It’s that time of year once again, so enjoy our tips and strategies for the ultimate holiday prep at home. From Now through New Years there are tasks to accomplish so you can stay on top of Christmas, so that by Christmas Eve you can relax and enjoy family togetherness.
Ultimate Holiday Prep at Home
• MAKE A BUDGET + MARK YOUR CALENDAR
It’s the least merry part of your planning, but consider gifts, cards, decorations, travel, baking, meals and outfits. Next, look at your November and December calendars and mark down engagements like school events, parties and other commitments and search for breathing room for YOU.
• TRIM the TREE(S)
You may be tempted to have an elaborately decorated tree this year but remember, with kids, the BEST ornaments are the handmade ones made from popsicle stick projects and more that the kids made. Joanna Gaines, DIY influencer extraordinaire, says if you want an elegant tree, do it. But also, put up a family tree so the kids can do their own, too.
• GIFTS
Try, try, try again to not leave gift buying until the last minute. Make a list of everyone you and the kids are giving to and brainstorm ideas together. If your family has a Secret Santa tradition or a gift tradition with family far away, get that organized now.
• CHRISTMAS CARDS + PHOTO SHOOT
Getting the cards done early is key! You don’t have to have a fancy shoot, but you can take a cute photo of the kids, or use something from your past year’s family travel.
• PICK YOUR BAKING/DECORATING DATES
Some people prefer decorating for Christmas before Thanksgiving, others wait until the turkey is gone. In any event, to make it fun for yourself, pick baking and decorating dates on your calendar during the first week of December (and set up a deep cleaning of your home post-Thanksgiving). Regarding decorating, be sure to include your kids who may love this activity. Then, on decorating day, wear a holiday-themed outfit, turn on the carols and bring on the boxes! Also, be sure to stock up on batteries for your lights and displays.
December Push
• FAMILY WARDROBES
What about matching pajamas? Are they necessary or just costly hype? And what of the ugly Christmas sweaters? Does your teen need one for a party? Do you? Get these items taken care of before it becomes a problem. And remember, kids grow quickly, so make sure their dressy kahki pants are long enough and that the shoes still fit. And what about you? What are YOU wearing to church on Christmas Eve? With advanced prep you don’t have to wear last year’s outfit.
• HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES
Take advantage of the first week of the holiday season by doing some holiday-themed activities. Decorate a gingerbread house with the kids, bake cookies, go ice skating, watch your favorite holiday movies to get you all in the mood.
• MAIL FARAWAY GIFTS
Have gifts for out-of-town family wrapped, boxed and shipped by Dec. 10. Phew!
• MAIL YOUR CARDS
Spend a couple of evenings (while watching a holiday movie) stuffing your holiday cards into the envelopes and addressing them. Get them out by Dec. 15.
• PLAN MENUS
If family is coming to town (check dietary restrictions so you can be prepared), you’ll want to have an appetizer each night that they are with you, preferably at about 5 p.m. so you can have dinner about 6 p.m. For every night that family is in town, plan a dinner or make a reservation two weeks in advance. Of course, keep meals simple during the week, and focus on your Christmas Eve dinner, Christmas morning brunch and Christmas dinner menus.
• ORDER SPECIAL FOOD ITEMS
If ordering a ham or turkey or special bakery items, be sure to do that by Dec. 15.
• WRAP NIGHTLY
As the month of December goes by everything starts to take on a blur. Don’t wait to attack those stacked-up boxes of online gifts. Open them and wrap several each night, remem- bering to tag them!
• CHRISTMAS PLAYLIST
Some people like to blare the “Hallelujah Chorus” from Handel’s Messiah on Christmas morning, others prefer jazz, country or pop music. In any event, be ready with your preferred playlist.
