Stock Up Ideas for the Month of December: A Homeschool Mom’s Guide to a Smoother Holiday Season

December is a beautiful, busy, memory-making month — but it’s also the month when homeschool moms carry triple the normal mental load. You’re balancing lessons, holiday activities, family traditions, co-op events, winter weather prep, travel, baking, and figuring out how to keep everyone fed while maintaining even a hint of routine.

That’s why December is the perfect month to stock up, restock, and prepare your home and homeschool for the whirlwind ahead.

When your home is well stocked, December suddenly becomes calmer, smoother, and a whole lot more enjoyable. Instead of scrambling for tape at 10 p.m. or realizing you’re out of cocoa right when the kids want a winter treat, you get to breathe — and actually enjoy the season.

This guide will walk you through everything homeschool moms should stock up on in December, plus a special bonus section on the commonly forgotten items that sneak up on every homeschool mom this time of year.

Let’s make December easier, lighter, and more peaceful — one smart stock-up at a time.

1. Stock Up on Homeschool Basics Before the Semester Ends

Even though December is traditionally a lighter homeschool month, it’s also when supplies suddenly disappear — especially if your kids are in craft mode, holiday-unit-study mode, or “use all the tape” mode.

Supplies to Restock in December:

• Printer paper (everyone runs out during December crafts & printables)
• Printer ink (this is always used up by mid-December)
• Pencils (holiday crafts + math means they vanish)
• Glue sticks & liquid glue
• Construction paper
• Index cards for memory work or flash card games
• Markers, crayons, and colored pencils (often low by December)
• Dry-erase markers
• Tape — all kinds (washi, Scotch, packing tape)
• Notebooks or composition books (for the January fresh start)
• White cardstock for hands-on winter activities
• Folders or binders to tuck away finished work before the new year

These items help you avoid the January rush and ensure you can finish out the semester feeling organized rather than scattered.

2. Stock Up on Holiday + Winter Learning Supplies

December is the perfect time to switch to more cozy, seasonal hands-on learning.

Stock up on:

Winter-themed learning materials:

• Christmas or winter-themed unit studies
• Winter poetry books
• Seasonal read-alouds
• Picture books about snow, holidays, cultures, and winter nature
• Hot chocolate and tea supplies for winter morning reading
• Nativity or holiday craft kits
• Gingerbread man storytelling materials
• Playdough or kinetic sand (winter colors are great)

Indoor learning activities:

When it’s too cold to go outside or when you need a quiet moment:

• Puzzles
• Logic games
• STEM kits
• Coding cards
• Board games
• Audiobooks
• Dot-to-dot or crossword books
• Paint-by-sticker books
• Sticker scenes
• Hands-on craft kits

These items keep kids engaged, learning, and busy — especially helpful during December when routines loosen.

3. Stock Up on Winter Arts & Crafts

December is peak crafting season. Even if you’re not a “craft mom,” kids tend to be more creative in winter.

Craft supplies worth restocking:

• Glitter glue
• Craft paper
• Popsicle sticks
• Pom-poms
• Pipe cleaners
• Scissors
• Felt sheets
• Ribbon
• Holiday stickers
• Watercolor sets
• Paint brushes
• Finger paints for younger kids
• Supply bins to keep everything contained

Don’t forget: Stain remover.

December is the month when shirts mysteriously get covered in paint, hot cocoa, and glue.

4. Stock Up on Holiday Baking Essentials

December is when most homeschool moms do holiday or winter baking — cookies, muffins, treats for co-ops, and goodies for family gatherings.

Stock up on:

• Flour
• Sugar (white, brown, powdered)
• Butter (freeze extra!)
• Vanilla extract
• Cocoa powder
• Baking soda + baking powder
• Chocolate chips
• Holiday sprinkles
• Food coloring
• Parchment paper
• Cookie scoops
• Mixing bowls
• Take-and-bake pans
• Cooling racks
• Ziploc bags + containers for storing cookies

You’ll also want:

-Disposable baking pans

Perfect for co-op parties, gifting, or freezing meals.

-Extra dish soap & dishwasher tabs

Holiday baking = more dishes than usual.

5. The Things Homeschool Moms Always Forget in December (But Definitely Need!)

This is your sanity-saving section — the items that ALWAYS catch moms off guard.

These are the little things you never notice you’re out of until it’s too late, and suddenly you’re making an unexpected trip to the store in the middle of holiday craziness.

THE OFFICIALLY FORGOTTEN DECEMBER ITEMS LIST

1. Tape — and lots of it

For wrapping gifts, crafts, co-op projects, homemade decorations…

December is the month tape disappears.

2. Batteries

Especially:

• AA
• AAA
• 9V (for smoke detectors)
• Button batteries (for small holiday decor)

Kids’ toys, Christmas lights, and decorations all require more batteries than you think.

