One Hundred Dollars a Month

Christmas is supposed to be a magical time of year, but I swear, sometimes it is also the most stressful.

There are so many things to do {in order to make it fun and memorable for the whole family} and without a to-do list, sometimes it can feel a little overwhelming.  So, in the interest of de-stressing the holidays and making some fond memories yourself, here is a quick checklist to help you get all of the chores done, and enjoy the spirit of the season:

The week after Thanksgiving

Buy {or make, if you are crazy ambitious} holiday cards.  Also, now is a good time to update your mailing lists, if needed.

Ask the kids to start making their Christmas list.  On amazon they can make a universal wishlist. That way, when grandma asks what they want, you can just point her toward amazon.  Or, if you want to get crafty, have them cut out pictures from Sunday Ads/toy catalogs and make a visual collage.  Gives them something to do and you something to reference.

If you plan on making holiday gifts, now is the time to get started.

3 Weeks Before

Pull out the Christmas decorations.  If you have an artificial tree, set it up and get it decorated.  If not, it’s time to order/purchase your tree.

Start your Christmas menu.  Assign foods if you go potluck style at your gatherings.  If you have family/friends over for Christmas Eve or Christmas dinner, make sure to invite them now.  As with Thanksgiving, start looking for sales on food items you will need to pull the meal off.

Time to address and mail off Christmas cards.

I like to make a Christmas budget at this point.  I base it on the kids’ Christmas list, presents I need to purchase for extended family {i.e. parents, cousins, etc.} and gifts I give friends and neighbors {usually homemade}.  It always helps me to see how much money is going out the door, otherwise, the season of giving quickly becomes the season of debt.

Start Christmas shopping.  Remember to pick up wrapping paper, tape, gift tags, etc.

If you plan on ordering a ham or turkey, do it this week.

2 Weeks Before

If possible, make this the last and final Christmas gift shopping week.  It will give you time to wrap presents, and keep you from having to deal with all of the last minute crowds.  Towards the end of the week, wrap all presents.  That way, you can enjoy the festivities next week.  If you can get yourself together enough to do it, mailing packages this week will save you a long wait in line.  Better yet, if you are like me, just let Amazon do it for you.  Ha!

Make sure table linens, etc. are clean and ready to go if you are hosting a meal.

1 Week Before

Mail out packages at the beginning of the week, if you need to.

Now is the time to deliver tips and or presents to the service folks in your life {i.e. the babysitter, newspaper delivery person}.

Do the non-perishable food shopping.  Verify/finalize what food guests will be bringing if you are going potluck style.

Towards the end of the week, bake any goodies you plan on giving as neighbor gifts and deliver them.

Clean the house if you plan on having guests–you can do a final spot clean right before they arrive.  Change sheets, wash towels, etc.

Bake cookies and treats that you would like to have for drop by guests or for festivities around your house.

Make any dishes that can be made ahead.  Also, if you have the tradition of cinnamon rolls on Christmas morning, make them now and freeze them, so all you have to do before you go to bed on Christmas Eve is pull them out.

December 23rd

If possible, make this your final day of work {minus food prep}.  Finish any last wrapping.  Prep foods that can be refrigerated.  Run the vacuum over the floor and do any other last minute cleaning.

Set the table now.  I know, it seems early, but it is less you have to do the day of, AND it means sitting in your jammies watching the kids play by the tree A LOT longer.

Happy Holiday Prepping!

~Mavis