Christmas is upon us and that means it’s time to enjoy the company of family, count our blessings, and cherish the peace and tranquility of the season.
Yeah, right. Who are we kidding? We know exactly how it’s going to go. Before you even get ready for Christmas and put the wreath on the door, your kids will utter those two famous words that every parent dreads:
I’m bored.
That’s why you need the best 2023 Christmas preparation checklist. Not just for your kids, but for Mom and Dad, too. This Christmas to-do list is a great way to prepare for the holidays and have a little fun along the way. So, how many can you check off?
Table Of Contents
Mom’s Christmas Checklist
- Watch Love Actually. The classic holiday movie starring Hugh Grant, Liam Neeson, Emma Thompson, Andrew Lincoln, and so many other stars is the perfect movie to get you in the mood for the holidays.
- Decorate the tree. You can’t have Christmas if you don’t have a tree. OK, you can. Christmas is about being with the people you love, not decorating a tree. But if you’ve got one, dress it up and make Christmas extra magical. Without it, your Christmas list won’t be a real checklist.
- Buy Christmas jammies. For a truly cozy Christmas morning of unwrapping gifts by the fire, you need matching pajamas for the whole family. Maybe they’re plaid. Maybe they have a reindeer theme. Whatever they look like, they’re perfect.
- Bake cookies. We recommend gingerbread men or shortbread cookies. But any family recipe will do. Not much of a baker? Here’s a pro-tip: Buy them from the bakery, heat them up in the oven for a minute, sprinkle some flour all over the floor, and pretend you made them.
- Go ice skating. Winter memories are made outside. So lace up and go skating with the family. If you live in a town with cold weather, there should be plenty of free outdoor rinks around, so it doesn’t have to cost you one red cent.
- Donate to charity. If you’re feeling fortunate, Christmas is a great time to share some joy with others. Why not donate some money to those less fortunate or the charity of your choice? It’s a great Christmas lesson to teach the kids.
- Take pics with Santa. No Christmas countdown for kids and parents can begin without a family pic with the big guy in red. Therefore, this item of the Christmas check list cannot be missed in any way.
- Make a special ornament. It’s always nice to look back on the past and remember good times. By creating a special ornament with your family, you’ll have something to cherish and remember for years to come.
- FaceTime the people you can’t be with. Got friends and family in another city? Give them a call and make them smile. Make this part of your Christmas planning, and you might just make their Christmas extra special. And this should not only be an item from the best 2023 Christmas preparation checklist but an annual affair!
- Wrap the gifts. Forgot to buy wrapping paper? Try an old newspaper. Failing that, cut up some cereal boxes. It really doesn’t matter. Remember, they’re going to be too excited to notice as they rip it all open.
Dad’s Christmas Checklist
- Watch Die Hard. If you’re wondering how to get ready for Christmas, there’s no better way than by watching Die Hard. It’s the best Christmas movie of all time, right? And when your wife starts arguing with you about how Die Hard isn’t a Christmas movie, just watch Die Hard 2 or Die Hard with a Vengeance.
- Make a Christmas Spotify playlist. Nothing completes the holidays like the perfect soundtrack. But it doesn’t have to be all yuletide Christmas carols. Find some great tunes on Spotify or whatever music streaming service you use.
- Shop for presents. We know, we know. You hate the mall. So head to Amazon for some last-minute shopping. You can always check your kids search history to see what gifts they want (a parental control app like mSpy can help with that).
- Take a family Christmas photo. You don’t have to do anything professional, but why not have some fun in the process? Check out Instagram for funny poses and outfits if you want to know how to prepare for Christmas pics in style. And then outdo them.
- Hang the stockings. Not only will they add some Christmas cheer to your living room, but they’ll also come in handy for all those gifts. You know, the ones you forgot to buy. Go shopping already!
- Go on a Christmas Lights tour. We get it. Your Christmas lights are beautiful. But let’s be real. Your neighbors have outdone you. And that’s totally cool! Let others do the hard work and reap the benefits. Hop in the car with the family and check out the beautiful displays in your neighborhood.
- Take the kids sledding. If there’s snow on the ground, it’s the perfect time for some free fun outside. Zoom down the hill and have a blast. Then follow it up at home with some hot chocolate and those freshly baked cookies over on Mom’s checklist.
- Hang the mistletoe. You worked hard. You deserve a little love under the mistletoe. But you won’t get it if you don’t hang it. Plus, if you’re planning to host family and friends, they expect to see mistletoe, so make sure this is on your Christmas party planning checklist.
- Volunteer somewhere. You don’t have to give money to help those less fortunate. Sometimes a little time goes a long way. If you’re not sure where to start, contact your local town council. They might have some great suggestions on what’s needed in your community.
- Stuff the stockings. Remember those stockings we told you to put up? Don’t forget to stuff them with gifts or Christmas morning is going to be pretty disappointing for the little ones.
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Kids’ Christmas Checklist
- Watch Home Alone. Nothing says Christmas like “I forgot my kid at home in Chicago while I went on vacation”. It’s a Christmas classic every kid needs to see. And it’s full of great Christmas ideas for kids, too.
- Watch Home Alone 2: Lost in New York. The next time you’re angry at your parents for something, just remember that Kevin McCallister’s parents left him home alone during Christmas. Twice.
- Write a letter to Santa. It’s a good time to tell him what you want for Christmas. If you don’t write him that letter, you might end up with a PS4 instead of a PS5. Nobody wants that!
- Make sure you’re on the Nice List. That’s easier said than done. Don’t just assume you’re on the Nice List. Be extra good this week to solidify your spot. Consider helping Mom and Dad with holiday chores. Or, you know, just behave.
- Construct a gingerbread house. You’ll need some gingerbread, so ask Mom or Dad to hook you up. And you’ll also need some candy, so a trip to the corner store might be in order. If you’re having a get together with friends or family, this needs to be on your Christmas party check list.
- Build a snowman. If you’ve got snow outside, then grab some carrots and branches, and create something magical.
- Leave milk and cookies out for Santa. The big guy works hard once per year, so reward him with something sweet and delicious.
- Make reindeer poop. Not actual poop. We’re talking delicious holiday candies. You can find some recipes online.
- Decorate the house with candy canes. And then on Christmas morning, have everyone go hunting for them. Whoever finds the most within 5 minutes wins. You decide on the prize!
- Wrap presents for Mom and Dad. They do their very best to make Christmas magical for you. Shouldn’t they get something in return? You don’t have to buy them anything. A thoughtfully made gift will be just as appreciated.
There is no better solution for a Christmas gift!
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Checked Everything Off Your List? Have a Safe, Merry Holiday
The holidays are all about having fun, enjoying family, and staying safe. We know that Christmas can be an incredibly busy time for parents. And while you’re busy checking things off your Christmas to-do list, your kids might be busy doing their own thing. But that doesn’t mean you can’t keep them safe.
If they’re out building snowmen, sledding, or checking out the holiday decorations in the neighborhood, you can keep tabs on them with mSpy. It lets you see where they are on a map, and it lets you set safe zones so you’ll get alerted if they’re not where they should be.
You can also monitor them while they’re at home. mSpy lets you see what they’re doing on social media. You can even see their private conversations, completely undetected, so you’ll know if they’re naughty or nice.
To learn more, watch the short video about what would happen if Kevin McCallister’s mom had mSpy on her Christmas list or checklist at all times!
So eat, drink, and be merry — and stay safe this holiday season.
Wishing you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year,
Your friends at mSpy
