Oh Yes, I am talking about Christmas folks! The hunt and clearing out has begun! I realize it is only October, but there is so much to be done to get ready. Right? Here are 10 things I like to do in anticipation of this wonderful time of year – Christmas!!
- De-Clutter. WHAT!??! Am I the only one that gathers things throughout the year, hangs on to them for the “right time”, realizing that right time will never appear. Well, out with ya!
- Clearing out the toys. I have three kids in a very small house. We make it work, but goodness do things accumulate! I start taking toys here and there that aren’t played with and widdle it down to the top ones they like. Many trips to Goodwill right now.
- It’s never too soon to start thinking about Christmas cards. I start thinking about what family pictures I want to use (or scheduling a family photo session in my case) and get the search going online for the PERFECT Christmas card!
- Preparing that ever so sacred “Christmas Wish List” with my kids. When they see things on tv they want or when we are in the stores, you can bet I am writing things down they like. It gives me time to look into them to see if we really want this toy/entertainment in the house! Plus, then I am ready when the Grandparents ask what the kids want.
- Read up on what’s going to be the “HOT” toy this year. I found a great article on this over at Time to Play!
- Time to prepare with the extended family members to see if a gift exchange will be happening. With the state of the economy right now, so many families are holding off on gifts for extended family members. Over the past years, our family has done the same thing. Now is just the time when we are figuring out what exactly we will be doing – so no one is surprised as Christmas approaches. We have even talked about sponsoring a family this year since there are SO many families in need.
- MATCHING OUTFITS! Oh yah, I do this up. And believe it or not, I actually started looking for this outfit already last month! 🙂
- Get the calendar out! Around the Christmas season, there are so many things that pop up. From work Christmas parties, to school parties, school concerts, dance concerts, church concerts. The list goes on and on. Be sure to write things out in a prominent place so there is no confusion with your spouse and kids!
- Shopping. Oh the shopping – I am always on the look out for great deals. Now would be a great time to sign up for email lists from some of your favorite retailers. Often times they send out coupons and special deals to their email subscribers only. Head over and “like” their Facebook pages as well. For the same reasons. Finally, visit your favorite blogs too! For example, SIMPLE is my favorite! Well, because I own it, BUT also because there are FABULOUS deals and LOTS of giveaways. There are so many blogs out there – pick a few and start following! 😉
- Last but not least, at least not in our house, remember the reason for the season. So much of this blessed Holiday gets squandered in the commercialization of it. Remember WHAT and WHO we are celebrating! What a wonderful time of year!!
I wrote this blog post while participating in the Storkie holiday blogging program. I received compensation for my participation. All opinions are 100% mine.
