38 days to Christmas!
According to the 'Countdown Lists' you should have already written a master plan...
What do want your Christmas Season to look like? Do you want to be wrapping presents at midnight on Christmas Eve or enjoying a nice bevvie and friends? Is your Christmas wish to spend the holidays with friends or family...at your house or theirs? When? Are you hosting a party, if so who's coming and what are you serving? When to do the shopping? Cleaning? etc etc etc etc etc...
First, fill in your calendar with parties you've already RSVP'd to, family gatherings, traditional plans, dates open to family activities (Christmas train, visit to Grouse Mountain for ice skating, shopping for a tree...). Now look at each one; do you need an new outfit? Hairdo? Hostess gift?
Second, budget. Choose a number, a dollar figure that you're comfortable spending this season. Think of different areas that you're likely to spend in the next month-
~Decorations & tree
~Parties
~Travel (gas, hotel, airplane, food on the road)
~Gifts and gift wrap
~Christmas meals
~Holiday baking
~Holiday activities
~Family trips or activities
Do your best to use cash for everything to ease the pain on January 1st; also keep in mind that everything will likely be up to 20% more than you've budgetted for.
Third, keep you waistline in mind. Plan a workout schedule. Even if it's only a walk and coffee with a friend instead of coffee and muffin.
More to come...
