• Celebrity
    • Daniel Kaluuya Digital Cover
    • Digital Cover Method Man
    • Digital Cover Zazie
    • Celebrity News
    • ‘Yes, Girl!’ Podcast
    • Entertainment
    • Black Celeb Couples
    • Celebrity Moms
    • Red Carpet
    • If Not For My Girls
  • Fashion
    • ESSENCE Fashion House 2022
    • Fashion News
    • Street Style
    • Accessories
    • Fashion Week
  • Beauty
    • Black Beauty Awards 2022
    • ESSENCE Hair Awards 2022
    • AVEENO Skin Health Startup Accelerator
    • Beauty News
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Nails
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
  • Hair
    • Hair News
    • Natural
    • Relaxed
    • Transitioning
    • Weave
    • 4C
  • Love
    • Love & Sex News
    • The Solve Podcast
    • Weddings
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
  • Lifestyle
    • Black History Month
    • ESSENCE Gift Guide 2022
    • ESSENCE + smartwater Live Well Challenge
    • Build Your Legacy 2022
    • Dream & Plan with Confidence Prudential
    • AMEX Platinum Travel
    • Homecoming Season 2022
    • Lifestyle News
    • Health & Wellness
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Money & Career
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Black Travel Guide
  • News
    • Paint The Polls Black
    • Sponsors Recognition Page 2022
    • Latest News
    • Raise Your Voice
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Video
  • Festival
    • 2023 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Fest Videos
  • Events
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Girls United Summit
    • 2022 ESSENCE Fashion House
    • 2022 Black Women In Hollywood
    • 2022 HOLLYWOOD HOUSE
    • 2022 Homecoming Season
    • Wellness House
    • She Got Now
    • Dear Black Men
    • I Am Speaking
    • Power Tools
  • Studios
  • Girls United

WHERE BLACK WOMEN COME FIRST

Every day we're serving Black women deeply. Come get a plate of goodness! Sign up for daily content and exclusive offers you'll love!

Your email is required.
Your email is in invalid format.
Confirm email is required.
Email did not match.
By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Terms of Use and that you have read our Privacy Policy
Skip to content
SUBSCRIBE
  • MAGAZINE
  • NEWSLETTER
  • Celebrity
    • Daniel Kaluuya Digital Cover
    • Digital Cover Method Man
    • Digital Cover Zazie
    • Celebrity News
    • ‘Yes, Girl!’ Podcast
    • Entertainment
      • Paint The Polls Black
    • Black Celeb Couples
    • Celebrity Moms
    • Red Carpet
    • If Not For My Girls
  • Fashion
    • ESSENCE Fashion House 2022
    • Fashion News
    • Street Style
    • Accessories
    • Fashion Week
  • Beauty
    • Black Beauty Awards 2022
    • ESSENCE Hair Awards 2022
    • AVEENO Skin Health Startup Accelerator
    • Beauty News
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Nails
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
  • Hair
    • Hair News
    • Natural
    • Relaxed
    • Transitioning
    • Weave
    • 4C
  • Love
    • Love & Sex News
    • The Solve Podcast
    • Weddings
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
  • Lifestyle
    • Black History Month
    • ESSENCE Gift Guide 2022
    • ESSENCE + smartwater Live Well Challenge
    • Build Your Legacy 2022
    • Dream & Plan with Confidence Prudential
    • AMEX Platinum Travel
    • Homecoming Season 2022
    • Lifestyle News
    • Health & Wellness
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Money & Career
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Black Travel Guide
  • News
    • Paint The Polls Black
    • Sponsors Recognition Page 2022
    • Latest News
    • Raise Your Voice
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Video
  • Festival
    • 2023 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Fest Videos
  • Events
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Girls United Summit
    • 2022 ESSENCE Fashion House
    • 2022 Black Women In Hollywood
    • 2022 HOLLYWOOD HOUSE
    • 2022 Homecoming Season
    • Wellness House
    • She Got Now
    • Dear Black Men
    • I Am Speaking
    • Power Tools
  • Studios
  • Girls United
Home · News

The Less Stress Week-By-Week Holiday Checklist

The holiday countdown is officially on, which means you'll be screaming "Happy New Year" in no time. Getting organized early saves you from the holiday madness and keeps you stress-free,  enough to actually sit back and enjoy the season. Use this checklist to get organized, on the double.
The Less Stress Week-By-Week Holiday Checklist
By Yolanda Sangweni · Updated October 29, 2020
holiday-gift-300x425.jpg

The holiday countdown is officially on, which means you’ll be screaming “Happy New Year” in no time. Getting organized early saves you from the holiday madness and keeps you stress free enough to actually sit back and enjoy the season.

