Christmas Eve is one week away.  That means it's crunch time.  If you've been following the Elf Christmas Countdown, you are just about ready to celebrate.  All you have to do is to wrap a few gifts, bake a last little bit, and prepare your holiday meals.  (No matter how well planned you are, December 17th is too early to start cooking the turkey!)

But, if you haven't been following the countdown, you may be feeling a bit overwhelmed.  Here are your steps:

1. Pledge that next year you will follow the Elf Christmas Countdown faithfully and with great care!
2. Make a list of everything you need to do. 
3. Now cross out everything that isn't essential. You need to be brutal about deciding what is essential, but it's a very personal decision. You don't need to buy a gift for someone you won't see until New Year's Day brunch. You may not need to decorate or to bake 5 kinds of cookies. Or just light a Christmas candle, hang a wreath on the door, make your favorite cookie and call it a wrap. Only do those things that are deeply meaningful to you and your loved ones.
4. Only do the tried and true.  Last minute is not a good time to learn a new skill or test a new recipe.
5. Share the load. Recruit family and friends to do parts of tasks. Dividing and conquering means that one person can mix cookie dough while another puts up the outdoor lights and a third wraps gifts.
6. There is no shame in mailing cards after Christmas. People want to hear from you.
7. Don't skip sleep and meals to make "Christmas" happen. You know what?  It's going to happen whether or not you have a hand beaded star on your tree. Bringing your best self to the celebration is the most important thing.

So take a deep breath and get started!

(If you have followed the Countdown, have another cup of cocoa.  Or perhaps some mulled wine.  And take the main course out of the freezer so it has time to defrost!)