If you’re hosting Christmas for your family this year, it’s likely that at least a month (if not months) worth of preparations has already gone into organising the big day. But all the weeks of getting everything ready really peaks on Christmas eve when you have the final opportunity to get things in order ahead of Christmas Day. And this precious time should be used wisely – which is why a Christmas Eve checklist of the necessary last-minute tasks is a must in our opinion.
This organisational Christmas idea and tool is one of the best ways to avoid becoming overwhelmed and stressed at Christmas, especially if you make the checklist ahead of time and then simply go through it on Christmas Eve, checking the tasks off the to-do list.
When putting together your checklist the focus should really be on the most essential elements of the festivities, such as the food, presents and overall smooth running of Christmas Day.
‘The real secret to a joyful Christmas lies in being present with your loved ones, not achieving picture-perfect scenarios,’ says Samantha Picard, Balsam Hill ambassador and tablescaper. ‘Your priority should be on the elements that enable a smooth, enjoyable Christmas Day rather than getting caught up in details that won't matter in the warm glow of Christmas morning.’
Christmas Eve checklist
‘Everyone's Christmas Eve to-do checklist should include tasks that help to cut the chaos and reduce stress on Christmas day,’ says Lucy Mather, interiors expert at Arighi Bianchi.
And these are the essentials that everyone should have on their checklist.
Last minute Christmas buys
For many, Christmas Eve is the time to wrap Christmas presents, or at least some of them. So if you find that you're out of wrapping paper, you can order this popular design by 23rd December for next day delivery on Christmas Eve, just as long as you have Amazon Prime.
Smashed a glass or two by accident or found out you don't have enough matching ones for your guests? Then Argos has you sorted with same-day Christmas Eve delivery as long as you order by 1pm on the day.
If you're planning on folding your napkins into a bow or a the shape of a Christmas tree, a set of good-quality, matching fabric napkins like these linen ones are a must.
1. Put the presents under the tree
Christmas Eve is the ideal time to lay out all the presents for the whole family under the Christmas tree.
‘I always place gifts under the tree so there’s no scrambling around in the morning,’ Lucy at Arighi Bianchi says.
2. Set up a breakfast corner
‘Setting up for the morning rush is another game-changer,’ Samantha at Balsam Hill says. ‘Take 15 minutes to prepare your breakfast zone, setting out the coffee maker, mugs, and breakfast essentials.’
Even though Christmas Day is a very special day, everyone still needs to have breakfast – so coffee, tea and some special breakfast food worthy of the Christmas celebrations are going to be needed. And by preparing these in advance, you’ll save yourself the work on Christmas morning.
‘This preparation means you can focus on those precious morning moments instead of fumbling with coffee filters or hunting for plates,’ Samantha adds.
3. Start food prep for Christmas dinner
The last thing you want to be doing on Christmas Day when your guests arrive is to be up to your knees in food prep, chopping and peeling veggies.
If you've done your Christmas dinner dress rehearsal and know what's on the menu, start peeling and washing your veg on Christmas Eve so you can use Christmas Day to focus on other tasks. Whether you're cooking Christmas dinner in an air fryer or opting for the traditional way, believe us when we say a little prep goes a long way.
'I’d recommend finalising the menu and getting ahead with any food prep that can be done in advance - chopping vegetables, making gravy, and making desserts - to ensure the meal comes together smoothly the next day.,' Lucy at Arighi Bianchi says.
Therefore, to help you prep more easily in the kitchen, it's worth ensuring a clean cooking space. Better yet, you don't need to dedicate a lot of time to this task if you're in a time crunch – you can clean your kitchen in 15 minutes or less.
4. Prep your drinks station
Whether you're going for a simple approach or styling a bar cart to perfection, a well-rounded drinks station is a fail-safe way to keep your guests entertained if you're still finalising your Christmas party ideas.
Stock up on your drinks of choice, make sure you have plenty of ice to hand, and don't shy away from mixers. What's more, if you want to go the extra mile and add citrus fruit flairs, chop and prep them up ahead of time. Make sure any drinks you want to serve chilled are in the fridge on the night of Christmas Eve.
5. Set the table
Yes, you heard us. If you have the space and resources to do so, laying the table for Christmas the night before is one of the top ways to avoid panic on the day.
'Setting the dining table, complete with decorations, the night before will not only save valuable time on Christmas morning, but also make everything feel suitably festive,' Lucy at Arighi Bianchi says.
Get your ducks in a row: cutlery, Christmas crackers, candles, and serving boards – everything you need to make your Christmas table decoration ideas shine – and set them out to your liking.
Tablescaping has been a huge trend to dominate 2023, so it's certainly worth paying a close eye to Christmas table centrepiece ideas and the like to really wow your guests.
Once you've laid everything out to a tee, leave it be. Allow yourself to simply appreciate the morning of the 25th.
6. Finally wrap those last-minute gifts
No matter how prepared we claim to be, more often than not there'll always be a straggler come Christmas Day – it just sometimes can't be helped. If you're panicked, there's a chance you've abandoned all plans to make a Christmas Eve box, too. Instead, focus your time on the remaining gifts you still have lying around.
Set time aside to get those last-minute gifts wrapped up, especially if you need to brush up on how to wrap presents like a professional or remember how to tie the perfect bow.
'Gift management is your next top priority. There's nothing worse than a midnight wrapping frenzy. Take the time to finish all your wrapping, and remember to treat yourself to a glass of wine or a mince pie for all your hard work over the festive season,' Samantha at Balsam Hill recommends.
Let go of the misconception that it's too late to try out gift wrap ideas to make your presents stand out. There are plenty of simple touches you can make to give your gifts the impression that they weren't just done the night before.
7. Stock up on stocking fillers
On a similar note, if you're going out to grab a few last-minute ingredients and supplies, it might be worth skimming the aisles for some small additional stocking fillers.
You never know if you'll need a few smaller treats to accompany your existing selection – plus, a little goes a long way.
8. Don't forget the small things
The small things can often cross our minds when we have bigger things to worry about like prepping Christmas dinner and cleaning the house.
However, do you have enough batteries for the new gadgets and toys that may fill your home on Christmas morning, cling film and freezer bags for Christmas dinner takeaway, and enough ice to last the whole evening?
Don't get so caught up in sweating the big stuff that you forget about these important gems. Not to mention making sure you're stocked up on bin bags to toss and recycle gift wrap after Christmas morning.
9. Prep your Christmas Day entertainment
If you need to do a little prep for your Christmas Day entertainment, now's the time to do it. Trust us when we say you don't want to be met with the unwelcome surprise that all your games and activities are deeply tucked away in storage on Christmas Day.
This includes making sure you're brushed up on ensuring you've done the best you can to make your home feel welcoming to guests.
Dust off and check your board games the night before, plan your activities and have a couple of things to do and choose from on the day itself. Give yourself room for flexibility to keep the festivities going to make a good impression on guests this Christmas.
10. Create a Christmas playlist
Lastly, collate all your favourite festive tunes on one playlist ahead of Christmas to curate an ambience-filled day of celebration. As per Queer Eye's Bobby Berk's tips for hosting, the right music is sure to set the scene and bring the festive cheer to an all-time high.
And there you have it, our very extensive Christmas Eve checklist to ensure you can celebrate this Christmas Day fuss-free.
However, even if you can't get to everything, the main thing is finally being able to unplug from all those tasks come Christmas Day, and indulging in the festivities – whatever that looks like for you.
You've worked hard, so celebrate that and take a well-deserved break. Happy holidays!
