The holidays are approaching rapidly and you might be starting to feel the stress already! To prepare for the holiday season, there are a few things that you might want to do ahead of time to limit the stress and make sure you can enjoy the most wonderful time of the year. Here are 5 things to do ahead of the holiday season to make the most out of it:
Figure out your holiday plans sooner rather than later
In past years, I have found myself sprinting around at the last minute trying to plan for different parties and events. Instead of adding that extra last minute stress to your plate around the holidays, go ahead and figure out your holiday plans and events sooner rather than later.
Get your shopping done ahead of time
Word on the street is that holiday shopping and shipping times are going to be insane this year. To prevent the stress, get your shopping done ahead of time. I like to have my holiday shopping complete by Thanksgiving weekend. Another good idea? Shop local! USA-made products don’t get stuck on cargo ships!
Soak in the great weather
It has felt great outside recently, but this weather isn’t here to stay. Before we know it, we will have to pile on jacket after jacket to stay warm. While I’m not complaining about it at all, we need to remember to be intentional and really soak in this weather that we currently have. Vitamin D from the sun is vital for our mental health. Try to get outside more- explore a fall pumpkin patch, go to a winery, go to a football game, and really enjoy it before the hustle and bustle of the holidays are here.
Create a bucket list
It’s no secret that I can be a planner and a list maker. One thing I love so much about lists is that they help me be more organized. Every holiday season there always seem to be certain traditions we want to uphold, places we want to visit, activities we want to complete, etc., A good idea is to start making a bucket list that helps keep track of it all!
You can break down your list into six different areas: acts of kindness, outdoor excursions, crafts and learning, food fun, trips to take, and miscellaneous: and write down a few things you’d like to do for each one. Once you have decided on the most important items, you can block off time on the calendar to complete them. Now one little caveat for the bucket list: as tempting as it is to write down all the things, I really try not to overload our list. If too many items are on the list, it can become overwhelming and it just adds to the craziness that I’m trying to avoid by planning ahead! Instead, try to stick with the things that are most important to you and your family so that you can actually enjoy the holiday season and prevent the stress!
Make a decor plan
My most favorite part! Decorating for the holidays is a blast, but it can also be overwhelming and take a lot of time! This year, you could get a head start by making a plan for each room ahead of time. This might seem a little “extra,” but I think it will save a lot of time and stress in the long-run, especially since we want to make this year so stress-free. Decide on your theme/color scheme for the space (this will help you know if you will be re-using old items) and write down which items you want to re-use. Then make a “wish list” of any items you want to purchase to add to your decor.
Do you have space for your tree? Do you need to move around furniture? If so, don’t struggle doing it all on your own. Instead, consider supporting a local business that can help you move your items. This will not only help you (move + save time/stress), but it will also help a local company and the local economy, as well. A win-win, I think. If you need help finding a local company, check out Bluebell Relocation Services. They do local moving in NJ and can help with your largest moving tasks, as well as your smaller moving tasks, such as moving around the furniture before decorating for the holidays or moving larger decor items. They are experienced movers and serve New Jersey, NY, PA, CT, and the surrounding areas, as well. The best part about Bluebell? They are fully licensed, they have flexible scheduling + discounts, they will provide reliable service at an affordable rate, and they even offer professional wrapping services!
Image: Bluebell Relocation Services
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