Welcome to the Holiday Grand Plan 2023! This year, AuntJamel and I will be sharing HGP duties. I’ll be taking the odd-numbered weeks, and she will handle the even-numbered weeks. Are you ready to kick off HGP 2023? Let’s get started.
Week 1 of the HGP starts with preparing, and plenty of list-making and organizing. If you like, you can build your Christmas planner as we go and use it for reference in future years.
If you’re building a HGP planner or need forms to replace ones you’ve already used, printable calendars and lists can be found at https://holidaygrandplan.com/calendar-checklists/.
On the cleaning front, we begin this week focusing on the exterior entryway – the FRONT PORCH. This is the first place in our home that our guests see, and we want to make sure that the front of our home is welcoming from the streetside.
Begin by removing and stowing summer furniture, toys, gardening implements, etc. that will not be used until next year. Give it a good sweeping and/or washdown, top to bottom, to remove any cobwebs or spiders hiding in the corners.
Get busy on the exterior windows on your porch and doorway and be sure to clean both sides of the storm door glass, so that your entrance is sparkling for all those holiday porch deliveries. Once it dries, check for any streaks. HINT: On the exterior, clean side to side; on the interior, clean vertically top to bottom. If you have any streaks, you’ll know which side needs to be wiped down again.
Update your door wreath and/or flag for the Autumn / Fall season – think harvest gold, oranges, maple leaf reds. Maybe some Indian corn or pumpkin décor?
On the LIST front lets take a look at the following:
Week 1 of the HGP starts with preparing, and plenty of list-making and organizing. If you like, you can build your Christmas planner as we go and use it for reference in future years.
If you’re building a HGP planner or need forms to replace ones you’ve already used, printable calendars and lists can be found at https://holidaygrandplan.com/calendar-checklists/.
On the cleaning front, we begin this week focusing on the exterior entryway – the FRONT PORCH. This is the first place in our home that our guests see, and we want to make sure that the front of our home is welcoming from the streetside.
Begin by removing and stowing summer furniture, toys, gardening implements, etc. that will not be used until next year. Give it a good sweeping and/or washdown, top to bottom, to remove any cobwebs or spiders hiding in the corners.
Get busy on the exterior windows on your porch and doorway and be sure to clean both sides of the storm door glass, so that your entrance is sparkling for all those holiday porch deliveries. Once it dries, check for any streaks. HINT: On the exterior, clean side to side; on the interior, clean vertically top to bottom. If you have any streaks, you’ll know which side needs to be wiped down again.
Update your door wreath and/or flag for the Autumn / Fall season – think harvest gold, oranges, maple leaf reds. Maybe some Indian corn or pumpkin décor?
On the LIST front lets take a look at the following:
- EVENT CALENDAR: Start your holiday event calendar, penciling in dates that you’ll need to remember as the holidays get closer. When someone in your book club mentions a cookie exchange, you’ve got a calendar set up to jot down the date, so you don’t schedule over it. Remember to mark in work-related parties, too, even if you’re not the one attending. That way you can plan your dinners at home accordingly.
- HOLIDAY BUDGET and GIFT GIVING: If you haven’t already done so, determine your budget for the holidays and prepare your gift lists; if you’ve been stashing gifts, begin double-checking what you’ve purchased and what remains, and calculate where are you are in terms of the holiday budget.
- CHRISTMAS CARDS: Begin updating your Christmas card list and start looking for your holiday cards. Get a rough count of the number of stamps you’ll need to purchase when the Christmas stamps become available. And, make a note on your calendar for Oct. 11th – USPS Christmas stamps go on sale.
- HOLIDAY PARTIES: Begin planning any holiday entertainment you take on. Are you hosting Thanksgiving Day? Christmas Eve? Christmas Day? A neighborhood holiday party? Or do you expect to visit others’ homes and bring a side dish? Start a list for each event. If you’re hosting, set your guest list and start putting word out, so friends and family know you will be hosting. If you’re going to send invitations, start the process of finalizing the date/time and selecting the invitations. Be sure to mark “mail (or send) invitations for [each event you’re hosting]” on your calendar.
- HOLIDAY MENU PLANS: If you haven't already started, begin planning for holiday meals and dishes you expect to take to pass. Use a menu planner form, if that works for you.
- GROCERIES: Begin making your holiday grocery lists, based on your menu(s). What can you purchase ahead, especially when there are good sales? Perhaps make a separate list of perishables you will need as the holiday / event gets closer. Cross things off your list as you purchase them in the coming weeks.
- BLESSINGS: Now is the time to begin counting our blessings and consider those who are less fortunate. Think about setting up a donation box in the pantry for holiday food drives. If you see a great deal or a BOGO, consider getting “one for me and one for the donation box”. A search using Google found several great Reverse Advent Calendars that provide ideas for food bank gifting and provide a checklist of items to set aside each day for donation. Consider having one box in October to gift in early Nov. for the Thanksgiving food drive; one in November to gift on Dec. 1 for the Christmas drive; and one in December to gift on New Years Eve or New Years Day, to kick off the New Year with a good heart.
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