Simple Ways to Prepare for Advent
After Hallowtide, I like to prepare for Advent! A few years ago, I focused on preparing for Advent by choosing a devotional and getting my Christmas shopping finished by the first Sunday of Advent. This made my Advent so much more peaceful and Christ-centered!
First Week of November: November 1-7
 Here are a few tasks you may want to consider getting done this week:
Choose a prayer or devotion for Advent
Choose more than 1 if you wish, but do not overwhelm yourself! Here are some ideas:
- Attend Daily Mass
- Pray the Divine Office
- Pray the rosaryÂ
- Pray the St. Andrew Christmas Novena (starts November 30th)
- Read 1 chapter of the Gospel of Luke each day. Keep a journal to record your reflections.
- Read any book of the Bible everyday
- Purchase an Advent devotional or journal
- Receive the Sacrament of Confession at least once during Advent
Make your Christmas list
Finalize your Christmas list, and be on the look out for sales in the coming weeks. Order (or hand make!) your gifts. I also like to purchase any wrapping paper or supplies I will need for wrapping them.
Prepare your Advent Wreath
- Obtain or make and Advent wreath. Here is a post filled with DIY Advent wreath ideas.
- Make sure to get your Advent candles blessed.
- Purchase an Advent wreath prayer book or find free prayers online.
Prepare Advent Devotions to do with Kids
​Here is a whole list of Advent devotions and activities to do with kids! Many are free or low cost. Order any supplies you may need for these.
Second Week of November: November 8-14
Prepare for Advent Feast Days and order any supplies
Here are some major feasts during Advent. I wrote an overview of many of them here. Be sure to note the Holy Day of Obligation (The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception on December 8), and mark your calendar for any other feasts you want to observe!
- First Sunday of Advent – November 30
- St. Andrew – November 30
- ​St. Nicholas – December 6​
- Second Sunday of Advent – December 7
- Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception (Holy Day of Obligation) – December 8
- St. Juan Diego – December 9
- Our Lady of Guadalupe – December 12
- ​St. Lucy – December 13​
- Third Sunday of Advent (Gaudete Sunday)
- December 21 – Fourth Sunday of Advent
Order and Address Christmas Cards
If you are sending Christmas cards, be sure to order, print, or make them now! Address and stamp them, and make a note to send them out after the 4th Sunday of Advent.
Third Week of November: November 15-21
Put away fall décor
Since Thanksgiving is this week, you may want to keep some fall decorations out. If you have pumpkins, try composting them.
Slowly Start Decorating for Advent
Think of what you will need for the first Sunday:
- Advent wreath
- Nativity (or, part of the Nativity – we leave out Baby Jesus and the Wise Men)
- Add a purple table cloth or runner
- Simplify décor in the home and declutter/tidy
A Helpful Video on Observing Advent and Christmas
I recently saw this video which gave such a great perspective on observing Advent and Christmas.
Advent 2026 Catholic Mom Bundle
The Advent 2026 Catholic Mom Bundle is almost here! I contributed an Advent Saint Family Virtue Challenge. The bundle includes 30+ Advent resources for $25. Sign up below to be notified when the bundle becomes available.