We all know there are a million things to get done during the month of December in order to prepare for one of the biggest holidays of the year, Christmas! Our lists are long and we sometimes find ourselves overwhelmed with trying to accomplish an impossible tally of tasks, at the end feeling apprehensive, uneasy and exhausted. Well, that’s not the way the holiday season should be at all! Christmas is about being together and enjoying the special spirit the yuletide season summons in all of us. So how do we fix the Christmas frenzy of anxiety? We get organized with a simple calendar that will help us get all of our undertakings accomplished while still having fun and enjoying Christmas for all of the magic that it brings. Here is a schedule that works for me but design yours to suit your specific needs and agenda.
December 1st Break out the Christmas Advent for the Kids. Lego offers a really cute one with a new mini set daily. 
December 2nd Begin preparing the house for decorations by storing excess clutter
and knickknacks.
December 3rd Lights go up outside - white lights are my favorite!
December 4th My husband's birthday. The Christmas Wreath is hung on the door and the Christmas cards are addressed. The Jimmy Fund offers beautiful holiday cards that Exotic Flowers send to its top clients.
December 5th Make a complete list of gifts for family and friends. It’s better to plan
ahead to defer from going over the budget.
December 6th Bake a cranberry pie and put in freezer to be stored until Christmas
for last minute hostess dessert needs.
December 7th String the rest of the cranberries for garland. They are beautiful on
The tree!
December 8th Gingerbread House Project Day! One of the kid’s favorite activities!
December 9th Make sure the kids have made their last and final version of their
Christmas lists. You don’t want any new wish list surprises popping
up any later…
December 10th The tree arrives! Put in stand with water to allow the branches to
relax overnight.
December 11th My son Lance's birthday. We have a tradition of putting up ours today. The tree is ready to be decorated with lights, tinsel, popcorn strands and ornaments!
December 12th Buy Christmas pajamas for everyone! Decorate the hearth with
candles and balsam garland.
December 13th Christmas bonuses for the mailman and paperboy.
December 14th Buy the wine for the holiday table.
photo credit: honeyandjam.com
December 15th Bake sugar cookies for the neighbors and package those that are to
be given as small gifts.
December 16th Donate items to the local soup kitchen for their holiday feasts.
make sure to include some children’s books for the kids.
December 17th Finish up any last minute Christmas present shopping and be
officially DONE!
December 18th Plan your menu for Christmas dinner including everything
from the main course to the dessert. Don’t forget the rolls!
December 19th Finish wrapping all of the presents and hide them in the attic.
December 20th Pick up the floral centerpiece from Exotic Flowers in Boston
December 21st Brace yourself-its grocery store shopping day for your holiday
food!
December 22nd Grab stocking stuffers at CVS- make sure you don’t forget the
candy canes.
December 23rd Prepare the side dishes that can be refrigerated. Get as much of
the cooking done as early as possible!
December 24th Christmas stockings are hung by the fire and cookies and milk are
left by the fireplace for Santa Claus.
December 25th Christmas Day-Enjoy the holiday with friends and family!
Suzie Canale at Fenway Park with her boys May 2014.
Suzie will be celebrating this Christmas with her familly at her home in Westwood, MA.