How to Plan Ahead for Christmas

Planning ahead for Christmas is the smartest thing to do in order to enjoy your holidays as much as possible. Buy gifts, cook ahead and freeze foods and stock your pantry.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• a plan
• organizational skills
• time to shop

1. Make a list of people you have to buy gifts for and the food items you will need. Make thorough list of the typical foods you will need to cook based on the number of parties you have, etc.

2. 
    
   Spending Time with Family is Meaningful.

   First, gather all your leftover gift packages, ribbons, etc. from last year to recycle. Purchase everything you possibly can from discount stores like Dollar Tree. Tissue wrapping paper is the same no matter where you buy it. Buy all you can at discounted prices.

3. Go to the grocery store and purchase all the necessary staples: butter, sugar, cinnamon, etc. Cook whatever you can cook now and wrap it well enough that it will keep in the freezer until the holidays. Many pound cakes and casseroles freeze well. If you are making punch, make it and freeze as well.

4. Shop early and look for good sales. The minute you purchase something go ahead and wrap it and mark it off your list as bought and wrapped. All of these suggestions combines should keep you ahead of schedule and allow you some time to actually enjoy the holidays.

Tips & Warnings

• Play Christmas music to put you in the holiday mood as you prepare.
• Make homemade gifts that have sentimental value, not just monetary value.
• Make a couple of extra batches of candy or an extra cake of two to freeze for that unexpected gift or occasion.
• Do not put yourself in a position to have to constantly rush during the holidays. Plan ahead and have some time for yourself.