- Don't Shop With Everyone Else
As Christmas Day gets closer, more and more people seem to come out of the woodwork and shop at the mall. Think of what shopping you can do at a neighborhood boutique or local hardware store. If you can only find that special gift at a mall store, go early in the morning of a weekday, or VERY late at night. Most stores have extended hours and you can often get much more done in much less time if you don't have to struggle with crowds. See more Christmas Shopping Strategies. - Collect Some Hostess Gifts
If you give lots of small gifts to lots of important people, think about getting the same thing for everyone. You won't want to forget a teacher, paper delivery person, mail carrier, hairdresser, teacher, or neighbors. A small box of candy, scented candle, a gift certificate for books, movies, or dining, luxurious bath products or cash in a holiday card are always welcome. Get everything boxed and wrapped so they're ready when you get together. - Record Your Cards
This is the week you'll begin to get lots of Christmas cards. As you take the card out of the envelope, check the return address. If it's changed from last year, write the address on the back of the card. Or cut the address off the envelope and tape it to the back of the card. Make the changes in your address book at the end of the season. You might want to cut the front off the prettiest cards and keep them to decorate packages for next year. - Plan Some Simple Gifts With Ornaments
If you're expecting guests for Christmas, consider using a special ornament to hold a table place card, tie on the top of a package, or give as a gift. Write the date, location, and person's name on the ornament for a keepsake. Use a fine-tip permanent marker pen in gold, silver, or black. - Trim Every Room
You'll enjoy the holiday season more if each room has a special decoration or reminder. Put a mini Christmas tree on a dresser in a bedroom, a wreath on every door, bows on lamps or teddy bears, baskets of candy canes on bookshelves, string garlands over doorways. And put mini Christmas lights everywhere. - Plan a New Tradition
Whether we're having friends and extended family for Christmas dinner or are just eating alone, I love to prepare a traditional meal with turkey and all the trimmings. Dinner has to have wild rice, something from my childhood that just has to be there. Traditions can be simple or elaborate, but a Christmas seems much more special when you do something year after year. Ask your friends about their Christmas traditions and choose one to incorporate into your celebration. Put together a photo album that you bring out at Christmas time, share an ornament, dated, with everyone in your family, bake cookies, drink a special hot punch. The simplest traditions are sometimes the most meaningful. Add a new one to your celebration each year. - Buy the Pointsettias
Beautiful pointsettia plants don't last forever, but if you buy one now, it will last through to the new year. You can choose a plant in a wide range of sizes, with colors ranging from white, pink, and red to striped and speckled. A pointsettia plant dresses up almost any space and just shouts Christmas. Place a beautiful full one in the entry, a small one in a basket on the side of the bathroom sink, on a bedside table, or on a shelf in a library. Plant a pointsettia with other greens and add a colorful holiday bow. If you live in a temperate climate, you can plant the pointsettia outside after the hoiday.
Read on for more Christmas planning tips for the End of November | 1st Week of December | 3rd Week of December | Christmas Week
More Holiday Ideas Christmas Index | Centerpieces | Choose a Tree | Christmas Design | DIY Projects | Gifts | Guests | Top Picks | Storage | Tables | Themes | Decorating Tips | Tree Decor