Preparing Your Home for a Peace-filled, Christ-centered Christmas | Holiday Advice for Homemakers
The first week of November might seem early to start thinking about Christmas in our homes, but I’m a sucker for early planning and I’m already wearing a Christmas sweater. I absolutely love the Christmas season and Christmas Day is my favorite day of the year. So in order to truly feel present and peaceful for my favorite time of the year, I’m preparing my home (and my heart, but that’s a separate post!) early. Planning ahead gives me and my family space to enjoy the season without feeling overwhelmed and stressed.
Here’s what I’m doing this November (and what you can do, too!) to make Christmas feel calm, cozy, intentional, and peaceful.
“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.”
— Ecclesiastes 3:1
1. Take stock of your pantry and freezer
We’re currently trying to eat through our pantry before I start stocking for the holidays. So before the holiday rush, I’m checking what we already have on hand. During the month November, I’m shooting for one or two “pantry/freezer” only meals a week, so we can get through it all!
From there, I’m starting with a list what I actually want to make and bake this season, and then asking some crucial questions.
Which staples do we need more of? What can be used for easy meals, baking, or holiday treats? What new traditions do we want to try, and what did we do last year that we definitely want to do again?
Doing this early means less last-minute grocery stress in December. Plus, I can space my holiday grocery list over the next few weeks of regular grocery lists!
2. Plan ahead for meals and treats
Like I mentioned in the first point, I’m mapping out the big meals, cozy breakfasts, and a few baking projects ahead of time. Not everything needs to be done at once and I’m focused on prepping ingredients ahead of time where possible. Here are some examples: chopping nuts, freezing cookie dough, or making spice blends.
This year, I want to make treat boxes for my neighbors, pastors, and close friends. My friend Naomi and I will have a treat baking day soon, so I’m already gathering a list of what I want in this year’s treat boxes and what ingredients are needed.
I also want to get better at baking homemade cinnamon rolls with cream cheese frosting (my husband’s favorite!). We like to have these on the extra special days during December, like the first day we decorate the tree, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. That means I need to have ingredients like flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, butter, powdered sugar, and cream cheese on hand for the practice days, too! ;)
For meals during the holiday season, I love to throw in a “mini-Thanksgiving dinner” a few times during the months of November and December. We spend Christmas Day at my in-law’s and my MIL always makes a delicious Christmas dinner. Since I won’t cook a big holiday dinner for the family, I like to keep practicing by making one or two random days in November and again in December “special” dinners. I’ll make roast chicken or turkey, stuffing (or dressing), ham, green bean casserole, rolls, mashed potatoes, the works! Whenever it’s my turn to host Christmas, I’ll be ready!
Making these goals and lists ahead of time gives me a better idea for how to space my holiday grocery list over the next few weeks, rather than one big holiday grocery bill in the middle of December.
3. Simplify gift-giving and decor
Gifts: This year, I’m trying to keep gifts simple and intentional. A few meaningful presents rather than lots of clutter, especially for my toddler. I tend to go overboard with gifts for my husband too, and this year, I made my list early and I’m sticking to it! My toddler was also born in December, so in order to avoid an overflow of gifts all at once, we’re implementing this gift rule: one thing you need, one thing you want. She’ll get this twice in December, but I think it will still greatly reduce the clutter in our home (and in her play room!).
Decor: I love a maximalist style for Christmas decor, but I hate how much that style can cost. I know “Ralph Lauren Christmas” has been trending this year, and it’s easy to feel like you need to buy new stuff every year to keep up and make Christmas “feel” like Christmas. But I’m not falling for it.
My philosophy has been to slowly add to my Christmas decor collection over the years. I don’t need to “deck every hall” right away. We’re a new family in a new (to us!) home. It takes time to build a meaningful Christmas decor collection, and I’m trying not to rush it.
Also, since I thrift often, I’ve also been thrifting Christmas decor for years. This year alone, I’ve almost doubled my collection of Christmas sweaters, all from thrifting! The only “new” decor we’ll buy this year is a real Christmas tree and maybe some additional lights (if any died in storage since last year).
