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.

Week 5

We've been at this well over a month now!  Your gift list should be getting smaller and you should see quite the collection of ready-made meals and holiday goodies filling your freezer.  I'm just happy that there is finally a noticeable change in temperature here in the desert!  It's hard to think "Christmas" in the midst of triple digit heat.  But it hasn't stopped us!  So, let's get busy-

Here is your task list for this week:

Week of September 28th - October 4th

• Make a batch of holiday goodies

• Make one extra freezer meal

• Buy 2 canned food items

• Buy 1 or 2 of your gifts

• Wrap and label your packages

• Work on homemade gifts

This should be becoming part of your routine.  Feel free to throw in an extra meal or baked good if you have time.  No one says you have to stop at one!

Happy prepping!

Week 4

I hope you are feeling a sense of accomplishment.  You are making small strides that will save you large amounts of time later.  If you feel like you are not making a dent, just remember it will all pay off in the end.   Here goes!

Week of September 21st - 27th

• Make one batch of holiday goodies

• Make one freezer meal- If the idea of making an extra meal is daunting.  Consider buying a frozen lasagna or pre-made meal that you can store for a busy day.  Even some frozen hamburger patties can be purchased and saved for the holidays.  Don't put too much pressure on yourself to make something from scratch.  Think outside the box.

• Buy 2 canned food items

• Buy 1/8  of your gifts- This generally amounts to one or two, depending on how large your list of recipients is.  My goal is to buy one or two each week.  The key is to spread out the cost of shopping for so many people.  Even if you are purchasing one gift per pay period, you'll be amazed at how much is done by the time the season rolls around.

• Work 1 hour on homemade gifts/crafts

• List any linens that need replacing- Consider table linens as well as towels and sheets if you are expecting out of town guests.

Week 3

This week's task list is simple and will change little for the next several weeks.  Let's jump right in!

Week of September 14th - 20th

• Make one batch of holiday goodies

• Make one freezer meal

• Buy 2 canned foods- These can be off of your holiday menu shopping list or purchased and stored for canned food drives later on.

• Buy supplies for homemade gifts

• Buy camera batteries, blank video discs, anything you might need to capture your holiday memories.  Store them somewhere safe and jot their location down in your notebook so you can find them later.  If you have a device with rechargeable batteries, pencil in a date or dates on your calendar to charge them.  It will be a good reminder and you insure that you have a fully charged battery for that holiday recital or concert. 

Week 2

I hope your first week was a success and helped to clear your head of the oh so many holiday details that you will take care of over the next several weeks.  Now that you've got them down on paper, you need not think about them until it's time to tackle them!  Let's get down to business this week!

 

Week of September 7th- 13th

• Finish up any lists you weren't able to- Sometimes you need the input of others to make final decisions regarding menus and gift lists.  Do the best you can.  If you receive smirks and eye rolls when you broach the subject of Christmas in September, like I have, it's okay to wait until a more publicly acceptable time to discuss it with friends and family.  Jot something down, but be sure to use pencil so you can make necessary adjustments later. Remember, that not everyone is as organized and proactive as you are. :-)

• Make a long-term shopping list for your holiday meals if you didn't get around to it.  This list is extremely important.  Keep it in your wallet or use an app on your smartphone to create it so that it is always with you.  Each week you will buy 1 or two canned items from this list.  This helps to cut down the outrageous grocery bills you will encounter in November and December.  If you have a chance, you can add your freezer meal ingredients to this list.  Remember, canned foods don't have to be in a can.  Feel free to stock up on boxed and packaged items such as pasta or dip mixes (while you can find them).  I keep my master list on the inside of my pantry door so that when it comes time to head to the grocery store, I can see right away what I need to pick up.  Those items get added to my weekly list before I head out to do shopping.

• Buy extra flour, sugar, butter (which freezes beautifully).  Don't forget more obscure baking essentials.  Check your inventory of baking soda, baking powder, vanilla extract, yeast, shortening, vegetable oil, and spices.  Also, invest in some plastic containers and heavy duty tin foil to store and freeze your holiday goodies.  The dollar store is a great source for plastic containers!

• Make one freezer meal- Consider doubling the recipe for a meal on your weekly menu.  Meatloaf freezes really well!  Pinterest and Allrecipes are helpful resources if you're short on freezer meal ideas.

• Develop ideas for gifts/décor- This is your chance to be creative.  If there is a craft you are anxious to try or make as a gift idea, you now have time to make it a reality.  Also, begin considering what you might purchase for others.  If you are stuck, consider searching for  a phrase like "gifts for brothers" online.  You'll be surprised at what you find.  Do as much exploring online as you can.  It will save you hours of traipsing around the mall later.  Keep a master gift list, a list of online orders, and a list of gift ideas.  As you make purchases, continue listing what you have purchased on your master gift list.

• Order Christmas cards- It may seem too early to do this, but I can't even begin to express how relieved you will be to have this piece over and done with.  If you like to order photo cards, consider using a photo from your summer vacation rather than a holiday picture.  Or, don't be afraid to turn your air conditioner down, throw on a sweater and have someone snap a shot of your family in winter attire now.  Since cards are something you don't usually get a smoking deal on, rejoice in the fact that the task and expense are behind you.