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Preparing for the Holidays

Every household considers the holidays a busy time of year. For me, the hustle and bustle start at Thanksgiving and don’t end until the new year. Each year it seems as though the year flies quicker and quicker. Every year I try to come up with a game plan to make this time of year pass seamlessly. Things like decorating, presents, parties, kids entertainment can be hectic so here are a few pointers to help you prepare for the holidays.

Decorating

I always decorate my house the Sunday after Christmas and take them down the week after new years. This includes the tree. The tree is bought the Saturday after Thanksgiving. This allows time for you to make adjustments and be able to enjoy the holiday spirit in your home for longer. A good tip is to purchase decorations shortly after Christmas day to get a good deal. Need extra lights? Always wanted a blow up decoration for your front yard? The day after Christmas is when you can score the best discounts.

Presents

Everyone has presents to buy around Christmas. Family, Friends, Co-workers all deserve your thoughts during this time. Clearly the best thing to do is spread out the spending through the year so it doesn’t hit you at once. Find the gifts you want and then look for sales. You can also find great sales on Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Buying things online has made present shopping more convenient. A lot of families complain about the amount of toys in their homes. A good option for presents are experiences instead of toys. An example of this would be a season pass/membership to a local attraction or tickets to an event. Even plan a little vacation or gift card for an experience.

Parties and Events

The holidays also call for a lot of parties and events. It seems as though every weekend is jam packed with activities for the family. There could be family parties, work parties and friends gatherings that fill up the calendar. Family events such as santa photos, light displays, cookie decorating and gingerbread house making are all a part of the magic of Christmas. Make sure your calendar system for your family is solid so everyone involved knows what is going on and what is required. These events may require prepping (make food, buy wine, organize outfits, pack, ect.) so it is very important to be organized during the holidays.

The most important tip of all is so cliche, but remember the reason for the season. Don’t let yourself get caught up in expectations and the holiday crazies otherwise time will just pass you by.

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