Merry and bright and oh, who are we kidding? Busy as all hell. Make your December that much less stressful by following these 28 steps now.
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Send formal invites to your holiday party. Nab a prime-time slot and get your fete on friends’ calendars before the influx.
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Then get your own social calendar organized. And don’t be afraid to say no if you’re overbooked/over it.
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Buy a new cocktail dress. One that’s easy to throw on and makes you feel great—it will earn its keep this season.
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And send past years’ festive frocks to the cleaners. You don’t want to discover that marinara stain 20 minutes before Sharon’s party.
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Stock up on wrapping paper. Because the rolls that are still available on Christmas Eve are truly depressing.
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And stamps. Stay away from the post office after Thanksgiving.
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Send out holiday cards. Don’t be the woman paying for overnight delivery on December 22.
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Write out a master gift list. Like most things in life, holiday shopping is easier—and more productive—with a game plan.
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Then start ordering online. Save schlep wherever possible.
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OK fine, hit the stores on the weekdays. Sneak out at about 3 p.m. for an infinitely less horrible shopping experience.
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Pick up a gender-neutral gift of two. For surprise secret Santas and last-minute host gifts.
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Wrap presents as you buy them. Just be sure to label what’s inside and whom they’re for.
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Have USPS pick up your packages at home.
Stay away from the post office after Thanksgiving, pt. 2.
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Lock in travel plans. Before ticket prices spike sky-high.
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Pick your holiday menu. Hit Pinterest and set your recipes in place.
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Dust off the china.
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Iron the linens.
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And polish the silver.
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Deep clean your home. Starting with the least-trafficked spaces first, and give extra love to the guest rooms.
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Replace old baking staples. When you’re buying a ham, the last thing you need in your grocery bag is a sack of flour.
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Work out and watch your diet. Because apple pie.
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Then unearth your comfiest yoga pants. Because apple pie.
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Rest up. Repeat after us: “I will not get sick on my holiday vacation.”
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Cook what you can freeze. A ready-to-go apple pie is always a good idea.
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DIY ASAP. If you’re going to make that glittered pinecone garland, it’s time to carpe diem.
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Then decorate. Why not enjoy the wonderful festiveness that is the holiday season for as long as humanly possible?
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Hang the mistletoe. And work on elaborately planning how to get your special someone under it.
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Solidify NYE. Cuz scrambling for last-minute plans really sucks all the fun out of it. (No shame in Chinese takeout and a great movie, folks—it’s bound to be an exhausting December.)
By JILLIAN QUINT | NOV. 16, 2018 for PureWow.com
