I know, I know . . . you’re just trying to get through Halloween and Thanksgiving without having chest pains every time you walk into Hobby Lobby and are forced to think about how Christmas is almost upon you, with all it’s stress and busyness reminded about the upcoming celebration of our Savior’s birth and all it’s wonderful traditions and fun!
A couple of years ago, I discovered a new (to me) way of preparing for Christmas that has revolutionized my experience of Advent, the month of December, and the celebration of Christ’s birth. I have started planning to finish all of my Christmas preparations–shopping, wrapping, mailing cards, etc.–by December 1. I’ve found that it makes a huge difference in my energy level and enthusiasm by the time Christmas arrives if I’ve spent the weeks leading up to it enjoying Advent activities with my family rather than running myself ragged, fighting crowds at Target and wrapping gifts until midnight.
The key to this strategy is planning. The way I plan is by making a long list of everything that needs to happen and then work backwards, scheduling it out and figuring out when I need to start each task. For example, I can’t mail Christmas cards until I have a Christmas card. I won’t have a Christmas card unless I order one. I can’t order one unless we take a family photo. I can’t take a family photo until everyone has color-coordinated outfits to wear. (That’s just how I roll.) So each of these tasks is on my checklist. That way, I don’t get to the end of November, realize no one has anything to wear in a family photo for the Christmas card I want to mail out next week, and go running to the mall on Black Friday to try to find something. (Nightmare!)
I apologize for not getting this post up sooner. I started my preparations at the end of September. But it’s not too late! Every bit you get done ahead of December 1 will mean less stress for you in November. Sit down right now and make your list!
To help you, click below for an example of my checklist to get you started. Once you try it, you’ll never go back!
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