50 Days ’Til Christmas (Woo Hoo, Halfway There!) — Create Your Holiday Grocery List the Smart Way

This post is part of the #100DaysTilChristmasChallenge – one small step every day to make the holidays more joyful and less stressful.

Create Your Holiday Grocery List the Smart Way

Fifty days, friend. Fifty days ‘til Christmas!
That means we’re officially halfway through the 100 Days ’Til Christmas Challenge — and you’ve already built a solid foundation for a calmer, cozier season ahead.

At this point, Halloween is behind us, Thanksgiving is peeking around the corner, and grocery store aisles are starting to look suspiciously festive.
So today’s task is all about getting ahead before the chaos hits — by creating your Holiday Grocery List.

This isn’t about buying everything right now.
It’s about building a plan that lets you shop smarter, catch the sales, and spread the cost (and effort) over time.

🦃 Pull Out Your Menu Plan from Day 52

Remember the menu planning sesh we did on Day 52? That’s your starting point for today.

Grab that menu and take a look at what you’re planning for:

• Thanksgiving dinner
• Weekend family meals
• Any special holiday dishes or baking days you already know are coming

Now, start translating those plans into a working grocery list.
You don’t need to overthink it — just jot down the ingredients you know you’ll need for those meals. Think of this as your season-long master list.

🛒 Create Your Master Holiday Grocery List

The goal is to create one list that covers everything you’ll need from now through the holidays — so you can buy things gradually instead of all at once.

Set it up however your brain works best (a simple list, spreadsheet, or printable — (there is a grocery list sheet in the Thanksgivng Planner in the Holiday Hub).
Break it into easy categories:

🍪 Baking & Desserts
Flour, sugars, chocolate chips, extracts, nuts, pie crusts

🍗 Main Dishes & Sides
Turkey, ham, potatoes, broth, veggies, rolls, stuffing

🧂 Spices & Condiments
Cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, sage, thyme, salt, pepper

🧺 Non-Food Essentials
Foil, parchment, plastic wrap, storage containers, paper goods

💝 Gift Baking Supplies (Optional)
Cocoa, jars, ribbons, wrapping materials

Leave a little space beside each category for quick notes like:

• “Need Now”
• “Watch for Sales”
• “Buy Fresh Later”

That way, your list works for you — not the other way around.

If you would like to get your free 49-page Thanksgiving Planner, put your info in the form below and download it from the Holiday Hub

💰 Shop the Sales (Without the Overwhelm)

Here’s where the real magic happens.
Having your grocery list ready before the holiday sales start means you’ll know exactly what to grab when prices drop.

For example:

• Butter and flour on sale? Grab an extra box or two.
• Pie crusts, cranberries, or broth discounted? Check them off your list early.
• Canned pumpkin finally back in stock? Don’t wait.

You’ll save money, skip the last-minute stress, and spread your grocery budget out over several weeks instead of one big hit the week before Thanksgiving.

🧾 Keep It Handy

Once your list is started, keep it close.
Tuck it into your Holiday Planner, pin it on your refrigerator, or snap a quick photo so you can reference it when you’re out.

Keep it as a living list — one you can add to as you think of new recipes, gatherings, or baking projects.

Today’s five minutes of planning will save you hours (and headaches) later.

🌟 Check In Weekly

Each week between now and Thanksgiving, when the new grocery store sales come out, take five minutes to glance over your list:

• Check what you’ve already picked up.
• Add any new items.
• Compare it to your local store ads or digital grocery apps.

Little by little, you’ll check off every item on that list — and by the time December hits, your pantry will be ready and your future self will be so grateful.

✨ Halfway There, Half the Chaos

You’ve made it to the halfway mark, and this is one of those sneaky-smart steps that pays off big time later.

You’re not running to the store three times in one week, paying full price for pie crusts, or realizing the night before Thanksgiving that you forgot the evaporated milk.
You’re prepared, you’re intentional, and you’re ahead.

✅ Today’s To-Do:

• Pull out your Day 52 Menu Plan.
• Create your Holiday Grocery List.
• Add it to your planner or refrigerator.
• Start watching for sales this week!

💾 Download the free Thanksgiving Planner if you haven’t already by signing up in the form above
☕ And take a second to celebrate being halfway through — you’ve already done so much to set up a smoother, calmer season ahead.