Christmas Shopping
Get prepared for Holiday Season!

Are you anxious about Holiday Season?  For sure there are
many things to do to get ready for Christmas.  Here are
some tips to help you living an happy and relax Holiday Season.

Shopping

Write a list of people you want to buy a gift for, gifts ideas
and budget allowed to each.

Establish a budget and stick to it!  Put your gift budget in an envelop
and do your shopping with this envelope only.

If you have young kids, call a babysitter while you are doing Christmas
shopping. Your shopping will be easier and less time consuming, the
babysitter expense will be more than worthed!

Get help from your kids, they can remove price, wrap gifts and write
cards.

Never know what to offer to your grandparents?  Think about useful gifts :
hairdresser, spa, drycleaning, grocery certificates.



Pros & Cons to shop online or in store


Food planification

December 1st
Prepare your Christmas cakes.  When they are cold, you can do little holes
with a fork all over the cake and spread it with brandy.  Wrap them first
with cotton soaked of brandy and then with aluminum foil.

December 10th
Order your turkey.  The best ones are fresh and have been colded with
air.  They come from biological farms.  Many bouchers offer fresh turkey
but you sometimes have to reserve them in advance.  You will need a pound
per person to offer good portions and have some leftovers.

December 15th
Prepare your cookies and pies.  You can freeze them.

December 28th

Buy champaign, wine and everything you will need for New Year party ...
store will be crowded tomorrow!



Party Guide

The secrets of a great party are : good planification, preparation days or
weeks before the party (to avoid doing everything the day of the party, you
will be exausted and won't appreciate it), don't do it all by yourself,
ask other family members for help!

4 weeks before Christmas
Make a plan.  Determine who you want to invit, party theme (if there is one)
and the party budget.  Send you invitations.  Remember that at this time
of year, people have a lot of parties so you have to send your invitations
early.  Ask your guests to confirm their presence.

3 weeks before Christmas
Create a simple menu.  Choose dishes that you will be able to prepare in
advance or some that you can buy ready to serve.  Do the list of ingredients
you will have to buy.  You can buy the beverages and decorations.

2 weeks before Christmas
Update your guests list.  Choose the music.

1 week before Christmas
Buy all non perishable food. Finish house cleaning.

A day before Christmas
Prepare all you can for your menu, this way, it will be quick and easy to
serve your guests.  Finish decorations and arrange the table or buffet.

Christmas Day
Prepare dishes that could not be done in advance.  Check your table and
decorations.  Final touch : light the candels and start the music ...
get dressed and ready to have fun :)