Holiday Countdown: Weeks Five & Six

By: Christy McKenzie

Tame the chaos of the holiday season and relax into December with this easy-to-follow holiday countdown.

Homemade Gift Ideas

More Holiday Planning

If you've been following our six-week holiday countdown (see sidebar for weeks 1-4), you've managed to stay organized while keeping the focus where it should be: spending time with family and friends. Use these tips for making the most of the next two weeks and enjoying the rest of the holiday season.

Week 5: Ship Shape

Go over gift list and make sure everything but the easy pick-ups has been completed. If you were planning on making any gifts that are not yet done or started, make alternate plans and save that idea for another time.
Prepare and freeze final batches of cookie dough and a few more meals.
Plan a holiday card production party: sign, fold, seal, and stamp. Making it a family project will help it move along faster! Plan a great prize for completing the project.
Finish decorating inside the house, make room for the tree!
Order turkey, goose, ham or other specialty foods.
Drop off holiday outfits to the cleaners; make any clothing purchases necessary to make it through the season.
Stock up on bulk presents, for hostess gifts and just in case you forgot anyone. Wine, candles, serving ware, or fine oils and jams make thoughtful and easy gifts.

Week 6: Finish the Work and Prepare to Celebrate!

Do any deep cleaning or organizing that still needs to be done before the holidays. The rest of the month will just be for light cleaning and finishing touches.
Pack and prepare any gifts for domestic shipping. (See Holiday Countdown: Weeks 2 Thru 4 for packing and mailing tips.)
Plan a family outing to pick up a tree and bring it home to decorate. You're so organized at this point, you can throw a tree-trimming party!
Begin to prepare any holiday foods that can be made ahead and frozen.
Hand-deliver gifts to teachers, service workers, colleagues, and others to whom you want to show your appreciation.
Finish any remaining shopping and gift wrapping.
Send holiday cards.

Now, enjoy the rest of December! Ski, party, pamper yourself, bake cookies at a leisurely pace, and use frozen meals to take stress off of busy days. Just have fun and give yourself the time and the energy to be filled with the spirit of the season.

Back to Holiday Countdown: Six Weeks to Sanity:

Holiday Countdown: Six Weeks to Sanity

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