The year is drawing to a close and Christmas is fast approaching. With just a few weeks before December 25th, do you have all your holiday plans in order?
If you’re feeling overwhelmed with the work still ahead of you, we’re here to help. Here are a few things you can do to prepare for Christmas.
- Send Out Christmas Cards
Things are just going to get busier from here on out. If you want to make sure your Christmas cards arrive at their recipients on time, send them out ASAP. You don’t want to be the person who just sends season’s greetings through social media.
- Donate Old Stuff to Charity
Christmas is the season of giving – and we’re not just talking about gifts for friends and family. Before you start decorating your home, go through the stuff you’ve accumulated over the past year. Chances are, there are a few things that you just don’t need anymore.Instead of leaving them in storage, consider giving some away to charity. If they don’t hold a lot of sentimental value, you can donate those items to help make someone else’s Christmas a little bit merrier.
- Decorate By the First Week of December
What’s Christmas without the decorations? When you see the neighborhood all lit up, you know the holidays are here. However, decorating your home is a big project that needs your full attention.Give yourself enough time by decking the halls at the start of December. You can even turn it into a family activity so that everyone at home can feel their contribution to the holiday vibe.
- Start Wrapping Presents
Throughout the year, you may have bought a few things here and there, thinking they’d make great Christmas presents. Add those items to the others you got from recent sales and your closet is probably filling up with soon-to-be gifts.
Don’t wait until Christmas is right around the corner to get them wrapped – start now! You can also use this as an opportunity to see who else might be missing presents.
- Expect Surprise Visitors
However you feel about guests suddenly dropping by, it’s better to be ready to welcome them into your home. Try to keep the living room as clutter-free as possible so you can always use the area for surprise visitors. You should also stock up on some snacks that you can easily offer them.Be prepared so you don’t have to scramble to entertain unexpected guests.
- Get a Head Start on Christmas Dinner
A week before the big day, make a list of all the things you need to buy for Christmas dinner. And don’t forget to double check the list before you hit the grocery. There’s nothing quite as frustrating as making a last-minute trip for a crucial ingredient.Once you have everything you need, try to prepare and cook what you can ahead of time. After all, Christmas should be spent with your family, not stuck in the kitchen.
- Remember to Make Time for Your Loved Ones
It’s easy to get swept away by the holiday rush. As you plan upcoming parties and events, don’t forget to relax and spend time with the most important people in your life. I’m sure they’ll appreciate your presence more than whatever gift you have in store.
Don’t forget, friends and family are what makes for a truly happy holiday.