Inside: why getting ready for Christmas early isn’t a virtue, and how saving the mess, the music, and the memories for December keeps the season special. You aren’t behind.
If you’ve ever found yourself on December 22, sitting cross-legged on the living room floor with scraps of paper everywhere and a roll of tape stuck to your sweater, you’ve probably felt that creeping guilt…I should have had this done weeks ago. But…why? who decided that last-minute wrapping is a moral failing? Somewhere along the line, being “ahead” became a badge of honor, and the rest of us started to feel like slackers. The truth? Those frantic, glitter-covered nights are part of the story
The Modern Rush Mentality
We’re told (loudly and often!) that getting Christmas “done” early is the secret to a stress-free holiday. Ads sell bins for labeled cookies. Influencers film “Christmas prep in July” hauls. Pinterest boards promise that freezing your sugar cookies in October will leave you serene and glowing come December. But here’s the truth: moving the work to October doesn’t make it disappear. It just stretches the to-do list across more months and turns a joyful season into a quarter-year project.
No logins, No guilt, no Overwhelm
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Somewhere along the way, homemaking became tangled up with productivity culture: perfect systems, perfect pantries, perfect timelines. Even Christmas has been folded into a checklist mentality. And if you’re not two months ahead, you’re made to feel like you’re failing at joy itself. But that’s a lie.
What We Lose When We Get Ready Too Soon
Because December is supposed to the be December. Christmas prep is what so much of it is about. If you have everything done and tucked away by December first, then you spend that part of the. year… doing what? Living your life normally, like it’s mid-April? What was the point of it all?
Why not enjoy candy cooling on the counter while carols on the radio (yes I think you should listen to live radio but we’ll discuss that later)? Why not take a last-minute to the drugstore on December 23rd on a chilly night when you realize you’re out of tape? Why are you planning away all of these moments.
December should feel different….electric and alive…not pre-packaged months ahead.
The Practical Downside of Over-Prepping
Getting too far ahead isn’t just unnecessary. It can backfire:
- Overbuying! Gifts tucked away for months get forgotten. By December, you’re second-guessing your stash and buying “just one more thing,” blowing the budget.
- Changing tastes: Kids change their minds. That “must-have” toy in October might be old news by December.
- Stale treats: Frozen cookies or candies can get freezer burn or hidden behind the chicken stock—only to resurface in March.
- Annoying storage problems: Extra bins and bags clutter your home for weeks, and you’re digging through closets to find what you already bought.
How This Became a Thing
The push to “get Christmas done” earlier didn’t happen by accident. Retailers realized years ago that stretching the season boosts sales, so Christmas crept closer to Halloween. Over time, early promotions became the norm. Now, stores roll out décor before the pumpkins are put away, and social feeds follow suit because people genuinely love sharing holiday inspiration.
Layer on our modern obsession with productivity….color-coded bins, perfectly scheduled calendars….and suddenly, waiting until December feels almost rebellious. But the truth is, this timeline wasn’t set by tradition or by what’s best for families. It’s just the by-product of marketing and a culture that loves to optimize everything. You’re not failing by sticking to December. You’re simply choosing not to outsource the magic to October.
Instead, Plan But Don’t Do
Thinking ahead is smart. But doing everything months early steals December’s soul. Jot down gift ideas if it keeps you sane. Pick a baking day and block it off so it actually happens. But don’t fill your freezer in October or stash every present by Labor Day.
Keep a simple gift list, but leave the shopping for when the lights are up and the music’s on. Choose one baking day close to Christmas so the kitchen smells like Christmas, not fall break. And leave some blank space for sledding, dropping cookies to a neighbor, or trying a new recipe on a whim. Planning protects the season. Over-prepping drains it.
Enjoy the Season
Stop apologizing. December is when Christmas belongs.
Thank you for the lovely article! I grew up going as a family to the tree farm 2 weeks before Christmas to bring home the “perfect” tree that was set outside in the snowbank until the afternoon of Christmas Eve when my dad and brother would bring it in, set it up, and string the lights. Mom would put out a few simple mantle decorations and a wreath on the front door a week before Christmas. The cookie baking began 3 weeks before Christmas because we made so many different kinds. Shopping and wrapping happened gradually during December. After a Christmas Eve buffet dinner with neighbors, the tree was decorated, gifts put under the tree, and stockings hung. The magic lasted until January 2nd when all was put away and my little heart was broken because I did not have enough of Christmas! Once married and in laws were too old to host the family Christmas party, we took over hosting and the December rush crept in because everything had to now be done one to two weeks before Christmas when the party was! But I still hated the thought of putting Christmas away right after New Years day. Then I became Catholic, discovered the beauty of the season of Advent and preparing for Christmas in a more meaningful way, but also gradually bringing in some decorations according to different liturgical feast days. And learning that the Christmas season is from December 25th until February 2nd (the Presentation of the Christ Child in the Temple), was a total game changer. I no longer had to have everything done by Christmas because that’s when we begin the celebrating! After Midnight Mass, the Nativity set is completed and the tree and house gets its decorations. Gifts can be exchanged, cards sent, and festive gatherings take place anytime during the season (especially for 12th Night and Epiphany). The first week (Dec 25 – Jan 1) is celebrated as one long Christmas day! The season lasts for 40 days of stressless merry making celebrating Jesus’ birth and I finally have enough Christmas!
