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Plan in October, Savor the Holidays
Do the holidays ever sneak up on you? October is the perfect month to get ahead. The air is crisp, the leaves are beautiful, and while we’re enjoying fall festivals, football, and soccer games, the busy holiday season is quietly approaching.
As a professional organizer, I know that the more we prepare now, the more time we have to enjoy later. But planning ahead isn’t just about getting things done early. It’s also about deciding what really matters to you and your family.
We don’t want to spend November and December rushing from one task or event to the next. We want to have time to notice the decorations, enjoy the traditions, linger over a meal, visit with friends and family, and savor the season.
Start Your Holiday Prep Now
Take an afternoon early this month to think through what the next three months will look like for you and your family. While you may not know every detail yet, you probably have a good idea of the big events and traditions coming up.
Before you start filling in your calendar, check in with your family. Ask them which holiday traditions and events are most important to them. You may be surprised by their answers! Something you thought was essential may not matter very much, while a small tradition you barely thought about may be something they look forward to all year.
Knowing what matters most can help you decide where to put your time, energy, and attention.
Use the guide below to walk through the essentials.
Holiday Prep Checklist
1. Decorations
- Are you decorating? Pull out your bins and donate anything you no longer love or use.
- When do you want to put up your decorations? Add it to your calendar.
- When will you take them down and store them? Schedule this too.
2. Events & Activities
- Ask your family which holiday events and traditions are most important to them.
- Are there performances or celebrations that require tickets? Buy them early.
- What events do you truly want to attend? Add those to a shared calendar.
- Are you hosting a party or gathering? Send save-the-date notes as soon as possible.
- Remember, you don't have to do everything. Leave some open space on your calendar simply to enjoy the season.
3. Travel & Guests
- Will you be traveling? Book your flights and hotels early to secure the best rates and times.
- Are people staying with you? Make a plan to prepare your guest room. Break the work into smaller steps and assign them to your calendar.
4. Gifts & Shopping
- Do you exchange gifts with family or friends? Make a list of recipients and jot down ideas.
- When will you go shopping? Block out specific times now to avoid the December rush.
- Consider what can be purchased, ordered, wrapped, or mailed early.
Why Schedule Everything?
If you read through the checklist, you’ll notice one theme: everything becomes easier when it’s scheduled.
A paper calendar works beautifully. Or, if you prefer, try my journal My List Simplified to track tasks and keep your notes all in one place.
But here's something else to remember: don't schedule every minute.
The purpose of planning in October is not to cram more into November and December. It's to create breathing room. When you take care of some of the decisions and tasks now, you can be more present later.
The holidays are meant to be shared with family and friends, not rushed through in a blur of errands, obligations, and last-minute tasks. Give yourself permission to slow down enough to notice and enjoy the moments that make the season special.
Your October Challenge
Set aside one hour this week to talk with your family, review the checklist, and mark your calendar. Decide together what matters most, what you want to make time for, and perhaps even what you can skip this year.
Plan now so that when the holidays arrive, you have time to savor them.
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