Are you Ready?

“If I didn’t like you so well, I’d wish bad things on you!”

That was one response I recently received when someone asked me if I was ready for the holidays, and I responded with a resounding “yes.”  (I’m almost always ready for the holidays.)

No, I don’t get in a hurry to put up the Christmas decorations. I wait until Thanksgiving weekend to generally put them up. However, I do take my sweet time in removing them. I like the “merry and bright” feelings they bring to my home. Having spent many years being Mrs. Claus to my husband’s Santa, it wouldn’t bother me personally to have them up all year. (And a few things are!)

I received the aforesaid comment because my Christmas shopping was done by Halloween. I would say on average I generally have at least 80% of shopping done by that time each year. This year I ran into some super sweet sales, so I got more done than usual. I just need to pick up stocking stuffers once the stockings are hung!

I start shopping for next year’s presents right away. I snag wrapping paper at deep discounts, I watch for “big” items to be marked down. I check out clearance sales. I gather in things all year long. Sometimes it’s a challenge to keep it all hidden, and you might not get a present until the next year if I forgot where it was, but it keeps my own Christmas spirit alive and well all year round.

I am not the Queen of Organization. I am not OCD about it. I am not “scheduling” it. I just simply like to think ahead. That way my budget doesn’t take a big hit in November and December and I’m not worrying about paying off credit cards in January. Christmas expense has been sprinkled throughout the entire year so I don’t feel “a Christmas bite” in my gift-giving. I can sing along to the Christmas music while I’m wrapping, instead of grinch grumbling about how much money I spent as I open yet another roll of tape. (I love tape – my children hate it!)

And yes, you should always be thinking ahead! It’s not just Christmas I plan ahead for. It’s birthdays. TAXES. Out-of-Pocket Medical Expenses. Vacations…  You have to plan for the fun things, and the not-so-fun things as well.

I hope your holidays are merry and bright, and that you also take part in some pre-planning to make your next year easier.

contributed by Melody Lowe