Christmas To-Do Tips
Here is a list of Christmas organizing tips that I share each year. Maybe it will be helpful to you!
Plan:
- use a 3-ring binder to create a Holiday Planner
- record addresses under "Greeting Card List"
- track gifts under "Gift List (don’t forget teachers, mail person, etc.)
- include your favorite holiday dishes under "Recipes"
- prepare for dinners and banquets under "Meal Calendar"
- record social events under "Holiday Parties" (with date and time)
- record plans for your own holiday gatherings under "Guest Lists"
Involve Guests:
- when planning your party, ask your guests to bring something
- don’t forgot to keep a menu planner of who is bringing what
- give the kids duties such as collecting the coats or passing out appetizers
Shop:
- to reduce the stress on your grocery wallet, shop in large batches
- buy non-perishable foods over a 2 to 3 week period
- shop online from the comfort of your home
- buy presents for out-of-town friends and relatives first; wrap and ship them early to avoid paying high shipping charges
- pay attention to items people mention they want
- cross off each gift as you give it or know they have received it
- use this as your shopping list as the holiday season begins
Wrap:
- pull out what you still have from last year; take inventory to see if you need more of anything
- keep all of your gift-giving supplies in one place
- set up gift center nearest the point where you normally wrap gifts
- set up a long under-bed box for rolled wrapping paper
- set up smaller tubs for tags, bows, ribbon, etc.
- be sure to include scissors, tape, and a pen
- also store the gifts you plan to give in the same place
- set up one storage tub for "kid gifts" and another for "adult gifts"
- make sure to include a flat surface for wrapping
Organize recipes:
- get copies of recipes from friends or family
- cut out recipes from magazines or newspapers
- make photocopies of recipes from cookbooks
- include dividers for each section (veggies, bread, desserts, etc.)
- put each recipe into a sheet protector page in the right section
- store either with your cookbooks or holiday decorations
Decorate:
- take photos from several angles and points within your house including shots of table setting, mantelpiece, and other focal points
- take a full shot of the exterior
- cull out anything you no longer want and set aside to donate
- make notes on the back of each picture about items used
- store pics with your holiday decorations or include labels to remember how you had things laid out