Holiday Time Management Tips

During the holidays, the excitement of time off work to enjoy your family can easily become overloaded, stressful, and overwhelming if you don’t have holiday time management tips in your back pocket!

Time management for busy moms includes the holidays! Did you know in Canada alone, there are 11 public holidays or statutory holidays a year? This doesn’t include vacations, spring break, summer break, or winter break.

Holidays and vacations often mean more obligations, events, and demands on your time. Add this to all your regular day-to-day working and homeschool responsibilities, and you could have a recipe for disaster!

Reducing stress during the holiday season starts with staying organized and intentional about your time

Holidays are a great time to kick back and relax. But if you aren’t careful, holidays can easily end up in chaos and rushing around if you don’t manage your time wisely.

Let’s dive into practical ways to manage your time effectively and enjoy the holiday season stress-free!

14 Holiday Time Management Tips

While I can’t help you with the unexpected in-laws visiting or the long lines at the stores, I can share some great holiday time management tips to help you manage your time and enjoy your holiday.

1. Use A Calendar

I love using a monthly calendar as a great way to see what is happening at a glance. In fact, you can sign up below to snag some planning pages that are included in my printable planner that will help you get organized.

Using these pages you can easily keep track of deadlines and upcoming events if you write everything down.

I use both a digital calendar and a printed paper one because it is a great way to ensure I don’t overbook myself. I highly recommend this system.

During the holiday season, it’s important to know all of the upcoming events and deadlines. Using a planner and a calendar will make you a little less stressed, and you’ll be able to plan things a little easier.

2. Plan Your Shopping Trips

When the holiday season hits, it gets harder and harder to do that “5-minute store run” Obviously, since we are talking about holiday time management tips…Planning your shopping trips is key!

• Try to choose the slowest times of the day to shop for your full list.
• Avoid the weekend rush and the after-5 crowds if possible.
• Head to the mall or stores right when they open, and you’ll get the best selection of the hottest toys for the holiday season, and when trying to manage your time, you do not want to be stuck in line at Target for an hour.
• Take note of when stores are busy and avoid shopping at those times to make the best use of your time.

If you need to go in during a busy time, be prepared to wait.

3. Use A List

The holiday season can feel overwhelming with endless tasks swirling in your mind. The simplest solution? Write it down! A list helps you stay focused and ensures nothing falls through the cracks.

Start by jotting down everything you need to accomplish, buy, or prepare before the holidays. Then, prioritize your tasks to tackle the most important ones first.

But let’s take it a step further—why not make your list work for you? Digital tools can transform a simple list into a powerful holiday organization system.

Disclosure: I may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

Make Lists That Work for You

Keeping track of your tasks is even easier with the right tools. Digital apps let you access your list on the go and even share it with family members to lighten your load.

Some of my favorites include:

• Cozi Perfect for family collaboration—sync calendars and share to-do lists in one app.
• Homeschool Planet: Ideal for homeschoolers managing lesson plans alongside holiday tasks.
• Flipp: Combines shopping lists with digital flyers for quick holiday savings
• Slack or Trello: Great for coordinating household tasks and delegating responsibilities.
• Google Calendar or Asana: Perfect for setting reminders and deadlines for time-sensitive tasks.

Pro tip: Link your shopping list to a shared app so your partner can grab last-minute items on their way home!

Creating a list is only half the battle; sticking to it is where the magic happens. A few years ago, I got distracted at a store’s holiday display and ended up buying unnecessary items—spending money I didn’t need to and wasting time. Now, I stick to my list like glue, whether I’m shopping for gifts or planning errands.

Write down exactly what stores you need to visit, and in what order, to save time and avoid wandering aisles aimlessly.

Your list doesn’t need to be fancy—it just needs to work for you. Whether you prefer a handwritten list or a fully integrated app, the key is to focus on what matters and avoid distractions like “shiny object syndrome.”

4. Group Activities Together

If you created a trip list (see above), you absolutely want to ask yourself, what other errands can I cross off my list on the route?

For example, if you need to go to the library and your bank is across the road, why not do your banking while you are there?

Cluster your appointments to minimize driving and save time.

If you work at home or online, can you do video and conference calls instead of in-person meetings?

With a little creative thinking, brainstorm how many ways you can save driving time!

5. Shop Online & Use Services Available To You

Shopping online and getting it delivered to your door saves time and money.

I asked my online group what programs working moms found the most helpful.

Here are some of their top recommended services and subscriptions:

• Grocery Pick Up (check your local stores)
• Amazon Fresh
• Amazon Prime
• Instacart
• Shipt
• Costco (They ship!)
• Walmart Grocery Pick up
• Amazon Subscribe And Save
• VitaCost
• FreshDirect

While not all of these programs may be available in your area, the ones that ARE will save you valuable time and money Plus, some on the list above let you use loyalty programs such as Rakutan!

Shop online. It’s fast and easy, and you can do it wherever. Most places, like Amazon, will deliver right to your door.

Don’t forget to use loyalty cards and programs to get cash back!

30% of people feel they overspend during the holidays. When you think you see a good holiday season deal, check your list first and make sure you need to buy it.

You do not want to have to return something at the post office or UPS (the lines are normally outrageous during the holiday season).

6. Distractions During The Holiday Season

Oh goodness, I’ll be the first to confess I had to really work on this problem of staying focused during the holiday season. Sometimes I am my own worst enemy.

From conversations, people walking by your desk, phones ringing, to “mom mom mom,”… all of these things can wreak havoc on our productivity.

Learning to cut out distractions and focus on the task at hand is key. Avoiding distractions may be one of the most important holiday time management tips!

mooas Multi Cube Timer/Rotating Timer, Simple Operation, Clock & Timer (Neon Coral)Focus To-Do: Pomodoro Timer & Tasks

 

From making dinner to checking school work to creating content.

