Gifts:
-Make a budget and stick to it. Do a little bit of shopping each trip.
-Have a set number of gifts that are given to each child.
-Choose names and set a price limit. Instead of buying gifts for all siblings and cousins, you’ll end up with a lot less!
-Let grandparents and other relatives know children’s gift lists, and what you think is appropriate. They’ll usually listen.
-Shop on-line and take advantage of free shipping or gift-wrapping.
-Take turns with friends watching each other’s children for Christmas shopping.
-Make sure you have tape, tags, and wrap.
-Wrap gifts as they are purchased or have a gift-wrapping party with friends. Have children help wrap gifts. They love to be involved!
Cooking or Baking:
-Throughout November and December cook double for dinner when you can and freeze the extra portions. When you have a busy day, dinner is ready to be heated up.
-Shop ahead of time for non-perishable food items for Christmas meals and baking.
-Host a cookie baking day or cookie exchange with friends.
-When you have a free block of time, mix up a batch of cookie dough and freeze it. Then bake when you have time.
Christmas cards:
-Schedule picture appointment.
-Instead of doing newsletter yourself, have each person write a paragraph or draw a picture.
-Purchase stamps and cards ahead of time and address a few each night, or have older kids help.
Decorating:
-Get rid of decorations you don’t use or love!
-Pack up knick-knacks from house into Christmas boxes while decorations are out.
Entertaining:
-Wash china or holiday dishes ahead of time (or use paper and plastic)
-Do you need anything dry cleaned?
-Make sure to buy film for cameras, or clear out your card, and charge up video camera.
Thinking these things out ahead of time can save a lot of stress. Especially if you're a procrastinator like me.
5 comments:
yeah Annie! Take your own advice, charge your video camera!!! :) btw, about that, do you think you could do my video before christmas? cuz then I could send it to G-ma Rose and double it as a Christmas gift :) :) :) Plus I really really want to see it and she wants to even more! Pretty Please? You are my favorite sister you know...so if you don't want to be downgraded you might want to think about this.... :) tehehehe....LOVE YOU!
I am loving your series of holiday prep posts! If you don't mind I think I will refer people back to your blog for my Family Moment Monday post, these are great!
Thanks for the great tips....I need to go make sure all the clothes are dry cleaned for the holidays!
What a great blog you have here! Thanks for sharing :) I need to use this list for sure! I am a total stressball already :)
Ah, the charging of the video camera battery is what I always forget! Actually, I also forget to bring my camera! :)
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