Ten Weeks ‘til Christmas: What to Focus On Right Now
Ten weeks sounds like forever, doesn’t it? Halloween will be here any moment, Thanksgiving right behind it, and then it’s already December and you’re trying to shop and feel merry.
The good news is that the ones who enjoy December the most aren't the ones doing the most - they’re the ones who made a plan ahead of time. Here's what to focus on right now, and what can wait.
1. Make Your Plan (Before You Spend a Dime)
A calm (and merry) Christmas starts with a plan, so grab a cup of hot chocolate and sit down with your planner.
Set your budget. Decide on a total number for gifts, food, decor, travel, and entertaining. Then divide it up. It's much easier to stick to a budget you set in October than one you invent in mid-December while standing at a checkout.
Write your gift list. List every person you're buying for, with a rough amount for each. Don't forget the easy-to-miss people: teachers, neighbors, hosts, and the folks who deliver your packages.
Set out your calendar. Write down the dates you already know: parties, school concerts, travel days, and when guests are arriving. Thanksgiving is November 26 this year, so December arrives the very next week…and are you having a holiday party? Tree trimming with family? Christmas cookie exchange? Are people visiting Christmas eve, Christmas Day? Writing it all down now helps you divide and tackle later.
2. Book What Sells Out
These are the things that disappear early every year, so October is the time to reserve them:
Tickets for The Nutcracker, Magic Flute (here in NYC), holiday concerts, and light shows
Santa photos, especially those weekend time slots
Trees - seriously - if you’re getting a faux tree or getting a freshone shipped (see our guide here) - no need to wait - schedule it now
Advent calendars - buy them now before they sell out
Restaurant reservations for holiday dinners and get-togethers
Goldbelly or Williams-Sonoma dishes that you can get delivered and freeze til the day of (currently taste-testing the WS pain au chocolats which are essential at the holidays)
Holiday travel, if you haven't booked it already, time to start figuring out those flights and car rentals
Babysitters for any December evenings out (always booked up faster than you'd think!)
3. Start Shopping for Gifts That Matter Most
No need to finish your shopping now, but starting now may save time later -
The "big" gifts. The one thing someone really wants is also the thing most likely to sell out.
Anything personalized or handmade. Monogrammed and custom items, and gifts from small makers, need extra time.
Gifts that ship from far away. Overseas shops and specialty boutiques can take weeks.
Advent calendars. These need to be in your hands by November 30.
Then, every time you buy something, check it off your list and write down what you spent. Your future self will thank you.
4. Take Stock(ing) of Your Decorations
Before you buy a single new ornament (and I love to buy ornaments without checking), pull out your holiday storage and see what you have on hand, what inspires you and what you’d like to replace.
Test your lights now, while you still have time to replace them. (Or skip this step entirely and go with a prelit faux tree)
Check for broken ornaments, missing hooks, and worn tree skirts. Again - HOOKS. So many ornaments and I realize I have no way to hang them.
Make a list of what you actually need. (Before I order anything, I order these first and list it all so I can break it down)
If you're dreaming of a themed tree this year, start gathering pieces now. The hand-blown glass ornaments always go first.
If you'd love a fresh tree delivered, now is also the time to look into mail-order trees and reserve one.
5. Order Your Holiday Cards
If you send photo cards, schedule your photos now, while the leaves still look lovely. Then order your cards in early November, and they'll be stamped and in the mail by the first week of December.
If you’re planning on regular cards - the top ones can sell out quickly - our round up of 2026 holiday cards is here!
6. Time to Try…
Sure you should wait to bake but if you’re thinking of making cookies for parties or exchanges, now is a good time to do a few test runs.
And if you’re sending cakes or cookies via Goldbelly or another source, send yourself a test one to see what the packaging loks like and taste test.
What Can Wait
Let these go for now…
Wrapping. That's a December evening with a movie and a glass of something festive. (And there’s nothing to wrap yet.)
Most baking. Cookies taste best fresh. You can make and freeze cookie dough a few weeks ahead. After Thanksgiving has cleared. (But still…a good time to test.)
Decorating the house. Unless you love an early tree (no judgment here!), there's plenty of time after Thanksgiving. Though - honestly my tree is up December 1st!
Stocking stuffers. They're small, easy to find, and a fun December errand.
Your Ten-Week Head Start
Pick one thing from this list this week. Next week, pick another. By Thanksgiving, you'll have your plan, your bookings, your biggest gifts, and your decorations sorted. That leaves December for the part that matters: the people, hanging the ornaments and lights, making memories and … the cookies.
With love, a little tinsel, and thoughts of sugarplums,
Ginny