The countdown is on to the big day when family and friends get together and indulge in holiday festivities. What a fun and relaxing time…thank goodness, because every day leading up to it is a bit chaotic and stressful as we race to get everything done! Here are some tips to help you be prepared for those days leading up to Christmas.

1. Christmas Cards~When sending Christmas cards, have a place that contains an updated list of all the people you will be sending cards to. You should begin checking this list before Thanksgiving to give yourself plenty of time to do any updating that is required. If finding the right time to call a friend is a problem, use e-mail, myspace, or facebook to reconnect with friends and get their current info. Cards should be personalized by having a handwritten message and signature from you. If you are down to the wire and need to get your cards out pronto, use an online greeting card company to order your cards. These companies, like Shutterfly, have a variety of designs to choose from. If you are really pressed for time, the company will even mail your cards out for you.
2. People of Service~Because Christmas is a time of giving and showing our love to mankind, don’t forget to bless those who have blessed you throughout the year. Teachers are rarely forgotten, but the other professionals that work with our little ones often are. Those would be the assistants, aides, tutors, speech pathologists, psychologists, occupational and physical therapists-all of those “behind the scenes” people that help the teacher make it happen each day for every child. In addition, the UPS and postal workers, hairstylists, staff at your dentist or doctor office. The list could go on. This doesn’t mean you have to buy for EVERYONE you come in contact with. Just offer a little something special to let them know you notice the hard work and service they provide for you and that you appreciate it.
3. The Little Things~As you fly through the month of December, the goal should be to work smarter not harder. Being prepared for all the little things will avoid stress and make more time for you to really enjoy the season with your loved ones. What are some of those little things? Food. Make sure to keep your pantry stocked with healthy snacks and your fridge full of fruits and veggies. It is really easy to let your nutrition (and your family’s) fall by the wayside with all of the sweet and savory treats offered during the holidays. Keep your health (it is cold and flu season) and weight in check by keeping those items readily available. Also, take advantage of your crock pot. Meals in the crock are huge time savers and they are just as delicious. You can also take advantage of all those left overs form Thanksgiving–make casseroles and freeze them for the month of December! Need help with meal planning? I have devised a monthly meal plan for the entire month of December that offers quick and tasty meals for you and your family. House Cleaning. Keeping the house tidy during this time can be tough. Your time is already limited, but it is likely that friends and neighbors will drop by to offer their gifts to you. This is the perfect time to get the kids involved! Kids can also get overwhelmed and feel a sense of urgency during the days leading up to the big day. To help tame behavior(s), keep them focused and expending that energy. Have them help out a little more at home. I am not endorsing child labor! As a teacher, I do know that children will work for what they want! Does johnny want a Wii for Christmas? Remind him that Santa is watching and every chore done exceptionally well is relayed to the big man! Children should also be taught the personal value of doing a good job and working as a team to get things done. Christmas is a time for giving! Let your children know how much that is giving to mom and dad! 
4. Scheduling. Between church and school events, holiday parties, relatives arriving in town-there is a lot to keep track of! Calendars are obviously a vital tool to help you keep track of life’s details. My husband and I differ in this area. He prefers to have his schedule visible by means of his phone or the computer. I prefer the “old fashion” method of actually penciling in things on a calendar. Whatever your preference, a calendar is essential to keeping your life prioritized.
5. Last Minute Gifts~As you shop for those on your Christmas list, pick up a few extra items for those you might have forgotten-the neighbor that loaned you foil, a co-worker, the school bus driver…whoever it may be, here are a few gifts that are sure to please the recipient and your wallet! ~a mug with a bag of hot chocolate mix and marshmallows ~a scarf ~some homemade cookies wrapped in a decorative bag ~a loaf of homemade bread with the recipe attached ~a wrapped candle ~a “winter kit” =1 pair of gloves, 1 bottle of moisture rich lotion, and a tube of lip balm ~an ornament ~a stamp, ink pad, and a set of blank cards ~a pretty teacup with teabags and a jar of honey ~a picture frame with a picture of you!
6. Baked Goodies~Christmas is probably the most popular time of year to bake edible art. Because I live with a cookie monster, any kind of cookie disappears fast. In order to keep up with the demand, I choose an afternoon to bake a stockpile of cookies and tasty treats. In order to make it all last throughout the season, I will divide everything up into freezer-safe Ziploc bags and freeze them until I am ready to use them. This is a great time saver! As you need something for company or Santa, just pull out what you need. If it turns out that you have some left over after Christmas, you’ll be ready for the next holiday!
7. Shipping Out~Have a lot of packages to ship, but not a lot of time or patience to wait in line at the post office? The United States Postal Service now makes it possible for you to order shipping materials online and have them delivered to your home. In addition to that, once you have packed your boxes, you can print labels, pay for your shipping, and schedule a pick up for those packages by your local mail carrier. Don’t forget to thank your mail carrier for this wonderful service! You can find tips on how to use this service here.