The countdown has begun and the holiday season is fast approaching. To ensure you don’t run out of steam before December 25, here are a few tips on how to get a head start on preparations.
Decorating
If you haven’t already started, start on your Christmas decorations right away. This year, more than ever, we need to find comfort in the little things, and what could be more heart-warming than Christmas decorations! That’s why, this year, I didn’t wait for December 1 to roll around before taking out my boxes of decorations or playing my favourite Christmas music.
Sending out greeting cards
You haven’t seen loved ones for months, so why not take advantage of this festive season to send cards to those you care about? With our reliance on technology, we have become less accustomed to using regular mail to let our loved ones know that we are thinking of them. Yet, sending letters is a wonderful tradition, and it’s such a pleasure to receive mail from someone you love. Not only that, buying cards is a great way to support Quebec artists. Many offer beautiful Christmas cards! If you have kids, you can also ask them to make a drawing to include with the card, especially if it’s for their grandparents.
Shop early
Start by making a list, then start your Christmas shopping right away. This year, online shopping will be more popular than ever. Canada Post has already issued warnings advising us to shop early because it expects a surge in parcel volumes. So, if you plan to buy online or send parcels by mail, do it as soon as possible to ensure that everything arrives on time. If you are planning to make gifts, stay tuned for our upcoming blogs on gourmet gift ideas!
If you order your gifts ahead of time, why not wrap them as soon as they arrive? Instead of using traditional wrapping paper, you can also choose eco-friendly alternatives. For example, you could wrap the gift in pretty table linen or a beautiful reusable organic cotton bag or you could simply use newsprint. As a final touch, decorate with string, cinnamon sticks, tree branches or dried apples. Let your imagination run wild and have fun!
Planning your menu
The holiday season is a time for feasting. It’s not too soon to start planning holiday meals and even to pre-cook dishes that freeze well. You can also create a calendar to keep track of when each dish needs to be prepared. You can even include shopping lists, as well as items that can be bought in advance.
Happy planning!
