A Client sent me the original notification of this article from November, 2012.  She was clearing out her in-box, but wanted to review this list for her own holiday planning.(I edited it for this week!). I have been working through my own copy myself, and you may benefit from it, too!  Take some time this week to chart your course for the next 5 or 6 weeks heading up to Christmas!

In my Holiday Planning Class, the most well received hand-out is the Holiday Planning Weekly Checklist. I’ve shared it with clients, and one said she couldn’t believe that preparing for the holidays could be that easy. I won’t say “easy”, but “simpler, less stressful and better prepared” sound pretty great.  Here are some suggestions to make your season better, tweak these suggestions to fit your life.

Week of November 17

• Appreciate your friends and family members, and all the good things in your life. (We had a brunch for friends yesterday, and I am feeling so grateful today!)
• Finalize Thanksgiving Menu
• Pantry-shop to get rid of clutter, and stock up on cooking / baking  supplies
• Hang outside lights, don’t turn them on
• Plan Holiday Party:  dates, guests lists and menus, and choose invitation and RSVP deadlines
• Buy multiples of your standard hostess gift, like nice wine or candles.  Make sure it’s something you use, in case you have extra left over
• Encourage kids and adults to purge and donate
• Heavy clean and de-clutter, or make some calls for assistance!

Week of November 24:

• Stock up on gift certificates for teens, stocking stuffers, teachers etc.
• Take a nice family picture at Thanksgiving, when everyone is a little dressed up. Use it for your Christmas Cards!
• At Thanksgiving, tell or email family about upcoming Christmas concerts, children’s programs and parties.
• Buy Stamps, while you can still get Holiday stamps!
• Stock up on cooking and baking supplies
• Complete your Christmas Card list, and confirm addresses (keep a copy for next year!)

Week of December 1:

• Take out the “First Out” Box.  Our “First-Out” box is also our “Last In” box.  It contains the items that are used for the entire Advent and Christmas seasons for us, like our crèche, some children’s books, our Advent Wreath and candles, etc. Set up just a few decorations now.
• Stock up on gift certificates, stamps, and cooking or baking supplies
• Order your Christmas Cards, or start your letter
• Plug in or turn on Christmas lights
• Complete out-of-town shopping / wrapping
• Start Christmas shopping for local recipients
• Find and clean holiday dishes and tins

Week of December 8:

• Continue to stock up on gift certificates, stamps and cooking and baking supplies (spread the costs out over several weeks)
• Finish teacher gifts, like gift certificates and cards
• Check decorations; donate any that will not be going up this year!
• Assemble and address Christmas Cards
• Ship all out-of-town packages
• Complete Christmas Shopping
• Holiday donations, service projects

Week of December 15:

• Finalize Christmas Menu, who is bringing what
• Decorate the house, and buy / set up the tree
• Finish shopping and gift wrapping.  Load into labeled bags or boxes, one for each of your destinations
• Start baking cookies
• Mail out your Christmas Cards
• Take a breath, and take a break.  The house is decorated, your gifts are bought and wrapped, cards are mailed, travel plans are completed, and donations are made.  Sit calmly in your living room, reveling in the beauty of your stress free holiday prep and beautiful decorations.  Go to a party or 2!

Week of December 22

• Last minute baking / cooking for Christmas Eve
• Last minute grocery shopping
• Relax! Go see the Christmas lights, have some holiday fun!

December 24, Christmas Eve:

• Family Christmas Eve traditions
• Make ahead dishes for Christmas Dinner, if possible
• Lay out outfits for Christmas morning Mass

Christmas:  Thursday, December 25:  Enjoy!!!

Week after Christmas:

• Invest in some sale priced Rubbermaid or Sterilite storage containers
• Put your decorations away by category and label the container
• Remember to put your “Last In” away last, so you can grab it first next December!

Take steps now to make your holidays more peaceful and enjoyable!