As a mom, time is a precious commodity, especially during the holiday season. Between school drop-offs, practices, and errands, it can feel impossible to get everything done. Am I right? Well, here’s a list of ways to organize Christmas in just a few minutes a day! Take that time waiting in the school carpool lane to stay ahead and stay organized.
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Here are 9 productive ways to maximize your waiting time in the car and prepare for an organized Christmas.
1. Schedule Holiday Activities
I don’t know about your family, but mine – WOW! Our holiday season is packed with important dates. School performances to family gatherings, local festivals, Girl Scout parties, concerts, and anything in between. And there’s the scheduling of family time to put up all those Christmas decorations!
Use an old fashioned planner and/ or your phone’s calendar app to plan and coordinate activities. Send invites (especially to spouses, partners, and caregivers), set reminders, and make sure your holiday schedule runs smoothly without double-booking or missed opportunities.
2. Plan Outfits for Holiday Events
While you are thinking about upcoming holiday events, mentally put together outfit ideas for yourself and your kids. Is Aunt Margaret having her formal Christmas Eve dinner? If so, do everyone’s dress shoes still fit? Have a middle schooler with a music concert coming that needs dress pants? Does everyone love matching pjs on Christmas morning?
Organize Christmas by taking note of any missing pieces of clothes that need to be bought, saving you time when you need to get everyone ready.
3. Write Out Christmas Cards
We are blessed to have so many people to send holiday cards too. BUT I feel like doing the card in one big swoop is a bit too overwhelming. But this task, when done in increments, makes sending out holiday greetings much less stressful.
Bring your holiday cards and a pen with you in the car. You can write personalized messages or address envelopes while waiting for your kids. Do you have a niece and nephew in their 20s who seem to have a new address every year? (I did). This is the perfect time send them a message to confirm their address.
Haven’t picked out your cards yet? Are you like us and create photo collages of the family through Snapfish or Shutterfly. If so, now is the perfect time to scroll through your online photo apps to find the perfect pictures…
4. Meal Plan for Holiday Gatherings
Brainstorming your holiday menu doesn’t need to take up your kitchen time. While waiting in the car, research potential recipes, plan your Christmas dinner menu, or create grocery lists. You’ll be ahead of the game when it’s time to do the actual shopping.
5. Review and Update Your Holiday Gift List
Use a note-taking app or an old-school notepad to go through your holiday gift list. Make sure you have everyone covered, jot down new gift ideas, and cross off any names as you go.
And don’t forget teacher and support staff gifts!
This way, you won’t find yourself scrambling at the last minute to buy gifts for anyone you might have overlooked. (Although I always buy a few gift cards to generic stores like Amazon or Target just in case…)
Personally? I use the free version of AnyList. (I’m not an affiliate). It’s very basic (there is a more advanced paid version) but the free one works for me. I use it for my grocery list, home improvement list, vacation packing list. And I have a separate “Gift List” with gift ideas for family and friends that I collect throughout the year.
Here’s a photo – I hope my family doesn’t see this before Christmas LOL!
6. Order Gifts Online
Have your gift idea list ready? Avoid the rush of crowded stores and organize Christmas by ordering gifts during your wait. This downtime is a good time to browse for presents online, check for sales, and make purchases. Completing this task in the car means one less errand on your to-do list.
7. Brainstorm Kid Gift Giving Ideas
I’m really bad at this one. I always think about gifts we buy from the store. But I always forget (until the last minute) that it’s important for my KIDS to participate and pick out presents to give to family members.
I’m a fan of my kids making their own gifts – they don’t have an allowance yet. However, I’m far from crafty. So I take the wait time in my car organizing Christmas to brainstorm creative ideas – usually scrolling through Pinterest.
8. Create and Check Your Budget
Speaking of all those gifts…..The holiday season can be tough on your wallet. Use your waiting time to review your holiday budget, track expenses, and make some hard decisions if need be. We are a one-income family, so we have to be smart about how we organize Christmas with what we buy, stay within our budget and enjoy the season without financial stress.
9. Listen to Holiday Podcasts or Audiobooks
Get into the holiday spirit or learn useful tips by listening to holiday-themed podcasts or audiobooks. Listen to a meditation app for a few minutes to guide you through mindfulness exercises and relaxation techniques. Get yourself in the mindset for a festive season.
And that’s it! 9 ways to enjoy an organized Christmas! Use the car wait time to get organized, reduce last-minute stress, and ensure you’re fully prepared to enjoy a festive season with your family.
Happy holiday planning!
