Have Your Self An Organized Christmas

I was recently reading a magazine in a doctor's office, when I came across an article on organizing the Holiday Season. I just loved it, so I thought I would share. The tips came from Organized Home . Start about 10 weeks before Christmas (it's a little late to do that now, but not by much). I personally would switch weeks 3 and 4 around, because I like to decorate my house the day after Thanksgiving, it's kind of a tradition for me.

Week 10: Master Planning Week
*Make a Holiday Calendar
*Make a Holiday Budget
*Set a Holiday Workout Goal so you can fight the holiday bulge

Week 9: People & Food Details Week
*Make a Menu
*Pick out Your Serving Pieces
*Make 4 Shopping Lists (Far Ahead List, 3 Days Before Thanksgiving List, 3 Days Before Christmas Party List if you have one, December 22nd List)
*Invite Guests

Week 8: Gifts Week
*Create a Central Location to Wrap and Store Gifts
*Make a Gift List
*Buy Online First
*Shop in Stores
*Wrap Gifts

Week 7: Food Week
*Shop the Far Ahead Shopping List
*Bake and Freeze Bake Goods (do not decorate)
*Cook Side Dishes and Freeze

Week 6: House Care Week
*Declutter
*Deep Clean
*Prep for House Guests

Week 5: Thanksgiving Week
*Monday-3 Day Shopping List (put turkey in fridge to thaw)
*Tuesday-Cooking Day (prepare everything else you need except Turkey), Tidy House
*Wednesday-Defrost Food, Set Table
*Thursday-Roast Turkey and Enjoy Thanksgiving

Week 4: You Week
*Chill Out
*Check on RSVPs
*Order and Send Out Christmas Cards

Week 3: Decorate Week
*Decorate Inside and Outside of House
*Last Minute Gifts
*Mail Gifts
*Clean House

Week 2: Party Week (if you throw a Christmas Party)
*Pick out Music
*Tidy Up
*3 Days Before-Shopping List
*2 Days Before-Set up for Party
*1 Day Before-Cook for Party and Defrost Foods

Week 1: Christmas Week
*Defrost, Decorate, and Wrap Baking
*Dec 22-Shopping List
*Dec 23-Tidy House and Set Table
*Christmas Eve-Defrost Dishes and Cook
*Christmas Day--Enjoy!