Are you ready for the holidays to come sweeping through once again?
Simplify and Save
1. Family Photos. While the weather is still relatively nice, consider hitting a unique destination close to home. Make a day of it, pack a picnic, do some local sight-seeing. Many places off free or discounted days this time of year. Use your mad Google skillz and do a little research. Most cameras have a timer so you can pose your family and still be in the photo. Or you can do what Sheena and I did last year (and I think we’re planning this year as well) trade services. Both of our families got together and she took our family pictures and I took hers.
2. Holiday Cards. Do not wait until the last minute!! Shop early, pick out some festive Christmas cards, and order them soon.
It may not feel “right” signing, addressing and stamping Christmas cards in October but trust me on this one. Instead of procrastinating, stressing out over the family photo, spending unnecessary hours filled with worry over whether or not the cards will arrive before Christmas (or maybe you should just make them New Year’s cards?) instead of all the frustration…do it now. Imagine how good you will feel when they arrive at the end of October and you get them all ready to go and the day after Thanksgiving you can put them all in your mailbox and breathe that sigh of relief. Then you can brag about how on top of things you are this year! Yes. That will feel really good!
3. Gifts. If you’re like me, you buy little gifts all year long. My favorite time to pick up gifts is right after Christmas. The sales are tremendous and easy on the wallet. Be thinking about what how you can save money and put a little extra away so you aren’t totally broke. If you have kids, framed artwork from the children makes for nice (and inexpensive) treats for grandparents and far-away family. The past couple of years, I’ve been trying to give more thoughtful, meaningful gifts. I’ve given my Visual Prayers to close friends and family.
4. Gift wrap. Search Pinterest for idea. Simple is beautiful. Plain brown paper and a little string or twine and a white paint pen will make gorgeous wrapping.
5. Baking. Again, start now! Zucchini bread, banana nut bread, cookies…all these things freeze very well. Apple butter is pretty simple to make and apples are in season.
6. Handwriting. I’ve heard it over and over, “If I had pretty handwriting, I’d enjoy Christmas cards or tagging gifts.” Order a lovely stamp and some ink and enjoy!
7. Perfection. Let go of that notion. Strive for memorable. Think back to your favorite holidays. It wasn’t the gifts, it was the time spent with people you cherish. Give your friends and family that same gift. Plan parties that include board games, or white elephant exchanges, or bunco games. You could do a progressive dinner with other families. Be creative (or Google and copy!)
8. Dates. Pick your date now. And it’s ok to have early holiday parties. In the past, we’ve celebrated a combined Thanksgiving and Christmas in October with my husband’s grown children (and our grandchildren!) who live out of state. No one was torn between whose house they’d spend the holidays with and we got them all to ourselves (for a whole week!) instead of making then choose or rush. Everyone loved it.
9. Avoid the crowds. If you’re an introvert like me (who hates shopping) order online! I also plan late night trips to my 24-hour supercenter. Shopping is actually enjoyable in the middle of the night.
10. Have fun. Love your people, hug them, cherish them, and acknowledge them this season. It’s not about the gifts or the parties or the food. It’s about the people.
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