Just two months to go! On one hand that seems like a long time. But on the other, it’ll be here before you know it. And if you don’t do a few things to get ready for Christmas in October, December can get REALLY crazy! Right? Who’s been there?
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5 Ways to Get Ready for Christmas in October
One: Deep Clean Dining Room
I like to focus on one room a month and do a really deep cleaning. You’ll be using your dining room more in the next two months than the rest of the year so clean it now!
Don’t forget to dust the baseboard and clean behind the buffet, or any other chores you don’t do on a regular basis. If you have silver, clean it now, too.
Then check your serving dishes and utensils to see if you need to purchase anything before hosting a dinner. Don’t feel bad about serving on paper plates or using paper napkins or plastic ware! It’s about WHO you eat with, not how fancy their dishes are!
Two: Check the Gift Storage Area
We have a joke around our house that our mom would find our Christmas presents in July. I’m a little like her so I have to really get organized so I won’t forget where I hid those presents!
If you like to buy gifts all year long (and I highly recommend that) designate a specific place in the attic, basement, or a seldom-used closet to hide them.
Take some time in October to sort through those and see who you still need to buy (or make) gifts for. Write all that info in your Christmas gift planner. It might help to write names on Post-it notes and stick them on the gifts, too.
Three: Cook
Even if you don’t cook and freeze completed meals for the month, every little bit of cooking helps! At the least, make a plan for your regular weeknight meals for the next few months.
I have to say I’ve tried Once a Month Cooking a few times but I’ve never been a big fan. But one of my favorite, and most helpful, cookbooks over the years has been Make a Mix Cookery. That’s where I learned about prepping my meat or mixes to help get meals on the table quicker.
Now that it’s back down to just two of us in the family I’ve been doing more meal prep. I bought these meal prep containers and anytime we have leftovers I put together single meals and stick them in the freezer. These have worked great for us!
I also chop onions, celery, bell peppers, chicken, and beef and freeze them in freezer bags. Usually, 1-2 cups or whatever a meal-size portion would be.
Here are some ideas to get you started:
- How to Prep 40 Pounds of Chicken in Two Hours
- How to Cook and Freeze Beans (helpful too to keep your sodium intake down!)
- How to Make a Month of Freezer Meals in One Afternoon
- 46 Freezer Meals in 4 Hours for $100
- Simplify Dinner With a Meal Prep Day
Four: Plan Outfits for Family
Look at the calendar and write out what every member of the family will need to wear for photos, parties, concerts, church services, etc. Take inventory and purchase what you need.
Don’t forget the ugly Christmas sweaters!
Five: Buy (or Make) Christmas Cards
If you didn’t buy your Christmas cards in January, get them now. And don’t forget to buy Christmas stamps early. Our post office often runs out before I’m ready to send my cards.
Also, continue making gifts! Or if you’d prefer to spend time cooking, you can still get handmade crafts, gifts, and Christmas decor from vendors at all the local Christmas boutiques that will be popping up in the next month.
Bonus Tip
If you do a Google search for “Christmas in October” or “CIO” you’ll find several organizations and city departments looking for volunteers to help local veterans, seniors, and low-income homeowners do repairs on their homes and mobile homes. What a great way to give to others! Check out these resources for home repair assistance in Kansas City KS, Austin, and more!
More Christmas Planning Ideas
And now you’re ready to read…
What to do in November to Get Ready for Christmas!
If you enjoyed reading about how to get ready for Christmas in October, you might also like these articles, too:
- 4 Things to Do in January to Get Ready for Christmas
- 5 Things I Do in July to Prepare for Christmas
- 5 Things to Do to Prepare for Christmas in August
- 5 Things to Do for Christmas in September
- Christmas in October — You are HERE
- 5 Things to Do for Christmas in November
- Christmas Mantles You’ll Love
Thanks for reading and let me know if you think of something else I need to add to my Christmas in October list!
‘Til the next project,
Ann @ Duct Tape and Denim
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Tilesbay says
Thank you so much for these awesome and helpful ideas!!
Keep it up. 🙂
Lorraine says
I start making cookie dough batches and freeze them
Kathy A says
Boy, buyig stamps ahead is a great idea; there are enough budget busters in Dec. already! One year, when daughter was still home, I said in October, “Wanna start wrapping?” And she said, “Naw, it’s too early.” Now, without her help, I start that early if I’m clever. Use pretty cooky tins, homemade cloth gift bags, and lotsa gift bags (recycled) and keep it simple! Diana @ Adirondack Girl at Heart also makes gift bags from thrifted double knit scarves; easy and so cute! This year I have made a few “gift bags” by wrapping cut down cereal boxes and adding ribbon handles. Price is right!
Lori says
I love the articles. All great ideas. Last year I tried something different. I made a big batch of sugar cookies. I cut them all out and placed them on parchment paper then freezer them. I did this in the beginning of November. We went away for the first week of December. When we came home I only needed to pop them in the oven and decorate. Easiest Christmas cookies.
ducttapeanddenim says
Great idea!
Karen heaton says
I’ve refreshed my outdoor decorations. Ready to go. Should take less than half an hour to place things; if I change my mind then 45 minutes. Just thinking I’ve got a plan with how and where is big load off my time. Having thanksgiving at my house so deep cleaning done in October. Made plans for picking up tree after Thanksgiving. Make cookie dough (one kind) after dinner each night first week in December and refrigerate. Bake second weekend and deliver the following week. By this time not much left to do as gifts already in hand. Wrapping not bad as wrapping station is old desk in basement and stays up. Still time for merriment and charities that need us more than all the other stuff combined. Life is a gift!