I don’t want to give up on decking our home in Christmas cheer, but I also never want to overwhelm myself with keeping up with the latest Christmas trends. I’m keeping things simple by using what we already have, and making the rest, like paper snowflakes and paper chains, dried oranges, popcorn garland, etc. :) Plus, it’s something else I can include my toddler in!
4. Use a planning system that works for you
This might be one of the more obnoxious things I'm doing, but I’ve started keeping a Christmas planning binder: a place for menus, gift lists, a party schedule, and prep timelines. It’s a simple folder with printed sheets and notebook paper, but it keeps everything in one spot so I don’t feel overwhelmed. I’m constantly refining it and by next year, I’m hoping I’ll have a binder planning system that’s perfect for me!
If a binder isn’t your style, you could use:
A digital planner or app on your phone or tablet
A simple notebook with tabs for gifts, meals, and tasks
Sticky notes or a wall calendar for a visual layout of the season
Whatever method you choose, having a central place for all your ideas and tasks gives peace of mind and keeps your family on the same page. Remember, we’re striving for a peace-filled, Christ-centered Christmas! Having a list for all the details keeps them from stealing your peace and distracting from Christ! (At least for me!)
Plus, I have loved pulling out my Christmas binder when I’m feeling the holiday itch, especially this early in November. I’ll find a cheesy Hallmark Christmas movie, bust out my Christmas binder, and holiday-plan until I’ve gotten it out of my system and I can enjoy Fall again. ;) Now, l’m already so ahead of Christmas planning, I know it’ll pay off come December.
5. Make a holiday schedule (for prep & party!)
Something new I’m trying is keeping a calendar from October through December for holiday planning (I also keep this in my Christmas binder). I’m jotting down what needs to be done and when, spacing tasks over several weeks (especially deep cleaning tasks!), and making sure our holiday party schedule is generally laid out. Even in early November, I’m already planning small, manageable steps to keep things peaceful in December. Below are some things I’ve jotted down to stay on top of it all.
Finished October Goals: Pantry inventory, Menu Brainstorm, Finalize All Gift Lists (sooo happy our gift list is done!)
November Week 1: Wrap Gifts, Prep Treat Boxes, Finalize XMas Card List, Holiday cleaning prep
November Week 2: Holiday cleaning prep (bathroom deep cleans, prep holiday decor spaces, declutter, etc.), Take XMas Card Photos, Pick XMas Card Design
Guess who’s taking our Christmas Photos? My lovely, talented friend Naomi with Naomi Powell Photography! She did our photos last year and I’m so excited to have them done again with her!
She still has a few spots open for Christmas Mini’s, if you’re in need of some adorable Christmas Photos! She also specializes in taking photos for families who want to post online but don’t want to show their child’s face. Check her out and sign up for Christmas mini’s here!
November Week 3: Send Holiday Party Invites, Prep Baking Plan for Christmas Decorating Day, Finish Purchasing/Wrapping Gifts
November Week 4: Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Decorating Day!, Finish Wrapping Gifts, Send XMas Cards
I have a whole new set of to-do’s for the first few weeks of December, but I’ll leave it there for now. Keeping the lists flexible and treating each “to-do” as part of the holiday cheer brings more peace than stress as we get closer and closer to Christmas Day!
6. Guard margin and pace
I know this was one of my steps in the previous post about Preparing Your Heart for a peace-filled, Christ-centered Christmas, but it’s vital! The biggest gift I can give my family (and myself) is space and time. Planning early means we can say “yes” to the things that matter and “no” to the things that feel rushed or overwhelming. Intentional pacing keeps our home calm, our hearts present, our Advent season truly joyful, and Christ at the center of it all.
Starting these steps in November may feel a bit excessive and obsessive, but it makes me ready. Ready to enjoy the lights, the music, the baking smells, and most importantly, the presence of Christ in our home as we celebrate His coming to earth.
“And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.”
— Colossians 3:15
What about you? Do you love Christmas as much as I do? Are you doing anything early to get ready for the season? I’d love to hear more!
Happy stewarding!
