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Try these 8 must-have tips to lighten your holiday spirit:

1.Sit down and take a few minutes to list all of the things you want/need to do. Then number them in the order of importance. Plan to do a few things each day, not everything in one day. For instance if you still need to purchase gifts write these down so you can see what needs to be bought. Check them off as you buy them. List the parties you will be going to give yourself time to prepare and to decide what you are going to wear or need to take for a hostess gift or food you need to prepare.  Be sure to include clearing clutter from your main living areas to make your home more spacious and festive.

2.Are you having guests come for the holidays? Is the guest room ready? Give it a good cleaning, put on fresh sheets and place fresh towels out for them. Replace light bulbs if necessary. Use a small basket to place toiletries in for them—shower jell, toothpaste and toothbrush and other items they may have forgotten. They will think of you as the most gracious hostess. It is always nice to make your guests feel welcome when they are visiting even for a short time. Clearing the clutter that may have accumulated in the guest room can be made easy by packing away items that don’t belong there in sturdy plastic boxes. After the holidays you can then organize clutter using a long term approach.

3. Make a grocery list for the holiday season, include your baking needs. Take out the recipes you will be using and check them to see if there are any ingredients you need to buy. Things as basic as sugar and flour can be over looked so make sure you have plenty.

4. If you have room in your freezer bake extra casseroles or dinners and freeze them so on your busiest nights or when guests arrive you can enjoy visiting instead of scrambling for something to fix for dinner.

5. Continue to wrap gifts and write cards each week until they are finished. A late card is better than no card at all. Where available use the automatic machines at the post office to avoid long lines—unless everyone has the same idea. If you are mailing packages internationally have custom forms on hand so you can fill them out at home rather than when you are at the window in the post office.

6.Purchase gifts online and take advantage of free shipping offered by many companies this time of the year.

7.Plan your party outfits before it is party time. This way you can check to see if they are in good and wearable condition. If you don’t like them for some reason you’ll have the time to take care of the problem. Do the same for other family members. Pick out more than one outfit so everyone is prepared the night of the big party or get together.

8.Get the family involved. Assign family members to a specific room in your home. This is the room that they are responsible for keeping clean and organized. Be sure to reward them with praise for a job well done. If they don’t keep it organized they can pay someone else to do it for them.

By carefully thought and planning your holiday can be delightful and gratifying. If you have too much to do then plan to do less. Look at your list and see what you and your family can change to make this holiday one you’ll love and enjoy.

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