Christmas Eve is only 3 weeks away.  Here are this week's tasks:

• Any gifts that need to be shipped have to go this week.  If they are going outside the US, you're already pushing it.
• Finish up your cards so you can get them in the mail by December 12th. 
• Continue shopping.  To avoid rush shipping charges or unexpected back orders, complete all online shopping.
• If you want a quiet evening, especially if the weather is bad, begin wrapping the presents you've bought.
• If you are hosting a party, confirm attendance and shop, cook, and bake.
• 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.  In fact, it can be very pleasant to do a little bit each day and slowly watch the house come alive with the spirit of Christmas.
• 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).