Christmas Eve is 8 months from today! I know. It’s still Easter! But I do this countdown for a very simple reason: I want you to have a low-stress December so that you are able to enjoy the holidays. If you follow this countdown,  on Christmas Eve, you can spend the day playing in the snow before coming inside to watch a Christmas movie while drinking hot cocoa and eating Christmas cookies. By doing a little bit at a time, you can actually enjoy the holidays!

• As you travel during the spring and summer, think about picking up small unique gifts from local shops or craft fairs. I’ve bought some of my best presents while on business travel.
• If you like to make gifts, now is a great time to start thinking about what you’ll make and to gather supplies. You can even begin your crafting. For example, if you want to give homemade strawberry jam, June is the time to make it!
• Spring is a time for graduations and weddings and moves. Make sure you update your Christmas card list as people move.
• A rainy spring day is a great time to plow through your holiday file, sorting recipes, craft ideas, and decorating schemes. Keep the ones that show promise and recycle the rest so that you won’t be overwhelmed when the holidays arrive.
• Make (or review) your holiday budget. Are you saving to cover these expenses? If not, how can you save more or spend less? Remember, you should NEVER go into debt to celebrate the holidays.
• If your family gathers during the spring or summer, try to make a decision about where you will celebrate the holidays. If you have to travel, you can request the time off. Also, the earlier you buy tickets, the more options you will have. (And the prices tend to be better.)

What else can you do now to prepare?