New Year prep
A New Year prep checklist: gifts, menu, the tree and all the small things that get lost in December chaos.

[ ] Decide where and with whom you're celebrating
    Settle this by mid-December — travel, flights and restaurant bookings all get pricier the closer you get to the date.
[ ] Make a gift list
    Who, what, and what budget — a simple table saves time and stops anyone from slipping through the cracks in the rush.
[ ] Start buying gifts in early December
    Closer to the holidays, popular items and sizes sell out and delivery times stretch under the demand surge.
[ ] Finish online gift orders by ~Dec 20
    After that date delivery windows get unpredictable as couriers get swamped with holiday volume.
[ ] Wrap gifts and label the tags
    Do it early, in small batches — there's no way to wrap twenty gifts on the last evening before the holiday.
[ ] Check your first aid kit before the holidays
    Many pharmacies run reduced hours or close over the holiday period — restock fever reducers, cold remedies and any regular medication ahead of time.
[ ] Stock up on household basics
    Batteries, pet food, toiletries — nearby shops may be closed or run limited hours over the holiday stretch.
[ ] Do a deep clean of the apartment
    Finish it before putting up the tree and decorations — cleaning around ornaments and lights afterward is far more of a hassle.
[ ] Test string lights before decorating the tree
    Classic problem: a dead bulb or faulty controller shows up only after the tree is already trimmed. Test everything on the table first.
[ ] Set up the tree and decorate
    Buy a live tree about a week ahead — any earlier and needles start dropping, though firs hold up longer than spruce.
[ ] Prepare an advent calendar for the kids
    If you're doing one, have it ready by December 1st — the countdown starts on day one.
[ ] Plan the table setting
    Tablecloth, dishware, enough chairs for your final guest count — check you have enough of everything before Dec 30.
[ ] Write out the menu
    List every dish and the ingredients it needs — shopping from a list beats trying to remember everything in a packed store.
[ ] Do your grocery shopping in two rounds
    Non-perishables early-to-mid December. Dec 30–31 stores are chaos — long lines and empty shelves — save that trip for fresh items only.
[ ] Plan Dec 31st cooking hour by hour
    Prep some dishes — salads, bases, baking — on the 30th, so the 31st doesn't turn into a full-day kitchen marathon.
[ ] Stock up on drinks and ice
    Ice for drinks often sells out in stores specifically on the 31st — buy ahead or freeze your own in trays.
[ ] Sort out outfits ahead of time
    Check everything still fits and nothing needs ironing or a quick repair at the last minute.
[ ] Hide kids' gifts somewhere secure
    Kids search — and find things with alarming regularity. Pick a spot unrelated to their usual hiding-and-seeking spots.
[ ] Sort out costumes for school parties
    Popular character costumes in common sizes sell out by early December — don't leave this to the last week.
[ ] Check the rules on fireworks and sparklers
    Only set them off where it's actually allowed — many areas restrict fireworks near buildings or dry land, and fines for violations can be steep.
[ ] Set up a quiet room for pets
    Away from windows and firework noise — many pets panic at fireworks even more than at thunderstorms.
[ ] Put together a playlist and board games
    The stretch between dinner and midnight drags on — games ready in advance save the evening from an awkward lull.
[ ] Make a list of who to greet
    In the Dec 31st rush it's easy to forget someone — a list made in advance solves that.
[ ] Prep breakfast for January 1st
    Nobody will be in shape to cook on New Year's morning — a simple breakfast prepped the night before is a gift to your future self.

Checklist from Unload: https://unloads.me/c/new-year-prep