Christmas Eve is three months from today. So we’re going to kick the Christmas countdown into high gear.  Our next countdown update will be in three weeks at the ten week mark.  We’ll go weekly from there.

Within the next three weeks, you need to complete the following tasks:

• Make your holiday travel plans, purchasing tickets if necessary.
• If you are throwing a party, let folks know to save the date.  Time for socializing fills up quickly in December, so stake your claim now.
• Update your Christmas card address list.
• Write down your Christmas gift list.  You don't have to start shopping yet, but you should at least decide who you'll be shopping for.
• If you plan to make gifts or decorations, purchase all craft supplies and start work.
• Pull out your holiday recipe file and start narrowing down the ones you want to try.
• Make room in the cabinets, refrigerator, and freezer for the holiday surplus.  Every time you make a meal, think about what staples you can incorporate.  Don’t buy in bulk unless you need it.  Toss out stuff that’s old or has gone bad or developed freezer burn.  Donate those 8 extra cans of tuna you bought on sale that you know you aren’t going to use.
• Finalize your holiday budget and make sure you know where the money is coming from.  If you don't have enough saved, you need to reduce the budget. 
• Stop buying things you don't absolutely need.  Put them on your Christmas list instead.
• Start saving the address labels that come in the mail.

Remember, the goal of this countdown is to help you do a little at a time so that you are never overstressed and you can enjoy the season.  Who wants to skip a great party because you have to finish cleaning before the houseguests arrive?  Why pass up a walk to look at the lights followed by cocoa because those gifts HAVE to be shipped tomorrow.  

Follow these pointers and by the time the holidays roll around, you’ll be well-prepared and filled with Christmas spirit.

15 minute check-in:  Today’s task: folding and putting away laundry.  I can procrastinate this like no one’s business!