Plan for an Organized Christmas Season This Year
With all we have to do during the holiday season, it's no wonder many people get stressed out. Add all the activities your tween is likely to be taking part in, and before you know it, every block on the December calendar is booked well before the holiday season arrives. Staying organized is the key to enjoying your holiday and you can have an organized Christmas season, if you allow your tween and other family members to help you out. Here's how.
Tweens will likely hit you with serious questions just when you're in the middle of something big. Don't be surprised if your preteen takes the Christmas season as an opening to ask you questions about religion, or even if Santa exists. Be prepared for the questions your child might present to you, such as why you celebrate Christmas and not Hanukkah, if Santa is a real person, why some people have nothing to open on Christmas morning, etc. Knowing what you'll say ahead of time will help you turn the conversation into a bonding experience, and a learning experience for your tween.
There's no reason why you can't knock some of your holiday shopping out early. If you're not up for buying the big stuff yet, or if you just don't know what to buy, use your time wisely by finding all those little stocking stuffers everybody expects. When it comes to finding stocking stuffers for tweens, think novelty. Tweens love little gadgets they can hang on their backpacks or keep in their purse or pocket. For girls, sample-size lotions and lip gloss are always welcome gifts. A deck of cards, or a Slinky are fun gifts for boys. Make a list before you shop to stay organized. Christmas bargains can be had if you're willing to brave crowds, or opt for deals online.More »
Sit down with your family and prioritize family activities and traditions so that you know which ones you can live without, and which ones are most important. Your tween may be ready to begin new traditions as he phases out of old ones, so be sure to listen to your child's ideas and suggestions.More »
One way to enjoy an organized Christmas season is to delegate responsibility to other family members. Your tween is old enough now to help with some of the preparations for Christmas. Enlist your child's help when it comes time to make gifts, wrap them or prepare a family holiday meal.More »
The sooner you make a gift list the better off you'll be. To keep your Christmas organized and enjoyable, try to finish gift buying before the crowds take over the malls. Finding gifts for your tween should be fairly easy. If your child doesn't provide you with a list of must-haves, consider hand-held electronic devices, a good book or two, a board game, and maybe a decoration or two for her bedroom.More »
If your child wants to throw a holiday party for friends, be sure you're not stuck doing all the work. Your tween is capable of making invitations, helping to prepare food, decorating, and even buying the items for your Christmas Goody Bags, and then stuffing them. By sharing responsibilities you teach your child how to plan and execute an idea, and you help yourself stay organized. Christmas shouldn't be a source of stress to you, so if you think you've taken on too much, see if you can scale back a bit.More »
1. Expect the Unexpected
Tweens will likely hit you with serious questions just when you're in the middle of something big. Don't be surprised if your preteen takes the Christmas season as an opening to ask you questions about religion, or even if Santa exists. Be prepared for the questions your child might present to you, such as why you celebrate Christmas and not Hanukkah, if Santa is a real person, why some people have nothing to open on Christmas morning, etc. Knowing what you'll say ahead of time will help you turn the conversation into a bonding experience, and a learning experience for your tween.
2. Shop for Stocking Stuffers Early
There's no reason why you can't knock some of your holiday shopping out early. If you're not up for buying the big stuff yet, or if you just don't know what to buy, use your time wisely by finding all those little stocking stuffers everybody expects. When it comes to finding stocking stuffers for tweens, think novelty. Tweens love little gadgets they can hang on their backpacks or keep in their purse or pocket. For girls, sample-size lotions and lip gloss are always welcome gifts. A deck of cards, or a Slinky are fun gifts for boys. Make a list before you shop to stay organized. Christmas bargains can be had if you're willing to brave crowds, or opt for deals online.More »
3. Plan Family Activities Early for an Organized Christmas Season
Sit down with your family and prioritize family activities and traditions so that you know which ones you can live without, and which ones are most important. Your tween may be ready to begin new traditions as he phases out of old ones, so be sure to listen to your child's ideas and suggestions.More »
4. Put Your Tween to Work During the Holiday Season
One way to enjoy an organized Christmas season is to delegate responsibility to other family members. Your tween is old enough now to help with some of the preparations for Christmas. Enlist your child's help when it comes time to make gifts, wrap them or prepare a family holiday meal.More »
5. Make a Gift List
The sooner you make a gift list the better off you'll be. To keep your Christmas organized and enjoyable, try to finish gift buying before the crowds take over the malls. Finding gifts for your tween should be fairly easy. If your child doesn't provide you with a list of must-haves, consider hand-held electronic devices, a good book or two, a board game, and maybe a decoration or two for her bedroom.More »
6. Plan Parties Early On
If your child wants to throw a holiday party for friends, be sure you're not stuck doing all the work. Your tween is capable of making invitations, helping to prepare food, decorating, and even buying the items for your Christmas Goody Bags, and then stuffing them. By sharing responsibilities you teach your child how to plan and execute an idea, and you help yourself stay organized. Christmas shouldn't be a source of stress to you, so if you think you've taken on too much, see if you can scale back a bit.More »
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