Getting Ready for the Holidays

Tips to get through the holidays, so Let's Have Some Fun!

October is a time to plan for the holidays which will be here as soon as you blink your eyes.  Make the most of October and get ahead of planning and shopping.  Yes, shopping, is good when it comes to purchasing gifts for family and friends.  Planning those special family holiday dinners can be a chore as we all get closer to Thanksgiving and the Holiday Season.

Right now, start writing down all the foods you will be preparing for Thanksgiving and Christmas/the Winter Holidays and New Years.  I like to purchase the items such as canned goods in order to purchase and have on hand.  Perhaps you may want to chop your celery, onion and bell pepper, place in a freezer zip lock bag and freeze until ready to use.  This will save you a huge amount of time and money if vegetables are purchased on sale.

As a young girl, I had always gone grocery shopping with my mother, and I remember her telling me, "before Thanksgiving you will notice all kinds of items to buy on sale".  Once Thanksgiving is over, the month of December you will pay for those sales.  Most of your holiday grocery shopping will increase in cost.  One such item I have noticed as long as I can remember is celery.  Watch the sales before Thanksgiving, definitely the grocery stores will make up the sales cost in December.

So, start planning, and making a list of items you will need.  Watch for sales and purchase all you need on sale.  Do you get tired of purchasing items that are heavy and bundle some such as canned good items.?  Start making those lists and whenever you go to the grocery store, place 3 to 4 of those items now.  Purchasing these heavy items will help you during the rush.  I personally get extremely tired of buying all these items in a 2 week period before needed.  You have to shop and place in your basket, unload for checking, unload to your car and then unload again into your home and then to the cabinet/pantry  where they belong.  A lot of work, but if you plan ahead and time manage shopping can be enjoyable and you can have more fun during the special holidays to come.

Come on, make the most of your time, enjoy, and Let’s Have Some Fun!