Christmas is three weeks from today. It's time to get real.  Preparations need to move into high gear. 

• Finish writing your Christmas cards. You want them in the mail no later than December 15.
• Ship any gifts that you cannot deliver personally. Shipping this week means shorter lines in the post office and less chance that you’ll have to pay expedited shipping charges.
• Complete any online shopping so that you won’t be stung by the “backorder bug.”
• If you have some time, wrap the presents you’ve already bought.
• Start your decorating. You may find it easier to do a little decorating each day. It breaks up the work and you get the joy of watching your house be filled with Christmas.
• Finalize your menus for Christmas entertaining as well as Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
• Make New Year’s Eve reservations if necessary.