Christmas Countdown


No one likes to feel stressed during the holidays – especially when it is the time of year to be relaxing and enjoying the season with friends and family. Doing a little bit every day (starting now), will help you get organized. It’s the best way to ensure you’ll have more holiday cheer, and less holiday stress. Take a look at our Christmas Countdown blog! Right now we’re about seven weeks away, and here is our checklist.
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7 WEEKS TO GO! – Monday November 10

• Make a list of all the celebrations, gatherings and traditions you want to schedule this year.

• Pencil important dates and locations into your calendar.

• Decide which events you will host and who is invited. Send out those invites!

 

6 WEEKS TO GO! – Monday November 17

• Make a master gift list.

• List everyone you’ll need to plan for, and what they might like.

• Ask for wish lists from people you’ll be shopping for.

• Make yourself a ballpark gift budget – either per person or in total.

• Start shopping – we know, it seems early! But picking things up here and there as you see them is a lot nicer than having to do a mad rush to the mall, days before, when everyone else is doing the same.

• Start looking online for purchasing options. These items will take longer to arrive, so the earlier the better.

• Wrap gifts as you buy them. Again, a little bit here and there helps you avoid the last-minute gift wrapping frenzy that we all know too well. This also prevents a completely spoiled surprise, in case your kids have sneaky little eyes that tend to wander into your secret gift-hiding places!

 

5 WEEKS TO GO! – Monday November 24

• Plan your upcoming holiday menus for Christmas.

• Include any holiday parties you will be hosting and meals for the week of Christmas.

• Decide on recipes and do an inventory check on the following:

Ingredients – make a grocery list
Dishes and glasses – make sure you have the serving platters and wineglasses you’ll need for parties or special meals
Decorations – lights, ornaments, wreaths, exterior decorations (see if anything is broken and needs to be replaced)
Holiday cards – start filling these out (it can take a while, especially if you’re sentimental).

 

1 MONTH TO GO! – Monday December 1

• Go grocery shopping.

• Bake and freeze some holiday treats.

• Order a turkey or ham – or whatever else is the centrepiece of your holiday meal.

 

3 WEEKS TO GO! – Monday December 8

• Give your house a good clean – vacuum, dust, clear our the refrigerator and organize.

• Purchase your “Christmas cheer” of choice, plus any canned goods or pantry staples you’ll need (ie. cranberry sauce).

• Time to get the tree up! We suggest buying a live one, as they really make the house smell like christmas.

• Decorate!

 

2 WEEKS TO GO! – Monday December 15

• Keep up with the gift wrapping.

• Stock up on batteries if needed – especially if the kids are finding toys under the tree this year.

• Prepare any cards or gifts for teachers, bosses or co-workers.

• Mail any Christmas cards that need to be sent out.

 

3 DAYS TO GO! – Monday December 22

• Finalize any additional baking and prep ahead the dishes you can freeze.

• Prepare for guests that will be staying in your home.

• Do the final grocery shopping for fresh ingredients, and pick up those last minute stocking stuffers, hostess gifts etc – fresh flowers always add a nice touch!

• Set the table. Bring out the dinnerware that you only get to use for special occasions, and add name tags on each setting.

• Recharge camera batteries – you don’t want to miss those memorable moments!

• Finish last-minute wrapping.

• Make a timeline for the next few days – it can be quite helpful to start with the time of your feast and work backwards.

 
Finally, sit back, relax and enjoy your holidays. There may be bumps in the road but at the end of the day, spending time with those most important to us is what this time of year is all about.

Original article: The Province
Read original aricle here.