Tips For Organizing Your Holiday Festivities

Making a List – Checking it Twice…

If only our lists were this easy?  Making list and keep track of what you are doing, what you have done and what you still need to do can be your survival for the holidays. I will be referencing Christmas, because that is what I celebrate – please just insert your own holiday. Thanks!

Preparing your Home

*With decorations comes moving things around, rearranging and cleaning.
*As you go through your decorations this year. Look in that box. How many things have not come out of that box to use in years?  Hint- It’s ok to get    rid of it. Just because it is from Christmas’s ago…doesn’t mean you HAVE to keep it. Take a picture with it…and let it go. This will make more room  if someone gives you more decorations, or there is something you just have to have in the store this year.
*Cleaning and sorting as you put things out, makes putting them away that much easier.

Holiday Meals – Things to Think of

*Which big meals will you be preparing and on which dates?
*How many people will be there?
*What will you serve? Along with appetizers, side dishes, desserts and beverages.
*Make out your grocery list.
*Look for coupons (big meals can be expensive! – this is one expense that many people don’t think to budget into their holiday spending
*If people ask what they can bring, give them an answer – salad, appetizer, dessert. Don’t hesitate to let them help.

Christmas Parties

*Be sure to write any invites on your calendar with times to keep track.
*Be curious and RSVP  (so many people don’t do this anymore. Let the hostess know how many to plan for)
*Plan what you are going to wear ahead of time.
*Do you need a gift for a gift exchange? Put that on your list
*Plan babysitters early (and get one for New Year’s Eve now if you need one!)

Christmas Cards

*If you still send them (and I hope you do…. I do) then purchase your cards if you haven’t already.
*Update your address list.
*They are great to take with you to appointments – sit in the Dr. office waiting room and fill out your envelops!
*Buy your stamps.
*Fill out your cards. Personally I love the letters (I save and open those last when I get cards) – but at least a short note is appreciated to let people
know that you are actually thinking of them when you write your cards.
*If you are ordering a Christmas card with pictures, be sure to order SOON if you haven’t done so.

The Christmas Gift List

*Decide on your budget! (before you start buying)
*Make a list of all those you need to buy for
*Write down what you plan to buy them, or thoughts of what you’d think they would like if you don’t know specifics
*Watch for deals!
*Suggest no gifts, just time together (if possible). You may be surprised – other family members may thank you for this!

 

This was originally posted on Dec 2, 2010. I’m revitalizing it for this year.

Christmas “Check Off” List – How does yours look?

So how are you doing?  Are you going crazy about now thinking you will never get it all finished in 1 week?

Does your List of To Do’s look more like this?

1) Christmas Cards to send out

2) Buy Christmas Gifts

3) Wrap Christmas Gifts

4) Plan Christmas eve Dinner

5) Plan Christmas Day meals

6) Make Christmas Cookies

7) Think about planning my events

Or does it look more like this?
1) Christmas Cards to send out

2) Buy Christmas Gifts

3) Wrap Christmas Gifts

4) Plan Christmas eve Dinner

5) Plan Christmas Day Meals

6) Make Christmas cookies

If your list is the first one…then you more than likely are “freaking out” right now, aren’t you?  How will I get it done? I should never go to sleep this week because I am going to be out shopping all week, etc.

You need to get your calendar and SCHEDULE when you are going to do each thing. Seriously.  Write it in!  It will help to calm you down so that you will realize there IS time to get it all done.  OR it will help you to realize with what you are hoping to get accomplished won’t happen because it is unrealistic for your situation.  But either way it will help put things into perspective for you.

Would you like to see my list?

1) Christmas cards sent out (But just yesterday)

2) Christmas shopping done (But I have stocking stuffers, my husband likes to help w/ those..that is tonight)

3) Wrap Christmas gifts  - Sunday and Monday

4) Plan Christmas Eve Dinner

5) Plan Christmas Day Meals

6) Make Christmas Cookies – Scheduled for tomorrow.

See? I don’t have everything done.  But I do know how and when I am going to complete each thing…so I can relax and enjoy the festivities.

How are you doing?

Christmas lists

Make a Christmas List Before You shop

Christmas list….we all need to make them before we get out into that crazy, sale driven, deal making shopping world!
I guess I would think that everyone would make a list, and I would bet that most of us do. But I do know people who just wing it. They go out to do their shopping and have an idea of what they are going to get the 23 people they have to buy for.
It’s just too hard to keep it straight. To remember if you got Johnnie black socks and Rubin an X-box 360 and you need to have about the same amount to give each one.
It’s simple…just write down everyone you need to shop for. If you have ideas or know what you plan to get them…write it down under their name. When you find it..mark it off. If you find something different or new…write it in. Very simple and will help you tremendously.
This is Doe with her Christmas list for the dollar store. She had her pencil with her to mark off who she bought for. Cute huh?