Christmas Eve Checklist: Tips & Printable for a Joyful Holiday
The holiday season is full of excitement and joy, but also a whirlwind of preparation. As a busy mom, I’ve learned the hard way that having a Christmas Eve checklist is a game-changer. If you’ve ever found yourself scrambling on Christmas Eve, trying to prepare everything for the big day, you know exactly what I mean. There’s so much to do, and it’s easy to overlook something important.
Over the years, I’ve created a list of everything I need to do on Christmas Eve, from last-minute assembly to setting up our traditional Christmas morning brunch. Having a checklist in hand allows me to stay organized, reduce stress, and enjoy the magic of Christmas Eve with my family, rather than feeling so scattered. In this post, I’m sharing my Christmas Eve Checklist for families with young children.
The Printable Christmas Eve Checklist
The printable Christmas Eve Checklist has a completed checklist that I use for my family (if your family has similar traditions this may be helpful). There is also a blank template you can customize for your family.
Family Christmas Eve Traditions
On Christmas Eve Day and evening , there are many fun family traditions we enjoy. We get our kids involved as much as possible! They love helping with things like setting the table for Christmas dinner, wrapping a gift for a cousin or friend, or putting out cookies and milk for Santa. Making it a family affair helps to spread out the workload. It also adds a sense of togetherness at Christmas I hope they remember forever!
These are special traditions, but with so much excitement, it’s easy to forget the details! This is why I keep my checklist nearby! One year my youngest snuck downstairs when she suddenly remembered to put out carrots for Rudolph! With lights low, we ushered her to the kitchen for the carrot, but our assembly and stocking filling were almost discovered!
Here’s a quick rundown of things we do as a family on Christmas Eve that are on my Checklist:
- Attend the Christmas Eve Service at Church or Read the Christmas Story
- Put on a Christmas movie
- Set out cookies and milk for Santa
- Set out reindeer food (usually oats and edible glitter), Rudolph also likes carrots.
- Wrap last-minute gifts for family or friends
- Set the table and prep things for brunch on Christmas Day
- Put on Christmas Pajamas
By the time the kids are tucked in, we’ve had quality family time and enjoyed our favorite Christmas traditions.
After the kids are in bed: It’s Santa Time
For many families, the magic of Christmas isn’t complete without Santa! This is where having a Christmas Eve Checklist becomes essential. In our home, there is always a lot to do after the kids are tucked in bed. My husband and I always put on a favorite playlist, pour a favorite beverage, and get to work!
- Assemble: Start here since toy assembly always takes longer than anticipated
- Stockings: Fill stockings and hang on the mantle
- Gifts: Pull out the gifts you have been hiding and place them under the tree
- Elf Mischief: If you have an Elf on the Shelf (or something similar), make sure the Elf’s final mischievous act has been taken care of! Many families like to leave a farewell note from the Elf
- Footprints and Evidence: Sometimes we get extra creative and sprinkle a little fake snow or glitter on the floor to make it look like Santa’s sleigh passed through.
One last tip (I learned the hard way)!
Take a moment during December to gather some supplies that might be a lifesaver on Christmas Eve. Last year I had to send a text to my sweet neighbors asking who might have super glue after a toy piece was broken during the assembly process. In addition to super glue, various batteries, extra wrapping paper and tape, tools, and black garbage bags to hide any toy wrappings (and make Christmas Clean up easier) can be helpful.
Food Prep
As much as I love cooking, the idea of scrambling to get everything together on Christmas Day can be exhausting. I always make sure my Christmas Eve checklist includes a few food prep tasks to make Christmas Day run more smoothly.
On Christmas morning we traditionally have:
- Breakfast casserole (which can be prepped the night before)
- Cinnamon rolls (from our favorite local bakery)
- Fruit salad
- Coffee (Don’t forget to prep this so it’s ready to go!)
Most of these items can be prepped ahead. They make for an enjoyable Christmas Morning for everyone!
If you are hosting a larger meal on Christmas Day, doing these things will make the day much easier:
- Set the table
- Label serving pieces with the name of the dish they will contain
- Prep side items or other cut ingredients
- Make a schedule of what time things need to be in the oven to be ready when it’s time to eat
- Check ingredient lists in advance while there is still time for a last-minute grocery run
Taking care of these food prep tasks ahead of time not only helps me avoid feeling rushed on Christmas morning, but it also means I can spend more time enjoying the day with my family.
Miscellaneous
Lastly, there are always a few miscellaneous items on my Christmas Eve Checklist that don’t fall into the neat categories above but are still important to ensure the day runs smoothly. These might be last-minute tasks like:
- Charging the camera or phone for Christmas morning pictures
- Take out the trash (it will fill up early the next day)
- Set your alarm to beat any early risers
These little details might seem small, but they add up! I’ve found that taking care of them the night before reduces stress when Christmas morning rolls around.
Here’s to a Calm and Organized Christmas Eve
A Christmas Eve checklist is my secret weapon for staying organized, reducing holiday stress, and making the most of Christmas Eve with my family. Whether it’s spending quality time together, preparing for Santa’s visit, or getting ready for Christmas dinner, having a checklist helps me feel prepared and ready for the magic of Christmas. What’s on your Christmas Eve checklist this year?
