31 days to go until Christmas, what should you plan to do right now…notes from Ginny
The Thanksgiving rush will envelop this week - and now you’ve got just over four full weeks til Christmas. Gives you time to get into the holiday spirit - and enjoy it - without feeling too rushed!
So here’s our GK checklist -
🎄Your Tree!
It’s time to choose - faux or real fir. If you’re leaning fake, then why wait? We ordered our 4.5 foot Balsam Fir pre-lit blue spruce from Balsam Hill in late October and it’s been lighting things up ever since.
🎁 Shopping and Gifting
A vital week and a half it says when it comes to gift shopping - Black Friday looms, Small Business Saturday ahead, and next Monday is Cyber Monday.
Make Your List (Check It Twice) and Budget It All: List everyone you’re buying for - set spending limits to helps out your finances - and the figure out the “dream” gift for each person, so you have a moment to move money around if one gift comes in under, then move money to another person.
Get the Gift Wrap and Organize Supplies: It’s time to buy wrapping paper - get the ribbon, tape, scissors and gift tags. SAVE TIME by wrapping gifts as they arrive.
Organize a Wrapping Station?: Keep all wrapping paper and supplies together in one place - for us, it’s the dining room table - so that you can get things wrapped quickly and precisely.
Get Those Online Orders In: Order presents now so you are well in advance of shipping deadlines and…
Colleague and Work Gifts: Make your list of colleagues and work friends you need to send gifts to - get these ordered now so they arrive in first half of December (and when people are not away!).
📅 Holiday Parties, Hosting, Travel and Christmas Dinner, Oh My!
Also a great week to survey December and make sure you have everything lined up from any parties you may host to work and school functions you need to attend and how you’re getting to and who is hosting Christmas.
Figure out the Holiday Calendar: It’s a good week to put down all the important holiday dates - finalize any parties you are hosting (Christmas cookie exchange? tree decorating brunch? family baking?) , note school events and figure out where you’re spending Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Iron Out Your Travel Plans: It’s a huge week for Thanksgiving travel with even bigger predictions for Christmas travel. Time to make or double-check your flight, train, or road trip plans.
Are you hosting? Get those Guest RSVPs: If you are hosting, send out final confirmations to guests for an accurate headcount.
And if you’re hosting Christmas - plan Your Christmas Menu: Now’s the time to survey all the possible dishes and ideas for Christmas menus and make preliminary plans. Are you making it all - will you have someone else take care of roasting the turkey? Now is a great time to check recipes and compile plans. Plus put in orders for Christmas fruitcakes, fruits, cookies and more and add in those delivery dates to maximize convenience for you.
🎄 Get Your Christmas On!
With a half week at work for most people - great week to embrace the festive atmosphere and get things done!
Go Ahead and Put Up the Decorations: A great week to put up the Christmas tree, hang lights, and decorate your home.
Order and get those Advent Calendars started: Since today is November 23rd, it’s almost time to start those Advent calendars on December 1st.
Order/Start Sending Holiday Cards: If you are sending photo cards, order them now . If you are sending individual holiday cards, start surveying what’s available so you can write replies to any you receive.
Order Holiday Cards for vital holiday actions like tips: If you’ve got people in your life to share a little merry with in the form of a Christmas tip from the postman to the plumber - get those cards ready to go and start getting the cash laid out.
And…why wait. Get Those Holiday Traditions Going: Why wait - bake your first batch of cookies or try a snowflake cake, watch a favorite Christmas movie (“Champagne Problems” just debuted on Netflix or try “A Castle for Christmas” … and don’t forget “The Princess Switch”), or start compiling your playlist of holiday music.