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 below!

10 weeks to go - 16th October:
- Decide on where you’ll be spending the holidays.
- Add all confirmed events and social occasions to your diary or calendar to avoid double booking.
- Reserve dates for any other socialising or parties you want to host. If you’re planning your own event, start high-level prep now (guest list, entertainment and invites).
- Start eating from the freezer and avoid over-stocking, to make room for Christmas prep.

9 weeks to go - 23rd October:
- Decide on your Christmas budget.
- Review your diary and start a ‘to buy’ list of anything you’ll need for events already scheduled (excluding food and gifts).
- Create your Christmas present list and set a budget per gift.
- Make a wish list for each family member so you’re ready when people ask for ideas.
- Create your Christmas card list.
- Start organising your photos from the year and choose your favourites, so you’re ready to create personalised Christmas gifts.

8 weeks to go – 30th October:
- Buy cards, stamps, packing supplies and wrapping paper. Consider special family cards or those supporting your child’s school. Save money with second-class stamps.
- Create a home plan covering decorations, guest bedding, and anything you’ll need for entertaining. Add items to your ‘to buy’ list.

7 weeks to go – 6th November:
- Purchase your advent calendar (ideally do this in the first half of the month, to ensure you get the calendar you want before they sell out).
- Declutter your home to make space and keep things simple.
- Finalise your meal plan for key dates and add a prep day if needed.
- Start your food shopping list with both entertaining and everyday meals in mind.

6 weeks to go – 13th November:
- Begin present shopping and stick to your Christmas list.
- Start the rest of your shopping, including non-perishable from your food list.
- Begin writing your Christmas cards, starting with those that need posting.

5 weeks to go – 20th November:
- Finish writing all cards that need posting or early delivery.
- Complete shopping for any gifts that must be polished, including advent calendars.
- To be extra organised, order your calendar now ready for 2026. You can even order with a December start date so you can start planning your 2026 right away.

4 weeks to go – 27th November:
- Post all parcels and cards by 1st December to avoid queues and missed deadlines.
- Order your turkey and other main meats, and stock up on anything that needs pre-ordering. If buying frozen, make space in the freezer.
- Buy your Christmas tree.
- Decorate your home (many people do this on the first weekend of December). A great idea to personalise it is to frame some Christmas family photos and swap these out for some that are around all year. This gives a festive touch simply but effectively.

3 weeks to go – 4th December:
- Give your home a final deep clean before the festive rush.
- Book your online food shopping slot if needed and build in contingency for substitutions or out of stock items.

2 weeks to go – 11th December:
- Finish all present shopping and wrapping. You can even use photo prints as gift tags for an extra personal touch.
- Complete the shopping from your ‘to buy’ list and stock up on any remaining non-perishables.

1 week to go – 18th December:
Finalise your Christmas meal timeline so you know exactly what to cook and when.
Prepare guest bedrooms with clean bedding, towels, and toiletries.
Do any baking or recipe prep that can be made ahead.
Plan when you’ll shop for fresh ingredients (usually 2-3 days before Christmas).

2-3 days to go – 22nd – 23rd December:
Shop for fresh ingredients.
Set the table for Christmas dinner if possible and add some instant photos to personalise and elevate your dinner table décor.
Prep any food that can be done in advance.

Christmas Eve - 24th December:
- Prep as much of Christmas dinner as possible.
- Defrost the turkey if frozen and chill any drinks.
- Charge all phones, cameras and batteries ready to capture memories.

Christmas Day:
- Follow your Christmas meal timeline - your oven timer will be your best friend!
- As presents are opened, make a quick note of who gave what. This makes thank-you cards easier later.
- Most importantly – relax and enjoy the day. You deserve it after all your planning.

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.