If you find yourself biting your fingernails thinking of the upcoming holidays dinners, celebrations, get togethers, shopping, and all around frenzy, it’s time to start making a few lists. Get or make a holiday planner.

Whether you just start writing on the nearest piece of paper,or notebook of paper, open your daytimer and get busy, or go all out and pick up one of the great holiday planners available it’s a good idea to start now with your Holiday Planning.

It’s a given fact that working with lists make life easier. There’s a reason why planners are so popular.  They just plain work!

Here are some wonderful suggestions (if I may say so myself) to give you a little boost with putting together a holiday planner.

Get a notebook or a ring binder to keep all of your details in. I’ll leave the choosing to you.

A. Start with the occasion: e.g. - Thanksgiving. Make a section in your planner for your specific occasion.
B. Then break down what you need to do for this occasion, dinner, celebration.  You can put a list like this on a separate piece of paper. Example...

1. Thanksgiving
2. Send invitations
3. Plan Menu
4. Grocery Shop
5. Prep make ahead items
6. Decorate

Of course this is just a rough draft but you get the idea.

C. Then break those headings down even more by giving each menu item in the list their own sheet of paper. Example...

1. Plan Menu
2. Main Dish
3. Side Dishes
4. Dessert
5. etc.

1. D. Don’t forget to delegate where you need to. Maybe your children can handle decorations. Inviting other people? They may want to bring another dish or handle dessert.
2. Sister - Dessert
3. Brother - Decorations
4. Friend - Cleaning house

E. What about cards? Do you have cards to send out?

1. Make a list of people to send cards to.
2. Decide if you’re making your cards, designing your cards (computer), or buying your cards.
3. Pick out your design or designs.
4. Type up mailing labels.

Set aside just 15 minutes a night or 30 minutes to work on organizing your holiday plans and your holiday planner will come together in no time.