Christmas Eve is six weeks from today!  To stay on track, here are this week’s tasks:

• Using your Christmas card list, either address your crads or print out address labels on your computer.  Computer generated labels are better since they are easier for the post office machines to read.
• If you haven’t bought your cards yet, do that now.  Some craft stores are doing 50% off sales.
• Begin writing your cards.  You should always have a few with you so that you can use the little pockets of time that appear in your day.  You can write a card while waiting at the doctor’s office (more fun than the old magazines!), while waiting for the kids to come out of dance class, or in the last five minutes of your lunch hour.  I recommend putting 5 cards and their envelopes in a zip-close bag.  You can tuck that in your glove compartment or briefcase so it’s always handy.  It takes only a few moments to write a quick note in each card.
• If you will have overnight guests for the holidays, decide where they will sleep and begin tidying that space.  Between visits, my guest room becomes the repository for all sorts of things.  If yours is the same, it’s time to make sure that folks have a place to sleep.
• You need to begin your Christmas shopping.  This week, focus on two groups of presents:  Those that must be shipped and those ordered online or from catalogs.  Ordering those now means you won’t have to pay premiums for fast shipping and you won’t get a nasty "it’s on backorder" surprise.
• If you are doing any crafting for your holiday gifts, you need to get started.  Only Santa and the reindeer should be planning an all-nighter on Christmas Eve!

Remember to enjoy these autumn days.  Don’t be so focused on future celebrations that you miss present joys!