It's time to think about what we can do in February to help prepare for next Christmas. Tackling holiday preparations a bit at a time helps to make them more enjoyable.
Take advantage of end of winter sales
Believe it or not, spring fashions are already available in stores and online. That means winter is on its way out and prices are likely reduced. Picking up scarves, mittens/gloves, and even fuzzy socks for stocking stuffers and gifts now instead of waiting for fall can save you money.
Update your Christmas cards list
Though not everyone still sends cards, if you are a person that does, it is a good idea to go through all the Christmas cards you received in December and update your list. This is the reason I keep the envelopes with the cards we receive. It allows me to check if anyone's address has changed over the last year. If you keep your list electronically, you can easily add to it as the year proceeds.
Make a list of holiday dessert recipes and start trying them out
I have dozens of cookbooks here. There is even one that only has Christmas cookie recipes. What I've found through the years, however, is that by the time November rolls around, I don't want to scour what to make for dessert, so we have the same things every year. That's not horrible, because we like them, but part of the joy of owning so many cookbooks is to try new things. By putting together a list of dessert recipes now, you can try some out and discover what you want to add to your holiday dessert tray this Christmas.
These three tips are just another way to take the stress out of the holidays.
