Christmas Countdown Week 3: Gifts and Giving

To Do This Week:

•Write and address one-fifth of the Christmas card list this week.

•Review and renegotiate adult gift giving. Can you simplify your family's "unwritten rules? Draw names and set a price limit for a gift exchange. Could your family dispense with adult gifts in favor of gifts to charity or family service project?

•Finish all catalog and online shopping. Print our catalog / Internet tracker page to keep track of catalog purchases.

•Finish making all gift lists.

•Use a three-hole punch to add a large manila envelope to the Christmas planner notebook. Place all receipts in the envelope to track purchases, provide for returns.

•List all gifts to make. Be stern! Make your list and cut it in half--there's less time than you think. List needed materials and add them to the master shopping list. Begin on "to make" gifts this week. You must make one-fourth of your gifts each week.

•Swapping with friends is a great way to share holiday gifts, crafts and decor. Will you swap with other members of online communities? Track swaps with free printable Swaps Tracker and Swaps Directory forms for your Christmas planner.

•Plan Thanksgiving Dinner using the holiday menu planner. Order turkey. Check serving pieces, and write the contents on a Post-it note. Make it easy for other to help!

•Keep tight tabs on the holiday budget. Add gift purchases and other expenditures as you make them.

•Set up a wrap and mail center. You'll speed gift wrapping and parcel mailing with supplies all in one place.

•Schedule family service projects, or sign up for church charity efforts.

•Reserve baby-sitters for December's nights out.