Wednesday, December 20, 2017

Chaos-Free Christmas Countdown - 5 Days


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Hopefully by now your T Minus 7 Days and T Minus 6 Days Checklists are all checked off, the side dishes are prepped and a batch of cookies is put away.

Luckily for both of us, the Monday is pretty easy. It's just time to decorate. Stop, I know what you're thinking. "Decorating for Christmas takes days, weeks." Well, this isn't Christmas. The motto of the Ultimate Make-Ahead Thanksgiving Guide: Decor is "If you don't have it, don't go buy it". This saves money, time and ultimately the headache of trying to head to the store the week of a holiday. So work within your attic, storage closet or your backyard! Head over to my Christmas Pinterest board for inspiration, but here are some of my favorites. Customize them to what you have packed away.


December 20

T-Minus 5 Days Until Christmas

  • Work on any tidying up around the living areas of the house that can be done ahead of time 
    • Run that Roomba!
    • Make sure any lingering Thanskgiving and fall decor have been packed away.
    • Focus on sprucing up the stuff that can stay clean until Christmas morning (wipe down couches, toss throw blankets in the laundry to freshen up, wipe down leather surfaces, pass the Swiffer, dust/spray down coffee tables). 
    • Consider delegating some of this to tiny humans and hubbys while you work on prepping the freezer-friendly dishes. Teamwork makes the dream work!
  • Create an easy DIY centerpiece...remember, if you don't have it, don't go buy it!
    • Save money on live flowers. Fill vases with pine cones. These are free and can be used again at next Thanksgiving and Christmas. Send your tiny humans or husbands out hunting for a handful or two.
    • Have extra ornaments? Fill vases or trays with them to add a seasonal, sparkly touch. 
    • Use candles and pine clippings to add the scents of Christmas to your tablescapes.
  • Make a second batch of cookies before calling it quits for the evening, if time allows.

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Check out the rest of the Chaos-Free Christmas Countdown: