8 Strategies to Prepare for Christmas Early

1. Take Stock and Organize Your Supplies

Before you get lured by the latest decorations, presents, wrapping supplies, and other seasonal must-haves in stores, assess what you already own. Toss out damaged or outdated items, and separate what you plan to use this year.

As you sort, categorize your items by style and hue, and detangle any knotted lights or ornaments. To simplify future searches, opt for transparent storage bins or use removable labels. Create a checklist of replacements or new purchases needed to achieve your festive goals for the season.

2. Shop for Presents During Early Discounts

Avoid waiting until Black Friday to complete your holiday purchases. Ideally, starting your shopping during the summer months puts you far ahead of the game.

"Summer is typically a slow period for retail, as people prioritize spending on experiences like vacations over products," explains Courtney Neidel, a consumer savings expert and assigning editor at Nerdwallet. "To attract shoppers, retailers often introduce incentives, leading to the popularity of Christmas-in-July and Black-Friday-in-July sales."

If you missed those summer sales, don’t worry—there are still plenty of opportunities to snag deals and tackle your shopping list before the holiday rush. Begin compiling your list and stay alert for discounts.

"Amazon Prime members can shop comfortably from home and receive early notifications about discounts on popular items, including Amazon electronics like Echo, Alexa, Kindles, and Fire tablets," says Sara Skirboll, a shopping and trends expert at RetailMeNot. Monitor major retailers such as Amazon, QVC, Nordstrom, Macy’s, Target, Walmart, and others for price drops, even outside major sale events.

3. Stock Up on Host Gifts

Begin gathering host gifts well in advance. Consider options like fine wine, high-end candles, stylish picture frames, wine accessories, bar tools, decorative planters, and charming mugs.

For those who want to go the extra mile, pre-wrap your gifts so they’re ready as soon as invitations arrive. Brown paper packages tied with string (inspired by the classic song) are timeless. Attach a Post-it note to each wrapped item detailing its contents to avoid confusion, but be sure to remove it before giving the gift.

4. Begin Crafting Your DIY Presents

For those who enjoy giving handmade gifts—such as jars of pickled vegetables, homemade jams, or crafted items like quilts, scarves, soaps, or artwork—summer is the ideal time to gather supplies. While you don’t need to begin your projects during the hottest months, creating and adhering to a timeline will help you avoid last-minute stress.

5. Organize Your Christmas Cards

Waiting until November to schedule family photos for your Christmas cards often means you’ve missed the mark. Planning is essential: outfits need to be coordinated, locations selected, and, most importantly, a photographer booked well in advance.

If you’re including photos, allow time for image processing, proof reviews, card ordering, and delivery. Some photographers even offer themed Christmas-in-July sessions with festive props, though a beautiful summer family portrait can also work perfectly.

Whether or not you include photos, update your address list to ensure accuracy and add any new recipients. If you’re using printed address or return labels, confirm you have an adequate supply.

6. Arrange Your Travel Plans

Whether your family is big or small, organizing holiday logistics can be challenging, particularly if everyone lives far apart. Decide on the date and location for Christmas early so everyone has enough time to book their travel.

Once the location is confirmed, coordinate schedules and add festive activities to the calendar. If you’re hosting, start preparing guest room essentials. For those needing accommodations or flights, begin researching and booking as early as possible.

7. Organize Your Christmas Feast

Planning Christmas dishes during the peak of summer might feel early, but it ensures a smoother holiday season. Begin by selecting the main course (or its alternative), then design side dishes, desserts, appetizers, and beverages to complement it. Creating a menu doesn’t take long, and you’ll have plenty of time to refine it over the coming months.

Once your menu is set, assess your tableware, serving platters, utensils, and cookware. Replace or add items as needed to complete your setup. If you’re experimenting with new recipes, try them out ahead of time to tweak ingredients or discard any that don’t work.

8. Stock Your Pantry Early

Once your Christmas menu is finalized, start purchasing non-perishable grocery items. While fresh ingredients should be bought closer to the date, shelf-stable products like canned goods, dried fruits, sugar, and more can be acquired weeks or even months in advance. Adding a few of these items to your regular shopping trips will help spread out costs and ease holiday expenses.