Planning now for Christmas
Planning for Christmas can make the holidays more enjoyable and less stressful. Planning can also make it easier to spot that perfect gift, when Christmas may still be months away. Spreadsheets and lists are good planning tools that make the task simple and easy.
Christmas cards
The popularity of e-cards has not eliminated to need for planning. Whether you send old fashioned paper Christmas cards, embossed with gold or silver foil andpersonalizedwith a family photograph, or send e-cards, it is important that no one is left out. Sitting down at your computer, or with a paper list, and your address book, list everyone you wish to send a Christmas card. Make sure to remember coworkers, college buddies, and childhood friends, as well as the people who deliver your paper, watch your children, or service your lawn. You can always add to the list, as needed, and use it year after year. You can also add columns for cards received.
Christmas gifts
Shopping for Christmas gifts on Christmas Eve may be exciting to some, but most people find it stressful and unproductive. Creating a spreadsheet or list of Christmas gifts can make shopping far more fun and it helps you take advantage of money saving sales. Lists also makes it easier to spot that perfect gift for someone special, long before the holiday season. Even if you don't know what to get each person, simply creating the list will help. The blank space next to their name may trigger a reminder during your next outing that results in the perfect gift, be it candied ginger from the local coffee house, aunique bottle of wine, or a thrift store treasure that suits your recipient perfectly. Creating a Christmas gift spreadsheet can also help you keep track of what you have given (and received) in past years, to avoid repetitions.
Christmas calendar
The holidays are full of social gatherings. A Christmas calendar can help you stay organized and enjoy all the fun! It can also help make time for all your holiday activities, such as decorating your home, baking goodies, and visiting family and friends. If you are planning a Christmas party of your own, there are plenty ofonline party plannersthat can simplify the process and help remind you to send those all important thank you cards!
Another way to plan now for Christmas is to invest in an attractive storage container for your decorations and supplies. Thrift stores and yard sales are excellent places to shop for old steamer trucks, sturdy suitcases, and other large containers that can store all of the wrapping paper, decorations, and other holiday supplies in one convenient place.
Planning for Christmas now will help ensure that you can relax and enjoy spending time with loved ones during the next holiday season.
