Preparing for the Holiday Season

To get you organized for the holiday season which is fast approaching us, I have listed some tips and suggestions on how to do this during this time of year. Being organized will help you to enjoy the holidays much more and with a lot less stress!

1. Make a list of all the things you want to accomplish by the holidays. People who do not plan some sort of schedule of the things that they want to do end up trying to get too many things done in one day, and then that leads them to getting exhausted and sick.  As you do something, cross it off your list.
2. Make a list of the people that you are buying gifts for and what your budget is for each person. Be realistic with your budget and figure in the taxes too. Also, write down gift ideas that you have for each person and the store(s) that those items would be in.
3. Starting saving money now for your gifts. Don’t depend on your credit cards if you can help it. You will only have to deal with this after the holidays and that in it self can add stress to your life and take away from the real meaning of the holidays.
4. Go to each store just once, if possible.  If you have a list of what you need from each store, it will make it much easier and save you time and money, as you will not be driving back and forth to the same stores.
5. The sales will begin in November, so shop early. Don’t wait until the last minute to shop - this only adds to your stress.
6. If you can go shopping during the day while the kids are in school, then do that. If your children are not in school and your budget allows for it, hire a babysitter so you don’t have to bring the kids with you.  It is much easier and less stressful for all of you. If you have a family member, friend or neighbour that needs to shop as well then you could take turns babysitting for each other.
7. Plan a girls' shopping day one day this month without children. You can go with sisters, in laws, mothers, cousins or your friends.   Make sure that you pick a big mall that has lots of different types of stores that would suit most people’s needs.  Bring a portable shopping cart with you so that you don’t have to carry all the bags.  Bring a small purse so it will not weigh you down. Go for a nice lunch together half way through your day so you can relax for a few minutes and recharge yourself while enjoying each other’s company!  Make it a yearly tradition!
8. It’s time to wrap all the stuff that you purchased. Put on your favorite holiday music, grab yourself a beverage and start wrapping. The best time to wrap is while the children are at school, taking a nap or in bed for the evening. Try to wrap the gifts after each shopping trip or at least once a week. If you leave all the wrapping until the day before the holiday it will be very overwhelming and will take too much of your time.
9. Call stores before you drive to them to see if they have a particular item in stock. You will save time, money and frustration by doing this.
10. If you plan on baking for the holidays, start it early this year. This can be a time consuming task and you can freeze most recipes for cookies and other baked goods.
11. Supplies and Ingredients: Make sure that you have all the ingredients on hand for baking, such as chocolate chips, unsalted and salted butter, flour, sugar, etc. Also, make sure that you have the supplies you need for wrapping gifts, including tape, scissors, wrapping paper, holiday bags, nametags, ribbons, bows, boxes and tissue paper.
12. Make sure that you keep up with taking care of yourself.  Don’t forget to take your vitamins, exercise every day and eat healthy foods. It’s so easy to go off track when you get busy.
13. Make sure that you have cough and cold medicine for adults and children in the cupboards in case anyone gets sick.
14. Ask children and their parents what they need or want. This way a child will not end up getting more stuff that he or she doesn’t want or can’t use.  Unwanted stuff equals clutter in the home.
15. Buy gift cards/certificates early because the stores may run out of them closer to the holidays. Also, buy a few extra ones in case you forget about someone or you receive an unexpected gift.
16. Gift cards/certificates are great gifts for teachers, hairdressers, babysitters, preteens, teenagers as well as seniors.  Most teens have unique tastes and it’s hard to know exactly what they really want and would appreciate.  Senior citizens usually have just about everything that you could think of. Some gift card ideas for anyone: restaurants, coffee shops, book stores, department stores, clothing stores, video/DVD stores, music stores, pet stores, massage therapist, professional organizers, nutritionist, spa treatments, maid services, baby stores, a day of golf, furniture stores, grocery stores - the list goes on and on.

List of things to do before your holiday gets underway

Six weeks before the holidays:

• Shop for people living out of the country.
• Buy your holiday cards.
• Start writing out holiday cards, especially if you are sending them outside of the country.

Five weeks before the holidays:

• Start shopping for everyone on your list.
• Mail out cards and gifts for people who live outside of the country.

Four weeks before the holidays:

• Start wrapping your gifts.
• Make a list of everything you need to rent and then place your order, e.g. chairs, linens, tables.
• Decorate your house for the holiday. It always gets you in the holiday spirit when the house is nicely decorated.

Three weeks before the holidays:

• Start baking and freezing your cookies and treats.

Two weeks before the holidays:

• Prepare for your guests to arrive:

a) Clean the room and make the bed.

b) Check to make sure that you have supplies on hand for them. (Towels, wash cloths, toiletries, sheets, blankets, pillows)

c) If possible, put a lamp and T.V. in their room so that they can have some privacy and down time of their own.

d) Leave out some magazines and wrapped candy in a dish by the bed.

e) Make sure that the room has a garbage can, dirty clothes hamper and mirror.

f) Leave some space and hangers in the closet.

g) In the dresser leave at least 2 drawers empty for them to use during their stay.

Seven days before the holiday:

• Do the big cleaning jobs that need to be done before visitors arrive, for example; remove cobwebs throughout the house; spot clean the carpets and furniture or have them professionally cleaned
• Make sure you have enough plates, silverware, serving spoons, serving dishes, wine glasses, glasses etc. for dinner
• Decorate the tree

Five days before the holiday:

• Clean out the refrigerator(s).
• Pick up any alcoholic beverages that will be needed for the holidays.
• Stock the refrigerator with beverages for your guests.
• Buy or make ice.

Four days before the holiday:

• Go shopping for the main course of your holiday dinner.
• Take out turkey, roast, ham or whatever you’re serving from the freezer and thaw in the refrigerator.
• Make ice.

Two days before the holiday:

• If your dishes have been stored since the last holiday meal, give them a quick wash.
• Clean the house.
• Last minute wrapping.
• Go food shopping  (buy extra garbage bags).
• Buy fresh flowers for the house.
• Take cookies out of the freezer for your family and guests.
• Make ice.

1 day before the holiday:

• Put fresh flowers in the guest room and living room.
• Start preparing and cooking some of the food that you need for tomorrow's dinner (i.e. appetizers, vegetables).
• Set up the table and chairs.
• Put the table cloths on .
• Put holiday music on to get you in the mood.
• Make ice.

The day of the holiday:

• Make the stuffing and stuff the turkey.
• Cut up the veggies that haven’t already been prepared or cooked.
• Put main course in the oven .
• Turn the lights on the tree.
• Put holiday music on.
• Enjoy your holiday!

HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY HOLIDAY AND ENJOY THE NEW YEAR!

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