✨ Your Ultimate Guide to Prepping for the Holidays ✨
Cozy Tips, Pretty Ideas & Stress-Free Ways to Sparkle All Season Long
There’s something magical about the moment the holidays start to peek around the corner. The twinkle lights, the festive music, the cozy evenings at home, the anticipation of family gatherings — it all brings that soft, heartwarming feeling we wait for all year long.
But let’s be honest… holiday season can also feel a little overwhelming if you aren’t ready for it. Between events, gifts, family photos, decorating, shopping, cooking, hosting, and keeping your calendar under control, it’s a lot.
The good news?
With just a little planning (and a whole lot of pretty things!), you can set yourself up for your most joyful, peaceful, sparkly season yet.
Here’s your Ultimate Guide to Prepping for the Holidays — full of tips that will help you stay ahead, stay cozy, and stay inspired, all while having FUN along the way.
Let’s dive in! 🎀
🎁 1. Start With a Holiday Game Plan
Before the season gets too busy, take a few minutes to map out the basics. It doesn’t need to be a full spreadsheet or a color-coded calendar—just a simple list to get your mind organized.
Include things like:
• Holiday parties
• School events
• Family gatherings
• Gift exchanges
• Travel plans
• Photo sessions
• Volunteer commitments
• Which days you’ll shop in-store vs. online
Having it on paper helps you get ahead instead of playing catch-up. Plus, seeing everything laid out makes it easier to carve out pockets of rest, joy, and family time.
✨ 2. Refresh Your Holiday Wardrobe Early
Holiday outfits are one of the biggest stress points for many women — especially when everything is last-minute. Our best advice? Don’t wait.
Start building your holiday outfit lineup now so you’re ready for:
• Thanksgiving gatherings
• Family photos
• Holiday concerts
• School programs
• Christmas services
• Office parties
• Girls’ nights
• New Year celebrations
Think cozy sweaters, festive dresses, neutral layers, pretty textures, and pieces that make you feel confident and comfortable.
Shopping early means:
• your size is still in stock
• you won’t have to scramble later
• you’re prepared for anything that pops up in your calendar
• you can enjoy the season uninterrupted
And at Lena Layne? We’ve got everything from exclusive dresses in XS–3X to soft knits to little girl matches. Holiday outfits = handled.
🎀 3. Choose One Signature Color Theme
To simplify holiday prep, commit to one or two colors that will guide your décor, outfits, wrapping supplies, and even your family photos.
Some favorites:
• Classic red + cream
• Evergreen + gold
• Dusty pink + burgundy
• Winter white + silver
• Black + cranberry
This keeps everything cohesive, saves money, and makes the whole season feel put-together and intentional.
Plus… matching your outfit to your décor? A total holiday power move.
💕 4. Get Family Photo-Ready
If you take family photos during the holidays, plan these early.
Choose outfits ahead of time so you’re not scrambling the night before (we’ve all been there). Select pieces with coordinating tones, not necessarily matching. Think texture, softness, layers, and pretty details.
Tips for gorgeous photos:
• Avoid loud patterns
• Choose flowy dresses or soft knits
• Add a hair bow or accessory for your mini
• Keep shoes neutral
• Dress dad in solid basics
• Pick a color palette that feels warm and timeless
We have so many exclusive dresses that photograph beautifully — soft florals, winter tones, elegant neutrals, deep reds, and textures that truly shine.
🎄 5. Declutter Before the Decor Comes Out
One of the fastest ways to make your home feel holiday-ready is to do a quick declutter before the decorations come out.
Try this super simple method:
Pick three baskets labeled:
-
Keep
-
Donate
-
Store
Go through your living room, entryway, and kitchen — the places holiday décor lives. Removing a few everyday items helps your festive décor feel warm and intentional, not cluttered or chaotic.
And just imagine… decorating without the chaos? Yes, please!
🎁 6. Start Your Gift Shopping Now
There is nothing more freeing than having your holiday shopping done early. It takes a huge mental load off and gives you space to slow down and enjoy all the cozy moments of the season.
Make a list of:
• Family
• Friends
• Teachers
• Neighbors
• Coworkers
• Gift exchanges
• Stocking stuffers
Then shop a little at a time.
Grab pieces that feel personal, thoughtful, and pretty — like sweaters, dresses, bows, accessories, or giftable bundles.
Shopping early means:
• You get better selection
• You avoid shipping stress
• You spread out expenses
• You’re not panic-buying
• You have time to wrap beautifully
Little tip: keep a “gift drawer” for last-minute surprises. You’ll thank yourself later.
✨ 7. Create a Holiday Budget (Fun + Practical)
A simple budget helps peace of mind more than anything else. Create a small plan for:
• Gifts
• Outfits
• Events
• Decor
• Baking/hosting supplies
Give yourself permission to spend joyfully — with intention and excitement — without regrets later.
🎀 8. Make Time for YOU
This one matters more than you think.
Holiday season is beautiful, but it’s busy. Make sure you add a few things to your calendar that are just for YOU:
• A cozy coffee date
• A winter walk
• A quiet night with a good book
• A bubble bath
• A girls’ night
• A boutique stop-in “just because”
A happy, rested you = a happier holiday season for everyone.
💗 9. Keep a “Holiday Essentials Basket”
Fill a small basket with holiday must-haves:
• Tape
• Scissors
• Gift tags
• Ribbon
• Extra wrapping paper
• Batteries
• Command hooks
• Lint roller
• Safety pins
• Fabric tape
• A sweet treat or two
This basket saves HOURS of frustration each season — and makes wrapping gifts way more fun.
🌟 10. Have Fun With It
At the end of the day, prepping for the holidays should feel fun.
Not stressful.
Not overwhelming.
Not rushed.
Give yourself permission to romanticize the season:
• Light the candles
• Play festive music
• Wear the cozy sweater
• Drink the hot cocoa
• Dress up for the smallest things
• Take photos of the little moments
The holidays are a beautiful blur of family, laughter, faith, joy, and coziness — and you deserve to savor every second.
✨ You’re Ready for the Prettiest Holiday Season Ever
You’ve got your plan.
You’ve got your outfit ideas.
You’ve got your gifts list.
You’ve got your family photo tips.
You’ve got your décor theme.
And you’ve got a boutique (hi, it’s us!) full of pretty pieces ready to make your season shine.
Whether you're preparing early, shopping ahead, or treating yourself to something sparkly, we are here to make your holidays easier, happier, and so much prettier.
Here’s to the coziest, sweetest, most joy-filled season yet.
And here’s to YOU — the heart of everything we do. 💗✨
