The Night Before Christmas To-Do List

‘Twas the night before Christmas, and while that may mean that the holiday season is finally starting to wind down, you may have a few things left on your to-do list for Christmas Eve. Follow this guide of things to do on Christmas Eve so that the big day can go off without a hitch and your celebrations can be worry-free.

Here is a Christmas Eve checklist to make sure you get everything done:

• If You’re Staying Home: Make Christmas Eve the most exciting night of the holiday season for your family. Before the kids go to bed, share some holiday traditions to build up the anticipation for Santa.
  • Bundle up and take a little walk around the neighborhood. See if you can spot any shooting stars! Get cozy at home and read some holiday stories together or watch a movie in front of the fireplace with cocoa and popcorn.
  • Leave out a plate of Christmas cookies and a glass of milk for Santa to snack on after he comes down the chimney.
  • Once the kids are asleep, make sure Santa finds his way into the house, enjoys his snack, and sets out all the presents beneath the tree and in the stockings.
  • Set your alarm so you’re up before the kids with the camera rolling to capture Christmas morning reactions! This will give you a head start on making breakfast as well.

• If You’re Hosting Guests on Christmas Day: A little bit of prep-work can take away a lot of the stress from your Christmas party planning.
  • Put together appetizer platters and finger food trays ahead of time to save in the fridge. For all recipes that must be prepared the day of, complete your grocery shopping and any time-consuming chopping or measuring ahead of time. This will allow you to enjoy your guests’ company rather than being stuck in the kitchen on the day of the party.
  • Set out bedding and towels for any guests that will be staying over the next night.

• If You’re Driving to See Family for Christmas: There’s lots of stuff to do on Christmas Eve that will make the next day of traveling run smoothly.
  • Pack luggage and load it into the car the day before if you can.
  • You may need to look up an address at your destination or print out directions as well.
  • Depending on how long of a trip you are making, think about packing snacks or fun games to keep antsy kids entertained.
  • Most importantly, gather all of the gifts you are planning on bringing along with you and be sure not to leave them behind when you leave.

Your Christmas Eve to-do list will keep you organized and ready for your big holiday celebrations. By ensuring that all the small but important details are covered, you are free to spend time with your loved ones. If you're hosting Christmas this year, send one of our free Christmas invitations to invite your family and friends!