There are only 46 days until Christmas – Let’s get organized for a stress-free Christmas season!
1. Christmas Planner
Get a notebook at the dollar store, cover it with Christmas paper and call it your Christmas Planner. This will help keep you focused for Christmas and in the holiday spirit!
2. Budgeting
Make a commitment to spend 15 minutes each day to write down things to do to prepare for the holiday season. It’s time to prepare your holiday budget and STICK TO IT!
3. Events
Place a copy of the November calendar (print one using your computer software or from the internet) inside your new Christmas Planner. You can stay on track by penciling in upcoming events so you don’t over commit.
4. Gift List
Start a gift list (at the back of your Christmas Planner). As you think of an item, flip to the back and jot it down. Even if you have purchased a gift already, keep it on the list. You’d be surprised how you can forget what you have already picked up. As a personal shopper, I start my shopping in September.
5. Gift Receipts
When you purchase a gift, ask for a gift receipt and before they put the item in the bag, asked to borrow their tape or stapler and place the gift receipt on the item right away. This will save you the hassle of looking for the gift receipt when you go to wrap it. Gift receipts make your life easier if the person has to return the item for any reason.
6. Christmas Cards
Start a Christmas Card list – gather all the addresses. When you’re finished, consider typing your list on the computer, so you’ll have it for next year. If you kept last year’s cards, before you dispose of them, look for ones that you can cut and use as gift tags. Using a hole punch, pop a hole, place a piece of ribbon through it & attach it to your gift. Or, you can cut it into a square and use that as a gift tag. This is a great way to recycle!
7. Christmas Photo
If you are planning to do a family photo, book it now so you will have it in time to go in your Christmas cards and/or as Christmas gifts.
8. Stamps
Purchase stamps now, so you don’t have to worry about it when it comes time to sit down and write them. This will also save you that long lineup at the post office closer to the holidays. If you have a limited budget for Christmas cards, only send them to the people you haven’t seen in a year. Your family and friends will understand.
9. Travel Plans
If you are planning on travelling for the holiday season, make your plans and reservations this week. Make sure to note it in your Christmas planner.
10. Parties/Open House
If you are planning on having a Christmas party, cocktail party or Open House, get those invites out this week! People are already getting booked up for the holidays. As a party planner, getting your invites out early is key to having the people you want at your party/open house.
11. Giving Back
Remember others and try to give back to the community whether it be food drives, toy drives or volunteering!
See you back here on Nov 22nd for more holiday planning !
In the meantime, feel free to share some of your favourite Christmas planning ideas. I’d love your feedback. Here on this blog, you’ll get commentluv. This is a great way to leave a link back to your own blog when you leave a comment.
Kathy
Christmas cards are even easier – just don’t send them. I don’t know too many people who send cards anymore, what with email, phone, Skype … there is no longer a need to send a card to remind people that you haven’t forgotten them.
Thanks for the comment David. Yes, with all the technology out there, what’s the point. However, I am only speaking for myself, that for some people who still like to do a hand written card, be conscious of your budget and only do cards to the ones you really want to. I think it really boils down to personal preference. I have sent my brother and his wife a card for the last 25 years and never received one from them. For me, its not about whether I got a card in return, but it’s to the point, is it really necessary, since I talk to him throughout the year. I decided, I am only sending cards to people I can’t reach out to during the year or haven’t seen in long while.
On another note, for my clients, I will be doing a hand written card, for me its about continuing to grow my relationship with them and thank them for their business throughout the year! Again, its what works for you! Happy Holidays.
Kathy