The Thanksgiving leftovers have all been eaten and the gift-buying
season has shifted into high gear. Remain calm and prepare yourself for
the most jam-packed month in the calendar year. There are a small
percentage of you who may actually have completed your to-do list long
before everyone else. (If this is you, then kick back and relax.) The
rest of you needn't despair! Just read on for the essential steps in
holiday preparation.
The key to preparing yourself for all the craziness is a well
thought out plan. Believe it or not, the simple act of putting it down
on paper can give you some peace. I am not sure why seeing my
obligations and tasks in black and white are more calming than letting
them race through my mind, but it really works.
During December, the holiday plan that I depend on is divided into four separate sections or categories. They are:
- Cards
- Gifts
- Social/Community Obligations
- Decorating
(Keep an extra copy of your gift list in the car, because you never know where your daily travels will take you.)
Holiday Cards
This
year, if you have not already, transfer all of your names and addresses
from your address book to a word processing file so you can easily
print labels. My recommendation is to use clear labels, because they go
with any choice of envelope color. Tip: if you are mailing over-sized
envelopes, go to the post office early to have a sample weighed so you
can purchase the necessary postage. (Don't forget about adding those new
friends and purging the ones that drive you crazy. I especially like to
purge those who can only talk about themselves and their stuff, how
boring!!)
Presents, presents, and more presents
Make a list
of all the people that are going to be the recipients of your hard work.
To minimize some effort, consider different options. If individuals are
in the same household, consider a group gift. If you have children to
buy for and their parents don't have any suggestions (because Tommy and
Susie have every possible toy out there), offer to pay for a special
activity or a couple of lessons of their choice. Last year my parents
picked up riding lessons for our daughter and it was a great gift for
all. Our daughter loved it, my husband did not have to open his wallet,
and I did not have house more "stuff".
Social and Community Obligations
'Tis
the season to be merry and party - but my suggestion is not to overdo
it. Our daily routines are so overscheduled anyway that the extra
commitments can make it difficult to juggle everything. Attend the
parties and social gatherings that are truly important to you and
politely decline the rest. (Sorry, but this does not apply to family
functions!). The season is too short and busy to spend an evening
watching the clock.
Community or charitable contributions are
important during the holiday season. There are many people in your
community that are less fortunate, so as a family or as an individual
make some extra time for those in need. There are many local
organizations that would be happy to guide you as to what is needed. I
believe this is a wonderful opportunity for people to make a difference
and experience the true holiday spirit.
Indoor/Outdoor Decorating
Last,
but not least, make two separate plans for attacking decorating: one
for indoors and the other for outdoors; and remember this does not need
to be accomplished in one day. My husband and I allow significant
downtime between the two tasks. Decorating should be a fun family event
and if you get stressed out and exhausted the enjoyment will disappear.
Pick
a theme for your outdoor display: all out, Clark Griswold-style or a
more elegant approach, such as a simple wreath with a spotlight on your
front door. Anything goes, so make it a reflection of how you and your
family celebrate the holidays. Have fun with the indoor decorating and
remember to take a quick inventory of what you have so there is no
duplication. Light a fire and put on your favorite CD and let the
decorating begin.
Good luck, relax, check those lists twice and remember what the season is really about.
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