Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Getting ahead of the Holiday Craziness!

If you are anything like me, this is the time of year when you start "nesting" and getting settled in for the colder months. I love this time of year the most. Cool crisp evenings/mornings and days that are just cool enough to require a light sweater.
This is also the time of year when we start looking forward to (or dreading) the Holidays. I think we all start out with great intentions. Most of us want to "get ahead" of it all and be organized and prepared. While I wouldn't claim to be the most organized person you will ever meet, I have learned a few tricks that have seemed to help me get ahead of the "busy-ness" of it all.
Each week I'll give you one or two things to do that will help you get organized and make your Holidays more settled and enjoyable.

This week:
Thanksgiving-
Decide what you are going to make for Thanksgiving. If you haven't coordinated this with family members yet, now is the time to do so! Whether you are responsible for the entire meal or just for preparing one or two dishes you can get ahead of the game now by looking at what you'll need. Make a list and go get the non-perishable items on your next visit to the grocery store. Spices, candy coatings etc. have a tendency to run low the closer to the holidays we get. This will save you running all over town to find that one illusive item.

Christmas- (Yes, I know it isn't even November yet! Trust me... you'll thank me later!)
Go through your address book and ensure that you have addresses for all of those that you intend to send a Christmas card to. Count how many cards you will need and go purchase your cards. I know, it's early but, the selection of cards available is at it's best! You'll have a greater variety to choose from and some stores even have them marked 50% off right now! If you were really on top of it last year and bought your cards on clearance after Christmas, BRAVO! You are really ahead of the game! Don't forget to buy your stamps while you are at it!
Now, pour yourself a nice big mug of Chai Tea (in recipe section) or Gingerbread Coffee(in recipe section) and while you are sitting in front of the TV one night this week, go ahead and start addressing and signing those cards. Keep them in a pretty basket on your coffee table so that you can do a few each evening.
Maybe you are intending to do an Annual Family Letter? Get your calendar out and begin composing it now. (Your calendar is to remind you of some of the things you did in the past year.)In this case, you will pick up your stationary, instead of, or in addition to your cards. Now is a good time to check your printer for ink etc. to ensure that when you get ready to print your letter you'll have enough ink to actually print them!
If you are going to include pictures with your cards/letters you need to get those ordered now!
The whole idea is to get things out where you will be reminded to do them. Keep everything near where you usually sit and "veg" in the evenings. Before you know it, you'll have that chore that always seems to be a last minute rush, all finished!
I can't wait to hear how many of you get this one started early!
Ok... so you need incentive? I'll have a little "goodie" for the first person to get their card basket all ready to go and on their coffee table! Ready? Set? Go!

1 comment:

  1. You are off to a great start Sue! I am so excited to see what all is coming our way, via you! I already know what a wonderful cook you are! Love and miss you bunches!

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