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1.     Calendar:  Write down all of your holiday events on a calendar and put it somewhere where the whole family can see.     Mine goes on the side of the fridge.

2.     Gift List:     Write out your gift list and determine a budget.       I give myself a challenge each year to stay within my budget or hopefully under budget.

4.      Decorations:    Sort through your decorations when you pull them out of storage.   Throw away anything that is broken and give away or donate items that you don't want to use anymore.    I went through my decorations a couple of years ago and gave each child a box full of their homemade decorations I kept throughout the years so they could now share them with their family.    One of my favorite ornaments is a little drum my husband made out of a toilet paper roll covered in felt when he was a little boy.    

5.   Shopping:    Take a day during the week to do your shopping.     I find that a Tuesday or Wednesday is a great day where the stores and roads are not as crowded.     

6.   Guests:       Get your home ready for your holiday guests.    Wash bedding and make sure your guest bathroom is stocked with shampoo, soap, toothpaste, toilet paper and fresh towels.    

7.   Holiday Activities:      Plan activities for your guests.     Visit your favorite restaurant or drive them through your favorite neighborhood christmas displays.    You don't have to plan an activity for everyday.    Make sure that you give them time to relax.

8.  Extra Gifts:       Pick up a couple of extra gifts to keep on hand for that person that drops with an unexpected present.   Candles, scarf, gift card or box of homemade cookies are a few ideas.

Make yourself a checklist of everything that you need to do this holiday season.     I find it very satisfying to "check off" the items on my list.

I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and remember the true meaning of the season.