Plan Ahead for Christmas with MyShiftPlanner

It might only just be the start of autumn, but if you’re a shift worker, you know how quickly the festive season creeps up. One moment it’s back-to-school, the next it’s Christmas lights, long shifts and a diary that feels impossible to manage.

That’s why now, before the Christmas rush begins, it’s the perfect time to get ahead and start organising your schedule.

Why Christmas is a Challenge for Shift Workers

For most people, December is about parties, presents and family gatherings. But for shift workers, it’s often one of the busiest and most stressful times of the year.

  • Healthcare teams face increased demand as winter pressures build.
  • Retail staff juggle extra hours as shoppers flood in.
  • Hospitality workers handle back-to-back festive events.
  • Transport and logistics teams keep everything moving behind the scenes.

And while the work ramps up, your personal life doesn’t stop! School plays, family visits and the big Christmas shop all need to be squeezed in too.

Without a clear plan, Christmas can quickly become overwhelming.

How MyShiftPlanner Helps You Stay Ahead

The good news is, a little preparation now can save you a lot of stress later. MyShiftPlanner gives you the tools to keep everything in one place, so you don’t have to rely on scraps of paper or memory alone.

Here’s how to get started:

1. Add Your Shifts Early

As soon as your rota is confirmed, put it into the app. You’ll instantly see where you’re working, and where the gaps are for personal time.

2. Book Holidays and Rest Days in Advance

Christmas leave often fills up fast. Even if you only get a couple of days, adding them now helps you see how they fit alongside your work.

3. Sync to Personal Calendars (Pro-Pack)

Whether it’s family meals to school nativity, you need to see your shifts alongside home, family and childcare calendars. Using the sync option in Pro, you’ll know exactly which commitments overlap with your shifts in one view.

Tips for a Stress-Free December

Planning shifts isn’t the only way to protect yourself during the festive season. Here are a few extra tips to make the most of the holidays:

  • Plan your shopping early: Spread it out through October and November so you’re not rushing between shifts.
  • Batch your meal prep: Keep simple, nutritious meals ready so long shifts don’t mean relying on fast food.
  • Protect your downtime: Mark rest days in your planner and treat them as non-negotiable.
  • Communicate with family: Share your rota so they know when you’re working and when you’re free.

🎁 Bonus Tip: Get Help with Your Christmas Shopping

If planning shifts wasn’t enough, there’s also the challenge of sorting gifts. That’s where our sister app, MyChristmasBuddy, comes in.

With MyChristmasBuddy, you can:

🎁 Create and share wish lists with family and friends.

💸 Set and track your Christmas budget.

📝 Keep tabs on what you’ve bought and what’s left.

Just like MyShiftPlanner keeps your work-life organised, MyChristmasBuddy helps take the stress out of gift planning, so you can spend more time enjoying the season.

👉 Download MyChristmasBuddy and start your Christmas prep alongside your shift planning.

Give Future You a Break

December doesn’t have to be a blur of missed events and last-minute panic. By using MyShiftPlanner now to mark your shifts, log time off, and plan ahead, and by letting MyChristmasBuddy handle your gift lists, you’ll be giving yourself the gift of a calmer, more enjoyable holiday season.

So grab a coffee, open the apps, and start planning today. Future you (and your loved ones) will thank you. 🙌