Preparing for the Holidays

Setting a festive holiday table.

December is a season when many people hold both religious and secular celebrations.  Preparing for the holidays can be fun and overwhelming.  Waiting until the last minute to set up, plan, and prepare can lead to a catastrophe.

Use this basic checklist to gear up for this season and start now instead of rushing around later.  The end result?  You can visit a holiday light show, sip hot chocolate or mulled wine with loved ones, or just curl up and watch the Hallmark Channel if tha'is what you enjoy.

1.  Write down a list of people whom you give gifts to. Do you have a budget for each person? Do you have White Elephant/gift exchanges this season?  Do you need Hostess gifts to bring to parties?

It's never too early to start preparing for the holidays.

2. Check your supply of wrapping paper, ribbon, tape, gift bags and tissue, and gift tags. Stores like Target, the Container Store, and Home Goods all have good selections.  For specialty papers look to the Paper Source, and online at Etsy. 

   
   

   A nice personal touch when bringing a Hostess gift is to attach a small personalized gift tag.  You can order these online or from a local copy shop.  Think of a business card only for indicating who the Hostess gift comes from.

3. Holiday decorations can be purchased new or retrieved from storage.  Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa all have ceremonial aspects that are used each year.  Our family has collected Santa ornaments of all types for close to thirty years. 

   We now have a very robust tree full of Santas from around the world made of shells, wood, blown glass and metal. 

   
   

   

   Snowy Christmas Village.

   Consider a tabletop collection of scented candles, snow globes, Dreidles, Christmas Villages, or even collect ugly sweaters to wear!  Invest in a quality item to use each year.

   
   

   

   Holiday table decor.

   Festive candle sticks, faux greens or flowers, or even something homemade by your children to pull out and remember each year. All these will make your home decor uniquely yours.

4. Test all holiday lights for broken bulbs or faulty wires.  If more than a small handful are out then throw them away.  Holiday lights are easy and inexpensive to purchase.  Store lights after use on sturdy cardboard.  This will help prevent tangles for next year.

Faux Christmas tree laden with cat, dog and bird ornaments.

5. Christmas tree - Real or fake?  For years we had a real tree.  Love the smell but hate the pine needles and constant watering.  I bought a lovely pre-lit tree that disassembles into three pieces.  Although I miss the smell, I buy locally made soy candles with a natural pine scent.

A collection of holiday cards received last year for dog friends near and far.

6. Christmas cards - Family and pet photos, pre-printed, or homemade cards are all great options.  I know that stamps are expensive but I love to send family and friends living far away a card each year.  Remember to write a personal note on each card.

7. Sponsor a family or child for the holidays - Many families struggle to heat their homes, put food on the table, and pay bills.  At this time of year when almost every celebration is centered around gift giving, help out a child or family in need to make the children feel equal to those with better financial security.  Toys for Tots, local religious centers and homeless shelters all have gift wish lists targeted to this time of year.

   
   

8. Be kind to yourself during the holidays. With so many activities and events, it is easy to get carried away and forget that this is a season of joy and not commercialism. Appreciate the beauty of the world around you. And if you lost a loved one during this season take the time to remember all the good things about that person.

Get outdoors and appreciate the world around you.

See you all next week.