Week 9

We are well past the half way mark!  It's hard to believe November is around the corner.  Be proud of yourself for making it this far and making so much progress.  Keep up the great work!

• Make a batch of holiday goodies
• Make a freezer meal- running out of ideas?  Try this:
• Buy canned food- if you have already purchased all necessary items from your long-term shopping list.  Grab a can or two to donate.
• Buy at least one gift.  Wrap and label it.
• Work on homemade gifts.
• Start addressing Christmas cards
• Buy stamps.
• Check your candy inventory for trick-or-treaters.  Stock up if you need more!
• Send invites for Thanksgiving.  These do not need to be formal.  Feel free to email, text, or call friends and family to give them a heads up on your plans or to coordinate schedules.
• Buy extra batteries for gifts and décor.  There is nothing worse than unpacking holiday decorations only to find their batteries are dead.
• Purchase your Turkey- if they are available in your area.  They might not be the most inexpensive, but the benefit of purchasing early is that you are guaranteed the size that you want.  I cannot begin to tell you how many times I've been left with 20+ lb turkeys to feed our small family.

Week 8

I just saw a post on Facebook that said there are only 10 Wednesdays left until Christmas.  I have to admit that, I did have slight heart palpitations.  I can't even imagine how much that would stress me out if I wasn't as prepared as I am.  This year, it has been difficult to stick with the plan in light of some unexpected events and illnesses.  But, having said that, I still feel like I've got a decent handle on things.  I hope you are feeling the same way.  Do not get discouraged if you aren't where you'd like to be.  Just remember, you are much better off than most.  Keep plugging along.  Your hard work and determination will all pay off...sooner than you think!

Without further adieu, let's get busy!

• Make a batch of holiday goodies
• Make 1 freezer meal
• Buy 2 canned foods- one from your long-term shopping list and one to donate
• Buy at least 1 gift- if you can knock out two, go for it!  Also, don't forget to start picking up small items for "white elephant" exchanges and/or stocking stuffers.
• Wrap and label gifts
• Check your progress and adjust.  If those crafts aren't coming along as planned, consider setting them aside until next year and buying a gift in their place.  Do you need to double up on a holiday goody or freezer meal? 
• Buy pumpkins
• Review plans for Halloween costumes
• Make a Halloween treat.  It may seem silly to have this on the list, but there are far too many times that the season passes and I wish I would have made a fun treat for my kids or neighbors.  This year, I'm trying these Peanut Butter Butterscotch Haystacks.

Week 7

Keep on keepin' on!  You're doing great!

Week of October 12th - 18th

• Make a batch of holiday goodies

• Make one freezer meal

• Buy 2 canned foods (if needed)

• Buy 1 or 2 gifts

• Wrap and label packages

• Work on holiday crafts/gifts

Week 6

I am so very jealous as I see friends and family posting pictures of beautiful Fall days and brightly colored leaves.  I love Fall and mourn every year that we don't get to experience one here.  So, as I light my mulled cider candle and stare out at palm trees waving by the pool, I bring you week #6.

Week of October 5th - 11th

• Make a batch of holiday goodies

• Make a freezer meal

• Buy 2 canned food items (if necessary)- You should have quite the collection growing.

• Buy at least 1 or 2 Christmas gifts

• Wrap and label your packages

• Work on homemade gifts

• Sort out your kid's clothes/toys to donate or sell at a garage sale.

• Make a list of toys/books that your kids would like and that fit in their rooms- I always get a little push back about this item but I feel it's one of the most helpful.  You know what your kids will play with and what you have room to store.  While it is incredibly generous of your great-Aunt Jennie to want to buy your children a trampoline, is it really something that will be useful?  To you have the space for it without having to do a complete home makeover?  Try to approach it from the standpoint of, "Here are a few ideas if you're stuck on what to get the kids.  We are a little limited on space and these are things they love and have been asking for."  Rather than, "Here is the list of permissible items for you to buy my children.  All other gifts are unacceptable."  Remember, these are gifts.  Graciously accept whatever your great-Aunt Jennie gives them.  But hopefully, this will keep you from having to sell her gift on Craigslist as soon as she leaves town.