Hey Hey Sunshines, it’s always time to shine!
Y’all… the holidays are tiptoeing toward us again, and if you’re a mama like me, you already feel that mixture of excitement, joy, and just a little bit of “Lord, help me get it all done!” simmering inside. The holiday season brings out the best in our families, the laughter, the food, the memories, the traditions, but it can also bring out the most in our to-do lists.
That’s why I created this Ultimate Holiday Prep Checklist, mama to mama, heart to heart. I want you to experience a holiday season that feels warm, peaceful, full of purpose, and filled with God’s grace, not stress. These steps will help you prepare your home, your heart, your family, and your schedule so you can actually enjoy the magic.
Let’s take it one step at a time, together.
- Start With a Family Holiday Vision
Before the wrapping paper, the lights, the out-of-town guests, and the holiday hustle, take a moment to pause and ask:
✨ “What do we want this Christmas to feel like?”
✨ “What memories do we want to create this year?”
✨ “What traditions mean the most to us?”
Gather your family, your hubby, your blessings, maybe even your mama or your siblings, and have a real conversation. You’ll be surprised how much clarity this brings. When you know the heart behind the season, everything else gets easier.
Some families want a cozy, peaceful season at home. Others want big parties, travel, and adventure. Some want a slower, faith-centered holiday with service and giving back. Whatever your vision is, let it be your compass for the next several weeks.
Trust me, Sunshines, this step alone saves so much overwhelm later on.
- Set a Holiday Budget (and honor it with grace!)
Listen, Mama… the holidays are beautiful, but if we’re not careful, they can turn into a spending storm. Gifts, events, food, décor, travel, it adds up quicker than we think.
So before you swipe that card, sit down with your hubby and map out what’s realistic.
Include:
- Gifts for family and friends
- Travel expenses
- Big meals and holiday groceries
- School and church events
- Decorations
- Seasonal outfits
- Family experiences
Write it all out so you can see it clearly. And please hear my heart: your family’s peace is worth far more than overspending for one season. God honors stewardship, wisdom, and self-control.
And remember, Sunshines, the magic your children remember won’t be the cost. It’ll be the love.
- Create Your Gift List (and check it twice!)
Every mama has lived through that moment where you realize at the very last minute that you forgot someone… and now you’re speed-walking through Target like you’re on a mission from the Lord.
This year? We’re avoiding that.
Write out a detailed gift list including:
- Your children
- Your husband
- Parents and in-laws
- Siblings
- Friends
- Teachers
- Coaches
- Co-workers
- Neighbors
- Secret Santa names
Then leave space to jot down ideas next to each name. This keeps you organized and prevents overspending, because ain’t nothing worse than buying five gifts for the same person because you forgot you already bought the first four!
Oh, and yes, Mama… put your name on that list. Treat yourself. You deserve something under that tree with a bow on it.
- Declutter Before You Decorate
Before we sprinkle Christmas magic everywhere, let’s give ourselves a fresh canvas.
No need to deep clean the whole house, just focus on the spaces where the holiday glow will shine the brightest:
- Living room
- Fireplace area
- Kitchen counters
- Bathrooms
- Entryway
- Kids’ main play areas
Not only does this make decorating easier, but it gives your spirit a sense of calm. Something about tidying a space just invites that holiday peace.
- Take Inventory of All Your Holiday Decor
Before you run out and buy new ornaments or lights, pull out what you already have.
Check everything:
- Ornaments
- Lights
- Garland
- Stockings
- Gift wrap
- Ribbon
- Candles
Festive pillows or throws
Throw away anything broken, donate anything you no longer love, and reorganize what you’re keeping. This helps you decorate with intention, not clutter.
- Plan Your Holiday Outfits Early
Every mama knows the struggle:
Trying to pull together a last-minute outfit for Christmas Eve service, Christmas photos, school programs… whew! No thank you.
This year, pick your outfits ahead of time.
Think about:
- Color schemes
- Matching family pajamas
- Church outfits
- Holiday parties
- Snow or travel clothes
- Cozy at-home loungewear
Planning ahead prevents those chaotic last-minute laundry or shopping runs nobody wants to deal with.
- Plan and Prep Your Holiday Meals
The holidays revolve around food, from breakfast casseroles to Christmas cookies to the big holiday dinner.
Create a menu plan for:
- Christmas Eve
- Christmas Day (breakfast + dinner)
- Baking days with the kids
- Potluck dishes
- Snacks for guests
- Drinks and hot cocoa
Shop early to avoid the crowd and secure everything before the stores get wild.
- Prepare Your Home for Guests (the cozy way!)
If you’re hosting this year, don’t stress, just focus on the little things that make people feel welcome.
Refresh:
- Guest room bedding
- Towels
- Bathroom essentials
- Extra blankets
- Candles
- A small welcome basket with snacks
It doesn’t have to be luxurious, just thoughtful. People remember how you made them feel.
- Protect Your Peace With Intentional Self-Care
Listen here, Sunshine… the holidays are beautiful, but they can also drain a mama real fast if she isn’t intentional.
Add self-care to your calendar like it’s a holiday event:
- A warm bath
- Your prayer time
- Saying “no” to things you can’t handle
- A coffee break alone
- Delegating tasks
- Going to bed early
- A walk in fresh air
You deserve peace, rest, and breathing room, not burnout.
- Choose the Holiday Experiences That Matter Most
Let’s be real: we can’t do every holiday activity on Pinterest. And we shouldn’t try.
Pick your top experiences:
- Christmas lights drive
- Holiday movie marathon
- Decorating cookies
- Church service
- Snow adventures
- Family game night
- Volunteering or blessing a family
- A cozy night by the fire
The holidays are about memories, not perfection.
- Make Space for Gratitude and God’s Presence
In the middle of all the planning, cooking, shopping, and wrapping… pause.
Take a deep breath and say:
“Lord, thank You for this season. Thank You for my family. Thank You for Your blessings.”
That moment right there?
That’s the true heart of the holidays.
✨ Mama’s Final Word of Love ✨
Sunshines, I want you to enter this holiday season with joy, not stress. With peace, not pressure. With gratitude, not guilt. You are doing an amazing job, and your family feels your love in everything you do, even the things you think go unnoticed.
Take it one day at a time.
Give yourself grace.
Laugh when things don’t go as planned.
And remember…
It’s always time to shine!
Y’all know I love sharing things that make mama life easier, especially during the holidays! If you want to shop some of my favorite hosting essentials, cozy décor picks, and Mama self-care must-haves, I put together a little Amazon list just for you.
👉 Check it out here: https://amzn.to/4i2EkQn
Y’all, I want to hear from you! ✨
What’s one thing you do every year to keep the holidays calm, joyful, and full of peace?
Tag me over on Instagram @raisinggreatnessofficial and share your favorite holiday prep tip! Let’s help each other create a season filled with warmth, intention, and God’s goodness.
Much Love and Sunshine,
