Getting It All Done Before Christmas


We are only about a month away from Christmas which means it's time to get busy and develop your plan of action so that none of your holiday tasks slip through the cracks.

I've put together a very detailed checklist that I am happy to forward to you. Email me at suellen@creativeorder.com for your copy. But to get you started, here are some ideas for gift-buying that'll have you hitting the ground running on Black Friday.

  • Make a budget and gift list. First decide how much you want to spend. Then make your list of people to buy for, giving each a spending range. An excel spreadsheet is a great place to do this because you can move people around in spending ranges while still keeping an eye on the budget.
  • Make wish lists. According to a recent Consumer Reports survey, 36% of adults said that they are going to re-gift (giving a gift that you received to someone else) this year. To ensure that your gift won't end up in the re-gift pile, encourage your friends and family to start wish lists on their favorite sites such as www.Amazon.com and www.Target.com. While you're at it, start your own wish lists
  • To reduce potential household clutter, give consumable gifts such as tasty homemade goodies, a nice bottle of wine, or a gift certificate to a local restaurant. And for your friend with a green thumb, give houseplants or plants that can be transplanted into to the gardener's yard when the weather warms up.
  • The greenest gift of all is the gift of your time, money and generosity to those in need. Instead of a huge family gift exchange, consider pooling your gift money and contributing to a charity such as www.heifer.org which provides impoverished people with animals such as goats, chickens, and cows that can produce ongoing food and income for the family.
For my detailed holiday checklist that will keep you on track with your holiday to-dos, email me at suellen@creativeorder.com. The list includes everything from gift buying to setting the holiday table.

Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving!