Timeline to Thanksgiving Day Success
So you began your holiday checklist and just realized that you have to take a detour and plan a Thanksgiving dinner too.
By adding the following tasks to your calendar for early November (during the first two weeks) you will enjoy your Thanksgiving Day preparations as well as the actual celebration:
- Invite your guests.
- Determine the menu and any special food needs.
- Make a shopping list for food and supplies. Begin buying non-perishables now.
- Order your fresh turkey.
- Finalize your to-do list. Schedule time for each task and indicate who will complete it.
- Decide on table decorations, china, glassware, seating arrangements, etc. Prepare table linens ahead of time.
- Order a floral centerpiece or make plans to create your own.
- Create a timeline for the final preparations including grocery shopping, baking, and cleaning. Schedule it in your calendar.
Detailed planning can take the stress out of holiday celebrations. So make a plan and do it! Then enjoy!
Let Me Listen to Me…
Let me listen to me and not to them.~ Gertrude Stein
The holidays arrive…you get caught up in the traditions of the season and before your know it you are doing again this year what you said you wouldn’t do last year. Sound familiar? My last post suggested that reviewing and setting your expectations can reduce holiday stress. It can also bring joy and peace to your life.
If it ain’t fun don’t do it….ask yourself what would give you joy this year and make plans to achieve your dream. If you keep doing the same things you will keep getting the same results. If you are okay with that then great. But if you are looking for something different from the holiday season this year…take a risk and change things up. You might be surprised…others might thank you for it.
Setting the Stage - Holiday Expectations
The last few posts discussed what you could do to stress less for the holidays before they even start. The tips were meant to help you feel in control of holiday tasks, plans and activities. Yet there is one more thing that you can do to stress less this holiday season…manage your expectations.
We often rush into the holidays at a frenzied pace and already two steps behind. We don’t even stop for a moment to examine our wishes for the season. Do you want several small intimate gatherings of family or friends? Is it important that everyone that is in your life gets a holiday card or the perfect gift? Do you want to create new traditions in your first home this year? Read more
What You Can Do Before the Holidays To Stress Less - Part 2
Here are five more tips to help you achieve the calm and peaceful holiday you have always wished for:
- Schedule time in your calendar now for holiday baking and cooking. Begin recipe collection and ingredient purchases for staples. Also plan to prepare and freeze a few make-ahead meals for busy days.
- If you plan to shower your loved ones with homemade gifts. Start your list now, inventory supplies, purchase additional materials, schedule craft time and determine a deadline.
- Inventory holiday decorations and supplies within the next week. Determine your shopping list and map out a timeline. Don’t forget to delegate or enlist help. Make decorating this year a family affair and even part of the holiday festivities.
- Begin gift shopping now if you haven’t already. Don’t forget to get those gifts that need to be mailed purchased first. Check the postal service website for package mailing deadlines.
- Start planning holiday storage for next year as you take things out. Resolve to put like things together. Determine new storage needs for current possessions and make a list for necessary storage containers. Organize storage areas in preparation for post celebration pack up.
Following even a few the the tips share in this post and the previous one can keep stress at bay this holiday season. Wishing you and yours a stress-less holiday!
What You Can Do Before the Holidays To Stress Less - Part 1
Organizing several tasks weeks prior to the December can reduce some of your holiday stress. So take some time now to plan for a calmer, more joyous holiday. Here are some ideas of tasks that you can begin accomplishing now:
- Determine your holiday travel plans now. Make reservations now. If you aren’t traveling, but planning holiday activities purchase those tickets now.
- Decide on dates and times for all holiday entertainment: parties, dinners and family gatherings. Email “save the date” messages to potential attendees. Start gathering recipes and lists.
- Make a list of gift recipients on an index card or in your planner. Include gift ideas and sizes. Request wish lists if you need help. Begin buying gifts and store them in a designated spot.
- Gather gift wrapping supplies. Create a wrapping station or make organize a tote with essential supplies. Simplify wrapping by using one color scheme. Start wrapping (don’t forget the tags) as you bring gifts home.
- Begin getting the holiday card process under control. Purchase cards early if your inventory is low. Schedule time to address cards over a few days. If you send a holiday letter, begin drafting it soon. Select a deadline to mail cards. And most importantly start updating your address list now.
By creating your holiday to-do list now, you can manage and avoid stress as well as enjoy the season.
Holiday Planning Tips You Can Use
The holidays are a joyful time of year…time to spend with family and friends. A special time of the year to share hearth and home…to celebrate the season. Or does the word holiday conjure up feelings of stress, thoughts of chaos and a sense of being overwhelmed? Would you rather just book a trip to a sunny location to get away from it all and skip the holidays?
Well don’t pack the suntan lotion yet. The holidays can again be viewed as a happy time with some preparation, a few tools and a clear vision.
With about 10 weeks until Christmas, I will be focusing some of my posts on holiday planning and providing tips for surviving and thriving through the holiday season. Maybe you can de-clutter and de-stress along the way. And maybe you can share some of your own tips as well. So here’s to a happy holiday season!
Manage Your Energy And Not Your Time
Do you feel that you need more than 24 hours in a day? Do you tell others about all the things you would accomplish if you just had more time? Do you feel time deprived?
We all just have 24 hours every day. How do you spend it? Are you focusing on the things that matter most to you…that achieve your goals, support your values or accomplish your mission in life?
I would like to suggest that if you want to change the focus of your accomplishments…if you want to feel good about getting things done…manage your energy and not your time.
When you are planning your day ask yourself what three things if you accomplished them today would make you feel great. List those three things and then schedule them into your calendar (hopefully at the time of time you are most productive). Fit everything else around those priority items.
By putting the things on your priority list first you will have the energy to accomplish other smaller tasks once the big ones are completed. So think of it as an investment in you…try it and you may be surprised by what you accomplish.
Overcoming Obstacles
Sometimes it seems like there is just too much for us to think about let alone do. Do you feel like life keeps throwing up roadblocks? A few days ago the daily inspiration emailed to me from one of my favorite websites (www.dailyom.com) addressed this topic perfectly so I am sharing the direct link with you about overcoming obstacles. Please click on the link to the DailyOm website: http://www.dailyom.com/articles/2008/15353.html and learn more about your choices for overcoming hurdles.