In
the go-go-go of the holiday season, it can be calming to stop, assess, and
organize to help ensure a smooth and efficient week prior to Christmas
Day. If you feel like you have much left
to do, taking the time to make a good list – or lists, plural – can be just the
boost you need to continue on strongly with a proactive plan in mind.
Write
out a list of all of your gift recipients, maybe even jotting down quick notes
about what you have to give them. For
your children, this can be a time to make sure their gift count is about
even. For family and others, take a
moment to make sure you have all your bases covered and you have not left
someone out you intended to give to, of course according to how your family
approaches gift giving. If you have
shopping left to do, remember that it is
“the thought that counts.” Acknowledging
someone with something simple, thoughtful, and in your budget is more important
than overdoing it on what you think is perceived as the latest and
greatest. Then highlight any gifts on
your list that still need to be wrapped at this point. Take a quick inventory of your wrapping
paper, tape, ribbon, bows, and gift tags to make sure you have what you need to
finish up, and then make like Santa and wrap.
If
you have not already done so, make a final grocery list for anything you need
to complete your holiday recipes for your Christmas dinner. Factor in ingredients if you plan to make
cookie batches to give away, take dessert or another dish to a holiday party,
or are having company stay a few days.
In that case, you will benefit greatly from a meal plan of what you will
be serving your guests during their time with your family. Chart out options for breakfasts, lunches,
and dinners, and shop accordingly.
The
other big task to tackle is making a plan of how to get your home
company-ready. If you can factor in the
help of your spouse or older children, assign cleaning tasks to each
individual, and set a deadline for the completion of everything, leaving time
between “all clean” the first door bell ring.
It can be helpful to write out each chore so you can cross things off
the list as you complete them and see progress on paper as well. Instead of writing “clean guest room,” break
down the tasks into things like “dust, vacuum, wash sheets, fold towels, clean
bathroom,” and so forth.
In
10 days, Christmas morning will be upon us.
Use this time leading up to “Ho, Ho, Ho,” and go, go, go after a
productive, effective week of getting your checklists completed in a timely,
organized manner. Feeling spread thin
and overrun takes away from your joy of this season. Focus on being able to spend time with family
then by ensuring you have worked like a little elf yourself in advance.
DesignInMind column; appeared in the Valley Morning Star December 16th.
