Christmas Countdown Week 2: Reality Check

To Do This Week:

•Divide Christmas card list into five groups. Write and address one group this week.

•Make a holiday budget. Work together with your spouse to set a comfortable level of holiday spending. We make it easy with our printable holiday budget form. Add a printable master shopping list to speed errand days.

•Do your visual field a favor with a quick decor declutter. A clean sweep now makes holiday decorations all the more impressive!

•Set up a holiday housework plan. Print our chore checklist form. Post it publicly and hold family members accountable for delegated tasks.

•Make a family wardrobe check. Fill out the family wardrobe worksheet, and put any "To Buy" items on your shopping list.

•Print a master shopping list, to organize shopping excursions through the holiday season.

•Do you keep a gift closet, adding new gift items year-round? Take inventory now, before you shop for holiday gifts. Use our printable gift closet inventory form.

•Establish good health habits to cushion you and your family from holiday stresses. Focus on regular bedtimes, proper diet, mild exercise and stress reduction.

•Perform a tabletop check. Inventory serving pieces, table linens, china and flatware. Check store flyers for sales. Will you be ready to set a pretty holiday table?

•Schedule family haircut appointments.

•Check smoke, carbon monoxide detectors on Time Change Sunday. Change the batteries and test detectors to keep your family safe.