Celebrate Week

We're here and it's time to celebrate!

Celebrate! Week sees us into the full swing of the holiday season, prepared (or nearly so) for a great holiday with family and friends.

During Celebrate! Week, we complete gift shopping, mail Christmas cards, plan parties and put the finishing touches on holiday decorations. During this phase of the Countdown, we also gather information--memories, traditions, debriefing--that will guide our preparations for next year.

Ready to celebrate? Let's get organized!

To Do This Week:

• Write and address final one-fifth of Christmas card List this week. Mail all cards by December 10.
• Complete the final one-fourth of gifts to make this week. If the gifts have not been completed, put them away for next year. Add any needed replacements to the master gift list.
• Complete gift shopping. Wrap and mail send-away gifts by December 6.
• Plan holiday parties using free printable party planning forms. Plan the event with the party planner form, track and record RSVPs on the guest list, and keep the lid on finances with the party budget form.
• Begin a family Advent observance. Use an Advent wreath, calendar or daily family activity to underscore your spiritual values.
• As a family, broaden your own observance by learning more about other holiday traditions.
• Record each year's special traditions on a holiday tradition tracker form. Add new ideas, and record your family's reaction. Keep the memories alive!
• Order poultry or special roasts for any holiday meals held in your home.
• Cultivate a calm and quiet home during the height of the season. Turn the television off, and substitute reading one evening each week.
• Complete interior and exterior decorating. As a last touch, decorate the front door as a symbol that you are ready to celebrate!
• Get resolved! Consider New Year's resolutions carefully, and maximize your chances of following through by writing them down on a New Year's resolution form!
  January 5, hold a holiday debriefing. Record impressions, memories and solutions to guide next year's holiday!

To Print This Week:

• Celebrate! Week Checklist Form
• Party Planner
• Party Budget
• Party Guest List
• Tradition Tracker
• Holiday Memories 2008
• New Year's Resolutions Record
• Holiday Debriefing 2008

To Read This Week:

• "Gimme, Gimme" v. Doing Good: Teaching Children to Give
  Attention, parents! CEO's most requested essay. Bring the spirit of giving to the children of your family.
• Make It A Family Affair
  Mom, let go those holiday burdens. Families that work together, celebrate together.
• Simplify Holiday Traditions
  Stop reading those women's magazines!
• Party Time! Four Steps to Easy Entertaining
  Brush up your party smarts and become the hostess with the mostest!.
• New Year, New You: Keeping New Year's Resolutions
  This time, make New Year's resolutions ... and keep them, too, with these easy tips.
• Hold a Holiday Debriefing
  A last exercise, to be done after the season ends.

To Buy This Week:

• Purchase gifts for the final one-fifth of the master gift list, together with any gift substitutes for uncompleted "to make" gifts.
• Wrap gifts as they are purchased. Keep a running total of gift expenditures and watch the holiday budget!
• Buy fresh trees, wreaths and garlands.