Having a plan going into the end-of-year holiday season makes it possible to juggle all of the celebrations, decorating, shopping, parties, mailings, gift giving, vacations and so on. You’ll be able to enjoy a stress free string of activities if you spread out the planning and work throughout the last few months of the year.
September
- Decide if you’ll be traveling for the holidays and set a fare rate reminder
October
- Book your travel early (by early November at the latest)
- Prepare your gift list and watch for early sales on items you know your loved ones will want
- Book your family photo shoot if you’re going to a studio
Early November
- Finalize your gift list and try to complete the bulk of your shopping before the post-Thanksgiving rush
- Schedule an informal family photo day
Late November
- Put together holiday card list, choose photos and place a card order
- If traveling, book a house sitter
- Prepare for Hanukkah festivities and shop for gifts
First Week of December
- If making your own holiday card, create and print; Begin addressing
- Shop for family gifts to be shipped out of town and teacher gifts
- Unpack holiday decorations and start decorating your home
- Plan your holiday festivities calendar
- Invite family and friends for holiday celebrations via e-mail or by phone
- Create your entertaining menu
- Final preparations for Hanukkah (December 12-19, 2009)
- Be sure you have supplies needed to begin gift wrapping (lots of tape, paper, ribbon and bows)
Second Week of December
- Ship out-of-town presents
- Buy stamps and mail or e-mail holiday cards
- Finalize shopping (unless you like the crowds, avoid last minute holiday shopping for more than a couple of gifts)
- Finish decorating your home and tree
- Review our Holiday Entertaining Checklist for step-by-step info on preparing to host a party, follow accordingly
Third Week of December
- Finish holiday shopping and wrapping presents
- Give presents or money cards to mommy’s helpers (babysitter, dog walker, cleaning lady, hairdresser, etc.)
- Create a timeline for preparing food ahead of time for year-end parties or events
- If you’re hosting a meal, organize platters, serving pieces, and table linens
- Decide on a centerpiece for the table
- Order baked goods, if not baking for the holidays
Fourth Week of December (Christmas Week 2009)
- Wrap all presents
- Take gifts to teachers before school lets out
More Checklists
- If you’re planning to entertain around the holiday season, be sure to stick to our Holiday Entertaining Checklist to stay on task. The week of your event is a big one, with lots of prep work and set-up.
