Can you believe it?  Christmas Eve is only 10 weeks away!  It's time to ramp up the planning.

This week's countdown focuses on gift-giving.

By the end of the week (next Wednesday), you should have made a list of all the people for whom you will be buying presents.  Yes, you may have to make small changes later on, but you should have the bulk of the list written down.  Put a star next to gifts that must be shipped.  You'll want to attend to these early so that you can get the best possible shipping rates.

You also need to work on your own Christmas list — the gifts you'd like to receive.  People are going to ask you what you want.  Be prepared with some answers.

This is also the week to order craft supplies and to begin catalog shopping.  You want to make sure that back orders or slow shipping will not derail your holiday plans.