Put Your "House" in Order Before the Holidays
Organizing experts say five minutes of planning can save 30 minutes of doing. I think that’s a pretty good trade off. Unfortunately, I tend to forget that truth and plow ahead with the doing. Inevitably, I end up duplicating efforts, retracing my steps and coming home from the store with nothing for dinner. Yet as we approach the end-of-the-year holidays, I don’t have time for being unorganized.
I want this time of the year to be special for my family and friends. I want to celebrate the birth of Christ in a variety of ways. I want to create margin in my schedule to allow for the unexpected opportunities. I don’t want the demands of everyday to overshadow the call of the divine.
For me, the only way for those goals to be achieved is for me to plan. Planning helps me take care of the extra requirements of the season, so I look upon them with joy instead of resentment.
The best place for me to start is with my home. If I can get my house in order, my time and energy can be freed up to focus on God’s best. My goal this year is to have most of the practical elements of the holiday season complete before Thanksgiving, then I’ll be free to focus on things that bring joy, awe, inspiration, fellowship, and blessings to those I love … and myself.
Here are some areas of my “home” that I’m working on this month.
Home
- Clear the refrigerator, freezer and cupboards. I like to finish off any leftovers, food items that have been frozen for awhile, and partially full containers, to make room for all the holiday specialties. That means I’ll be intentional in my menu planning.
- Steam clean carpets.
- Washing windows.
- Touch up the front entrance. This will include painting the dinged spots, replacing flowers in pots, hanging a new flag, and putting up a holiday wreath.
Decorating
- Schedule a day to decorate the house and the tree with the family. Make it a party with hors d’oeuvres and music!
Cooking
- Plan menus now for special meals.
- Then, watch for sales, using coupons to save money.
- Bake some items and freeze (breads, soups, casseroles)
Clothing
- Review winter clothing supplies. Check and make sure everyone has winter jackets, gloves, etc. I also check to make sure my children have the required outfits for school band and choir performances. Funny how they outgrow black shoes each year.
Spiritual Needs
- Purchase Advent calendar.
- Purchase or borrow a Christmas devotional to read with family.
Hospitality Needs
- Plan homemade gifts for neighbors/teachers/friends.
- Schedule two or three nights to invite friends over who don’t have family in town.
- Plan a cookie exchange party with girlfriends.
- Schedule a Progressive Dinner with small group.
- Plan a cookie decorating party for children in family and neighborhood. Share the Christmas story through cookies.
I think that’s a good start. But I’ll probably add to that list. Too often I regret what I forget. Hopefully, with some planning, I’ll create more opportunities to experience the presence of Jesus during His birthday season.
Please take a moment and post your favorite way to ready your “house” for Christmas. I’ll pick one winner at random and send the book “The Christmas Lamp” by Lori Copeland as a gift. The contest will close on Friday at noon. Please make sure you leave an email address or some way I can contact you.
CONGRATULATIONS TO KIMBERLY IN IDAHO. YOU WERE RANDOMLY SELECTED TO WIN LORI COPELAND'S "THE CHRISTMAS LAMP." I'LL EMAIL YOU PRIVATELY.
In His Love,
Glynnis Whitwer
this is a great master list. Just don't forget to spend some unorganized and spontaneous time with your family and with God. I don't know your family situation but if your children are small they will only be that way for a very short time and you will not remember how clean your fridge was when you think back.
I like to ready my house by lighting candles and using room spray. I really like to have my house smelling nice and between those two items, and baking:) it really makes it nice.
I don't really decorate for Christmas , we travel cross continent to spend Christmas w/ my inlaws. I make cookies and candy for the 2 weeks prior , so I have gifts for everyone. Christmas in my heart , mot my objects.
