Only 17 Friday's till Christmas! Yup! The time is ticking! Here are a few tips to minimize stress & have you all prepared and organized ahead of time so you can actually relax and enjoy the holiday with your family!
1. Buy in Advance!
The most well-organized people among us do their Christmas shopping months in advance. You don’t have to worry too much about whom the presents are for; just pick up things that could suit a number of your friends or family and start stashing them away for Christmas. There are sales all year long! Take advantage of that and just buy and stash! When it comes to buying popular kid items (like Frozen themed toys) earlier the better! You are guaranteed to get it and at a decent price. I already have Elsa and Anna dolls & Elsa gown pjs stashed for my girls :)
2. Plan your meal in advance!
The last few grocery shopping days before Christmas are like hell on earth. Planning your meal in advance can help you avoid this last minute rush to the checkout. Prices are often marked right up at this particular time, because the stores know that you will pay it no matter what. Buy things like flour and caster sugar for your baking a few weeks in advance – they will keep for a long time. If you have a freezer, use it! There are certain parts of your Christmas meal that you can prepare a few days in advance and freeze, freeing up your time on the day.
3. Order cards early!
I love the site Zazzle, I can always find codes for discounts on cards. Who says you have to make or get your Christmas cards in December or November? Keep an eye out on sites like Zazzle, Snapfish, etc for deals and go ahead and get your cards ordered in plenty of time!
4. Remember what's important!
For most of us, Christmas gifts are not what make it a special holiday. It’s about good food, and quality time spent with our loved ones. It’s hard, I know, but try not to spend too much time panicking about budgeting for Christmas. Children only care about getting the biggest and best presents if that’s what they are used to; if you go mad buying big presents for them every year, they will expect more and more each year to come. Not only that, but they will lose sight of what Christmas is really all about. The magic of Christmas has nothing to do with how much money you spend. Make memories, that's what matters the most! Build gingerbread houses together, bake cookies, make decorations, etc. And find at least one thing you can do as a family to help others. Volunteer at the food bank, visit the local nursing home, Salvation Army has Adopt an Angel program to buy a needy child gifts, Samaratin's Purse has Operation Christmas Child that is wonderful as well.
May you have a blessed and wonderful holiday season this year!
1. Buy in Advance!
The most well-organized people among us do their Christmas shopping months in advance. You don’t have to worry too much about whom the presents are for; just pick up things that could suit a number of your friends or family and start stashing them away for Christmas. There are sales all year long! Take advantage of that and just buy and stash! When it comes to buying popular kid items (like Frozen themed toys) earlier the better! You are guaranteed to get it and at a decent price. I already have Elsa and Anna dolls & Elsa gown pjs stashed for my girls :)
2. Plan your meal in advance!
The last few grocery shopping days before Christmas are like hell on earth. Planning your meal in advance can help you avoid this last minute rush to the checkout. Prices are often marked right up at this particular time, because the stores know that you will pay it no matter what. Buy things like flour and caster sugar for your baking a few weeks in advance – they will keep for a long time. If you have a freezer, use it! There are certain parts of your Christmas meal that you can prepare a few days in advance and freeze, freeing up your time on the day.
3. Order cards early!
I love the site Zazzle, I can always find codes for discounts on cards. Who says you have to make or get your Christmas cards in December or November? Keep an eye out on sites like Zazzle, Snapfish, etc for deals and go ahead and get your cards ordered in plenty of time!
4. Remember what's important!
For most of us, Christmas gifts are not what make it a special holiday. It’s about good food, and quality time spent with our loved ones. It’s hard, I know, but try not to spend too much time panicking about budgeting for Christmas. Children only care about getting the biggest and best presents if that’s what they are used to; if you go mad buying big presents for them every year, they will expect more and more each year to come. Not only that, but they will lose sight of what Christmas is really all about. The magic of Christmas has nothing to do with how much money you spend. Make memories, that's what matters the most! Build gingerbread houses together, bake cookies, make decorations, etc. And find at least one thing you can do as a family to help others. Volunteer at the food bank, visit the local nursing home, Salvation Army has Adopt an Angel program to buy a needy child gifts, Samaratin's Purse has Operation Christmas Child that is wonderful as well.
May you have a blessed and wonderful holiday season this year!