Use this checklist to get organized, on the double.


Last week of November
  1. Buy your holiday cards and stamps and organize addresses.
  2. Create a list of everyone you’re thinking of ‘gifting’ and jot down some ideas.
  3. Ask friends and relatives to give you clues for gift ideas or set up an online wishlist.
  4. Buy new batteries for your camera.
  5. Major shopping days like Black Friday are your chance to stock up on gifts early, so get shopping.
  6. If you plan a Christmas or New Year’s Eve party, stock up on bulk items like toilet paper, paper towels and plastic containers for leftovers.
  7. Start collecting ideas for your Christmas or New Year’s Eve party outfit.

First Week of December

  1. Mail out your holiday cards.
  2. Create a space for storing gifts and assemble your gift-wrapping essentials nearby. We’re talking scissors, gift-wrap, boxes, and gift bags.
  3. There’ll be lots of returns and exchanges so designate a box to throw in all your gift receipts.
  4. Start looking for menu ideas for your party, to include cakes and cookies and start assembling early.
  5. Restock your cabinet to include that brown liquor you know your uncles like.
  6. Unpack your holiday decorations and replace any damaged ornaments.

Second Week of December

  1. Finalize travel arrangements: flights, car rentals, check-in, and pickup times.
  2. Restock on soaps and hand towels for the bathroom for your home if you’re expecting guests.
  3. Order your turkey or ham from your butcher or deli if you’re cooking this year.
  4. Start organizing babysitting early so you’re not stuck calling around at the last minute.
  5. Mail gifts to out of town friends and family late this week.

Third Week of December

  1. Finalize your shopping, especially from online retailers who might start hiking shipping fees.
  2. Give your house a thorough cleaning, focusing particularly on the bathroom and kitchen, the two rooms your guests will most likely frequent the most.
  3. Take inventory of your dishes, utensils, and glasses and restock where necessary.
  4. Make sure all your baking goods are in order. Make sure all gifts are wrapped and ready to be presented.

Christmas Week

  1. Haircuts, mani/pedi’s or braiding should be done early in the week to avoid getting stuck at the salon on Christmas Eve.
  2. Start cooking your broth and side dishes early this week and freeze them.
  3. Lay out your dishes and serving platters.
  4. Wash and iron your table linen and napkins and straighten out placemats and napkin holders.
  5. Put your Christmas outfit together.
  6. Place gifts under the tree or start giving them to the intended recipients.
  7. If you’re hosting: Set the adult and kids table and make room in the hallway closet for coats.
  8. At your dinner, make sure to delegate. Ask a cousin to take care of the music, or your sister to handle all the coats.
After Christmas
  1. Use gift cards immediately or chances are you’ll forget about them.
  2. Start finalizing your New Year’s Eve plans to avoid last minute party flops.

COMPANY INFORMATION
  • Our Company
  • Customer Service
  • Essence Ventures
  • Change Your Address
  • Contact Us
  • Job Opportunities
  • Internships
  • Media Kit
  • tag
SUBSCRIBE
  • Newsletters
  • Give a Gift of ESSENCE
  • Magazine Tablet Edition
FOLLOW US
MORE ON ESSENCE
  • Home
  • Love
  • Celebrity
  • Beauty
  • Hair
  • Fashion
  • ESSENCE festival

ESSENCE.com is part of ESSENCE Communications, Inc.

Essence may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.

©2023 ESSENCE Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Essence.com Advertising Terms

Get The ESSENCE Newsletter and
Special Offers delivered to your inbox

By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Get The ESSENCE Magazine
by subscribing below
subscribe now