Planning for the Holidays

With October already well underway, it is definitely time to start planning for the holidays.  Seriously, I find that I’ll blink and be staring down Thanksgiving with Christmas just around the corner!  So, now is the time to plan it all out and make my life far less chaotic come late November and into December.

Here are 10 of my top holiday planning tips:

-1- Find the Christmas and holiday cards I want to send out. 

This might seem to be an easy task, but with the need for some non-religious cards for my non-Christian friends it is not so simple.  So, I like to pick a Christian card for the majority of my friends and family (after all Christ IS the reason for the season!)  Then I find a holiday card to send to the handful who are not Christian.

I’ve found a few that look great over at Storkie.  One product line that I’m loving is their photo magnet cards.  And, they have tons that are generic enough for all my friends.

-2- Get my contact list updated and ready for sending out Christmas and holiday cards. 

I used to have one of those books specific for Christmas card addresses that allowed me to track who I mailed cards to each year as well as who sent me a card.  While there are a few family members who will always get a card and photos, there are friends who I’ve dropped after a few years of no replies.  Call me crass, but I can’t afford to send tons of cards each year with no gratitude coming my way afterward.

-3- Make out my gift-giving list for Christmas. 

Image: Stuart Miles / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

If I don’t plan, then I might be doing some last-minute shopping and I prefer to spread the shopping out over the year.  Don’t forget any host gifts you might need for the regular parties you attend.

-4- Check all my places in the house for squirreling away gifts bought earlier in the year so I don’t overbuy.

One example of this is that the older boys and I know I picked up a great Melissa and Doug music set for J’s gift this year.  It’s sitting in my closet where I can see it on a regular basis.  But, I also have a tub in the school room with different things I’ve picked up that need to be looked through before I start shopping in earnest.

-5- Look for places that provide great shipping deals for sending directly to the gift recipient.

No sense in paying for shipping twice!  Amazon was a go to place for me last year when I had Amazon Prime.  We also got a great discounted shipping offer for Alaska-themed gift sets from the Alaska Wildberry Company last year after I saw them at our field trip there.

-6- Decide how many ‘outside’ commitments you want to have during the season.

It’s easy to get overbooked and while I love a good party, the chaos and grumpiness of the family has me setting limits.  Thankfully, many organizations are recognizing that fact and avoid scheduling much during the second half of December.

-7- Plan your holiday party for a less busy time.

I’ve been itching to have a party at our house since moving here.  I’m seriously thinking an open house style in January is what will go on my calendar.  Or, maybe a Mardi Gras themed party in early February. 

-8- Schedule your shopping expeditions!

Okay, I’ll admit it…. Thanksgiving Day includes the annual reading of the sales flyers for me.  There are some deals you just don’t see except for that weekend. But, I need that shopping list already made out as well as a game plan for hitting the stores (either in person OR online.)

-9- Find easy ways to incorporate family time into the holiday season.

The boys love to have movie night or game night any time of the year.  But, during Advent, I like to find some hands-on activities that help us grow in faith as well as strengthen family bonds.  We also love to bake cookies or other favorite dishes to help us celebrate the season.

-10- Start working on next year’s holiday season right after Christmas.

Those days after Christmas are prime time for stocking up on some items you just know you’ll need come next year.  Gift wrap, cards, and ornaments are a few of the things I’ll pick up on super sale.  (We also grab Mr. O’s favorite candies for snacking during the year, too.)  Plus, I will sometimes pre-buy for the future when I find something just perfect.  That’s how I got J’s music kit for 75% off the retail price.

This blog post was originally part of a holiday program sponsored by Storkie, a company that is now defunct All opinions are 100% mine.