| Before the days of December slip by, follow this | | | | before. Start wrapping gifts. |
| fast-track countdown to complete your holiday to-do | | | | Day 7: Take your cards and packages to the post |
| list in less time. So, put on your running shoes and | | | | office. Avoid going during lunchtime or at the end of |
| you're off. | | | | the day, if possible. You'll hit longer lines because most |
| Day 1: Update your gift-buying list. Write down all the | | | | folks try to run errands on their lunch hour and |
| gifts you've already purchased and for whom. | | | | business people stop at the post office at the end of |
| Separate the accumulated gifts into family categories. | | | | the work day. Try to go first thing in the morning to get |
| Keep all gifts for each family together in one box or | | | | in and out quickly. |
| bag. Pull out holiday decorations and spend 30 minutes | | | | Day 8: Have family members try on their holiday outfits |
| or so each day decorating. | | | | to see what items are missing. If you do not have |
| Day 2: Figure out what gifts you still need and what | | | | something for everyone, now is the time to buy it. |
| you will need for any upcoming parties, including | | | | Consider pairing green or blue sweaters with black |
| hostess gifts or for co-workers. Look at the | | | | slacks or skirts. You'll get more wear out of these |
| advertisements. Plan your holiday meals. | | | | items. Make a list of everything you need to buy. This |
| Day 3: Buy all out-of-town gifts to be sent. Before | | | | will eliminate finding out you don't have an essential |
| buying gifts, consider how you will send them. Books | | | | item you need on Christmas morning. |
| are great gifts because you can send them through | | | | Day 9: Make it a marathon shopping day. Purchase the |
| the mail by book rate, reducing your costs. Don't put | | | | gifts you need for the remaining recipients on your gift |
| those gifts away because tomorrow you're packing | | | | list. And buy the necessary holiday apparel. Stock up |
| them up. | | | | on loss leaders from local grocery stores. |
| Day 4: Wrap and package all out-of-town gifts to be | | | | Day 10: Entice the family members into having a |
| mailed. If you run out of packing material, use the | | | | cookie bake. You can do this with your immediate |
| shredded paper from your shredder. Tuck in your | | | | family or extended family. Turn on the holiday music, |
| holiday cards and photos, too. | | | | pull out the ingredients and bake away. At the same |
| Day 5: Gather your holiday greeting cards, addresses, | | | | time, make a slow cooker meal. |
| postage stamps and return labels. Write all greeting | | | | Day 11 & 12: Wrap, wrap, wrap. Create a |
| cards to be sent. Have the kids help by creating an | | | | gift-wrap station, keeping all of your supplies handy. |
| assembly line. Assign one the task of putting on | | | | Get the kids involved. They can add bows and gift |
| stamps and labels. Older kids can easily address the | | | | tags. Older kids can cut the paper. |
| cards. Don't forget to write a short holiday newsletter | | | | Now that the Twelve Days of Christmas are over, |
| to let everyone know what's new. This will save you | | | | you can relax for a bit. Brew yourself a cup of |
| from writing a personal note on each card. | | | | Christmas cheer and enjoy. |
| Day 6: Finish any greeting cards you missed the day | | | | |