When I don’t focus… it takes forever to get things done. The holiday season just makes it 100 times more difficult. So here are some holiday time management tips that should help keep you on task and not distracted!

• Set Clear Boundaries with Your Family– Let your family know when you’re working and set specific “do not disturb” times. Use visual cues like a closed door or a sign on your workspace to signal that you’re busy. Communicate your schedule ahead of time so they understand when you’re available and when you need focused time.
• Create a Dedicated Work Space-Designate a specific area in your home for work, even if it’s a small corner. This helps your brain associate that space with productivity and minimizes interruptions from the rest of the household. Keep this area clutter-free and stocked with everything you need to stay focused.
• Use Time Blocks and Breaks -Work in focused time blocks, such as 25- or 50-minute intervals, followed by short breaks (the Pomodoro Technique). During your work block, eliminate distractions by silencing notifications, closing unnecessary tabs, and using noise-canceling headphones if needed. Breaks give you a chance to recharge and handle quick distractions without derailing your entire workflow.

7. Prioritize & Pick Your Events Carefully

During holidays and breaks, more invites go out. As a result, there is always one day or two that is booked solid.

You want to do all the things, see all the people, visit all the tourist attractions …. and that can be exhausting!

The truth is, you can’t go to everything and still work and homeschool.

Instead of freaking out, check your calendar and choose your top tasks. Look and see what can be shifted to another time slot or day and what can’t. Next, plan accordingly.

The key is to be intentional about your career, homeschool, social, and personal invites.

By taking a few minutes to prioritize what is important to you, your day will run smoother and allow you to be more present at the events you are at.

8. Learn To Say No

And if you picked your top priorities, chances are you will have to say no to “other things.”

One tip to saying no is when you have a choice, select the event you really want to attend. The one that sounds fun, or the ones your kids have been dying to do. Then decline the rest.

Practice saying no comfortably. “Sorry, I checked my calendar, and I can’t.”

It’s okay not to make every single event if it means you will be happier and healthier. A happy mom is a better mom.

9. Delegate & Communicate Clearly

Did you know you DON’T have to do everything yourself?

When working on your to-do list and setting priorities, ask yourself, what tasks can others do for you? What can they take off your plate?

Can they plan meals, shop for groceries and other items, and clean and tidy up the house? Get your family involved!

Warning: Be clear in your expectations.

My husband always complains that I think he is a mind reader when in reality, it is just something I do as part of my routine.

If I fill the wood bin, I sweep up the mess. If I empty the dishwasher, I reload it.

However, my family needs a detailed list of exactly what I expect of them. One way I make sure we are on the same page is by writing out our house cleaning tasks.

10. Create A Meal Plan

One of my all-time favorite ways to reduce stress in my life is meal planning.

This is especially true during the busy season. The last thing you want to hear is, “Mom, what’s for dinner?”

Why do they always want to eat? One of the best things I ever did was teach my kids to cook.

Life is just EASIER when I do have things planned out or prepared – I can breeze through my day without having to worry about it.

Another great option is using time-saving meal prep services like Blue Apron, EveryPlate, or HelloFresh, which deliver pre-portioned ingredients right to your door. These services save you the time and stress of grocery shopping while still allowing you to prepare fresh, home-cooked meals.

For an even simpler solution, batch cooking is a game-changer. Dedicate a few hours to prepare large portions of meals like soups, casseroles, or pasta dishes, and freeze them in freezer containers for quick and easy dinners during the busiest holiday weeks.

With a little planning and some help from meal prep services or batch cooking, dinner time doesn’t have to add to your holiday stress!

11. Follow Your Schedule

The tips above are about setting up a schedule. Once you have a plan in place, you really want to stick to it.

Remember that you are one person, and you have limits.

Again, don’t take on every single task. Don’t stuff your schedule so full you can’t breathe… make sure you have breathing room.

Lastly, take time at the end of the day to quickly review your day. What worked that day, and what didn’t?

Keep doing what is working and try to problem-solve what didn’t.

12. Schedule In Self-Care

As a working mom, you need downtime and recharge The best way to do this is through self-care.

Remember, self-care looks different for each person, but it should be something that recharges you.

Personally, I love a good book, a soft blanket, and a cup of coffee.

Playing games with my kids and walking with my husband are also ways for me to recharge.

Quickly create a list of activities you can do in just a few minutes that will allow you to recharge during the holiday season.

13. Mentally Prepare For The Holiday Season

Knowing what to expect during the holidays can help reduce stress.

Acknowledge that shopping places are going to be crowded and plan to make the most of your wait time.

Realize that there will be newly trained employees in the stores and restaurants. Many are hired only for the holiday season and are just learning their job.

And plan for traffic which means longer commutes. This is a great time to listen to a favorite podcast or blast your favorite tunes that your kids hate!

14. Homeschool Holiday Tips

Many working moms take a break from their regular homeschool schedule during the holiday season.

Remember that your kids are always learning, and many of the fun things you are doing can count towards “required hours” if you need to record them.

A few fun activities we enjoy are:

• baking cookies and cooking
• board games and card games
• writing thank you letters
• making homemade gifts and crafts

Include fun activities that can double as “school.” Homeschooling through the holidays can look however you need it to.

Reduce Stress And Enjoy The Holiday Season

Remember your holidays and breaks are for you to enjoy spending time with your family. But if you are too busy running around and stressing out, well… that’s not much of a break, is it?

Make sure to be present with your family. Put away your phone and connect. Time is one thing you can never get back. 

With a little planning, you can reduce stress, kick back, and enjoy your holidays. And when things get really crazy, ask yourself: Will this matter a year from now? It’s a great way to remind yourself to focus on the important things! 

Time Management Help!

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