If you've ever been up at 4 a.m. on Christmas Eve with tape stuck to your face, a dwindling supply of wrapping paper, and a "Santa" signature that eerily resembles Mom's handwriting, you might benefit from some early holiday preparation this year. Not speaking from personal experience or anything, but the holidays can often induce sleep-depraved insanity and far too many burnt chocolate chip cookies.
With a month left until Christmas, you've still got time to prepare for the holiday season while juggling the usual responsibilities of work and family. Here's my first hand guide to keeping your sanity this holiday season.
1. Set a Budget (and try to stick to it!)
Probably the hardest thing to do is realize that you might have to leave some things off the Christmas List if you want to be able to pay your bills at the end of the month. Setting a budget ahead of time can help you find gifts early on and avoid last minute spending at the mall. You can always make minor changes to the plan, but you'll be more aware of that extra spending.
2. Make a To Do List full of things you can actually DO!
I used to have a terrible habit of making a mile high To Do List that was impossible to accomplish. Before I would even start my errands, I would be overwhelmed! Make a To Do List that actually reflects what you can probably get done in a day. Combine simple errands with more time consuming projects so that even if you don't get one thing done, you'll have crossed off something else. I try to get 1 or 2 big things a week done; whether it's taking holiday photos or finding a few presents for family or friends.
3. Plan your menu.
I'm not talking about just your Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner. If you've never been one to plan your weekly dinner menu, start now for the holidays. You'll save a lot of extra time that you probably would have been spending looking up recipes or heading to the supermarket for a last minute ingredient. Relax during that extra time and get some quality "you" time!
4. Don't stress too much over finding the perfect present
While shopping for kids may be easy, it's often difficult shopping for co-workers, friends and in-laws. There's always one person on my list who I have absolutely no idea what to get them. For me, it's helpful to look at gift guides and get some ideas. If all else fails, a gift certificate from their favorite store and a nice card makes a thoughtful present.
5. Go through your decorations inventory
Thanksgiving weekend is often the time to start unpacking the Christmas decorations. Before you begin decorating, take note of decorations you may need or how many Christmas lights are broken so when you go to the store you'll buy exactly the right amount.
6. Buy lots of wrapping paper.
Unless you plan on adopting an Ebenezer Scrooge policy for the rest of your life, it's probably safe to say you can use any extra wrapping paper next year.
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