5 Things to Do to Get Ready for Christmas in October

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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 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 ahead helps! At the least, make a plan for your regular week-night 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 onion, celery, bell pepper, 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 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: 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.

and continue making gifts! And now you’re ready to read…