Preparing for the holidays can be a daunting task, but it will help you get things done in advance, helping you enjoy your holiday activities a lot more. Taking on too much in a short space of time might drive you crazy, so tackle one activity or holiday at a time.
The good news is that there are some things we can do now to prepare for the holidays. You won’t have to miss out on enjoying time spent with family and friends during the holiday season when you’ve gotten a jump start on all those tasks. These tasks will prepare you for the holidays by helping you stay organised, keeping you sane and even helping you save money.
PREPARE A BUDGET
How much money should you spend on the holidays this year? This budget should include money for gifts, decorations, food, Christmas cards and even fireworks. Don’t leave anything out so you’ll be prepared and have the money you need. By creating your budget now, you still have some time to save money before the shopping season starts.
START PRICE SHOPPING
Now that you have your list and know your holiday budget, it’s time to start price shopping. You need to make sure that you get the best deals to save more money. It will be much easier to spot the good deals when you know the regular price of items.
SCHEDULE DOWNTIME
With the holiday season often being spent around friends and family, one often gets too tired with all the activities and begins the new year even more tired. Book yourself a few days off where you spend time indoors, either reading a book or binge-watching a series.
PRE-PLAN YOUR HOLIDAY
It’s peak season and everyone is planning on going, even to the most remote places. To avoid ‘full bookings’, research all the places you and the family would like to visit and start booking them early.
Whether you’re flying out or driving to your holiday destination, begin all your preparation now. This will ensure that you buy all your needed items in advance, avoiding that last-minute queuing at the tills in high peak times. Pre-planning will not only allow you to save money on specials coming out now, but it will also allow you to arrange home sitters and security in time.
PREPARE YOUR GIFT LIST
It’s time to make a list of who you plan to purchase gifts for this year. Remember to include family, friends, and co-workers. You may also choose to note down any gift ideas you have at this time for each person.
