1. Plan your menu ahead. When you invite your guests you can let them know right away what they can bring, saving you a call back.  
   
2. Make list of ingredients and supplies you may need, note items that need to be pre-ordered, and shop ahead. Don’t forget to plan for your holiday treats and cookies.
   
3. List what you need to do, and by when. Then schedule when you will do each task.
   
4. Double your meals now and put the extras in the freezer so that you will have quick meals next week, with minimum work.
   
5. Have one basket to hold all incoming Christmas cards, letters, pictures.
   
6. Have a gift list for everyone you are buying for. Update it as you go, making notes for who/what you still need. Click here for a printable gift list.
   
7. As you buy gifts, store them all in one area to prevent hiding them from yourself.
   
8. Have one envelope for all receipts of gift items. If there is a gift receipt, tape it to the gift.
   
9. Keep gift wrapping supplies all together, tape, scissors, gift tags, pen, wrapping paper, tissue paper and bows. This will save time and searching for what you need.
   
10. Days before your celebration clean out your refrigerator so you have room for additional food.
    
11. Work ahead whenever possible, shopping, food prep, cleaning, wrapping presents.
    
12. Re-evaluate your to-do list. If time is a factor pick out the must do items. Making everything perfect isn’t worth it if you are too stressed to enjoy family and friends, and the true meaning of Christmas.

Click here for a printer friendly pdf