Mid-December always gets me.
I start the month feeling pretty organised… and then suddenly the pressure hits and I feel like I need to buy more to make Christmas feel “right.” More gifts, more little bits, more things I didn’t plan for at all.
And honestly? It’s usually nothing to do with the actual things — it’s the feeling of Christmas creeping closer. I start worrying I haven’t done enough, or bought enough, or made it magical enough.
Every single year, there’s this moment where my budget wobbles a bit. And I think a lot of us feel it — even if we’ve been really intentional all month.
So if you’re at that point too, you’re not alone.
Mid-December is a tricky one… but it doesn’t mean the whole month is ruined.
Why This Happens (And Why It's Completely Normal)
I’ll be totally honest — it’s less than 2 weeks until Christmas and I’ve bought… about three things.
And every part of me is panicking like, “Beth, come on, you should be way further ahead than this.”
But this is exactly what so many of us go through right now.
Mid-December hits and suddenly you’re aware of all the things you haven’t done yet. The people you still need to buy for. The food you haven’t planned. The last-minute events that pop up out of nowhere. And then there’s the pressure — the adverts, the shops, social media… all making it look like everyone else has their life together and you’re somehow behind.
But you’re not behind.
You’re normal.
Life doesn’t pause just because it’s Christmas.
Of course the planning slips.
Of course the budget wobbles.
Of course we start to feel overwhelmed.
And honestly? Most people are in the exact same boat — they just don’t talk about it. You’re simply feeling a very human reaction to a very busy, very emotional time of year.
How to Steady Yourself When the Panic Hits
When you suddenly realise how close Christmas is, your brain goes straight into overdrive.
“What if I don’t have enough?”
“What if I forget something?”
“What if the kids are disappointed?”
“What if it doesn’t feel magical enough?”
It’s a lot.
So let’s slow it right down.
Here are a few things that really help when that mid-December panic starts building:
1. Stop and take stock of what you have done
Our brains love to focus on what’s missing.
But take two minutes to remind yourself of the things you have sorted — even if it’s tiny things. A few gifts. Plans with loved ones. Decorations up.
You’re doing better than you think.
2. Make a super short “still to buy” list
Not a perfect list. Not a detailed plan.
Just the names of the people you still need something for.
Seeing it written down takes it from “EVERYTHING ISN’T DONE” to
“Okay… it’s actually just a few people.”
3. Set a simple spending limit — not a perfect one
Don’t try to fix the whole month in one go.
Just give yourself a comfortable number for the gifts you still need to buy.
A soft limit. Something doable.
You’ll feel calmer instantly.
4. Don’t buy things to “fill the gap”
When we panic, we start buying random bits just so it feels like we’ve done something.
But that’s the quickest way to blow the budget.
Stick to your list, even if it’s small.
5. Choose what actually matters to you
A cosy day with family.
A slower Christmas morning.
Memories, not mountains of stuff.
When you focus on the feeling you want, it becomes easier to ignore the noise around you.
6. And remember this: you don’t have to compensate with money
You don’t need to “make up” for anything with more gifts.
Your presence, your love, your effort — those are what matter most.
A Little Reminder Before You Go
If you’re panicking because Christmas is getting closer and you feel nowhere near ready — please hear me when I say this:
You haven’t failed.
You’re not behind.
You’re not doing Christmas “wrong.”
You’re just human.
And Christmas is a lot.
Most people are still picking things up last minute. Most people are buying a bit here and there. Most people are trying their best. They just don’t say it out loud.
You don’t need a perfect plan.
You don’t need a huge budget.
You don’t need to magically have everything sorted.
You just need to take it one small step at a time.
Write the list.
Stick to what actually matters.
Buy the things you can.
Let the rest be enough.
Christmas isn’t measured in how many presents you give or how organised you are — it’s in the moments. The hugs. The silly jokes. The food. The memories you’ll talk about next year.
You’re doing better than you think.
And there is more than enough time to make this Christmas yours. 💛