What to Prepare Before the Real Holiday Season Begins?

November is that calm moment between autumn warmth and the sparkle of December. And right now – before the festive whirlwind kicks in – is the perfect time to ask ourselves: what can we already do today to make December beautiful, organised and far less stressful?

1) Home Check – a Small Pre-Holiday Reset

Instead of doing a huge clean-up right before the holidays, take 1–2 afternoons now for the basics:

• Pantry & fridge: check expiry dates, note down missing essentials (flour, sugar, spices …).
• Declutter & donate: remove unnecessary items and free up space.
• Kitchen: organise baking trays, moulds, parchment paper, cookie boxes.

Tip: prepare one dedicated shelf just for holiday baking – you’ll be much faster in December.

2) Financial & Gift Planning

• make a list of people you’ll give gifts to (including “maybe”),
• set an approximate budget,
• write down gift ideas – including homemade ones (cookies, jams, spice blends, a lunch voucher).

Tip: buy long-lasting ingredients (nuts, flour, chocolate, wine) already now – they’re often on sale.

3) Create a Basic Holiday Menu

• think about what you’ll cook for Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve and family lunches,
• check recipes you want to test,
• put together a base ingredient list.

4) Timeline – Even Holidays Deserve a Plan

December is full of events. To avoid chaos, write the following into your calendar:

• St. Nicholas, Christmas dinner, office gathering, visits,
• baking days (e.g., 2 weekends),
• and at least one “empty” day – no obligations.

5) Build the Holiday Atmosphere – Slowly

No need to do everything at once. Start with something small:

• a scented candle or a cup of cinnamon tea,
• a warm blanket and some fairy lights on a shelf,
• your first festive cookie or hot chocolate.

The holidays aren’t a competition – they’re a feeling.

✔ Checklist for a Calm December

Pantry and fridge cleaned
Baking tools ready
Gift list + budget
3–5 gift ideas (homemade allowed!)
Draft holiday menu
List of long-lasting ingredients
Important dates added to the calendar
Baking days + 1 backup day
First festive detail at home (lights, candle …)

If we tackle these things now, December will feel warmer, calmer and much more enjoyable.
Next time – a full holiday menu with a precise plan of what to prep and when. 🎄