Planning for the holidays: Ten things you should know
As soon as the snow begins to fall, the holidays are top of mind—decorations go up, carols play on the radio and you hit the stores in a shopping frenzy, which tends to last straight through to the New Year, leaving you exhausted and your wallet empty. This year, save your sanity by preparing for the holidays now with our Top 10 list of ways to get ready. Once December rolls around you’ll be relaxed and ready to entertain!1. Card CoolMake your holiday card list—then make your holiday cards! Craft stores and dollar stores stock up holiday supplies in the fall, so now’s the time to pick up pretty card stock and accessories, from stamps to ribbon to decorative decals, to make your holiday cards unique.2. Present SenseMake your list and check it twice so you can give great gifts this year. Finding inspired gifts that your recipients will love takes time, which you’ve still got right now! Next time you’re at your sister-in-law’s house, take note: does her toaster take two hours to heat up? Are her wine glasses mismatched? Do her slippers have holes in the soles? Pay close attention each time you see a person on your gift list and once you start shopping you’ll have plenty of useful gift ideas for everyone on your list!3. Who’s to HostBy mid-December, you always seem to get burnt out travelling to three holiday parties in one night—at opposite ends of the city. To save your sanity this season, consider hosting your own party so that you’ll get to see all your family and friends in one night without leaving home! Whether you’re hoping to host Christmas dinner or a holiday open house, send your invites now. By December, invites will be fast and furious and if you want to make sure your loved ones can come to your fete, make sure your invitations are the first they receive. This way they have time to respond and plan, especially if travel and accommodations are involved. Want to escape the hoopla altogether? Book your getaway now, before prices soar.4. Show StoppersLooking for a way to spend time with your family without having to cook a huge meal or entertain? Buy tickets to a holiday show (try a ballet production of The Nutcracker or a choir performing Handel’s Messiah). Tickets for these type of performances will go on sale in early winter, and picking up a block of seats is not only a good way to spend time with relatives or friends you don’t see often, but can also make for great gifts—so you’ll be done before you even starting stressing about shopping!5. Make and BakeInstead of bringing another bottle of wine or chocolates to each holiday party you attend, create a unique gift that your host will remember. Try preserves such as strawberry-rhubarb jam or peach salsa. Place them in sealed jars and store in a cool dark place until it’s ready to be gifted. Love Christmas cookies? Try baking one recipe every weekend until the holidays. Store the dough (or the finished sweets) in airtight containers and freeze for a few months. For a twist on fruitcake (and great for a holiday brunch) try zucchini-raisin or cranberry-lemon loaf.6. A Decorative PlanYou don’t have to string the lights to your roof just yet, but early winter is the time to plan out how you’re going to decorate this year. Now is the time to plan your decor and start stocking up on supplies. Want to make your own wreath? Head out on a hike while the weather’s nice to collect pretty coloured leaves, nuts, twigs and berries you can dry before use. Want to sew a new tree skirt? Head to your local fabric store and choose your fabric, and ask a sales associate for help with a pattern—they’re happy to help you with a long-term project.7. Plant Your TreeInstead of chopping down another Christmas tree, only to have the needles fall off mid-December, plant your Christmas tree outdoors this year. Fall is the ideal time to head to the garden stores for end-of-summer sales, especially on a small fir, pine or spruce. Then, find an ideal spot in your yard where you can watch your Christmas tree grow for years. Or, pick up a large planter box and pot the tree, so that you can keep it right outside your window and enjoy it while you’re having breakfast. Add lights and secure shiny, weather-durable ornaments or red velvet bows with wire gauge. It sure beats hauling the old fake fir out of the basement.8. Class ActionSign up for a class that you can turn into a gift-giving idea. Try a pottery class (then make letter ornaments for each member of your family), a knitting class (try scarves or slippers), or a sewing class (yoga bags, tea cozies, shoe bags or wine bags are easy and popular gifts). Not only will you have a chance to not think about the stressful holidays for a few hours a week, you’ll have half your shopping done before others have even started.9. File HighHoliday issues of magazines are a great source of inspiration when it comes to hosting, cooking, baking, decorating and gift ideas. But by the time those magazines come out, and you rip those pages out, it’ll be far too late. Head to the library and look at back issues of December issues of your favourite magazines. Photocopy pages you like and then pick up a three-ring binder from your local office supply store. Hole-punch each of your inspiration pages and use dividers to create sections: Baking, Cooking, Crafts, Decorating, Gift ideas, etc. Use sticky notes to give yourself reminders (i.e. Gift for Susie, Bake for Office Party).10. Take NoteFor the ultimate way to be prepared, keep a holiday notebook with you at all times. Pick up a small book that comes with a pen loop, and slip it into your handbag. Always changing purses? Buy one for each. Then, make a heading at the top of each page (Gift ideas: Mom, Appetizers: Party). Whenever you get inspired, jot it down. Then, when you’re ready to start your shopping, you’ll have your lists ready to go!