Workin’ It-Planning for the Holidays

Hey, Hey Friends!

These posts are always some of my FAVORITES of the month. Once a month, Shay and I get together and host Workin’ It Wednesdays, where we all share how we WORK at something. {We have a list of topics for the year.} Today, we’re all sharing how we plan for the holidays.

Planning for the holidays. I’m not so great at doing all the laundry or keeping my closet clean BUT I can plan for the holidays. 🙂

Kind of similar to things you need to get ready or order prior to the first day of school, there are lots of things you can get in order right now to make the Christmas season as stress-free as possible.

*EDITED-I CHANGED THE ADVENT CALENDAR LINKS AND ADDED SOME FOR YOU.*

*Christmas Pajamas*
Christmas pajamas are my favorite. 🙂 I’ve gotten my kids’ Christmas pajamas at Gymboree {where I ordered this year and 40% off right now}, Gap, Old Navy, Carter’s, and online boutiques {to have their names embroidered} throughout the years. I try to order these in November so we’ll be READY when December arrives. Actually we bust these out on Thanksgiving night.

*Address Labels*

This is something I only remember about 50% of the time, but when I do I am SO thankful. I don’t know about you but addressing Christmas cards is one of my least favorite things. If I have labels to stick on the envelopes, it saves me time and makes my life a little easier. I ordered mine from Shutterfly and used the code SPOOKY for 40% off.

*North Pole Breakfast Supplies*
I learned very early on my kiddos could care less about how nice I make the table so I serve breakfast {and have even set up a North Pole snack when our schedules were hectic in the morning}. Our Elf on the Shelf always brings donuts, strawberries, festive PAPER plates {HOLLA!}, and some treat. I either grab these while I’m out running errands or I order on Amazon Prime and they just show up! #easypeasy

*Advent Calendar*
A few years ago {when my big kiddos were old enough for Legos}, I began ordering these Advent Calendars. Sparky {our elf)} brings them as close to December 1st as possible. Every morning in December, it gives them something to open and get excited about. I order mine on Amazon and this year I branched out and got Paw Patrol {for Bowen}, Little People {for Britt}, American Girl {for Ebby Lee}, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles {for Nixon}.

*Write it ALL Down*

My favorite way to keep up with all the holiday events is to write it down in my Erin Condren planner. I write down everything and I mean EVERYTHING for the month of December. I’ll include holiday parties, special events, and anything else I can think of. I even write down simple things like…”Watch the Grinch” on a night I know we’ll be home. This way I can space out all the Christmas fun and I can add little things to a normal Thursday night like “make s’mores”. It’s a win-win! It brings a little Christmas cheer to a regular Thursday, this way I don’t forget anything I want to include in our Christmas fun, AND if I’m really on my “A” game, our elf can bring supplies for something I have scheduled that night. {New Christmas movie, ingredients for cookies, gingerbread house, etc.} Before I wrote everything down, I always assumed we’d make gingerbread houses, Christmas cookies, and watch Christmas Vacation when we had a free night but we’d forget, something else would come up, etc. I’ve learned that writing it all down REALLY helps! And it gets my kids excited about something simple.

Also when I’m planning for this year I looked back on my calendar from last year to see what we did last year to make sure I don’t forget anything.

*Keep a List*

Starting just last week, I typed out everyone I buy presents for in the “Notes” section of my phone. From now and until Christmas, anytime I’m out shopping or shopping from home-I add what I’ve bought beside their name. It helps me keep up with presents!

*Make it Work for YOU*

I decorate for Christmas early. For many reasons…I love the Christmas season, love how cozy those twinkling lights makes our home, and I love how those weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas are way more stress free because I’ve already decorated. Tab always gives me the side eye when I tell him that I’m going to start decorating (usually early November), but it works well for our schedule. We still celebrate Thanksgiving. We just enjoy our turkey by the light of the twinkling Christmas lights. You should try it sometime. It makes the turkey taste even better. 😉 I truly believe that decorating early makes the month between Thanksgiving and Christmas easier.

*Shop Online*

I remember the days of driving from store to store to get everyone on my list something they really want. Well, now I shop at a variety of stores, but I never have to leave my house. I’m telling you this is a LIFESAVER! It also cuts down on the time it takes to shop for Christmas. I can knock out a ton of gifts in just a little time.

I know none of those tips were earth-shattering, but it’s what works for me. I hope it helped just a bit. What about YOU? If you have any tips, PLEASE share. We could all use any extra hints you have. 🙂

Be sure to join us next month when we chat about keeping SANE during the holidays! And we’ll be sharing our new link-up for 2018!

Have a great day, friends!

An InLinkz Link-up

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