3. Gift bags + tissue paper

These vanish quickly once co-op parties and holiday events start.

4. Holiday cards & stamps

A very common “Oops, we forgot!” moment.

5. Cocoa mix and mini marshmallows

Somehow they run out right when kids want a cozy treat.

6. Sticky notes + labels

For organizing gifts, packages, homeschool lessons, and holiday bins.

7. Scissors — child & adult

Every household mysteriously misplaces scissors in December.

8. Winter gloves & socks

Kids always grow out of or lose these right when the temperature drops.

9. Hand lotion

Cold weather + extra handwashing = extremely dry hands.

10. Command hooks & wall-safe tape

For hanging decorations or organizing winter gear.

11. Cookie cutters

One or two always go missing from last year.

12. Extra tote bags

For hauling co-op supplies, gifts, or winter outings.

13. Paper plates, napkins, and cups

Perfect for:

• Easy dinners
• Co-op parties
• Last-minute gatherings
• Reducing cleanup

14. Candles or matches

For advent, holiday ambiance, or power outages.

15. Phone storage space

Not a physical item — but something every mom forgets to clear before taking December photos!

16. Laundry supplies

Winter + baking + events = more laundry than usual.

17. Gift cards (your emergency stash!)

For:

• Teachers
• Co-op leaders
• Babysitters
• Last-minute gifts for unexpected events

These small forgotten items can make or break your December — having them on hand makes you feel organized and prepared instead of frazzled.

6. Stock Up on Quick & Easy Meals

December is NOT the month for complicated meal plans.

Stock up on quick options like:

• Rotisserie chicken (easy dinners + leftovers)
• Pasta + jarred sauce
• Frozen meatballs
• Sheet-pan dinner ingredients
• Microwaveable rice
• Canned soups
• Tacos ingredients
• Stir-fry kits
• Slow-cooker or Instant Pot freezer meals
• Premade salad kits

Don’t forget:

• Snacks for co-ops
• After-school treats
• Holiday movie night snacks

December is a great month to stock up on disposable cutlery and plates to lighten your load.

7. Stock Up on Home Essentials

You’d be surprised how often moms run out of basic essentials in December simply because the month is so chaotic.

Home items to stock up on:

• Toilet paper
• Paper towels
• Laundry detergent
• Trash bags
• Dish soap
• Dishwasher tabs
• Antibacterial wipes
• Tissues
• Cleaning cloths
• Winter candles
• Salt for icy steps

Restocking these items early prevents last-minute store runs in freezing weather.

8. Stock Up on Winter Clothing + Accessories

Cold weather hits fast, and kids always grow out of winter gear between last year and this year.

Check winter-stock levels

• Socks
• Pajamas
• Base layers
• Gloves
• Mittens
• Hats
• Boots
• Snow pants
• Warm coats
• Slippers
• Blankets for the car
• Warm robes

Bonus tip: Buy extras on sale for January and February — those months are even colder!

9. Stock Up on Mom Self-Care Items

Homeschool moms need extra care during the busiest month of the year.

Consider stocking up on:

• Vitamin C or immunity boosters
• Your favorite hot drink
• Cozy loungewear
• Candles
• A new book
• Skincare basics
• Lip balm
• A planner or journal for the new year
• Essential oils
• Bath items for relaxing evenings

Your energy and wellbeing matter. When you take care of yourself, you show up more peacefully for your family.

10. Stock Up on Car Essentials for Winter

Cold weather + more driving = more car prep needed.

Stock up on:

• Ice scraper
• Snow brush
• Car blankets
• Car snacks
• Car wipes
• Hand warmers
• Backup charger
• Flashlight
• Jumper cables
• Small first-aid kit
• Travel tissues
• Travel-size hand lotion

These save you during long drives, field trips, or surprise weather changes.

11. Stock Up on January Prep Items

While you’re already shopping, get a head start on the upcoming semester:

• New planner or homeschool schedule
• Extra notebooks
• Pencil refills
• Curriculum supplements
• Fresh storage bins
• Workbox labels
• New binders
• Reward stickers or incentive charts
• Fresh printables for the new year

Transitioning back into homeschool mode in January will feel so much easier.

Final Thoughts: A More Peaceful December Starts with Smart Stocking Up

December doesn’t have to feel chaotic, scattered, or overwhelming.

With a thoughtful stock-up plan, you can actually:

• Reduce mental load
• Avoid last-minute store trips
• Make homeschool days smoother
• Keep kids entertained and learning
• Enjoy more cozy, peaceful family moments

And most importantly — you get to step into the holiday season feeling ready, instead of reactive.

Stocking up doesn’t have to be complicated. Just choose the areas of your home and homeschool that need the most support, and add a little extra margin to your month.

You’ve got this, homeschool mom — and The Lively Bean is cheering you on every step of the way.