Can you believe it’s already the weekend before Christmas - My oh my, where does time go?  Practically just the other day, I wrote a (hopefully) helpful little piece on how to survive the controlled chaos that we like to call Thanksgiving.  We’ll I thought a little last minute refresher for surviving Christmas might be helpful too.  So here goes:

You Mean You Don’t Have Gifts for Everybody Yet?

Panic!  Yikes!  Time is up!  Alright, slow down:  Yes, it’s pretty much too late for online shopping, but there are still plenty of great last minute Christmas gift ideas that you can pull off in no time at all.  Most of the local stores will be picked over by now, but you might still be able to find that special something.  Here’s my tip - since the clock is ticking, set a time limit for shopping (like 2 hours) and if you haven’t found the right thing by then, move on to Plan B.

Consider giving the gift of your time.  Volunteer to help your giftee with that big project they’re getting ready to undertake.  Maybe include a gift card that can be used for project supplies and make it a theme.  If you’re looking for some more similar ideas and you’re on a tight budget, try this - Top 25 Life-Improving Christmas Gifts for Under $10.

Want to Make Christmas Dinner Extra Special?

No Problem!  I know we’ve all had our holiday decorations up for weeks now, both outside and inside.  But sometimes, the dining room can be a little barren without just the right centerpiece.  You’re in luck with these Simple Christmas Centerpieces.  There are some really creative ideas here and they all look like they can be crafted in just minutes.

Know How to Keep All the Kids Active and Busy?

When the adults just need a little time for grown up conversation, it’s important to plan just the right activities for the kids.  It’s called the Nintendo Wii.  Ummm: well maybe that’s not the best option with lots of children (sharing and patience tends to disappear quickly after all).   So, why not plan some crafty activities that the kids can entertain themselves with?  Here are a few fun Kids Christmas Craft Ideas guaranteed to keep ‘em busy.

With a little pre-planning, your holiday entertaining will go better than you could have ever expected.  Of course, the biggest key is just to relax, have fun, and enjoy spending the season with your family and friends.  And so what if the Christmas turkey doesn’t turn out just perfect!