How do YOU plan for the holidays? Do you make a list of everything you need to do and mark it off as you accomplish something? Do you use a computer to plan your holiday outings?

Or, are you like me and just do things as they come along? I am easy peasy when it comes to things like planning for the holidays. Afterall, it is a time to enjoy one another, right?

But, to make things a bit easier, I have typed out a few things for you below! Feel free to add your planning tips in the comments section below!

1.) Definitely get that family picture taken before things get too rushed. We like to take our holiday pictures in July! Yep, you heard me right. The sooner it is done the better and then I can order my stylish holiday cards early!!

2.) Grab up those coupons! You can find them online or in your local newspaper. I recommend clipping them and using them! They do help, trust me!

3.) Take advantage of online shopping and FREE shipping! Last year I did this and bought the same stuff online for the same prices AND got free shipping! I bypassed the HUGE holiday rush and got my shopping done in no time and delivered to my door!

4.) Do your grocery shopping at NIGHT, for Thanksgiving and Christmas. I kid you not, you will miss the big crowds of people if you can shop at night. Best time at night? 10pm!

5.) Have a pre holiday party and invite over some close friends and family. Hand them some holiday lights and decorations and start decorating! Serve them a nice meal and when they leave, they will leave full and happy and your home will be decorated for the holidays! Ha!

6.) Start holiday shopping in January when the sales are the BEST. Stock up and stick the gifts in your closet. I do this every January and by the time Christmas is here, ya, I am good to go and then some!!! My family gets spoiled! And we do donate a lot too.

7.) Plan a time when you and your family can visit a rest home. Trust me, the old people in the rest homes appreciate it soooo much. They long to be hugged and talked to. It really makes my holiday brighter doing this with my kids and my sisters kids each year!

8.) Have a craft day with your kids and their friends. Have them make holiday ornaments for the tree and garland too! I buy supplies at the local dollar store and the kids have so much fun doing this! You will have such a festive and fun home, after your kids are done! Makes for cheap decorations (and special ones!) too!

9.) When people come over for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners, have them each bring one or two dishes. Make it into a potluck where everyone pitches in or brings a dish. That way everyone has something that they like to eat, so you never have to feel badly for someone not liking something you made!

10.) Lastly, send everyone home with leftovers! I know everyone loves holiday leftovers, but not for 1 week in a row, am I right?! Send home some of those leftovers with other family members! That way nothing is wasted and you don’t have to feel bad for wasting when people are starving somewhere in the world.

Those are my 10 holiday tips! I hope they were helpful to you or will be!

Kim

Feel free to visit Storkie.com for great ideas and styles for your holiday cards!

Disclosure:

“I wrote this blog post while participating in the Storkie holiday blogging program. I received compensation for my participation. All opinions are 100% mine.”