Holidays Are Here – Abide In the Vine

Every year during the holiday season, former procrastinators, I learn to do something a little better.  Sometimes I learn because I did something poorly and made mistakes that will teach me if I pay attention.  Sometimes I do something well and want to stick with it.  Even with traditions we like to repeat, there are enough variables to keep things challenging.  Or, shall we say “keep things fresh.”  

The air is cooling a bit.  I have hopes for pretty leaves to come.  Let’s jumpstart our planning early as befits diligent ladies!

In recent years I’ve learned to

• Pause and breathe to help keep focus on what and Who matters as we celebrate.  Abide in the Vine.
• Make sure everybody has input regarding the menu if others contribute. (Our numbers are small enough.)
• Make sure everyone knows what dishes others are bringing so overlap doesn’t create    disappointment.
• Buy extra coffee, butter, pecans or whatever items you use lots of during the holidays.
• Look around and be alert to ask newcomers, singles, or others to join you.  Shut-ins might enjoy a dinner plate.
• Be ready ahead of time with a plan for seating youngsters – separate table, covered dining chairs, borrowed high chair.  Be flexible.
• Cook even more ahead than I’ve already learned.  If overnighters stay with you, it’s nice to have a coffee cake or breakfast casserole ready.  But – donut runs are fun.
• Sit more after dinner and let people fend for themselves.  It’s pretty clear where the fridge is.
• Lay in a supply of paper goods in case you serve leftovers at a later hour.
• Have a stack of games ready nearby so if the urge strikes you don’t have to search for Catch Phrase, or Pictionary.
• Enlist help for decorating – especially with heavy boxes and reaching high spots.  Take photos of what you want to remember or repeat.  Saves lots of time next year.
• If you might sing carols, have copies of words ready to pass around.  Give the musician a heads up ahead of the day.  Maybe your young pianist or guitarist would oblige.

This year I’d like to

• Have all gifts in the house before Thanksgiving.  (Daughter once again already has many of hers.  Shifting family now means I almost have to do this.)
• Wrap several days ahead of gift giving. Label!  (Little people here means we don’t put much out early.)
• Tend to Shoeboxes in October
• Have a crockpot meal ready on decorating day.
• Have some friends over for brunch during the season.  (Brunch is my favorite company meal.)
• Maybe – MAYBE-  write a one page Christmas letter.

The last is pretty iffy, but just the others would be delightful.  What will I learn?

What would you like to do differently this holiday season?