The ‘ber months are here, and with them, the twin traits of the holiday season: joy and chaos. From Halloween to Thanksgiving to the slew of December holidays, your calendar is about to fill up fast. I’m all for living in the moment, but the craziness of the holiday season always seems to sneak up on me. Visiting family, hosting guests, sending cards, choosing thoughtful gifts—come December, there’s always another task on the checklist, and the pile-up is seriously stressful.
That’s why this year, I’m starting my holiday list of to-dos in October. I know it sounds early, but hear me out: Wouldn’t you rather spend December savoring versus scrambling? If you’re with me, find 14 October activities to check off your holiday list now. Your December self will thank you when she’s sipping cocoa and watching The Holiday, worry-free.
1. Book your holiday travel
Personally, I always book all my travels as far in advance as I can. It’s the easiest way to guarantee your preferred flight times, seats, and accommodations, usually at the best price. If you’re traveling this holiday season, set price alerts now for flights, trains, and hotels so you can book when the price is right.
2. Make a list of the people you’re buying gifts for
You don’t have to know exactly what you’re going to buy everyone yet; just start with a holiday list of names. Think: friends, family, your partner, coworkers, neighbors, your building maintenance team, and anyone else in your life who deserves some recognition this holiday season. Once you have the list, you can check names off as gift ideas come.
3. Set a budget for gifts
Between flights, festive dinners, and gifts, holiday spending adds up fast. Set your budget early so you can hold yourself accountable while shopping. First, pick a total amount you’re willing and able to spend on holiday gifts. Then, allocate the largest portion of funds to the most important people on your list like family or a partner, and divide the rest accordingly.
READ: 11 Things to Do Right Now So Your Money Goes Further This Holiday Season
4. Take stock of gift wrapping supplies
One of the best parts of giving gifts is wrapping them in festive paper and bows that are almost too pretty to tear open. Before you hit the seasonal aisles, dig through your closet. Take inventory of leftover wrapping paper, bags, bows, and tags from last year and decide what you actually need to replenish before you run to Target, Paper Source, or Rifle Paper Co.
5. Prep your holiday cards
A lot of work goes into the moment when someone finds your beautiful holiday card in their mailbox. If you’re not using photos you already love from the past year, you’ll want to book a photoshoot now. Next, confirm your list of addresses, buy stamps, and peruse designs on websites like Minted and Shutterfly. Once you’ve created a festive card, order them and set aside a day to stuff, seal, stamp, and send them.
6. Plan your holiday menus
Planning your holiday menu early will make hosting a breeze. Pull inspiration from your favorite food bloggers, cookbooks, TikTok, or Instagram. Then, map out appetizers, mains, sides, desserts, and drinks. Once the menu’s set, your grocery list and day-of schedule practically write themselves, and you’ll already know what to say when someone asks what they can bring.
READ: 35 Festive Appetizers to Bring to a Holiday Party
7. Refresh your pantry
The holidays are the best time of year for tried-and-true recipes and cozy baking. Take inventory of your baking staples and spices, check expiration dates, and build a shopping list so you don’t buy duplicates. A clean, stocked pantry means you can dive straight into all those traditional recipes you look forward to making—and eating—every year.
8. Cook easy-to-freeze meals
Your schedule is about to be stacked, and takeout adds up fast. Pick a Sunday or two this fall to batch-cook a few freezer staples like cozy soups, casseroles, and sauces. Portion everything into labeled, freezer-safe containers before you tuck them away. Your future self will be so grateful for your past self’s planning when you don’t have time to cook.
9. Deep clean your space
Even if you’re not hosting guests this holiday season, deep cleaning your space is always satisfying. You’ll be spending a lot of time cozied up at home this fall and winter, so it’s worth starting the season in a space that feels refreshed. Plus, if someone suggests a night-cap after your work holiday party, you’ll be ready—and proud—to offer up your place.
10. Go through your holiday decor and check lights
At the end of last holiday season, you packed up your lights, candles, and decorative accents. Now, it’s time to unpack everything, see what sparks joy and fits your space, and what you might be ready to part with. While you’re at it, test light strands so you can confidently deck the halls when the time comes—no last-minute battery run required.
11. Purge and donate
As you sort through decor, kitchen supplies, and closets to make room for new holiday things, set aside anything you no longer use, wear, or love. Many donation centers are busiest during the last two months of the year, so dropping off your bags in October means your items are more likely to be sorted, shelved, and ready to be taken home before the holidays. Plus, you’ll free up closet space just in time to store the new things you receive under the tree.
READ: It’s Time to Declutter: 25 Things You Can Get Rid of This Weekend
12. Treat yourself to trendy decor
Once you’ve parsed down your decorations, take yourself out for a little shopping trip. Although lots of holiday decor is timeless, there are always fun trends to hop on each holiday season, so treat yourself to a couple of new items. You deserve it after parting ways with that ripped reindeer stuffed animal that had seen merrier days. Just make sure your finds fit into the budget you already made.
13. Make a Black Friday wishlist
Black Friday and Cyber Monday are two of the biggest shopping events of the year. If you’ve had your eye on a big-ticket item for yourself or someone on your list, these days of deep discounts are the time to scoop it up. Build your list ahead of time so you can shop with intention instead of scrambling to secure that viral vacuum before it sells out.
14. Get crafty
This is the season to slow down and get creative. Handmade ornaments, photo cards, gift tags, a wreath, or a batch of cookies for neighbors all count. You don’t need to be especially crafty to make it worthwhile. Set aside one weekend afternoon (bonus points for a festive playlist and a warm drink) so it feels like a treat after you’ve knocked off all the other tasks on this list.
Starting your holiday list in October doesn’t mean you’re rushing the most wonderful time of year. It means you’re giving yourself space to actually enjoy it. Pick two or three from this list to tackle this week, and enjoy the magic of December later.
Emily Wise, Contributing Writer
Emily Wise is a Virginia-based content creator with over five years of experience creating content strategies for SaaS companies. Although she spends her days in the tech world, she has spent many years as a lifestyle writer for her personal site, as well as for several publications across the web.
