Winnter Holiday Checklist

Holiday Checklist: Last Week of November

• Write out gift lists, and organize addresses, preferably on a computer or a PDA to help with neatness and efficiency.

• Buy stamps, cards, and wrapping supplies.

• Plan a "secret Santa" or other gift swap with friends to limit your total number of purchases.

• Sign, address, and send holiday cards.

• Spend a few hours shopping on weekdays or after work, when stores are calmer than they are on weekends.

• Ship gifts early to guarantee on-time delivery; save a trip to the post office by scheduling an at-home pickup at www.usps.com.

• Carry your address book or PDA as you shop, since some stores will ship items directly.

• Firm up travel plans; when the time comes, check in and print boarding passes at home.

Holiday Checklist: First Week Of December

• Plan holiday menus; order a turkey, a ham, or other specialty foods.

• Shop online; you can do so at any time of day, and it will save you the time of wrapping and shipping gifts.

• Unpack decorations, and inspect them for damaged ornaments and burned-out bulbs.

• Tke an inventory of baking staples, and replace those that are running low.

• Set up a wrapping station in a low-traffic area of your home; wrap gifts as you buy them.

• Hand out gifts and gratuities to service people.

• Buy bulk gifts, such as a case of wine or multiple candles, to offer to neighbors, acquaintances, and party hosts.

• Drop off a few festive outfits at a dry cleaner.

Holiday Checklist: Second Week of December

• Complete half of the house cleaning, starting with infrequently used areas, such as the guest room or formal dining area.

• Put up exterior decorations; greenery lasts longer outdoors.

• Polish silver, and hand-wash stemware.

• Make and freeze cookie dough to bake as you need treats over the coming days.

• Have a family outing to pick out the tree and other greenery; you can also buy a tree online and have it delivered.

• Put up interior decorations.

• Trim the tree toward the end of the week; you’ll have time to enjoy it, and it will stay fresh.

• Prepare chicken stock for use in gravy and other recipes; freeze the stock in jumbo muffin tins, and keep the rounds in freezer bags.

Holiday Checklist: Third Week Of December

• Launder and iron table linens, then roll them around wrapping-paper tubes for short-term, wrinkle-free storage.

• Shop for food, again at an off-hour (some stores and markets expand their hours; consider having your purchases delivered).

• Clean the rest of the house, this time focusing on frequently used rooms.

• Finish up any last-minute wrapping.

• Take stock of and clean serving dishes and utensils if you’re hosting a holiday meal.

• Make seating plans, and write out place cards; set the table. Get your Christmas flower arrangement ready.

• Prepare make-ahead side dishes; cranberry sauce, for example, can be taken care of early.

• Get an early-morning jump on the main meal to allow more time for socializing.