Decorate Week

American Thanksgiving is near ... and we've reached Decorate Week at the Christmas Countdown. Time to turn our thoughts to holiday decorations.

This week, we'll discover secrets of frugal holiday decorating, take a quick decorations inventory, enjoy giving thanks with family and friends on Thanksgiving Day and begin decorating for Christmas. It's a busy week (and the holidays are here!) so let's decorate ... for a stress-free Christmas season!

To Do This Week:

  • Write and address one-fifth of Christmas card List this week.
  • Make one-fourth of gifts to make this week.
  • Set up holiday tearfiles. Use tearfiles for ideas for holiday decorating. Save for next year!
  • Inspect and inventory decorations. Record results on our holiday decoration inventory. Check light strands for cracked or broken bulbs. Add needed replacements to the master shopping list.
  • Does your family give children new ornaments each year? Preserve the memories along with the gift. Use printable ornament memory record pages to keep the gift alive!
  • Prepare for Thanksgiving dinner, baking desserts and salads ahead.
  • Give thanks on Thanksgiving Day!
  • Check in with family members at Thanksgiving celebrations. Ask for gift suggestions, and arrange to share or contribute to holiday meals.
  • Begin interior and exterior decorating.

To Print This Week:

To Read This Week:

To Buy This Week:

  • Continue Christmas gift shopping. Divide the master gift list into five sections. Purchase gifts for one-fifth of the List entries. Wrap gifts as they are purchased. Keep a running total of gift expenditures.
  • Purchase new holiday decor items

Holiday Tip of the Day:

Summer Clearance to Stocking Stuffers!

Summer's in full swing, and so are retailers' summer clearance sales! Smart holiday shoppers transform summer's clear-away products into bargain-priced stocking stuffers.

Check clearance aisles now for stocking-stuffer candidates. Children's gifts include jacks sets, bubble mix, outdoor toys, and jump ropes, while adults may enjoy seed-starting kits, gardening tools, barbeque accessories, hydration bottles and exercise equipment.