I like to use lots of Christmas lights in greenery in my decorating. That way it is festive and looks beautiful and the bonus is when you turn out the lights, you can't see the clutter I've shoved into the corner because I didn't get to cleaning it because I was too busy dancing to Christmas music with my 1 year old as we gazed at the twinkling lights. :)
wonderful post, thank you for the reminder!! i have been working my christmas gift list and pearing down and looking at gifts that share this year! one less thing to wrap and one more way to focus back on Christ's birth, the reason for our season ;) to much easier to focus with an organized home!!
We love taking a day to get out all the decorations and putting them around...the kids get so excited! Last year was the first time we cut our own tree and that was alot of fun to get ready for. I struggle with alot of health issues so I've gotten used to not doing much extra. The holidays are special because we get to celebrate them together....and I've learned that the house doesn't matter as much that!
Tyra
What a great master list. We are in the middle of a move and will probably just have gotten into our new home. It will be wonderful to be in the new house for the holidays but interesting to everything in boxes, etc. Will definitely take some pre-planning to decide what we can do this year and what will have to wait until next year...as well as getting those "to do" things finished.
But I am a planner by nature:) and I like to get my least favorite tasks done first. For me, that's sending out cards. I try to have those done before December arrives even if I don't mail them right away. Next, is the outside lights. I like to take advantage of the warmest weather possible but I don't like them up before Thanksgiving (or the same weekend). After those two chores, the rest is fun! Believe it or not, my husband and I really enjoy shopping during the holidays - crazy, I know, but we do.
Thanks so much for sharing such pratical tips....I do love a master list!! :)
Between homeschooling, deer hunting and hog and chicken butchering, I don't have a lot of extra prep time for the holidays. But starting around September, I start picking up stocking stuffers and small gifts so that my gift buying is not so frenzied as the time draws nearer.
I love lists, and will copy your list! We like to read "Jotham's Journey" to celebrate Christ's birth. We begin on Dec 1 and read to Christmas. We also love the Christmas lights!
carolynn-smallwonders.blogspot.com
On November 30th, after the kids go to bed, my husband and I will wrap 25 Christmas books up and place them in a basket beside our couch. These are not new books, we use them each year, but the kids never get bored with this. Each night they take a turn choosing one to open, then we read it together as a family. On Chirstmas Eve it's the story of Passover and how it represented what was to come. And, on Christmas night, the story of Christ's birth.
By the way, that was an excellent list. Thanks for the contest, Kimberly
wadeandkimd@yahoo.com
My sister made me an advent tree. When that is up, I know we can start the Christmas season. Jesus first! Great topic!
I enjoyed reading how you plan for the season. I shop year round to spread out the expense and I can pick up little things as I find them...rather than all panicky at the last minute.
We decorate and celebrate the advent weeks with devotionals each evening the four weeks prior to Christmas. Our desire is to keep the focus on the Lord and the reason for His coming.
I don't tend to do lots of baking, but there are the few stand-by's that get done. MUST have whipped shortbread and a gingerbread man baking day with the kids.
Well...seems to me you only asked for one thing...but I included a few ideas.
I agree with some of the above comments on the letting the house go a little bit and ENJOY it while your kids are small...they grow SO quickly!!
Blessings,
Camille
You can contact me on my blog if the need should arise. :)
Tell me more about your cookie exchange party???
I write a blog that focuses on gift and other exchange style parties.
Our family does an online white elephant/yankee swap party together. This is what has lead to our passion for gift exchanges, particularly online versions.
Fill me in on what your cookie exchange involves and I will give you credit and link out to your blog.
Have a great holiday!
What a great list! I first start by bringing out my Holiday candles and start burning them, it gets me in the Holiday mood. Then I make list of what needs to be done around the house, what to buy, etc. We usually decorate the weekend after Thanksgiving and get our tree then. We always have Christmas day dinner at our house, so I get the meal list ready and the house too. I am a very organized person, so I am always making lists.
danniendawn@comcast.net
menu planning has been amazing fore me to learn. i have been saving money and eating better! thanks for all your help!