We all know Christmas can be a whirlwind of a holiday with a lot of prep and planning involved. To make sure your Christmas Day runs really smoothly and you can relax a little, you need a Christmas Eve checklist to make sure all the essential jobs get ticked off.
No matter how much Christmas planning you’ve done in the days or weeks before, the day before Christmas can always feel like a rush and there is always still so much to do.
This year make life a little easier by carrying through your Christmas preparations right up to Christmas Eve.
This Christmas Eve to-do list covers the essentials that will make the big day even more enjoyable.
You’ll be able to head to bed on Christmas Eve knowing you’ve set up an amazingly relaxed (well, as relaxed as possible….) Christmas morning for you and the whole family.
By being really organized on Christmas Eve you’ll also leave yourself plenty of time for your own family’s Christmas Eve traditions.
Here’s the ultimate Christmas Eve checklist:
Finish all your gift wrapping
There are often Christmas gifts left unwrapped by the day before Christmas, and this can leave you feeling more stressed than it needs to.
Get this done as soon as possible on Christmas Eve so that this job (which can be quite time consuming) is finished and out of the way.
Open the last day of your advent calendar
A sad moment, but usually the very best window in any advent calendar comes on December 24th.
Don’t forget to drop off your reverse advent calendar too if you made one.
Stock up on batteries
If you’ve forgotten to stash away some batteries for any gifts that might need them, make a last minute dash to the store (as early as possible to avoid the crowds) to pick some up.
Don’t neglect your normal routine
It’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of Christmas Eve.
Don’t forget to do anything important that you do every day, such as take medication or check in with certain family members.
Have a cooking plan in place
No doubt by this point you’ll have a really good idea of the food you’re going to eat on Christmas Day.
Do a quick check to make sure that you have all of the necessary ingredients and supplies, and that you have a plan for cleaning up after dinner.
You can also work out how long certain things will take to cook, and write a little list of times to start cooking certain things. For example, the turkey. This step will cut down any guesswork the next day.
Get your Christmas dinner food prep done
Once you know all your food shopping is definitely done, you can make a start on prepping some of your food for the next day.
Doing this ahead of time will enable you to spend a little more time with loved ones, and a little less time in the kitchen away from all the fun things going on.
Things like stuffing, cranberry sauce, vegetables, mashed potatoes, gravy, and dessert can all be prepped on Christmas Eve.
Fill the ice trays
Don’t run out of ice for your Christmas cocktails! Make sure those trays are full to the brim and ready.
Prepare guest rooms
If you’re having any overnight guests at Christmas, get their beds ready and the rooms cleaned so that everything is good to go when they arrive.
If traveling, make a list
Family gatherings are often held in other people’s homes over Christmas, so if you’re due to do a little traveling on Christmas Day make a list of everything you need to take with you.
This could be gifts, food, or even chairs.
Having a list will mean you don’t forget anything and will make setting off much smoother. If you can, pack the car on Christmas Eve so you’re ready to leave.
Charge your phones and camera batteries
Be ready to make those memories without worrying about your tech. Have all equipment charged up and in one place so you can take photographs and videos.
Set the Christmas table
Setting the dinner table ready for your family and any guests is a really lovely thing to do but it can take a little while.
Christmas Eve is the perfect time to set your Christmas table up and you can spend a little time getting it to look just the way you want it, ensuring every placemat and centerpiece is in place.
Clean and tidy away clutter
This isn’t a task everyone will love but it will pay off enormously when Christmas morning rolls around.
Finding a clean and tidy house when you wake up is the perfect way to start your day and you won’t feel stressed out by a dirty kitchen or messy living room.
Empty the trashcans
This little job will clear the way for all the wrapping paper, gift tags and packaging that’s going to need throwing away or recycling the next day.
Put a music playlist together
If you already have a Christmas playlist for your holiday season then this step isn’t needed, but if you don’t then Christmas Eve is a great time to put one together.
Spend a few minutes adding some of everyone’s favorite songs to a playlist so it’s ready to blast out on Christmas Day.
Fill the Christmas stockings
It’s almost time for you to put your feet up and relax. Next on your Christmas Eve checklist, make sure the stockings are full with everyone’s gifts.
Place all other gifts under the Christmas tree, put the lights on and feel that festive joy flowing in.
Have your kids write letters for Santa
Writing a letter to Santa gives children the opportunity to express their thoughts and feelings about Christmas. They can tell Santa what they are hoping for, and they can also tell him about what they have been up to this year.
Check Santa’s progress on NORAD
You can track Santa’s progress on the NORAD Santa Tracker website, or by calling 1-877-HI-NORAD (1-877-446-6723).
Lay out your Christmas outfits
When you lay out your outfit the night before, you don’t have to waste time searching for clothes in the morning. This can be especially helpful if you are in a hurry to get ready for Christmas morning activities.
Open your Christmas Eve boxes
Christmas Eve boxes are a relatively new tradition that are becoming really popular. The idea is that you put a little box together for every member of the family which contains everything they need for an awesome night in on Christmas Eve. This can be pyjamas, socks, a blanket, snacks and drinks and even a little gift for each person to open.
There are even Christmas Eve box ideas for couples.
Watch a Christmas movie
Now you’re all together, snuggle up and watch one of your family’s favorite Christmas movies together.
Sprinkle reindeer food outside
Before heading to bed, make sure Santa and his reindeer can find your house in the dark. Sprinkle reindeer food outside to guide them to your door!
You can shop for reindeer food on Amazon.
Leave out milk and cookies for Santa
Don’t forget Santa’s snacks too!
Leave out some milk and cookies and even mince pies for Santa as he has a long night ahead of him.
Just make sure to eat and drink them when the kids are in bed!
Now you’ve worked your way through this day before Christmas checklist it’s time for you to take deep breaths, head to bed and get ready for an awesome day ahead.
Frequently asked questions
On Christmas Eve, you can do anything you want to do. For example, attend a church service, have a Christmas Eve dinner with family or friends, or decorate your home for Christmas. You can also go caroling, watch a Christmas movie, bake Christmas cookies, play Christmas games, write letters to Santa, or just go to bed early to get some rest for the big day.
Christmas Eve is a special time of year, and it’s a time to celebrate the love and joy that the holiday season brings. You can make it run smoothly by following this checklist. However, remember there’s no such thing as perfect so don’t put any pressure on yourself. Just enjoy making plans, spending time with loved ones and soak up the magic that the festive period brings.
On Christmas Eve, it can be hard to fall asleep due to excitement, stress, a lack of your normal routine, or extra light and noise. To improve your chances of getting a good night’s sleep, stick to a regular sleep schedule, avoid caffeine and alcohol before bed, create a relaxing bedtime routine, and make sure your bedroom is dark, quiet, and cool. Additionally, try not to worry about Christmas Day and focus on relaxation and enjoyment.
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