Trying to remove as much stress in our life is critical to our health and well-being. Sometimes our stress is unavoidable but sometimes it’s self-induced. We can invite stress in our life several ways:
- We take on more than we can handle
- Never saying no to projects or committees we are asked to be on
- Allowing our children to be involved in too much extra curriculum activity and not having enough “family time.”
- Poor planning
- Procrastination
These are just a few of the issues that can add stress in your life as there are much more. But today I want to focus on poor planning and perhaps help you to begin now preparing for the Holiday season coming upon us. If we are stressed, how can we even enjoy the event? Or we’ve been so stressed during the time before the Holiday, that when the Holiday arrives, we are sick. Neither of those issues would be a way to have good family time and enjoy the Holiday.
So, what are we to do?
Well, October is the perfect time to begin preparing for the Holidays (Thanksgiving, Hanukkah & Christmas). Hanukkah is December 15, 2025, with Christmas, of course, being the 25th of December.
Would a list of Holiday preparations for the next three months help you to have a calm Holiday Season? Check out the breakdown of projects or “to do” for the next three months. Print it off, cross off what doesn’t apply and tend to each project one by one.
To Do the Month of October
☐Make any travel plans during the Thanksgiving/Hanukkah/Christmas Season.
☐Review your Holiday Decorations. Haven’t used some in a few years? Donate.
☐Create or update your Christmas Card List.
☐Take your Family Christmas Photo or gather your photos from throughout the year
☐Create your gift shopping list and your budget.
☐Write down your Family Holiday Goals and Events you will be attending.
☐Create a Family Holiday Planning Binder (or clean out your one from last year). Making
a new one? Tabs could be: Planning, Gift List, Activities, Crafts, Recipes, Meals,
Entertaining, Traditions.
☐Schedule any home repairs that are essential. Don’t do major renovations.
☐Create a Gift Wrapping area and be sure you have supplies needed (paper, ribbons, tape).
☐Create and/or purchase your Christmas Cards.
☐Purchase Stamps.
☐Begin to purchase “Stocking Stuffers”.
☐Define what you want the Holidays to be for your family and post it where you will
continually be reminded.
☐Have family members make up their Hanukkah/Christmas wish list.
☐Create a family tradition. If you have one already, schedule it on the calendar.
To Do the Month of November
☐Begin shopping for non-perishable items for Thanksgiving, Christmas/Hanukkah
☐Start your Christmas/Hanukkah shopping. Be sure to record purchases and save receipts
☐De-Clutter house … especially guest bedrooms if you are having out of town guests
☐Begin your decorating for Thanksgiving
☐After Thanksgiving – begin decorating for Hanukkah/Christmas
☐Write out your Christmas cards if not preprinted. For preprinted cards, place order
☐Schedule any Babysitters for Holiday parties you are scheduled to attend
☐Plan and schedule Hanukkah/Christmas parties you will host
☐Make some extra meals to freeze for use during the very busy December times
☐Wrap gifts as you purchase them
☐Purchase and wrap extra gifts for those unexpected guests or last minute parties
☐After Thanksgiving, decorate outside your home
☐Purchase any new Thanksgiving/Hanukkah/Christmas outfits
☐Set your Thanksgiving Table
☐Be sure there are enough “coasters” on your wooden tables to avoid water marks
☐Clean out the refrigerator to make room for Holiday foods
☐Have children go through toys; pair down and give away to those in need
☐Busy schedules; consider hiring a housekeeper to get home prepared
To Do the Month of December
☐Mail Christmas Cards
☐Mail out of town gifts
☐Complete your Christmas gift shopping
☐Mail Christmas Party Invites
☐Plan your Christmas menu and shop for items
☐Purchase your fresh wreaths and decorate
☐Purchase gifts for mail person, hairdresser, etc.
☐Complete all inside and outside decorations
☐Mark all Christmas parties and Events on your calendar
☐Bake Christmas Cookies in advance and freeze
☐Consider places you can volunteer and sign up for it
☐Donate items to those in need
☐Deliver Christmas gifts to your neighbors and friends
☐Set table for Hanukkah or Christmas
☐Schedule fun time with family
☐Enjoy the Hanukkah/Christmas season and keep the meaning in the season
☐Take pictures of your decorated rooms so you don’t have to rethink next year
☐Have an “un-decorating” party
BONUS: WRAP 24 CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS BOOKS. STARTING DECEMBER 1ST, HAVE YOUR CHILDREN TAKE TURNS UNWRAPPING A BOOK AND READ IT AS A FAMILY. LEAVE THE “NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS” IS SAVED FOR THE 24TH!
Your Spiritual Life & Health Coach … believing in you!
Please share this message with someone you know who needs to be encouraged!