Shopping Guide

• Before the holiday season begins make a list of everyone you wish to buy a Christmas gift for and how much you can spend on them. Keep this list handy and when you are out shopping consult your list, compare with current sales and start checking people off the list. Depending upon the size of your shopping list you may want to start the gift buying process as early as Thanksgiving weekend, or earlier. Plan to finish your Christmas shopping one week before Christmas Eve to give you time to organize and wrap gifts.
  
  

Decorations

• Make a diagram of where you want to place Christmas decorations around your home by taking photos and printing them out. With colored markers, draw on the photos where lights will be hung, where the tree will go and placement of other decorations. Sort through your decorations in storage about one week before Thanksgiving to make a list of what you have and what you need. To get in the holiday spirit right away, hang decorations up the weekend after Thanksgiving.
  
  

Parties

• On a December calendar mark clearly days when you have parties for work, school or with family throughout the month. Note what you plan to wear to each event and make a list if you need to go shopping to find an outfit. If you plan to have a party of your own, try to make it during the second or third week of December, because many people get busier the closer time gets to Christmas.
  
  

Food

• Start making menus for the Christmas season, including Christmas Eve dinner, Christmas morning breakfast and any party food you need, early in the month. This will give you time to start purchasing nonperishable items throughout the month. Remember to check your pantry to make sure you have enough sugar, baking soda and flour for Christmas cookie baking.