Holiday Planning Countdown Part 2

Are you ready for the holidays?  We have found a great Holiday countdown checklist.  In this final blog, we will go over what you need to have done to prepare for the big holiday.  This week we will learn about what needs to be in done in the third and fourth week of December.  You can learn more at Real Simple.

One Week Before

• Deep clean your house.
  You’ll enjoy those decorations even more if the floors are clean and the kitchen is organized. One important task: Clear out your refrigerator. Toss old leftovers to make room for big dishes and ingredients that’ll be piling up closer to the holiday.
• Buy batteries for children’s toys.
  If you haven’t stocked up while Christmas shopping, make sure you have all the accoutrements necessary for that handheld video game or remote-controlled car.

Three Days Before

• Shop for fresh ingredients.
  Hit the store for the last-minute vegetables or fruit you need for meals.
• Set the table.
  So you use those gold-rimmed goblets only once a year? Enjoy them! Go ahead and set the table. Make it even easier on the big day by putting a sticky note on each platter that states what dish you plan to serve on it. (That also allows people to help you without asking 12 times.)

Two Days Before

• Start cooking.
  You’ve probably socked away some things in the freezer already, but now’s the time to prep main courses and make anything that can sit for a couple of days.
• Buy fresh flowers.
  Whether they are for a party or a family meal, fresh flowers should always be purchased two days in advance. Blooms have time to open up, and they’ll still be lush and fragrant.

The Day Before

• Recharge the batteries on your camera or video recorder.
  You don’t want to miss the reaction on a little one’s face because the battery ran out during the school pageant the week before.
• Finish last-minute wrapping.
  And assemble toys that will be surprises from Santa.
• Finish cooking, and make a timeline for the next day.
  Decide when you’ll be feasting, then count backward to determine when to put the turkey (or ham or roast beef) in the oven and what else needs to be cooked.
• Sit back and relax.
  Enjoy your family and friends and relish the traditions you share.