Holiday Help Week One: Getting Ready to Get Ready

We are going to ease into getting ready for the holidays.  By that I mean, this week we are going to think about (and possibly make some lists) what really needs to be done. 

• Have the kids decided on what they are dressing up as for Halloween?
• What is the plan for Thanksgiving?  Are you hosting?  Traveling?  Do you need to make reservations? 
• Ask yourself the same thing for Christmas.
• Would you like to have a Holiday party?
• Have you started putting together a budget and potential gift ideas for those on your gift giving list?
• Does your Christmas card list need alittle work?  Additions?  Deletions?
• Are there some craft projects/home repair projects that you would like complete before the Holidays start?

See, that wasn't so hard.  That should get you started.   Now let's organize those lists and ideas.  It may seem alittle unusual but I always put together a binder for big events (our wedding, vacations, Holidays) it's easier for me to have everything in the same place, so I'm not searching around like a chicken with my head cut off.  It's pretty simple.  I create a tabs for each Holiday, and each event I will be a part of the planning for, and the first tab is always a master 'to-do' list.  I use it to store things like guest lists, menus, and recipes.  I do suggest that you use a binder that has a front tab, and binder tabs that have pockets.  I would also recommend a binder pouch, I use mine for holding gift receipts. 

 



Speaking of 'to-do' lists, what do I have on my agenda this week?

• Creating and ordering our Thanksgiving invitations
• Making a giant spider for our Halloween display (out of garbage bags, newspaper and duct tape!)
• Starting my gift giving list

Now is also a good time to start squeezing your pennies even harder.  Every little bit helps during this season.  So, start making your coffee at home, packing your lunch, and sticking to your menu planning.

Now for the giveaway!  During each month of the Holiday season I will be giving away a little prize pack.  So please keep in mind that I'm a self sponsored blog (not that I am opposed to be a sponsored blog) so the gifts are pretty good, just not Oprah good.

Halloween Giveaway  (Contest runs until 10 pm CST on Wednesday, October 17th)

• Leave a comment below on your Favorite Halloween Costume when you were younger and why, it's that easy! 
• Winner will be decided by random drawing
• Contest will run until 10 pm CST on 10/17, so that I can get in the mail to you in time to use on Halloween.

So what do you win?

• One Halloween cloth (think grocery recycling bag) Trick or Treat Bag
• One box of Candy Corn
• One box of Sour Skittles
• One box of Swedish Fish
• One giant Pumpkin leaf bag (this could also be used for Thanksgiving)
• One pumpkin shaped ice cube tray (I have one of these and will be using this to make pumpkin shaped candy for Thanksgiving)
• One pumpkin craving set
• One set of Halloween baking sprinkles (most of which can be used for Thanksgiving)

Pretty Nice right?  LOL -  I'm excited to read your comments.

~Cyn