October is the perfect time to begin preparing for the Holidays (Thanksgiving, Hanukkah & Christmas). Hanukkah is VERY early this year (November 28, 2021) so prepare earlier than you would for Christmas (if you celebrate both).
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 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.
☐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
☐Begin shopping for non-perishable items for Christmas/Hanukkah
☐Begin 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. 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 our 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
☐Do your Hanukkah Gift shopping
To Do the Month of December
☐Mail Christmas Cards
☐Mail out of town gifts
☐Purchase and decorate Christmas cards
☐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. BE SURE THE “NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS” IS SAVED FOR THE 24TH!