Organizing and planning for the holidays can seem like an overwhelming task. After I had my third child, my planning skills just seemed to fall apart. I’ve missed orthodontist appointments for my daughter, forgotten about meetings, failed to pick up kids for carpool, and after three months still can’t remember my oldest daughter’s weekly dance schedule. I have to ask her every single day what time she needs to be dropped off and picked up!
I wish I had a better excuse, or could say that it will get better in time. However, given that my youngest is now 4 and I am out of the baby haze, I’m not so sure that is going to happen. So forgive me if I am a little panicked about the upcoming holidays.
Actually, part of me is in complete and utter denial that it is mid-November. Maybe if I just pretend that Thanksgiving, multiple family birthdays, and Christmas are not already upon us, everything will just magically take care of itself…
Free Holiday Printables
Unfortunately, I know that will never happen, so I created these simple yet effective free holiday printables to help me get organized this holiday season. Sharing them with you today in hopes that they help the next few months run a little more smoothly for you as well!
November/December Calendars
The first two are basic calendars. I have a planner with all of our family obligations written down, but often during the holidays there is just so much to plan out that it won’t all fit in my planner. I also like to plan and write out days that I do my holiday shopping (when all three kids are at school)…
Black Friday and Cyber Monday Organizers
My Black Friday and Cyber Monday printables were super helpful for me last year. Just having everything written down in one place made purchasing so easy. It also really helped me to not overspend, which is so easy to do with all of the great deals offered those two days.
Holiday Meal Planning
Anyone else plan holiday meals at the last minute? I am hoping to avoid that this year with my holiday meal plan, which includes a shopping list that you can take with you to the grocery store. With this printable you will have everything for your big meal in one place. Spaces for appetizers, drinks, desserts, main dishes and sides, as well as a shopping list.
I also regularly meal plan on a weekly basis. If you are looking for some great tips on how to start meal planning, I invite you to take a look. Included is a free meal planning template!
Holiday To-Do List
Making a list and checking it twice…I have so many lists going during this time of year. This printable allows me to have all my to-dos in one place. Lots of spaces to write, and if I run out of room I just print another one! I attach it onto my clipboard and keep it in the kitchen for easy access.
Gift List
Keep track of all of your gift purchases with this handy dandy list. Just make sure you hide it somewhere your kids or significant other won’t find it! 😉
Holiday Traditions and Acts of Kindness
I’m such a sucker for holiday traditions, and I know I have passed that trait along to my oldest two kids. The youngest, well, she just has to go with whatever the rest of us are doing!! Honestly though, we seem to thrive on tradition in our house, so it is super helpful for me to make a holiday bucket list. This way I won’t forget to buy tickets to breakfast with Santa, or schedule in a night to take the kids to our local zoo lights.
I am always open to new traditions and experiences, so those go on this list too. If you’d like some new inspiration for your holiday traditions, check out my post on our holiday family traditions. I always love reading what traditions other families have this time of year!
As the holidays draw closer I also encourage my family to weave in acts of kindness. This could be in the form of leaving a goody basket on our porch for delivery drivers, donating to a local toy drive, volunteering at a food bank, or simply giving a friend a compliment.
Acts of kindness are obviously something that I’d like our family to incorporate during the entire year. With the craziness of the holidays I just find we are more likely to carve out time to pay it forward if we write down our ideas ahead of time. Totally keeps us accountable too!
Holiday Bucket List and Acts of Kindness Printable
Here is a great list of acts of kindness from Six Sisters’ Stuff if you are looking for some inspiration or new ideas for your family!
I truly hope that these free holiday printables will help you stay organized as much as they have helped me! What are some ways that you stay organized (and sane) during the holidays?
What a great collection of printables! I usually have several different lists going during the holidays. I’m often worrying that I’ve left the gift list out where people will find it.
Thanks Beth! With our brains going in so many direction it can be hard to hide things this time of year! I usually am pretty good about not leaving lists or evidence of gifts out, but my husband is not, so I totally understand where you are coming from! 🙂
I am totally a list girl, so this is perfect to keep me organized.
I love a good list! Glad these will be helpful to you Ayanna!
So many useful printables for keeping things organized this time of year. You’ve create a great set here!
Thank you Karen! Staying organized this time of year can be so difficult!
I really like the one for meal planning and traditions! I don’t have a printer thoug, do you think I could use them on an ipad in an app like good notes?
Hi Ashley! Unfortunately I am not familiar with good notes. Our ipad is so old that only the kids use it now. I’ll have to do some online research and check it out!
Love this! We can all be more organized, right! I especially like the acts of kindness printable and plan to use it.
Thank you Leslie! Hope that the printables are helpful to you!
So many great printables! And I need all the help I can get to stay organized during the holiday season!!
Ha! Me too Emily! There are so many moving parts during the holidays that it can be hard to keep everything straight!
Great printables. I love that you have one specific to kindness, and adding in that special part of the season! Great idea!
Thank you Jennifer! I think it is so important to focus on helping others this time of year!