I do put up my decorations in November, not because I am rushing but because it’s a lot of work and I do it slowly to really soak it in haha. But I also have a teenager who is in various bands for school so this season gets hectic with holiday shows. Buying early though? I wouldn’t know what that’s like. I might snag something during the year that I know the person will enjoy regardless of the season, but I also remember what I bought (like lip masks, as an example). Otherwise, I slowly hang decorations, set aside a weekend for baking, and wrap last minute.
But now I want to know the reasoning for the radio!
Thanks for the reminder to relax and enjoy the Christmas season once Thanksgiving is thoroughly enjoyed! That’s been my mantra for a long time in spite of my mom and sisters’ opposite feelings about the holidays. I love the wintry watercolors that accompanied your post, too.
thank you Stephanie! long live Thanksgiving 🙂
I couldn’t agree more!
A local church had their Carols by Candlelight evening on the 31st of October this year?! 😮
But while I love everything about Christmas including the prep, the only thing I do early is gift shopping (in November) because the stores are crazy, and quite frankly unpleasant, in December.
I have a list of gift ideas and the gifts I’ve bought so I know what’s what so that I stay on point.
Other than that, I love having something to look forward to …
yes that’s TRUE about the stores, although it feels like more and more everyone shops online, the stores are STILL packed.
Why not enjoy candy cooling on the counter while carols on the radio (yes I think you should listen to live radio but we’ll discuss that later) — I’m so intrigued by this comment and I am wondering if you ever came back wrote anything about this premise.
hi Elise! I am actually working on article about this right now. I believe that as we’ve become more reliant on subscription based on -demand media we are becoming more and more disconnected and lonely. in our own little bubble, maybe with headphones, listening to our own desires and never hearing anything new or listening to something together, and always expecting what we want when we want it. besides the fact that we are paying for so many subscriptions!
I have battled this-talking with my personal circle about which is less stress. I put up fall and leave it until the day after thanksgiving. Then Christmas carols hit. It is tradition but more than that..It is cozy. I put up white twinkle lights around the pumpkin table area and light candles. It smells of pumpkin spice baking (my fave). It reminds me of a true Thanksgiving coming! Christmas can have its moment- but I truly love fall as well.
This is such a great reminder to stop and think about this rushing of seasons. I needed the reminder. I recently had eye surgeries and my husband is going through it now. Lots of appointments and eye routines – grateful for it all, but it’s a lot. And with all of this and caring for family members, I was getting overwhelmed. This came at the perfect time to remind me – I’m on my own time schedule – not what’s out there in the media. Thank you. I’m grateful I got my pumpkins out on the porch lol and will enjoy them for the next while.
Big breath of relief lol.
hi Mary ellen! yes, my daughter and I were discussing yesterday about keeping our pumpkins out until December 20th when winter actually starts. why be in a hurry to rush WINTER of all things, haha. how evil really that the media is turning christmas into a year round stressor. deep breath. thinking of you 🙂
Ah, yes! I never put Christmas decorations out until after Thanksgiving. Black Friday is spent cleaning and putting away Fall decorations then and only then do I get out the Christmas decorations. I want to savor each moment of the season, not feel like there’s nothing left to do. Unfortunately, I do have to have presents early enough to mail off. But the baking and other stuff? It’s for the Christmas season! Thank you for a wonderful post on waiting for December!
hi Cecilia! yes! I hope you’re still enjoying your pumpkins and knowing christmas will come in due time ❤️
It is nice to remember that Christmas is not about speed and stress and crowds of people. It is also not about a competition to be the best at gifting, wrapping or making sure everyone is so grateful for YOU/ME..
It is about an amazing gift given to us so that we may celebrate that gift and remember how important that day was, 2000 years ago.
We are doing a no-buy ornaments/decoration Christmas this year, and only using what we have on the property or already own, to make the home feel like a celebration of the light and love given to us.
