Help planning a Dec trip to WDW and managing Christmas expenses/chaos

[LuckyBelle81]

To my surprise we are planning a trip for Dec 12-17. We were looking at possibly going over Spring Break in March '17 but were able to score a really good deal w FD so we're getting to go sooner than expected. Of course, I am thrilled that we are going and I've planned out getting the trip paid for and it will be completely manageable. We went the week before Thanksgiving week last year so it was still a holiday trip but it occured before all of the Christmas craziness really set in. With this trip being so much closer to the actual Christmas holiday I am a little overwhelmed at the idea of presents and parties and all the other things that happen around the holidays. The trip will be part of our kids' Christmas presents but we will still have other family to buy for and all the stresses of holiday events. I'm going to try to map it all out so that it all gets done but I was wondering if anyone had suggestions - possibly even ideas from folks that have traveled at this time before. Thanks y'all!

 

[Marionnette]

To my surprise we are planning a trip for Dec 12-17. We were looking at possibly going over Spring Break in March '17 but were able to score a really good deal w FD so we're getting to go sooner than expected. Of course, I am thrilled that we are going and I've planned out getting the trip paid for and it will be completely manageable. We went the week before Thanksgiving week last year so it was still a holiday trip but it occured before all of the Christmas craziness really set in. With this trip being so much closer to the actual Christmas holiday I am a little overwhelmed at the idea of presents and parties and all the other things that happen around the holidays. The trip will be part of our kids' Christmas presents but we will still have other family to buy for and all the stresses of holiday events. I'm going to try to map it all out so that it all gets done but I was wondering if anyone had suggestions - possibly even ideas from folks that have traveled at this time before. Thanks y'all!

Early December has always been one of our favorite times to visit Disney and we are going again this year.

I try to do all of my shopping before Thanksgiving if we are going to be on vacation in December. It helps a lot to reduce my level of stress. Sometimes, this means spending more money on an item that I could have gotten for less in the days leading up to Christmas but the cost on my nerves would be the trade off.

I also wrap and tag everything right after buying.

Order online as much as possible. i can get more done in an hour of clicking than I can get done in 4 hours at the mall.

For gifts that may need to be shipped, I buy online, pay for gift wrapping and have the items sent directly to the recipient.

I begin collecting stocking stuffers in the summer and set them aside in separate boxes for each of the kids. By October, I have a nice collection of things for them and I only have to pick up some candy to top things off.

Cookie baking gets done in two stages...Dough gets made and frozen in early November then I roll, cut, bake and decorate in the week before Christmas.

Holiday meals get made and frozen before Thanksgiving. My SIL does Christmas dinner, I bring a lasagna that was put together a month prior and a good bottle of wine.

 

[tobikaye]

I have done traveling in the early parts of December and agree that having the majority of your items bought and wrapped before your trip the easier it is. I have been known to start buying gifts as early as July, especially if I have a trip in December.

I have picked up clothes for some people in late summer with back to school sales. I also have gotten some good deals on on "End of Summer" items such as sporting goods and camping gear that are still great gifts for Christmas.

 

[Narnia_girl]

You've gotten some great advice already, and I would add that it's a good idea to scale back your holiday plans. Tell yourself that you don't have to go to every party, or haul out all your decorations, or do that time-consuming tradition, etc... Give yourself permission to have a simplified Christmas this year.

In 2013 we left for WDW on Dec. 27 and we will do the same this year; that essentially gives me one day (Dec. 26) to get fully ready. So I'm implementing a lot of the ideas above. It's a lot to manage the holidays and a big trip but it's definitely doable and can be fun.
If you have family that asks "what do you want for your birthday?" or "what would you like for mother's day?" tell them "a Disney gift card."

I hope you have a wonderful trip!

 

[verleniahall]

I like the PP idea of a simplified christmas - we will be going for the first two weeks of December next year and although we love our tree being up, i don't want it to be up for just the kitty