Hello all,
It’s October and the holidays are fast approaching! As a working mom I know how hard it can be to balance everyday life…and then layer on top all the “to-do” lists of the holidays! It can be overwhelming for sure! And then we find ourselves in survival mode instead of enjoying the holidays. I speak from experience for sure! So I have learned to plan and schedule out all the tasks and add them to my calendar starting in October. It’s never too early to plan and prep to take the stress out…well, July would be a bit early! Here are my top 4 tips to get organized and start planning to thrive during the holidays, not just survive.
Make your lists!
01: Meal planning: Start with Thanksgiving – if you are hosting, plan out all of your meals and write them down! Here are a few must-haves for list making and daily planning.
(The daily agenda note pad has space to write down your schedule, daily tasks, meal plan, and even your self-care ritual for each day (you know how I feel about self-care!) | Depending on the size of your purse, this fancy, portable booklet could be perfect to have on hand throughout the holidays. | A simple, pretty list pad with a magnetic back is perfect for keeping your shopping list in plain sight.)
02. Schedule: Block time on your calendar to ensure you aren’t juggling too many things on one day. I use Google calendar, but there is an endless list of calendar apps to choose from, and let’s not forget the traditional daily planner. What can you get done in October? Here are 3 tips to get you going –
- Gather up the family when everyone is feeling cheerful and take your holiday card picture. If you’re hiring a photographer, this will be a great time to check availability. While you’re at it, make sure your address book is up to date and have your mailing list ready to go when the envelopes arrive.
- Freshen up the guest room and stock up the guest bath with fresh towels and toiletries.
- Buy your baking staples like, flour, granulated and brown sugar, vanilla extract, baking powder and baking soda.
03. Shopping: Hostess gifts – Anticipate how many parties or events you may have and order a handful of gifts to have on hand. Gift list – Start a list of who all you plan to buy for. Is there is anything special that pops to mind when you think of that person? If so, write it down. A few gift guides I found and love – Town & Country’s ‘20 Adorable Holiday Hostess Gift Ideas‘, Good House Keeping’s ‘32 Unique Hostess Gifts That Work for Any and Every Occasion‘ and House Beautiful’s ‘27 Amazing Hostess Gifts That Work For Any Party and Budget‘
04. Decorate: Do you have all your decorations from last year? Is there anything you need to add? Go ahead and get those purchases done now. Most retailers have their holiday decor out right after Labor Day it seems! Yes, it may seem early, but make those purchases before all of the good stuff is gone! For gorgeous decor, trendy or traditional, Pottery Barn’s Holiday Shop is always a win!
Next up in our series… Tablescape planning and styling!
Happy planning!
Kindly~Michelle
