Because Marcia Ramsland is one of the most organized people I know during the holiday season, I asked her to prepare us for Thanksgiving and Christmas with some helpful strategies.
This Holiday UPGRADE is based on her practical book, Simplify Your Holiday Season, and it includes a free download!
“If you do anything more than once in life," Marcia says, "organize it and simplify it. That’s especially true for the holidays that come year after year like clockwork. “
I (Dawn) totally agree with the "organize and simplify" concept. Along with walking in the Spirit and experiencing His peace in our hearts (Galatians 5:16, 22), one of the blessings of being properly prepared for the holidays is the peace that flows into our celebrations and activities!
Marcia continues . . .
There is ONE DATE that signals it’s time to launch your holiday planning every year—November 1st.
Knowing that, you can be ready and sail through the holidays by taking these five action steps early. These five steps—and my free 8-Week Holiday Planning Calendar—will get you ready early and make it the peaceful Thanksgiving and Christmas season you’ve always dreamed of.
1. Mark Your Holiday Dates for November and December.
Thanksgiving is “early” this year on November 23, which means Christmas is a little over four weeks after Thanksgiving. That’s really good news!
But you still need to follow a good Calendar Plan so too many details don’t mount up at the end to cause you holiday stress.
2. Write A Master Gift List.
List the names of people that you are planning to give gifts to. Better yet, FIND YOUR LIST from last year and follow that same order early in November.
Can’t find last year’s list? You could download my free Master Gift List.
You can download the 2017 Free Master GIFT LIST and Holiday CALENDAR—here.
(NOTE: If you already have my Holiday planner, put the list in the front pocket!)
3. Organize Your Gift Wrap Center.
Right now, you don’t have to wrap any gifts. Just organize your Gift Wrap Center with 7 key items all together, say in an under-the-bed box or drawer.
Include: holiday wrapping paper, gift bags, gift tags, fresh tissue paper, bows & ribbons, scotch tape and a dedicated pen. Get it organized and ready to use.
4. Plan Ahead by Writing Things Down.
Mark your calendar with family coming to town, favorite concerts, kids school vacation dates, and business vacation days. This forms the structure for your holiday season.
5. Sort Your Holiday Decorations Early.
The best weekend to put up Christmas decorations this year will be Thanksgiving weekend or the weekend after, but not turning on lights until December 1.
That way you can enjoy them for five weeks before taking them down after New Year’s weekend.
Donate what you don’t use early in December. Why?
1) Someone else can enjoy your excess decorations this Christmas.
2) Charities won’t take them after Christmas, because they don’t have room to store them for 11 months.
Free up space by donating this year!
Planning is powerful! And with a good plan and your eye on the calendar, you can simplify your holiday season.
Instead of playing “catch-up” and feeling stressed, you will experience freedom and calm.
With an organized plan in action every week—written out on an 8-Week Holiday Calendar Plan—you can say wholeheartedly like the angelic heavenly host who praised God when they appeared to the shepherds and said, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests” Luke 2:13-14.
Let me share a holiday prayer just for you.
"Dear God, today as I work on preparing my heart and home for Christmas, may I reflect on the events of the first Christmas and find strength in knowing you have a special plan for my holidays this year.” Amen
What holiday activity will you start this weekend to make sure you’re calm and ready to celebrate this holiday season?
Marcia Ramsland, the Holiday Coach, is the author of two holiday books: Simplify Your Holiday Season: Turn Seasonal Stress into Holiday Success”
and Simply December Devotions and was a spokesperson for Sam’s Club Holiday Entertaining. Download Marcia's free 2017 Holiday Calendar and Master Gift List HERE.
Thanksgiving/Christmas blocks in the graphic available at BuzzingBeesCrafts on Etsy.com, while quantities last.