Updated: Hey there, I am pleased to let you know that you can now download the 2021 version right HERE.
Hello! You all know that I love to get the majority of my Christmas preparations done as early as possible. Preferably in November so that I can sit back and actually enjoy a beautifully relaxing December. It’s never too early to get organized for the busy holiday season ahead especially this year with all the additional chaos that we have to maneuver thanks to the pandemic. For instance, if you are ordering gifts you will need to do so even earlier this year as shipping times are so unreliable. But don’t you worry, I’ve got a brand new 2020 Free Printable Holiday Planner that’s going to help you stay on track with all there is to do.
Getting everything down on paper and out of your swirling mind is one of the best ways to combat overwhelm. My hope is that this little planner will also help you simplify your list so that only the things that bring you the most joy remain.
*I receive commissions for purchases made through affiliate links in this post.*
Be Intentional:
I do want to clarify though that when I mention the word simplify I don’t necessarily mean removing all the things from your schedule. Where’s the fun in that? And the holidays should be fun and special. They just don’t need to be harried and chaotic as well. It really comes down to figuring out which things you get most excited about and which you don’t. It’s acknowledging the things we do out of obligation and then giving ourselves permission to let those things go. We all have these pressures we put on ourselves of how we think things are supposed to be. Maybe it’s the way you’ve always done it or maybe it’s just the influence of friends and social media.
Whatever it is, I think it’s important each year to take some time to evaluate our lists and be intentional about what we do and don’t do. Because honestly no one can do it all. Something always has to give. And personally I’d rather be the one to say what that “give” is before it’s decided for me.
For me that meant giving up Christmas baking and decorating, neither of which I particularly enjoyed. All the Christmas decorations always felt cluttery (I doubt that’s a word) to me and way overstimulated my senses. No thank you. As a compromise I now decorate for winter instead as soon as we get snow (often October or early November). The coziness of natural elements, twinkling lights and battery operated candles (that are on timers so they all come on at the same time!) is so calming and peaceful to me. Then in December the only decorating left to do is put up our Christmas tree. So simple and lovely. What can you let go of this year?
Just because you’ve always done things a certain way doesn’t mean it has to stay that way. It’s not the end of the world if Christmas cards don’t get done or your full decorating plan doesn’t get accomplished. It’s okay (and necessary!) to adjust priorities as your time and needs change.
Reset Expectations:
This year will be a hard one for so many people. Many of our long held traditions might not be realized due to financial pressures and social gathering limitations. These things can be devastating for sure and could easily trample our holiday spirit if we let it. It’s hard to let go of familiar family traditions and reset expectations. But it can be done and new traditions may even come of it.
Ten years ago my husband lost his job, we had to move to a new province and town where we didn’t know anyone. That first Christmas here by ourselves with just the five of us was tough. We were use to celebrating with a huge houseful of family around us. And do you know what happened during that time? We found ourselves making new traditions and one of those new favorites still exists to this day…spending all of Christmas day in our new matching Christmas jammies! We don’t even get dressed for Christmas dinner. And if we do have company for Christmas dinner, they have to come in their pajamas too. Yep, it’s the rule, ha! So many of our current family traditions came from that place of necessity.
In difficult circumstances, it can be hard to lower expectations or find the good, but, however small, there is always something to be grateful for. Constantly wishing things were different can make it extremely hard to find the positive. Please take some time over the next couple of weeks to consider the expectations you place on yourself or allow others to dictate for you. Or even the expectations you have of others. Be realistic about what you are capable of and what your circumstances will allow and be open to new possibilities and traditions. You may just discover a delightfully peaceful holiday that was more than you ever could have imagined!
Use a Holiday Planner:
To help you coordinate and prioritize holiday plans download my free printable holiday planner below. This year’s color theme is a little less traditional but still so very fun. Plus it matches my blog, ha! There are twenty different pages in the set including two different covers depending on your preference. I know some like to call it a Holiday Planner and some like to call it a Christmas Planner. Whatever you choose, I’ve got you covered (see what I did there?)! And I’m sharing it with you totally FREE as my Christmas gift to all of you. I sure hope you like it!!
Pages include:
- Two Covers
- Family Traditions
- Acts of Kindness
- Christmas Gift Ideas
- Advent Traditions
- 12 Days of Giving
- Holiday Priorities
- Christmas Party Planner
- Weekly Menu Planner
- Christmas Eve Menu Planner
- Christmas Day Menu Planner
- Grocery List
- Clean & Organize
- Gift Budget
- Holiday Budget
- Weekly Planner
- Nov/Dec Calendars
- Notes
I set up my Holiday/Christmas Planner binder using a small white binder and pocket pages (affiliate links) from Amazon. This helps keep everything organized and in one place. A little bit of advance planning will mean the difference between a stressed out holiday season and one that you can sit back and savor. I know which option I prefer that is for sure!
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Download your FREE printable holiday planner HERE.
Once the file opens in Dropbox, click on the three dots in the far right column and then click on Download.
{for personal use only please}
Check out my previous printable planners for different designs:
2017 Holiday Planner
2018 Holiday Planner
2019 Holiday Planner
Use Gift and Budget Apps:
I have used two apps every year to make my life so much easier and I can’t recommend them more highly to you. They assist you with both gift buying and tracking as well as staying on budget. They are sanity savers! You can check out that post right HERE.
Implement the PUPA Movement:
Also don’t forget to add your free PUPA Movement printable to your binder. What in the world am I talking about? I created this strategy to help you get in the habit of picking up and putting away the stuff in your home in preparation for a clutter-free holiday. You can read all about it and grab your free PUPA printable HERE. It’s awesome and helpful, go check it out!
Christmas Craft Projects:
Every year I like to make Christmas gifts for my girlfriends, but I am the worst procrastinator and in years past I found myself leaving everything to the last minute. But I finally figured out how to stop procrastinating though and actually get my projects done. Seriously if you are hoping to make some gifts this season, follow my method HERE for getting it all done in time without stressing out about it. It really works!
Turn up the Tunes:
To help you get into the spirit, check out Org Junkie’s Favorite Christmas Songs playlist on Spotify. I add new songs every year but Johnny Reid’s, I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day, still holds top spot though. However Carrie Underwood’s new Christmas CD (affiliate links) has some good contenders. Enjoy!
If you click on the circle in the top right corner on the player below, it’ll open up the playlist right in Spotify for you.
So there you go, I think you have everything you need now to help you simplify the season. Let me know how you make out and if there is anything else I can do to help!
Happy holidays!
If you found this post helpful, would you do me a big favor and share it for me. Thank you!
And heads up! I’ll once again be doing my fun Christmas giveaway, so to be sure you don’t miss it, please subscribe to my blog HERE.
And if you need some gift suggestions for the neat freak in your life, check out all my organizing favorites HERE.
Charmaine says
Hi Laura,
Thank you for this planner. Really helpful. Merry Christmas
Laura Wittmann says
You’re so welcome, Merry Christmas 🙂