{"id":1678,"date":"2018-11-18T17:00:50","date_gmt":"2018-11-18T17:00:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.smilebox.com\/blog\/?p=1678"},"modified":"2020-11-08T08:36:11","modified_gmt":"2020-11-08T08:36:11","slug":"the-ultimate-5-week-christmas-planner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"\/blog\/the-ultimate-5-week-christmas-planner\/","title":{"rendered":"The Ultimate 5-Week Christmas Planner"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Preparing for Christmas can be stressful\u2014but it doesn\u2019t have to be. If you divide your tasks into bite-size pieces week by week, it can even be a pleasure! To help you get there, we came up with this handy 5-week Christmas planner. (This might just be your new favorite holiday tradition!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5 weeks before Christmas:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Time to go shopping! Make a list of everyone you need to get presents for, and give yourself at least a month to make the mall trips as stress-free as possible.
\nSpeaking of lists, now is a good time to gather names for your Christmas card recipients. Think about people you\u2019ve grown closer with over the last year, those you\u2019d like to develop a relationship with either personally or professionally, anyone you\u2019d like to thank or stay in contact with, and any loved ones you will or won\u2019t be seeing over the holiday season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4 weeks before Christmas:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Next comes the most important part of the card: the family photo. Decide who will be taking the picture (a professional photographer, a willing friend, or maybe just the timer on your camera). Before you say cheese, put some thought into the setting, clothing, facial expressions and poses you\u2019d like to capture.
If you\u2019re hosting for Christmas this year, it\u2019s time to send out invitations! Whether it\u2019s just your immediate family or close friends, instead of inviting guests by text or with a phone call, add a little extra holiday spirit with an online Christmas invitation<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3 weeks before Christmas:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Smell that sweet scent of pine? It\u2019s time to get your Christmas tree! Depending on which tree you\u2019re after will determine exactly when you should buy it. The traditional Christmas tree, the spruce, lasts about 12 days before the needles start to drop\u2014so buy this tree closer to Christmas time. If you\u2019re too excited to wait to decorate, go for a fir \u2013 they cost more but the needles won\u2019t drop.
\nWhile you\u2019re in the decorating spirit, this is an appropriate time to hang your Christmas lights, stockings and other festive decorations around the house.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2 weeks before Christmas:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Now you should be thinking about food. Plan your meals, shopping lists and maybe even online grocery deliveries. Stock up on non-perishables and stocking stuffers. It\u2019s also a good time to start wrapping those piles of presents.
Next, pick out your favorite photo from the family shoot, and finalize that Christmas card. If you want to avoid post office stress, postage costs, and the headache of tracking down mailing addresses, go for an eCard. It\u2019s easier, quicker, and less expensive than traditional printed cards. It\u2019s also a much more practical way to get your card to friends and family near and far: whether they\u2019re travelling for the holiday season, in the military, across the globe or even next door! For ideas on perfecting your Christmas card look, check out our huge collection of professionally-designed, easy-to-customize eCard templates for Christmas<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Christmas card templates from Smilebox<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

1 week before Christmas:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Christmas is almost here! Now\u2019s the time to cook, clean, launder, finish wrapping any remaining presents, and buy the perishable food. Double check that you sent your Christmas card to everyone on your list. Start arranging those gifts under the tree. Now, put on some Christmas tunes, pour yourself a glass of eggnog, kick up your legs, and take a breather\u2014you earned it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Merry Christmas everyone \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Preparing for Christmas can be stressful\u2014but it doesn\u2019t have to be. If you divide your tasks into bite-size pieces week by week, it can even be a pleasure! To help you get there, we came up with this handy 5-week Christmas planner. (This might just be your new favorite holiday tradition!) 5 weeks before Christmas: […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":1734,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[12,4],"tags":[43,38,33,40],"yoast_head":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\n\n\n