November 2021

Simplify holiday traditions

Do Less, Enjoy More: Simplify Holiday Traditions

"Tradition" is a powerful force that sometimes pulls an unsuspecting family along in its wake. Do your holiday traditions serve your family, your values and your spiritual beliefs--or are you running a tired and joyless circle during the holiday season in the name of tradition?

To cut stress during the season, it's time to give your family's holiday traditions a stiff scrutiny.  Today, think back to traditions from season's past, with an eye to trimming them.

Holiday Grand Plan

Holiday Grand Plan Week 14: Holiday Decor

Decor takes center stage this week in the Holiday Grand Plan!

The holiday season is here, so we'll bring it home this week, organizing holiday decorations and decor storage.

In holiday prep, the Christmas tree makes an appearance as we complete holiday decorating. Are gift packages ready for mailing? It's time!

HOLIDAY PREP

  • Decorate house and yard for holidays.

  • Have a craft day for children.

Frugal ideas for holiday decorating

Save on Decor: Frugal Holiday Decorating Tips

Nothing says "Christmas!" like a beautifully decorated home. Fragrant greens, twinkling lights, holiday centerpieces all set the stage for a merry holiday season.

But at what cost? 

If you believe catalog vendors, department stores and florists, be prepared to lay down a bundle to create that holiday home. Each year sees a set of new colors, new images, new trends, all designed to part you from your holiday dollars.

Holiday Grand Plan

Holiday Grand Plan Week 13: Dining Room

Deadline week! Week Thirteen, Dining Room Week, sees us move into the holiday season, and it's time for a reality check at the Holiday Grand Plan!

Thanksgiving Day falls on Thursday for our American friends and ushers in the holiday season, so this week's cleaning and organizing focus is the dining room. Holiday prep chores center on Thanksgiving and turn to planning the celebration ahead.

House & Holidays Plan

House & Holidays Plan Week 12: Dining Space Week

America celebrates Thanksgiving next week, gathering family and friends around the dining table. This week in the House and Holiday Plan, we'll see to it that the celebration takes place in a clean and organized dining area.

Holiday prep focuses on the Thanksgiving celebration: we'll finish planning and shopping for Thanksgiving dinner, plan Black Friday/Cyber Monday shopping, and think ahead to seasonal decor for the holiday season.