Gifts will not be wasteful or just for the sake of giving a last minute object, but instead, a gift of gratitude and time and thought.
The world has become so sterile and static with so much random purchasing and technology driving our actions. It is nice to stop, listen to the world, and respond with gratitude for all that we are given, and passing it on to those we love, and those who are in need.
I love your posts. They have given me a sense of calm, and renewed ideas of what our home should reflect, vs. impress.
Thank you!
Thank you so much Morgan. I love the spirit of enjoying what you have. I believe you would like the book “the gap and at the gain”. not exactly the on topic, but related to this.
I love this, Morgan – especially your last line “They have given me a sense of calm, and renewed ideas of what our home should reflect, vs. impress.” Yes! Great reminder.
I LOVE Christmas and usually start the music in October but last year I could NOT get into the “spirit” no matter what I did. While sitting outside enjoying a beautiful fall day, I started thinking of how Christmas was when I was younger (Before internet shopping). How much I loved going to the crowded stores – even if I didn’t buy anything – just to see the decorations and hear the music and finding something I wasn’t expecting to find. I’d made up my mind that this year everything was gonna wait till the day after Thanksgiving (which is late in the month so our time is short). Finding your article felt like a confirmation!! Thank you so much! I love everything you put out there. You’re a God send to me. Happy Holidays!
This was a wonderful article. Recently, I found Christmas gifts from 2 years ago that I forgot all about. I make most of my gifts, so starting early is a must for that, but purchasing gifts is going to wait this year. The vintage artwork you’ve used is tender and nostalgic. Where did you come across such beautiful pictures?
As always, you are a wellspring of wisdom! Love your point that it’s not a “moral failure.” We often joke about my dad’s last-minute-late-night-frantic-wrapping, but truthfully, that is a thing that I’ll miss when he is gone one day. I also love the idea of reframing the stress and mania into the magic of the season. It’s just this one time of year we get to do these things! Another great post as usual Katie. Thanks for the insight.
thank you Shelby! yes let the crazy wrapping just be part of the season, not every day should be exactly the same 🙂
Such a refreshing look at this season! Thank you! Just discovered your blog and excited to read more.
thank you Shannon! I am glad you’re here 🙂
This is a great post, and I’m so glad I stumbled upon it!
For me, there is one tiny exception I make, which helps our family, specifically. Since I homeschool our kids, and because they have a lot of family out of state, AND because we’re on a budget (!), I sometimes have the kids make homemade gifts in the months leading up to Christmas. This helps on several fronts:
1.) It adds Arts/Crafts to our homeschool in a meaningful way.
2.) It means more heartfelt gifts for family members we don’t see often, as opposed to storebought stuff, and,
3.) I have to get those packages shipped in October or early November to make sure they arrive before Christmas. Last year, because of mail delays, one package didn’t arrive until January! Crazy.
I must say, though, that I really love having December sweet aside for all things Christmas. It really is wonderful to have that to look forward to!
yep these are great points. and I confess if I see something on FB marketplace for a gift in october/ November I grab it.
Great article! I shared this on Facebook so my family and friends can see it too. God bless you!
thank you hermina!
Thank you, Katie. Your article has removed my guilt about doing everything in December. Thank you for making me see the joy of creating in the Christmas season. God bless you.
Oh Genevieve I’m so glad it helped you.
Amen. Enough said. 🙃
Thank you very much for this article. I am quite a “last minute” type of person and yes, I usually feel guilty a bit, when I donť have gifts for all my beloved ones at the end of November. I also usually don’t know, which presents my dears would like, it’s really hard for me to buy a good gift. So I usually promise to myself every year – I will buy presents earlier next year, no stress before Christmas! But then – the period of feeling stressed is longer, because I try to buy nice presents since September. But then it’s beginning of December and I still don’t have them, because I don’t have ideas. Three months of stress, no presents and feeling guilty. So, this year, thanks to your article, I won’t think about presents since December and results will be the same, but without that stres. And nicer autumn too. Thank you again 🙂
hi klara! I’m so glad this is helpful. the shopping time will come when it comes and that is that 🙂
Excellent advice. I love my little Christmas list book which is always kept handy, if I’m shopping throughout the year and see something just right it gets bought, noted down and put away for a crazy evening of wrapping in December.
You’ll not see a decoration up in my house until the first Sunday in advent and we’ll keep the tree up until epiphany.
I love that Diane!and yes I agree if something presents itself go ahead and grab it!
This was one of the best articles on the reasons behind what has happened to our Christmas seasons and putting the breaks on and thinking for ourselves instead of what the media crams down our throats, thank you !
thank you Diane for the kind message!