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© St. Petersburg Times, published November 24, 2001
NOVEMBER
24 -- Before you head for the malls, focus your time and energy by jotting down a list of gift recipients, ideas and sizes.
25 -- Get out Christmas decorations, check what needs replacing, what you need to buy.
26 -- Hold family meeting to discuss holiday plans. Get events on the calendar.
27 -- Buy cards, stamps. Print out addresses on holiday labels. Set up card-writing station. Write a few cards every day.
28 -- Get boxes for shipping gifts out of town.
29 -- If you're planning to travel over the holidays and haven't made reservations yet, do it now.
30 -- Schedule holiday haircuts/stylings/manicures for self, family members.
1 -- Get the tree; keep it in a bucket of water out of the wind until you're ready to decorate.
2 -- Deck the halls. Start decorating inside and out.
3 -- Check candle supplies and buy what you need.
4 -- Buy gift wrap, ribbon, tape, bags; set up a gift-wrap table.
5 -- Have a baking day. Freeze cookies before family and friends eat them all.
6 -- Buy a toy to contribute to Toys for Tots or other programs that benefit children.
7 -- Plan menus for meals you'll be hosting. Place orders now for meat, poultry, fish, gourmet desserts.
8 -- Pack the family in the car this evening and tour the holiday lights, using the list that appears in the Homes section.
9 -- Attend a tree-lighting ceremony or holiday concert.
10 -- Make ONE trip to the post office or mailing center with out-of-town packages.
11 -- Order holiday flowers (poinsettias, table centerpieces) and send out-of-town flowers.
12 -- Start stockpiling staples: soda, juice, beer, paper goods, snack items.
13 -- Visit Santa at the mall.
14 -- Put on some holiday music this evening and trim the tree.
15 -- Set aside cash or write checks for tips/holiday bonuses for service workers, employees, delivery personnel.
16 -- Watch the HGTV special, "White House Christmas 2001" at 9 p.m.
17 -- Make grocery list for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day meals.
18 -- Pick up a few generic gifts to have on hand for emergencies (people you forgot, people who give you an unexpected gift).
19 -- Call a friend you've lost touch with and wish him or her a Merry Christmas.
20 -- Check clothes everyone is planning to wear Christmas Eve or Day; wash, press, mend, replace.
21 -- Get out table linens, china, crystal, silver, serving pieces, pots and pans you plan to use for holiday meals. Iron/polish as needed.
22 -- Check battery and film supplies and restock if necessary.
23 -- Drop some money in a Salvation Army kettle.
24 -- Relax. What isn't done by now doesn't matter.
25 -- Have yourself a merry little Christmas!