Saturday, November 5, 2011

Countdown to Christmas Catch Up Week

Christmas Countdown


Please visit The Organized Home. This site is designed to help the procrastinator in me get ready for the holidays.

I highly suggest that you check out their homepage and sign up for a weekly reminder. I will only be posting here the items that will fit with my life and home, but there are many more ideas at suggestions at their site.

No matter how hard we try, there are just sometimes that we fall behind, so this week, we are going to working on those pesky little parts that we let slide by.

Week 1: Planning and Calendars and Lists

•Calendar. Add important get together dates.

•Start a master gift list. Not only the people you are buying for, but to help keep track of what you bought and what you spent.

•Begin a Christmas card list. Locate addresses, and consider making a computerized Christmas card address list for maximum time savings.

•If you are a list maker, search out a house cleaning list. This will help you to keep everything clean and ready for the holiday.

•Will your family travel this holiday season? Make travel plans and reservations this week.

•Will you host houseguests this year? Make arrangements for any overnight guests.

•Declutter tabletops and public rooms before you decorate.

•If you haven't done so already, decorate for Halloween or Harvest celebrations



Week 2: Reality Check. Organizing and Prepping Week

• If you are decorating for Thanksgiving. Look over these items and make decisions as to what you want to put out and what can be donated to other organizations for their holiday decorating.

• Divide the Christmas card list into five groups. Write and address one group this week.

• Make a holiday budget. Set a comfortable level of holiday spending.

• Divide entries into five groups. Begin shopping for Christmas gifts, and try to buy one-fifth of the gifts this week.

• Set up a housework plan. A little bit every weeks makes it whole process possible.

• Grocery shopping list. Time to start thinking about the meal plan and what ingredients you will need to purchase. Start looking around for sales and coupons.

• Do you need a special outfit for a special occasion? Check what you have and what you will need.

• Do you need anything special for your holiday table? Will you be traveling to a potluck and need a special serving dish?

• It’s never too early to think wrapping paper and mailing boxes. Check what you have leftover from last year and see what you need to pick up. Don’t forget the tape. Every year I run out sooner than I think.


Week 3: Gifts and Giving Week! It's the time to focus on gift lists, gift buying and gift wrapping.

• Observe Time Change Sunday. Check smoke detectors and assess your household's emergency plan.

• Divide the Christmas card list into five groups. Write and address the second group this week.

• Review and renegotiate adult gift giving. Can you simplify your family's "unwritten rules? Draw names and set a price limit for a gift exchange. Could your family dispense with adult gifts in favor of gifts to charity or family service project?

• Divide entries on your gift list into five groups. Continue shopping for Christmas gifts, and try to buy one-fifth of the gifts this week.

• To ensure delivery, finish all catalog and online shopping.

• Designate a special envelope for all receipts.

• Will you be making gifts this year? What can you "practically" get done in time? Now cut that list in half. You don't have as much time as you think.

• Plan Thanksgiving Dinner. Order the turkey.

• Review your holiday budget.

• Gift wrapping and supplies ready?

• If you need a babysitter during the holiday, make arrangements now.

• Start a stocking stuffers list.

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