Best Holiday Planning Tips for a Stress-Free Season

This post is sponsored, and paid for, by SunTrust. All opinions are my own. It’s never too early to plan for the holidays! Grab your Best Holiday Planning Tips for a Stress-Free Season + FREE Budget Worksheet.

Best Holiday Planning Tips for a Stress-Free Season + FREE Budget Worksheet

It’s the most wonderful time of the year. It’s the time when I pull out my ugly Christmas sweater, play those catchy tunes, and sit down with my extensive holiday spreadsheet. Can you smell the OCD Type-A planning in the air? Forget Christmas in July. It’s Holiday Planning August. In case you’re looking for a stress-free holiday season too (pick me, pick me!), today I’m sharing my best holiday planning tips to get a jump start on everything merry. Plus grab a FREE budget worksheet – including full guide, calculator and itemized list too to help give you financial confidence this holiday season.

It’s Never Too Early

When do I start planning for the next holiday season? The day after Christmas. No, seriously. Starting early puts me in the right mindset for the year. Spreading out my budget, stocking up on clearance holiday items (from gifts to entertaining), and enjoying the process without the stressful rush – this definitely helps me with holiday planning. Christmas in January? I’m down with that.

Make a List and Check It Twice

For the Type-A parent in the house – you know how much we love to-do lists. I make tons of them throughout the year. And a holiday planning checklist is a must. I keep a list of names in my wallet at all times for holiday gifts. If I find something while I’m out, I get to check it off. Same for holiday party entertaining, decorations, and the like. Make lists throughout the year and keep them in a handy spot. You may just enjoying checking off that list as much as I do.

Stay Organized with a FREE Holiday Budget Worksheet

Staying organized when you have dinner to make, gifts to buy and travel to plan – it’s 100% overwhelming. I get it. I wouldn’t survive the season without having a full organized spreadsheet to keep me on track and on budget, because no one wants to celebrate the New Year in debt. This budgeting tool includes everything from gas for travel, holiday décor, and charitable donations. Using separate tabs for your main budget, holiday budget and gifting expenses, this FREE Holiday Budget Worksheet calculates, organizes and gives you a complete visual for making this a stress-free season.

I love how this worksheet thinks of everything – even budgets for babysitting and new holiday outfits!

Reduce Stress

There are times when I have to remind myself that Christmas is supposed to be “merry.” The stress of the season, no matter what time of year it is, can catch up with you. Make the time for self-care, relaxation and recharging, so that you can take on holiday planning with the right frame of mind.

It’s hard to believe that the holidays are only four months away. But with the kids going back-to-school, August is my month to kick holiday planning in high gear. I hope that these best holiday planning tips will help you stay on track and give you the financial confidence to make this the merriest time of the year. (Don’t forget to pull out your ugly Christmas sweaters!) Don’t forget to download your FREE Holiday Budget Worksheet now from SunTrust.