Holiday To Do List !

Can you believe it? Christmas is just around the corner. It is important to keep in mind the true spirit of the holidays and enjoy our health, family and friends. However, there is a dark side; shopping, budgeting, decorating and the list goes on. So this year get organized and make a “to do list”, then follow it.

The key to relieving holiday stress is to spread things out. Do a little each day and avoid saving it all to the last minute. I don’t know how many times I was up all night getting things done. By the next morning all I could think about was getting sleep.

Make a list and Check it twice. I make a list of everyone I am going to purchase gifts for and the amount I am willing to spend. I use excel and calculate my grand totals. If it’s over my budget I go back through and adjust my gift amounts. Keep in mind it’s not about how much you spend, it really is the thought and when it’s all over everyone is grateful no mater what they received. Consider taking your list after the holidays and dividing that amount by ten. Deposit that amount into a savings account each month and by October you will have money saved for Christmas. It’s a nice feeling to shop for Christmas with cash and to know when January rolls around you don’t owe a single credit card company. You may find budgeting allows you to put away more money than usual providing for more gifts the following year.

Make your Christmas card List. A great time saver is to place your cards in a box with your address book and list. When you go to the Doctor’s office, kid’s activities or you’re waiting in the school pick up line. Fill out a few cards and swing by the post office to drop them off. You would be amazed at how much ideal time we have throughout our day. (One oil change or tire rotation will have all your Christmas cards done and in the mail).

Make a Menu and Grocery list. Shop early and avoid the holiday stress at the grocery store. Look at your recipes and items that can be made ahead of time, make them and store them in the refrigerator or freezer. Get others involved, you don’t have to do it all alone. Let grandma bring a pie or ask Aunt Sally to bring her green bean casserole. Besides who has room for all of that food anyway and it makes others feel helpful and appreciated.

Deep clean the house and decorate. Get the whole family involved for this one. We make it a day, the boys go out and decorate the house and my daughter and I clean the house. We go out after things are done and pick up the tree and decorate it. The whole thing is a family event and we make sure we don’t schedule anything else on that day. Once it’s done we agree to keep the house up and avoid clutter.

Set up a wrapping station. Set up a card table and have wrapping paper, tape, bows, ribbon and other items for wrapping presents. Have a small kitchen trash can next to the table for trash. This helps minimize clutter and encourages others to help with wrapping.


Remember the holidays are about our faith, helping others and enjoying the company of family. Don’t allow commercialism and the “Jones” to change the true meaning of Christmas. Take time to enjoy the weather, time off with your kids and a long hot bubble bath. Embrace your family, enjoy their differences and take notes so you have fresh material into the New Year (just kidding)!

Happy list making!!