By Mermaid Shelley
Yes, y'all, it's already here! Time to get organized for the most glorious time of the year! Guests have commented that it looks so easy for me to pull off big meals and holiday events. It’s not that it’s easy, I just organize my time preparing behind the scenes. It really makes the season more fun and certainly less stressful. I do know that taking on the role of Christmas hostess can be daunting. The intimidation of such an important holiday can take some people right out of the holiday mood!
Being organized is essential. It helps to ensure that you can relax and enjoy the holiday fun that you’ve spent weeks, maybe even months, looking forward to. I find that it helps to start tasks early in the month. Here are some suggestions that work for me.
Start at the beginning of December by doing these:
- Make the trip to the post office early People love getting Christmas cards throughout the month. When I send my holiday greetings early, it tells my loved ones that I wish them the best during the entire holiday season. The first week of December is best. It seems difficult, but I get those out-of-town gifts mailed by mid-month. When the presents are on their way, a big weight is lifted.
- Decorate the home Not only does this set up a wonderful holiday mood; it is one large planning item I can take care of early. I only play holiday music during this important task. Once the decorations are in place, I store the boxes and bins out of sight in an easily accessible location. I hold off decorating a live tree for a few weeks.
- Plan menus I think about all of the gatherings that I have planned. This might include a party I plan to host, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day breakfast, and of course, the big meal, Christmas Day. Not only do I plan the menus, but I think of the ingredients needed in menu items, right down to the spices and condiments. I make a separate list of perishable and non-perishable items.
- Buy non-perishable food items When I look at my list it usually has quite a few items I can get early. There are relish items such as olives, pickles, and cranberry sauce. I almost always bake and will need butter, sugar, flour, spices, and all of the embellishments. Every holiday meal calls for beverages. So, I stock up on coffee, wine, sparkling cider, alcohol, mixers, and fruit juice. There are also all of those non-food items, such as candles, festive napkins and center pieces. I can buy my frozen turkey now and put it in the deep freeze.
Throughout the month:
- Start cooking anything that can be stored Cookies, candy; whatever can be prepared ahead of time is started early. I take the time to enjoy myself. I love to include the kids; we make it fun and create memories. Again, I only play holiday music at this time. It’s important to store these creations properly. Warning to those who bake early: if you want some goodies left for the big day, make it abundantly clear that cookie stealers will be prosecuted!
- Wrap gifts as they are purchased I love wrapping gifts. I take the time to be neat and tidy, as well as creative. A beautifully wrapped present is a gift in itself. When time is limited, I take advantage of department store wrapping. Many of the nicer stores have complimentary wrapping services, others charge a small fee.
- Enjoy the season I suggest doing several of these festive activities during the month: take time to watch your favorite holiday movies; reflect on the meaning of the season; have a special seasonal latte with girlfriends; drop spare change in the Salvation Army bucket; sit on Santa’s lap; attend a holiday music event; buy a little Christmas gift for yourself, maybe lipstick or a Starbucks Christmas CD; sing carols at the retirement home; enjoy the Christmas lights in your neighborhood; relish the sights, sounds and smells; read traditional stories to children; and, drink a toast to your loved ones.
At the countdown:
- Christmas Eve Eve (two days before…) I take inventory of my list of items for the holiday dinner, as well as check for any last minute gift I might need. The stores are getting crowded and many shoppers are feeling crazy and losing their patience. But, not me! There are just a few things left that I need. Now is the time I buy the items on the fresh ingredients list, including ice for beverages. It’s time to defrost the turkey. My refrigerator is getting full at this point!
- Christmas Eve Things are getting pretty exciting. Presents are accumulating under the tree. Parties and such have been going on for a week or more. In preparation for the big day tomorrow, I lay out the Christmas table. I peel potatoes and prepare the other vegetables. I cover them in water and refrigerate. Christmas breakfast, which is usually something special, yet simple, is readied. The kids hang up their stockings with care. We all watch our favorite holiday movie and have treats. Someone puts food and drink out for Santa and Rudolph. And, we tuck ourselves into bed. While visions of sugar plums dance in our head. Ho ho ho!
Christmas Day
- First things first Today is the day I look forward to all year. The very first thing I do is tell the kids to hold on one more minute (because, of course, they’re dying to see what Santa brought them) while I make coffee. Then, we all settle in to open presents. I gather discarded wrapping and ribbon as we go. This helps keep crazy messes at bay. Really, this is the most precious time; being with those I love, enjoying the moment. Once the gift exchange has come to a slow halt, we lazily eat a special breakfast.
- Take a little time for myself Before I get busy in the kitchen, I get myself ready. This step is very important in keeping me calm. When I take my shower, fix my hair and do my makeup before hand, I know I am presentable if guests arrive early. And, they always do!
- Then…. I get cooking! Christmas dinner is the heart of the season. Yes, it takes a lot of planning and orchestrating, and the presentation can be challenging. Yet, if I have stayed true to the plan, dinner is stress-free and a special event for everyone…including me!
