any new folks that came into your life this year that you’d like to give season’s greetings to.

→ Do You Send Out Holiday Cards?

(Image credit: Gabriela Herman)

4. Get a head start on DIYing gifts, cards, wrapping paper or freeze-ahead foods (or even just start gathering supplies)
It might seem early to start DIYing gifts, cards and more for others, but there are some things you can do even months ahead of time. And it’ll keep you from last-minute rushing, so you might actually enjoy the making part! And the more you get done now, the more extra items you’ll have on hand for any surprise visits from folks with gifts.

Have you started prepping and planning for the holidays yet? Share what you’ve done in the comments below!