5 Things To Do Now To Get Ready For Christmas (Before Everyone Else Beats You To It)

Things to do now to get ready for Christmas? Yes, we know, we know — it’s still technically autumn. But Selfridges has already opened its Christmas shop, and Tesco, Waitrose and Morrisons have all revealed their festive food ranges. And you’re still deciding whether it’s “too early” to think about it. Newsflash: it isn’t, and honestly, the big retailers clearly agree with us.

We’re not saying you need the tree up before Halloween. But with roughly 100 days until the big day, there’s a sweet spot right now where a little bit of effort saves you a lot of stress come December. So before the shops sell out, the good delivery slots vanish, and your future self starts silently judging you, here’s exactly what to sort now.

Things to do now to get ready for Christmas – Get Your Christmas Food Order In Early

Supermarkets have already shown their hand, so now’s the time to plan around it rather than panic-order everything on December 20th. Waitrose, Tesco, and Morrisons have all dropped their 2026 ranges, and the showstopper items (we’re looking at you, Tesco’s Snowy Tree Delice) tend to sell out fast once December hits.

Shop and pre-order your Christmas food here 🔗

Sort Your Decorations Before The Best Bits Sell Out

Nothing kills festive momentum quite like finally deciding on a theme in November, only to find every retailer has sold out of exactly what you wanted. Get ahead now while the full range of Christmas decorations is still in stock — baubles, tree toppers, lights, the lot. Not sure where to start? Take a look at Dunelm’s Christmas 2026 trends or see what John Lewis has predicted for 2026 for a bit of inspiration first.

Shop Christmas decorations here 🔗

Book Christmas Events, Grottos & Days Out Now

Santa’s grotto slots, festive light trails, and panto tickets have a habit of vanishing the second they’re released, and the best ones sell out weeks before December even starts. If you know you want to take the family, get it in the diary now.

Write Your Christmas Card List (And Actually Buy Stamps)

Boring, but genuinely one of the biggest time-savers on this list. Get the list written now while you’ve got the headspace, and grab your cards and stamps before the Royal Mail Christmas price hikes and posting deadlines creep up on you. Not fussed about physical cards this year? An ecard is a brilliant shortcut — instant, free of postage stress, and a good option if you’re sending to a big list or overseas.

Shop Christmas cards and stationery here 🔗

Start (Quietly) Sorting Your Christmas Outfit

Party season creeps up fast, and the good stuff — the sequins, the statement pieces, the ones that actually sell out — tends to go early. You don’t need to have it all planned, but having a rough idea now saves a stressful last-minute scramble in December.

Shop Christmas party wear here 🔗

So there you have it — five simple things to do now to get ready for Christmas, without lifting a finger you don’t need to just yet. Honestly, a little bit of effort now goes a long way come December.

What’s more, ticking these off early means less stress. It also means more time to actually enjoy the festive season. And best of all, zero last-minute panic-buying.

Plus, you’re in good company here. Selfridges, Tesco, Waitrose and Morrisons are all clearly in festive mode already. So really, you’re just keeping pace with everyone else.

Ultimately, Christmas will be here before you know it. So go on, get ahead of it this year — future you will be very grateful.

Easy things to do now to get ready for Christmas!

👉 Loved this? Check out our full Christmas 2026 trends to start planning the look of your home too.