ENTERTAIN Whether you’re celebrating at home or out on the town, make the most of the celebration

Making plans

Our best tips for a merry season without the stress

Christmas cards

  • Write five cards per night until your list is complete.
  • Mail cards early, especially if they need to go overseas.
  • Save the envelopes from cards that you receive with your address book to help make next year’s recipient list.
  • Buy discounted cards after Christmas.

Stocking stuffers

  • Start a bag to collect stocking stuffers for each person—then they are ready for Christmas Eve!

Liquor

  • Start now—buy extra bottles every week to stock up. This can be for personal consumption or instant gift-giving.
  • Trying doing something different: bottles of red or white wine are not always memorable. Try champagne, ice wine, grappa or an interesting bottle of vodka.

Decorating

  • Decide on a theme for your house and follow it all the way through. Choose a colour theme and stick with it. Make all decorations simple and streamline. Consistency from outside to inside will make the space flow, while making it simpler for you.
  • Shop early for the best selection of decorations.
  • Pull out house decorations early. This will help you develop a theme and you can see what you have and what you are missing.
  • Check lights to make sure they are working.

Shopping and wrapping

  • Stock up on tape and gift tags.
  • When buying wrapping paper remember the colour palette you have chosen for the holidays.
  • Wrap presents early, without ribbon. Label the recipients’ names and contents with Post-it notes. Attach bows closer to Christmas.
  • Place gifts in one location so nothing goes astray.
  • To make shopping for gifts easier, jot down all gift inspirations and ideas so you don’t forget them.
    • Cross them off your list after they have been purchased.
  • Keep gift receipts in one envelope for easy retrieval, if necessary.
  • Always check the return policy before buying—a 10 or 90 day limit will make a big difference in your decision-making.

Party prep

  • Set a date to have everything ready. The middle of November is a good time.
  • Plan to clean the house from top to bottom—windows, ledges, carpets, floors. Go the extra mile to make your house shine.
  • Run all fancy glassware and china through the dishwasher. Polish silver. Check table linens.
  • Stock your fridge. Fill it with drinks, ingredients to make hot chocolate, cheese and olives. Put munchies like nuts and cookies in the cupboard. Keep prepared hors d'oeuvres in the freezer. This is helpful for unexpected get-togethers and drop-ins.
  • Get in the mood. Don’t forget to buy an Advent calendar for your children (regardless of their age!). Not only will it make them happy, it will help you keep track by counting down the days!

Originally published on CityLine