Eliminate unnecessary holiday stress now with smart preparation.
Here are 5 Big Holiday Tips and a convenient Holidays 2011-2012 Date List to make things go much more smoothly.
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| Shop Smart! Photostock Freedigitalphotos.net |
1. Plan ahead. Jot down the simple things that matter so much. Make a checklist.
Does Uncle Joe enjoy egg nog? Put it on your list.
Does Uncle Joe enjoy egg nog? Put it on your list.
Do you love to have fire in the fireplace? Make sure you have everything on hand far in advance of when you'll need it. Add it all to your checklist.
- Firewood
- Fire starters
- Matches or lighter
- For safety: get the chimney cleaned or buy a Creosote log
Buy batteries for the camera, for electronics & toys, for the smoke detectors. Yep, the checklist again!
Are there special clothes that your family will want to wear? Especially if it is "dry clean only" you'll need to take care of it now. Checklist!
How about decorations and wrappings? List everything you'll need and inventory what you already have: wrapping paper, tape, gift tags, greeting cards, ribbon, gift bags, Christmas stockings, uh oh...STOCKING STUFFERS! Put anything you don't already have on the list.
How about decorations and wrappings? List everything you'll need and inventory what you already have: wrapping paper, tape, gift tags, greeting cards, ribbon, gift bags, Christmas stockings, uh oh...STOCKING STUFFERS! Put anything you don't already have on the list.
2. Bake early. Either prepare the cookies, wrap well and freeze or pre-make cookie dough to thaw and bake fresh on the eve of any special event. This can also work with other foods. Many great hors d'oeuvres and finger foods can be prepared ahead, frozen and thawed on the "day of".
3. Pre-shop. Much of your holiday shopping can be done right from home, online... but some of the fun of the holiday season is to get out there and shop! Just be strategic on how you do it!
Check out the stores online and study the inserts in the newspaper. Make a plan. Call ahead to check availability of important items so you know which stores to go to and which ones to skip.
Check out the stores online and study the inserts in the newspaper. Make a plan. Call ahead to check availability of important items so you know which stores to go to and which ones to skip.
4. Manage your shopping time. Go to the stores when fewer shoppers will be there to get in your way! I have found that Monday evenings at about 5:00 pm are a great time to go to the Mall. Parking is conveniently available up near the door and crowds are few.
5. Get gift receipts. By providing gift receipts you will allow your loved ones to make an exchange guilt-free and you won't be asked to make the exchange for them! Tape the receipt inside the box but let them know it's there.
And when are the holidays this year?
Here is a convenient list to help you.
Winter Holidays
2011-2012
Holiday | Day | Date(s) |
Sinea’s Birthday | Thursday | December 8 (now that’s tacky!) |
Hanukkah | Saturday through | December 20-28 |
Christmas Eve | Saturday | December 24 |
Christmas Day | Sunday | December 25 |
New Years Eve | Saturday | December 31 |
New Years Day | Sunday | January 1, 2012 |
Martin Luther King Jr. Day | Monday | January 16 |
Super Bowl | Sunday | February 5 |
Valentine’s Day | Tuesday | February 14 |
Good Friday | Friday | April 6 |
Easter Sunday | Sunday | April 8 |
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