SEVEN WEEKS ‘TIL CHRISTMAS!
The Christmas spirit is hitting all around us this week. Don’t get scared, but the truth is Christmas is next month and you can be well prepared without going nuts by following these tips.
Last year I made a trip into Walmart, right after Halloween and immediately noticed that the “seasonal” shelves, at the front of the store (filled with costumes and bagged candy a week before) were chock full of Christmas “stuff.” It would appear that the retail stores are ready for Christmas shoppers! Toy sale catalogs are arriving in the mail, so you can be assured that the shelves are full.
I hear tell that the Salvation Army bell ringers are already out. If that isn’t a sign that Christmas is coming, what is?
MY REALITY CHECK!
I made a promise to my readers that I would be candid and let you know how I’m doing on my journey into Christmas. Here’s how I’m doing this Monday morning seven weeks ’til Christmas. I have completed a very small percentage of my shopping successfully with the goal of buying two or three gifts each week. Last week I purchased some small gifts for the grandkids, and am working on Christmas lists for others. I’m feeling the need to perhaps pick it up a little to keep on track and get my gift purchasing completed without stressing. Those I have to ship will need to be completed first, but there is well over a month before shipping becomes necessary.
The Clean Kitchen Habit : which is making sure to clean your kitchen counters and shine your sink, before bed each night, is coming along slowly for me. We’ve had an unusual week with all four of us feeling unwell at times, but I continue to determine to try and go to bed with a clean kitchen. Hopefully you’ve been working on your new habit also – keeping kitchen counters and sink clean each night before bed.
This is also time to make a reality check on those things you have planned to make by hand. If you are baking or crafting, do you have all the necessary supplies? Have you set aside time to work on them, so that you don’t find yourself the week before Christmas struggling to get them all done? You’ll be glad that you did carve out time or you might want to change how much “crafting” you might try to complete.
Six years ago at this time, my husband was pretty sick and we didn’t know that we were going to have our lives turned upside down in just over a week, as he would be diagnosed with an infection in his spine, and emergency airlift for spinal surgery and a paralysis that would change many things for our family. It kept me in Seattle with him for about ten days, and then in rehab until July. This was the start a multi year journey to help him get back on his feet that threw some interesting changes in our holiday plans. Last year our youngest grand daughter was born six weeks early with a multi week stay in the ICU (She’s doing great – her first birthday is today!!) We kept her siblings for multiple days and nights. Both years I didn’t know how grateful I would be that I had started good habits toward getting ready for Christmas, or we would never have made it through the holidays. We never know how life might hit us, so it is always good to be prepared.
This year we have already made some plans for the traditions we want to share as a family. If you haven’t had a family meeting yet, now might be the right time. You can do it!
SUGGESTIONS:
Here are my suggestions for this week, to help you go gently into Thanksgiving and Christmas. I’m doing it along with you:
Is it time to clean your oven? If you have a self cleaning oven, like mine, plan a day when you can open windows, turn exhaust fans on high, or be away from home for a couple of hours, to deal with the fumes from the cleaning process. If you are looking for an easy, natural ways to clean the oven without fumes, this might be a good method to try.
Plan a few minutes to take out your notebook (see your week one, “get started” tips) and determine if you need to add anyone else to your gift list. Make a note of those gifts you have already purchased, and those you plan to get this week. Don’t forget to store the receipts in the envelope you attached to that notebook. If it works better for you, use your “memo” “or my notepad” or “note pad” on your cell phone to keep your list handy. Be sure to save those receipts.
Are there any gifts that you need to ship overseas or send to an APO or FPO address? Some packages may take a month or more to arrive, so be sure to get those put together to send as soon as possible. If you have packages to send anywhere in the USA, you might want to put those items at the top of your list, to make certain that you are not rushing to get that shopping done as the December shipping deadlines approach.
HELPFUL HINTS:
If you live in a cold climate, like I do, you’ll want to make sure and get your outdoor lighting done on the next warmish day. We left some of ours up all year – if this is cheating, well, I guess we are guilty! We are still awaiting our first snowfall but it has been cold, and we have finally had to turned the heat on. We found some quality lights at Costco to add to our indoor Christmas tree, as some of the lights had failed last year.
HOLIDAY FOOD SHOPPING –THANKSGIVING IS COMING!
If you have a few minutes this week, plan your menu for Thanksgiving dinner. Make a list of the items you need to buy and those side dishes that others will be bringing. Keep your list, on either paper or cell phone, handy: to assist as you shop. I also write up the menu ideas and stick them on the side of the refrigerator with a magnet.
Check your baking supplies since the sales on baking supplies have already started and will continue throughout the month of November. In the ten days before Thanksgiving you will find the very best prices for turkeys, so you might want to wait until next week to purchase yours, if turkey is on the menu for your Thanksgiving dinner. Sales will include sweet potatoes, cranberries, and pretty much all the ingredients for your side dishes. All these are on the shelves and some may already be on sale, ready for you to buy on your next trip to the supermarket. When you are shopping, pick up any great buys that you find. This last week we got a huge bag of crispy onion toppers, for less than the smaller packages that top the traditional green bean casseroles which one of our daughters makes for both Thanksgiving and Christmas.
If you need a little something to help decorate your Thanksgiving table, this is definitely a great time to find some bargains. You’ll also find fall decor on clearance. Several years ago I found fall flower arrangements at Michael’s for 90% off. I got an amazing $190 arrangement for $19 that sits at the front of our sanctuary at church! Take a few minutes to plan your table centerpiece.
You are now well on your way to having an organized relaxing Thanksgiving!
Next week I’ll tell about our family’s regular plan for Thanksgiving shopping!
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UPDATED – November 2023
Marjie Briggs is a Consumer Scientist / Home Economist who regularly shares the best things to buy each month or season, as well as organizational tips