The Busy Millennial Mom’s Week-by-Week Holiday To-Do List
Here’s your week-by-week roadmap to staying ahead of the chaos and actually enjoying the magic
Late October: Get a Head Start
This is your prep window — the calm before the (festive) storm.
Schedule family photos if you haven’t already.
Order your holiday cards early (even if your family photo isn’t ready yet). At Soirée All Day, you can send your photo later — we’ll hold your order and make it whenever you’re ready to get started.
Order kids’ holiday outfits for school events, photos, and family gatherings. Our favorite place to shop for special outfits is Shop Amour, an online boutique with timeless clothing that captures the spirit of childhood with a touch of French style!
Take inventory of your holiday supplies — wrapping paper, ribbons, tape, tags. Click here for our favorite holiday ribbon!
Book tickets for any holiday travel.
Soirée Tip: Pop on a fall playlist and make this your “holiday kickoff night.” Light a candle, pour something cozy, and feel proud for getting ahead.
Early November: Get Organized
By now, the calendar’s filling up — time to put your plan into motion.
Gather and update mailing addresses. Pro Tip: Keep your addresses organized in a simple spreadsheet with each field (Name, Street, City, State, Zip) in its own column. If you’re using a printing service for your envelopes, this is the exact format they’ll need — and if you’re printing your own labels, it makes mail merges for address labels a breeze.
Order personalized holiday stationery, wrapping paper gift tags, and notepads — you’ll use them all season long. These little touches make you look like you have it all together, even if you don’t feel like you do (and yes, our holiday collection is designed to mix and match!).
Check your calendar for school events, photos, and holiday parties, and add them to your calendar. We all know how easy it is to get overwhelmed, so be intentional about what you choose to do. What memories matter most this year? Cookie night? A drive to see lights? Put them on the calendar before the season fills up.
Start brainstorming gifts for family, friends, party hosts, teachers and caregivers. Note which small businesses you’d love to support this season. Being intentional makes a difference and all the more meaningful.
Goal: Cards ordered, gifts planned, wrapping supplies on deck.
Mid-November: Prep +Personalize
You’re officially in the holiday groove.
Create a master gift list or spreadsheet so you can track who you’ve shopped for, what’s wrapped, and what’s still on the list.
Start organizing your holiday décor. Pull out bins, check lights, and donate anything that no longer fits your style (or in your storage).
Plan your Thanksgiving menu and table setup if you’re hosting — or decide what dish you’ll bring if you’re not.
Stock up on hostess and last-minute gifts. Keep a few extra candles, notepads, or stationery sets on hand for those “Oops, I forgot!” moments.
Make reservations for holiday activities that require them — like visits with Santa, tree lightings, festive train rides, or local holiday markets. Booking early means you’ll get the best time slots (and fewer meltdowns waiting in line).
Mailing our letter to Santa at The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort has become one of our favorite family traditions.
Late November: Deck the Halls
The turkey’s done — now it’s officially holiday mode.
Purchase your gifts (if you haven’t already) — Take advantage of Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales!
Put up your tree and decorate your home — put on holiday music and let the kids help.
Stock up on baking supplies, hot chocolate and marshmallows.
Address and mail your holiday cards while watching your favorite Christmas movie. Right after Thanksgiving is prime time to send.
Prep your gift-wrapping station. Gather scissors, tape, ribbon, tags, and paper in one spot — ideally where little hands can’t “help.”
Start brainstorming and planning fun ideas for your Elf on the Shelf! Make the month of December extra, extra magical with our “A Note from Your Elf” Stationery and “A Gift from Your Elf” Gift Tags — tiny details your kids will remember long after the season ends.
Soirée Tip: Treat yourself to something small and merry once your cards are mailed. You’ve officially earned it!
Early December: Give & Gather
You’re in full holiday flow — but staying a step ahead keeps things joyful.
Wrap gifts as they arrive, and be sure to use your Soirée All Day personalized gift tags for a polished finish that makes you really look like you have it together.
Drop off teacher and daycare gifts before the last day of school.
Plan holiday baking or craft days for family fun. Check out Charleston Moms blog for a ton of fun ideas, including these!
Plan your Christmas meals — jot down menus, make grocery lists, and make sure you have everything needed for serving. Use our “The List” Notepad to keep shopping organized and festive.
Set aside a few nights to do absolutely nothing — cozy PJs, twinkle lights, zero agenda.
Pro tip: Order a few extra small gifts (candles, cute notepads) for those last-minute “oops, I forgot them” moments or last-minute hostess gifts.
Mid–Late December: Enjoy & Exhale
This is what you worked for — time to slow down and savor it.
Make sure you’re set for Christmas morning: batteries, scissors, trash bags, and plenty of coffee (or mimosas!)
Add finishing touches to wrapping with ribbon or personalized gift tags.
Light a candle and enjoy your home. You’ve created something beautiful — now take time to sit back and soak it in.
Journal a few memories — what worked, what you’ll do again next year, the small moments that made you smile.
Start thinking ahead — make a note of any stationery, gift tags, or wrap you’ll want to restock while it’s on sale.
Remember what it’s all about. The lists and plans were worth it — because they gave you space to be present for the magic.
Final Thought:You don’t have to do it all — just do it intentionally. Tiny details, big holiday magic.
