Meal Planning

• The Christmas holidays often mean entertaining. Save time and enjoy your parties and events by planning ahead so you aren't stuck in the kitchen while your guests are visiting. Prepare as much of the menu as possible the day before. You can make stuffing, mashed potatoes, rolls and most other Christmas dinner items the day before, then heat them up right before dinner time. Instead of serving a full meal at other holiday parties, instead serve appetizers or other snacks that require very little kitchen prep. A potluck party is another way to minimize your time in the kitchen, since all the guests contribute to the festivities.
  
  

Gifts and Shopping

• Start your holiday shopping as far in advance as possible. By finishing the bulk of your shopping by December 1st, you have the entire month to enjoy the season instead of spending it in a crowded mall. Keep a gift list with you throughout the year so you can pick up items as you find them on sale in the months preceding Christmas. Wrap the gift items as soon as you get them home so you don't have to stay up late on Christmas Eve getting everything ready. Add a few general purpose gifts, such as candles, bath items or wine, to your gift stash so you have something to bring to any impromptu events that spring up around Christmas.
  
  

Holiday Baking

• Host a cookie exchange and limit your time in the kitchen. Each member of the exchange bakes several dozen of one type of cookie, then the group gets together and divides up the cookies among the entire group. If you have six members in your group, you walk away with six types of cookies but you only invested the time to make one type. Another option is to make baked goods ahead of time in the less busy months and freeze them for Christmas. Most cookie doughs and baked quick breads freeze well. You can bake the cookies right from the freezer so you always have warm cookies available.
  
  

Start New Tradition

• A new tradition can help remind everyone of the holidays. You can revive an older tradition, such as caroling. Arrange to visit a retirement home or go door-to-door in your neighborhood spreading the joy of the season. Christmas cards also provide a nice family tradition. Save the cards with your decorations at the end of each season. When the following Christmas comes, not only do you have a record of everyone you need to send cards to, you also have craft materials. Cut the decorated portion of the card into strips. Form the strips into circles and glue them together, linking them to form a paper chain garland. Add to the chain each year, preserving the memories of the cards. Use the garland to decorate the tree or your mantle.