Christmas Eve is 13 weeks from today, so this week we will continue our efforts at taking stock.

• You need to make pretty final decisions on crafts this week and place orders for supplies.  Note that some supplies cannot be shipped in certain weather.  For example, some candy-making supplies aren't shipped when it's hot.  On the other hand, beeswax can't be shipped when the thermometer drops below freezing.
• Remember all those recipes you stuck in a folder last year? Now's the time to break out that folder and see which recipes still appeal to you and to pick those you might want to try for holiday entertaining and family dinners.
• Look through your cards, decorations, wrapping paper, ribbon, and gift bags to see what you have and what you are going to need. If you know well in advance, you can stock up slowly as you see sales.
• Check your table linens (table cloths, runners, napkins) to make sure things are in good shape.  If you don't check, it's all too likely that 2 days before Thanksgiving you'll find that the only tablecloth big enough to fit your table has a huge cranberry sauce stain on it from last year.  Much better to find out now, when there's time to get a new one if it can't be cleaned.