Staying organized during the holiday season is a very important part of staying cool throughout. We’re publishing this article on October 1, which means there are exactly two months left until December, when the holidays are officially in full swing. This year Chanukah runs from November 28 to December 6, marking the start of the December holiday rush – Winter Solstice, Christmas, Kwanzaa, and New Years Eve all follow at the end of the month. With that in mind, our goal is to help you get * everything * you need to do before the early December deadline. Here’s how to do it.
2 MONTHS OFF
During the first half of October, complete these tasks. By preparing in advance, you will have a fun and stress-free holiday season:
Start shopping for vacation outfits
October is a great time to decide if you’re going to buy a new outfit for one of your events this year. Stores will be full of inventory from the start of winter and the holidays, so your size is unlikely to be sold out.
Get an agenda or calendar
Having a place to jot down all your important events (like the date of your virtual working holiday party, your best friend’s Friendsgiving reunion, and the respective holiday dinners of you and your SO families) will save your life as you go. that your schedule gets longer. packed up. You can also keep track of the tasks in your diary … remember to print this list or copy it to STAT. Here are some of our favorite picks.
Decide on RSVPs for the holidays
If you have a partner, come from a blended family, or have other circumstances that require you to choose or coordinate different holiday gatherings, now is the time to open the lines of communication. Politely explain to everyone involved that you would never * dream * of missing their dinner if you had agreed to come, so you really need to set the dates now.
Create a wishlist for yourself
It’s no longer considered cool to get or give gifts that end up in a landfill because you don’t really want them. Compile a list of things you need or want and distribute to your loved ones, so you can create minimal waste during the holiday season.
Request other people’s wishlists
Likewise, ask your friends and family for their own wishlists to make sure you don’t give them something they don’t want or really need.
Take vacation photos
Are you sending greeting cards this year? Have your photos taken now so you can order your prints as soon as possible.
Order greeting cards
Once your photos are taken, order your cards to make sure they’re safe in your home office, ready to be addressed by December.
6 WEEKS
Six weeks from December 1 to October 20 (yes, just before Halloween). Around this date, start checking off these items on your to-do list:
Start processing greeting cards
If you haven’t ordered your greeting cards with the addresses pre-printed on the envelope, now is the time to start addressing.
Planning a meeting? Invite your guests
If you are planning to host events yourself this year, now is the time to invite your guests. Six weeks gives them enough time to set their own schedules so that they can give you a firm yes or no when it comes to their attendance.
Decide on your menu
Continuing from above, if you are planning this year, plan your menu NOW. If you’ve never hosted a holiday gathering before, be aware that many shops and butchers require you to place a holiday order IN ADVANCE – you may not be able to just go to a butcher on December 23 and buy a ham. Check with your local suppliers now to make sure you will have everything you need.
Order new decorations
If you’re in the mood for a makeover this holiday season, it’s time to go shopping. Get all the trims you need to decorate the hallways in the weeks to come.
Start shopping for gifts
Since you already have the wish lists of your loved ones, you should have no problem starting to tackle your shopping list. If you start shopping for these items now, you’ll save yourself a lot of headaches in December (plus you’ll space out your spending, which will be a lot easier on your wallet).
2 WEEKS
Since Chanukah starts on November 28, we’ll be using November 14 as the start of the two-week window BEFORE the holiday rush. Here’s what to do on or around this date:
Decorate (optional)
Previously there was some hesitation in decorating for the holidays before Thanksgiving, but we left all of our reservations out the window when we realized how much stress it took to do it in advance. Besides, Thanksgiving is also a holiday – you might as well have a lot of cheerful decor for that. This tip is optional, however … if you’d rather wait closer to December, we’ll have another spot on this list for your decorating needs.
Finish shopping
Any late items on your crew’s wishlists must be purchased now.
Start packing
Give gifts this year? Wrap them up now so you can relax and enjoy the holiday season in December.
Make a shopping list for the holidays
While you should already be planning your menu, now is the time to list the foods on your holiday recipes for your pre-party shopping excursion. Any other items to include? Napkins and plates (if needed), place cards, fresh flowers and centerpiece decoration.
Send greeting cards
Take these cards to the post office and get them in the mail, STAT!
LAST MINUTE DETAILS
When December 1 (and surrounding days) rolls around, make sure the latest items are taken care of:
Decorate if you haven’t already
If you’ve been waiting until after Turkey Day to decorate your notepad, now’s the time to get all-in!
Complete all holiday shopping
Seriously, don’t wait until the last minute.
Buy your party supplies
Pick up all non-perishable items in advance. Then, a day or two before your holiday party, head to the grocery store to get everything you need to make a delicious spread.
Thoroughly clean your home
Everyone wants their home to shine brightly during the holiday season. Give it a good, deep cleaning – from the floors to the kitchen – so you can enjoy its beauty throughout December.
Buy thank you cards
Stock up on thank you notes so you can graciously thank everyone who gives you something special.
Do you already feel ready for the December holidays? Tweet us at @BritandCo And keep us updated !
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