I start planning for Christmas in September. Find out why and maybe you should start doing it too!

Okay before you bite my head off about doing Christmas early, let me make it clear. I am not celebrating Christmas in September. My decorations don’t come out and I’m not listening to Christmas music. I’m pretty strict about not openly starting Christmas until after Remembrance Day out of respect for our veterans.

However, that doesn’t mean I haven’t started planning. There are a few good reasons (read on to find out)…

I’m a Planner (and I change my mind frequently)

First and foremost, I like to plan. It’s one of my favourite things. I’ve come to learn that I enjoy it and sometimes you need to do things you enjoy. So I start planning early so I have plenty of time to, plan!

I also change my mind half a dozen times before I do things. I google stuff, add it to my online cart, change my mind and find something else. I plan a dessert and then decide I want something different. I decorate and move things around 10 000 times before I’m satisfied.

I take time to plan things and then need time to change my mind about it! That’s why I start early. You can’t change your mind 47 times on Christmas Eve!

I Have Kids (and no extra time)

I do a podcast called Busy Moms Christian Homes…time is a luxury for me.

With kids running around I have very little time. Okay, I have no time. I shower with the door open so I can listen for the baby while my toddler sticks his hand inside and exclaims how wet the water is. So I’m kind of busy.

I can’t wrap presents while eating supper or buy gifts while doing diaper changes. So I need to be strategic about when and how I do things. I know there is a cutoff date for ordering things online. Shopping in person is like an Olympic relay with my husband, we tag team each other, so we don’t do it that often.

So I have to start looking for things in September. This way I know what I need, get it purchased and wrapped before the clock strikes midnight.

December is Busy

A lot is going on in December. There are get-togethers, community events, decorating, family time and so on. Plus there are Christmas traditions I like to do every year.

I have baking I like to do, which means I need ingredients. There are activities I want to do with my toddler and I need supplies. Things like Nativity Trail Mix, which is a big hit in my house!

Then there’s advent, which starts right at the beginning. I want to be ready for December first when we start the wonderful readings about the coming messiah!

The month goes by fast if you aren’t ready when it starts, part of planning for Christmas is planning for December!

I’m Not a Last Minute Person

I didn’t pull all-nighters in university. I don’t leave bills until the day they’re due. I don’t let my gas tank run until the light turns on. I don’t enjoy the thrill of last-minute things.

So I start planning Christmas in September so I’m good and ready for the season without feeling panicked!

Christmas Has Deep Meaning

Christmas is more than just about gifts and treats and decorations. It’s about the birth of Christ. There is so much meaning behind the season, so much to dig into. I want to spend time focusing on that.

Planning for Christmas means preparing to be restful on the days leading up to December 25. Jesus didn’t come so we could rush rush rush, He came so we could have peace!

I don’t want to be distracted by all the other fluff (panicking about gifts, getting supplies, rushing to the grocery store for missed items etc). If all of that is planned and done I can spend the month focused on the meaning of Christmas. And that is what it’s all about!

Planning for Christmas So You Can Enjoy It

I hope you read these and don’t think I’m crazy. My husband rolls his eyes whenever I start talking about planning for Christmas. He’s not into it like I am. But as I stated earlier, I’ve come to realize that if there are things you enjoy doing, sometimes we should let ourselves do them!

Christmas comes once a year and since I have young kids I want to remember these years with fond memories. I don’t want to be rushed and panicked. I want to spend time reading the Christmas story and enjoying activities with my kids.

So I start thinking about things early so I am prepared. It brings me joy and less stress, which seems like a good combination to me!

How about you? Do you start planning for Christmas early? Or do you wait until December to get started? Or maybe you like the thrill of the last minute shopping and do it all on Christmas Eve? Drop a comment below!

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