Can you believe we’ve already turned the calendar to November? This month feels like the bridge between preparation and celebration — where all that planning we’ve been doing starts coming together.

This year, I’m breaking down our November checklist week by week and sharing it in two-week increments. (If you missed the full checklist, you can find it in my August Post!)

November is all about tying up loose ends — finishing our crafting, wrapping up plans, and getting everything in place so when Thanksgiving rolls around, we can fully enjoy the season and start soaking in the magic we’ve been preparing for!

Plan Your Christmas Dinner

If you’ve been following along, you might remember our Christmas Eve Dinner tradition from my Our Holiday Traditions post. Every year, we love to mix it up with a new theme — and this year, inspired by our trip to Japan, we’re planning a Japanese washoku-style meal.

Washoku meals follow the “ichi ju san sai” principle — one soup, three side dishes — all served alongside a bowl of steamed rice. I can’t wait to share our menu and table setup with you soon!

If you’re hosting a Christmas event, now’s the perfect time to start brainstorming. Think about what makes your gathering special — a signature dish, a festive cocktail, or maybe even themed place settings. And don’t forget to check your ingredient list early! Specialty meats and seasonal items often need to be pre-ordered, and a little planning now saves a lot of stress later.

Indoor Decorating

No surprise here — I start decorating on November 1st! 🎄

I organize my decorations by room and use photos from last year as a guide. If you haven’t built a decorating system yet, don’t worry — I’ll be sharing my “pack-up” method in January to help make next year even smoother.

When decorating, I focus on one room at a time: I pack away everyday décor, do a quick clean, and then start adding the festive touches. It’s such a fun ritual, transforming each space into something magical. My goal is to have everything — especially the main tree and outdoor lights — finished by the weekend after Thanksgiving. That way, December can be all about celebrating, not scrambling.

And yes, fun fact: there’s a Christmas tree in every room of our house — some rooms even have two!

Inventory and New Decorations

As you decorate, take a moment to do a quick inventory. What needs replacing? What’s on your wish list?

I keep a running note of ideas as I go — it makes post-Thanksgiving shopping so much easier. I actually start my list in January when packing everything away, so when stores start rolling out Christmas décor, I know exactly what to look for. (Pro tip: if you see something you love at a store — grab it early as things never lasts until Thanksgiving!)

Review and Test Recipes

Cookie season is officially here — and we’ve already started baking a few make-ahead favorites! Each year we choose five or six varieties, with one or two new additions just to keep things fresh.

Here’s what’s on our baking list this year:

• Gingerbread Cookies – My go-to recipe from Our Best Bites. Find it here.
• Cutout Sugar Cookies – Also from Our Best Bites, using their perfect glace icing that sets beautifully but still tastes amazing. Recipe here.
• Gingerbread Latte Cookies – A new addition this year! Fresh ginger gives them a cozy little “kick.” Recipe here.
• Cake-Like Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies – A seasonal favorite that’s soft, fluffy, and full of fall flavor. Recipe here.
• Christmas Kiss Cookies – A sprinkle-filled twist on the classic peanut butter version. Recipe here.
• Cranberry Orange Shortbread Cookies – Another new one this year, bursting with bright, citrusy flavor. Recipe here.

And of course, cookies aren’t the only thing on the baking list. Don’t forget to plan ahead for Thanksgiving desserts, Christmas dinner sides, or any party treats you’ll be making. A little prep now will make December so much smoother (and much more fun!).

November is when the holidays start to feel real — the scents, the sparkle, the anticipation. So let’s enjoy every bit of it.

Light the candles, turn on the Christmas music, and let’s dive into this festive season together!