Christmas Eve is 3 weeks from today. That seems really soon, doesn't it?

Here’s your Christmas Countdown list for this week:

• Any gifts that need to be shipped should go this week. If they are going outside the US, you're already pushing it.

• Try to finish up your cards and get them in the mail.
At least get your stamps before the lines get too long.

• Continue shopping. To avoid rush shipping charges or unexpected back orders, complete all online shopping by the weekend. Also, watch emails from the online retailers you buy from. Some companies have the amusing little habit of taking your order and then sending you an email saying that they are out of stock and giving a later shipping date. That date gets close and you get another email — until it's too late to pick another gift.

• You might want to begin wrapping the presents you've bought.

• If you are hosting a party, confirm attendance and schedule when you'll shop, cook, and bake.

• Try to get your decorations should be up this week (unless you keep to the German tradition of putting up the tree on Christmas Eve). You don’t have to do everything all at once.

• Decide what you will wear for your Christmas party, for Christmas Day, and for New Year's Eve. Drop off any necessary dry cleaning. Make necessary purchases. Even plan your accessories. It's not a bad idea to put the accessories in plastic bags and attach it to the clothing hanger with a clothespin (this hint is especially helpful if you have small children).

• Make final decisions on Christmas baking and on your major holiday meals so that you can begin purchasing the non-perishable ingredients.

• If you are making any gifts, they should be just about finished by the end of this week.