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A 5-week to-do list to help you prepare for Christmas

Christmas Countdown Calendar

Christmas Countdown: Week One (11/21)

Take inventory of any decorations, wrapping paper, ribbon, tape, tags, batteries and any other supplies you already have on head for holiday preparations. Knowing what you already have will come in handy when creating your holiday budget and watching for sales on items you need.
- Make sure you have sufficient wrapping paper, ribbon, tape, and tags. Or click here for alternative methods for gift wrapping.
- How's your artificial tree? Is it in good enough shape for this year, or do you need to start looking for a new one?
- Need new decorations? Make a list so you can keep an eye out for sales. Or plan to make homemade decorations this year.
- Untangle the lights and make sure they all work so you don't have to make a last minute run to get more when you're decorating the tree.
Make your gift-giving list. Be sure to consider family, friends, co-workers, teachers and anyone else you will be buying for.
- Have kids and other family members create a Christmas Wish List.
- Take one evening and go through all of the holiday catalogs you have received in the mail. Even if you don't order from them, they can give you good ideas for gifts.
- Anyone need new clothing? Make sure you know sizes.
- Purchasing any gifts to donate to charity?
- Don't forget to plan for stocking stuffers !
- And don't forget your postal carrier, stylist, newspaper carrier or anyone else to whom you like to give a holiday tip.
Determine your Christmas card list.
- Make sure you have updated addresses for everyone on your list.
- Decide how many stamps, cards and envelopes you will need.
- Will you be purchasing cards or making your own?
- Do you need to schedule a family photo or take one yourself for your cards?
Create your holiday budget. Be sure to plan for gifts, entertainment, travel, decorations, stamps, cards and any other expenditures you can think of. You do not have to determine your Christmas menu just yet, but don't forget to budget for holiday meals and baked goods.
Is your budget more than you can reasonably afford? Look for places to cut back.
- Perhaps your kids can make a gift for their teacher instead of purchasing something.
- Are there people on your Christmas card list who you have not spoken to since you sent a card last Christmas?
- Perhaps adult family members would agree to drawing names this year instead of buying a gift for everyone.
- Budgeting sometimes takes creativity, so look at each category and figure out ways to have the Christmas you want at a price you can afford.
Are you hosting a holiday party or Open House? Make that list as well so you can get invites out early!
Start a holiday calendar to keep track of holiday parties, local community events, church programs and television specials you'd like to attend or watch this season. Don't forget to schedule a night to go out and look at Christmas lights!
Pull out your holiday music and DVDs.

Christmas Countdown: Week Two (11/28)

Choose the items you'll be baking this year.
- Pull out each recipe and determine what ingredients you'll need.
- Inventory your pantry to see what you have on hand and then make a list of what you'll need to purchase. Do you have any coupons for anything you need?
- Grocery stores often have baking supplies and ingredients on sale this time of year so watch the ads but do try to get to the store sooner in the season than later so you have plenty of time to bake and enjoy!
- Don't have the time to do the baking all on your own? Organize a cookie swap with friends and neighbors! It is a fun way to get a wide variety of cookies for sharing and enjoying.
- Create a schedule to determine what you will bake and when and then stick to it.
Select any make-ahead recipes you know you'll be cooking.
- Once again, pull out your recipes and inventory your ingredients to see what you'll need to buy. Need some make-ahead recipe ideas? Click here.
- Get to the store sooner rather than later so you are not stuck with a lot of last-minute cooking.
- Do you need to clean out your freezer of fridge so you have room to store everything you cook ahead?
- Create a schedule to determine what you will cook and when and then stick to it.
Make the Christmas dinner menu and start watching for sales on what you will need. If you're having guests, decide if you want them to bring something and let them know so they can plan, too.
Start shopping. Try to hit the stores after work or when you are running errands so you do not have to make extra trips.
- If you have out of town family to buy for, put shopping for them at the top of your list to avoid the last minute panic of getting their gifts shipped in time.
- Are you donating any gifts for charity? Often these organizations need gifts earlier than later to allow time for distribution so put these at the top of your list as well.
- Start an envelope to store shopping receipts so you can track purchases or make returns after the holidays.
- If you are sending out regular Christmas cards, don't forget to pick them up so you have plenty of time to get them sent out.
If you are taking your own family photo for your Christmas cards, try to take it this week so you have time to order prints and/or cards. You can find some pointers here: http://www.stretcher.com/stories/10/10feb15d.cfm A good online source for ordering photo prints and/or cards is Snapfish.
Wrap gifts as you buy them so you do not get overwhelmed trying to wrap everything at once or at the last minute.
Get to the post office and mail any out-of-town gifts you already have purchased to avoid those last-minute long lines at the Post Office.
Will your family travel over the holidays? Make travel plans and reservations now if you have not already done so. Reserve baby-sitters for any nights out planned without the kids.

Christmas Countdown: Week Three (12/05)

It is time to put up the tree! Either pull out the artificial one or plan a night to go pick out a real one. Not sure which to get? Click here. Designate someone to water the tree periodically if using a natural one.
Decorate the inside and outside of your home, including the tree.
Start writing Christmas cards. Split your list into sections and either do a few each evening while watching television or knock out half this week and half next.
Does anyone in your family need a nice outfit for holiday dinner, church services or a night out to a Christmas concert? No need to buy something expensive that will only be worn once or twice. Plan to check at consignment or thrift stores before hitting the department stores.
Will you or a family member need a haircut for a family photo or do you want a cut and color before the big company party? Schedule appointments with your stylist.
Continue shopping and wrapping gifts!
Make another trip to the Post Office if necessary to mail out of town gifts.
Complete any baking or cooking you have scheduled for this week.

Christmas Countdown: Week Four (12/12)

Don't forget to water the tree if you have a real one!
Plan a night to take the kids see Santa.
Do a thorough cleaning of the house this week so you can just worry about smaller cleaning projects next week.

Have kids go through old toys in order to make room for the new and donate them to charity.
Enlist the family's help in getting the house clean and keeping it clean until Christmas.

Finish up any baking or make-ahead recipes you need to complete.
Double-check that you have all ingredients you will need to make Christmas breakfast, brunch and/or dinner.
Make sure you have enough plates, silver, napkins, etc. for your holiday meals.
Check your gift-giving list twice to make sure you have not forgotten to pick up anything so you can avoid the crowds in the stores next week.
If you have any remaining gifts or cards that need to be mailed, send them out this week!

Christmas Countdown: Week Five (12/19)

Finish up any gift-wrapping early in the week.
If you have stayed organized and have most of your holiday tasks complete, schedule a few extra holiday outings with your family. Go caroling or for a stroll around the neighborhood to look at lights. Or stay in and eat popcorn and cookies while watching a Christmas DVD.
Have you not had time to decorate yet? Try these last-minute holiday decorating tips.
Need a few small last-minute gifts for neighbors or co-workers? Make them some easy-to-make homemade candy.
Make sure the tree stays watered.
Keep the house tidy so you do not have to take too much time de-cluttering before Christmas Eve. Have the family pitch in 15 minutes each day to help with this task.
Pre-make Christmas morning breakfast or brunch.
Get the stockings stuffed.
Charge the camera batteries overnight so all cameras are ready to go Christmas morning!

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