Countdown to Christmas Week 5

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.

Welcome to Decorating Week! It's the time to focus on decorating. I know, Thanksgiving isn't here yet, but take this time to get the decorations out and see what you have, what you need and what you can donate.

Besides, if you have family visiting, it would be a perfect time for them to help you get the stuff out of the attic and take with them those decorations that have special meaning to them and start their own traditions.

Week 5

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

•Complete one-fourth of gifts to make this week.

•Plan holiday decorating with a room-by-room plan. For me, it is still too early to decorate, but I do like thinking about what I want where.

•Inspect and inventory decorations. Check light strands for cracked or broken bulbs. Make a list of what you need to replace.

•Does your family give children new ornaments each year? Check craft boutiques for something special.

•Prepare for Thanksgiving dinner, Can anything be made ahead and tucked into the freezer?

•Give thanks on Thanksgiving Day!

•Check in with family members at Thanksgiving celebrations. Ask for gift suggestions, and arrange to share or contribute to holiday meals.

•Shop Black Friday sales. Plan a girls day out.

•Be ready to start decorating.