This is where it gets real. Christmas Eve is six weeks from today. From this point on, our preparations will intensify.

So here’s your task list for this week:

• If you are making gifts or decorations, keep working. Ideally, you will be finished by the end of November.
• On your master calendar for the season, schedule your major preparation tasks: decorating, baking, wrapping, etc. Also, take the opportunity now to block out a few days to just relax at home with your loved ones, drinking cocoa and watching movies.
• Plan what you will do to decorate. If you need to purchase anything, you should do it now.
• If you haven’t already done so, start working on your cards. By the end of this month, you’ll at least want your cards to be purchased and addressed.
• Begin (or continue) shopping. Any gift that needs to be shipped should be purchased by the end of the month if at all possible. You do not want to pay shipping fees greater in value than the gift.
• Finalize any plans for entertaining during the holiday season – through New Year’s. If you are hosting, decide what the event will be, when it will be, who you will invite, and what you’ll need to prepare. If you want to go somewhere on New Year’s Eve, make reservations now. Don’t be shut out by a lack of planning.
• Decide what varieties of cookies you will bake. Make sure you have the proper pans, utensils, and ingredients, as well as an appropriate stock of parchment paper and storage containers.
• Check your stock of stamps, shipping materials, address labels, and wrapping supplies. Purchase anything you need. You do not want to be standing in line at the Post Office and have to go to the back of the line because your package doesn’t have the right tape. It will annoy you and everyone around you.
• If you need to get your hair done for a party or other event, book a time now.