Like it or not, the Christmas countdown clock is ticking. Just 25 days to go (if you count today) and I know that seems like a lot of time, but not when you consider what you need to do between now and then.
It’s time to get extreme with your holiday readiness organization!
7 Simple Steps to Get Ready for the Holiday Season
#1: Send out the Invitations – Chances are who is hosting on the big day has been decided long ago, but if you are planning any pre-Christmas get-togethers or inviting family and friends to drop by for a bit of holiday cheer, send your invitations out NOW! It’s a busy time of the year and peoples’ calendars fill up quickly.
#2: Plan and Preorder – Now is the time to get your menus planned and preorder any specialty trays from your local deli. Don’t forget to preorder your turkey too as most grocery stores will allow you to specify the size so you get EXACTLY what you want.
#3: Bake and Freeze Favorites – Planning on serving trays of cookies and squares for Christmas? Then it’s time to pull out your mother’s old cookbook and revisit the tradition of baking and freezing ahead of time. If you are planning on multiple gatherings, simply freeze prepackaged assortments in a decorative box and then all you need to do is grab and go!
#4: Set your Postal Deadlines – Check the deadlines for sending gifts through the mail now and put that date in your calendar and shop for them first. In case you start running out of time, bookmark a few shopping sites that will gift-wrap and deliver direct.
#5: Create a Decluttering Plan – If you are one of those chaos-loving types who waits until the last minute to frantically clean up for fear of embarrassment the day-of, give yourself a break this year and start now. Set a schedule for which ‘hot spot’ you will tackle each weekend and get it done!
#6: Buy and Wrap – Yes, there is something fun about hiding in your bedroom and wrapping bundles of gifts the minute before the guests arrive, but you also miss out on a lot of the ‘Night Before Christmas’ fun. Wrap as you go, remembering of course to check that item off you list in case in all the hustle and bustle you forget.
#7: Plan the Picture Perfect – Thinking of getting extra mileage out of those special matching holiday outfits and getting the family photos you’ve been putting off done? Now is the time to book photographers and don’t delay on finding that perfect holiday outfit because trust me, everyone has the same idea.
How do you get ready for the holiday season? We’d love to hear your extreme organization tips! Please share in the comments below.
