The festive season is a wonderful chance to catch up with family and friends, but it can also feel overwhelming. From finding the perfect gift to planning the Christmas table or preparing a delicious dinner for different dietary requirements, there’s plenty that needs organising.  

To make things easier, we’ve teamed up with professional organiser and interiors expert, Chrissy Halton to share her best tips for staying on top of it all. Chrissy’s foolproof week by week plan is designed to take the stress out of Christmas and help you to relax into the season.

Start Christmas planning early

Getting organised for Christmas doesn’t just begin in December, the earlier your start, the smoother the season will feel. Chrissy recommends looking at Christmas as a year-round project, with a few key points where you can get ahead and make life easier for your future self.  

1. Learn from last year - “As soon as Christmas is over, take note of what went well and what didn’t. Did you overspend on food? Run out of wrapping paper? Forget to post cards on time? Jotting these down means you can adjust your plans for the year ahead.”
2. Make the most of January sales - “Stock up on wrapping paper, cards, crackers, lights or even a new tree at a fraction of the price. If you have the storage space, this can save a huge amount of money and stress later.”
3. Think about summer plans - “Summer is the perfect time to sort out big decisions such as where you’ll be spending Christmas or whether you need to book travel and accommodation. It’s also a good time to start jotting down gift ideas when inspiration strikes.”
4. Use the 10-week rule - “Mid-October is a neat 10-week countdown, the ideal time to officially kick off your planning, giving you time to spread out the workload and avoid a frantic December.”

By starting early, you give yourself breathing room. Instead of trying to do everything in the final few weeks, you can spread out the tasks and enjoy the build-up with far less stress. Chrissy also recommends having a Christmas planner to keep everything in one place.

Christmas countdown timeline

Discover Chrissie’s recommended weekly tasks by clicking on an image below!

By breaking Christmas prep into small, weekly steps, you’ll avoid the stress of last-minute rushing and give yourself the chance to truly enjoy the festive season. With a little forward planning, Christmas feels less like chaos and more like celebration.

Organisational tools

Staying organised at Christmas is all about having the right systems in place. Chrissy swears by using a Christmas planner, a central spot where you keep all your lists, notes, and inspiration.  

• Calendars and key dates – “Map out everything from family visits to school plays and delivery deadlines. A clear overview helps avoid double booking and last-minute panics”
• Gift lists – “Keep track of who you’re buying for, budget limits, and whether a gift has been bought, wrapped, or delivered. Adding notes on what worked in past years prevents duplication.”
• Christmas cards – “A simple list of recipients, with space to tick off once written and sent, makes this big job far more manageable.” 
• Meal plans and recipes – “Store favourite festive recipes alongside your shopping list. Planning meals in advance also helps with budgeting and reduces food waste.” 
• Home and décor notes – “Photos of last year’s decorations or a checklist of guestroom supplies mean you don’t have to rethink everything from scratch.” 

  The beauty of a planner is that it evolves over time. Each Christmas, you can tweak what worked, cut what didn’t, and add new ideas. Before long, you’ll have a personalised playbook that makes each year easier than the last.

Keep your home organised:

A well-organised home makes the festive season calmer and more enjoyable. Before December gets busy, take some time to prepare your space:   

• Declutter in November – “Clearing out toys, clothes, or decorations you no longer use creates space for new gifts and helps the house feel lighter. Get children involved by donating older toys to charity.” 
• Keep decorations simple – “You don’t need to cover every room. Instead, choose one focal decoration per space, such as a tree, a wreath, or some festive lighting for maximum impact without overwhelming the space.”  
• Deep clean early December – “Give the house a thorough clean in early December so you’re not stressing about it just before guests arrive.” 
• Prepare guest rooms in advance – “Set up beds, towels, and toiletries a week ahead. That way, you’ll only need to do quick touch-ups before visitors arrive.” 

  These small steps mean your home is ready for the season, without last-minute scrambles.

Christmas doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. By starting early, breaking preparations into weekly steps, and keeping your home organised, you’ll give yourself the best chance to enjoy the season instead of rushing through it. 

Chrissy’s week-by-week plan shows that with a little forward thinking, you can reduce stress, stay in control, and create a holiday that feels less like chaos and more like celebration. And once the big day arrives, you can relax knowing that all the hard work is done, leaving you free to enjoy time with the people who matter most. 

If you’re looking for tools that can help you be more organised for this Christmas and beyond, check out our selection of photo calendars. For those gifts that capture special memories, check out our variety of photo books, personalised gifts and personalised jigsaws.