You've just put your summer clothes away in the closet and suddenly it's the end of November and the year is drawing to a close. Although people always say "Advent is the most contemplative and beautiful time of the year," it's actually always the other way around. Because in the final stretch of the year, you suddenly find yourself faced with an incredible number of things that still need to be done, not to mention the melancholy that comes with another year already over. 

Since we actually feel the same way every year, we would like to give you a little help and create a small checklist for the coming period. 

Before you really get started, it's usually helpful to create to-do lists. Not only will this help you complete tasks more stress-free, but it'll also ensure you don't lose track of things. When creating lists, it's important to consider in advance which lists actually make sense and whether you can actually work with them. After that, all you have to do is create the lists, maintain them, and, of course, follow through with them point by point. 

To ensure you don't miss any important events, write down all your appointments. For example, when, where, and with whom you want to meet or celebrate. If you're feeling self-righteous, it's best to set aside a few days in advance so you can create amazing treats in your Christmas bakery. Once you have a rough plan in place, it's important to proceed wisely, otherwise you'll just end up back in chaos. 

First up is probably one of the nicest things to do during the Advent season: the Advent calendar. It's a lovely gesture that ensures your loved ones can look forward to little surprises every day. Instead of buying a calendar, you can take the time to create one yourself. Here are a few ideas for how you can fill the doors:

• Sweets (the evergreen in the Advent calendar and great if you still have to fill the remaining doors)

• Tea (Tip: Tea flowers are particularly beautiful)

• Bath bombs or bubble bath

• Spreads (homemade jam or spreads)

• cozy socks 

• Vouchers (e.g. visit to the Christmas market, cinema, massage, winter walk, breakfast, etc.)

• A self-written story 

• Candles or other decorative items

• Twicky Stickys (they simply can't be missed)

And then, of course, we have to tackle the ultimate challenge: the Christmas presents…

It's best to think in advance about who you actually want to give gifts to. Once you've got an overview, the stressful part begins: "What should I give them?" If your loved ones have already shared their wishes, jackpot! Otherwise, it's all about finding something to surprise the others with. Here, too, it's always nice to paint, craft, sew, or do some DIY work yourself. If you're not particularly talented at these things, that's no problem either. Now look for a gift that will create fond memories. 

But to really get into the Christmas spirit, there is still something missing - the decorations. 

As with every year, the first thing to do is check that everything has survived storage. Then you can let your creativity run wild and transform your home into a beautiful Christmas landscape. Finally, what should definitely not be missing here? The Christmas tree, of course! How about an artificial one this year? Not only is it cheaper over time, but it also means you don't have to cut down a small tree every year. 

There are still other small tasks that will be stressful, but if you tackle the above-mentioned points one by one, the Advent season will definitely be a lot less stressful.

Now we’ll get started on our preparations!