Schedule A Holiday Movie Night | Day 32 of 60 Holiday Prep|

The holiday season is a time for joy, connection, and creating lasting memories. This year, why not combine the comfort of a festive movie night with the warmth of friends—near and far—through a Zoom call? Renting a holiday movie adds a touch of excitement to your evening, and with the right dinner menu, you can create the perfect cozy atmosphere. Here’s how to make your holiday movie night unforgettable!

Renting a Holiday Movie

Choosing the Perfect Film

Start by selecting the movie you want to watch. Whether it’s a classic like “Home Alone”, a heartwarming tale like “The Holiday”, or a family-friendly animation like “Elf”, ensure it suits everyone’s taste. Use a rental service such as Amazon Prime, Google Play, or Apple TV to find and rent your chosen movie.

Setting Up Your Zoom Call

Send Invites: Reach out to friends and family a few days before to set a date and time. Include the movie title, rental instructions, and Zoom link.
Pre-Movie Chat: Allow time for everyone to join before the movie starts. This gives everyone a chance to catch up and share their excitement.
Plan Viewing Logistics: Decide whether to use a watch party feature (if available) or to coordinate starting the movie simultaneously.

Food themed with Movie for Holiday Movie Night

Now that you’ve got the movie and the Zoom logistics sorted, let’s talk about the most important part: the food! Here’s a festive dinner menu that’s sure to impress your friends:

Holiday Themed Food

Cheese & Charcuterie Board: Assemble a variety of cheeses, cured meats, fruits, and nuts. Add festive touches like pomegranate seeds or rosemary sprigs.
Winter Salad: Create a refreshing salad using mixed greens, sliced apples, walnuts, and feta cheese. Drizzle with a honey-balsamic vinaigrette.
Garlic Bread: Serve warm, crunchy garlic bread to complement your pasta.

Drinks

Festive Cocktails or Mocktails: Get creative with holiday-themed drinks, such as a cranberry spritzer or mulled wine. Provide non-alcoholic options as well for those who prefer.

Making the Most of Your Movie Night

Dress Code: Encourage everyone to wear festive attire for a relaxed atmosphere.
Snacks on Hand: Besides the dinner menu, don’t forget the popcorn! Season it with your favorite toppings like cinnamon or caramel.

Renting a holiday movie and connecting with friends over Zoom can be a heartwarming experience filled with laughter, good food, and cherished memories. By planning your movie choice and crafting a delicious dinner menu, you’ll create a cozy and joyful evening that celebrates the spirit of the season. Happy holidays, and enjoy your movie night!

November 23, 2025November 22, 2025

Get Holiday Cards Ready to Send Day 31 of 60 | Holiday Prep

Holiday Prep Day 31 of 60: Sending Holiday Cards and Recipes

Welcome to Day 31 of our 60-day holiday prep journey! Today, we’re focusing on a delightful task: preparing and sending out your holiday cards, complete with a tasty recipe card to share the festive spirit. Not only will you connect with your loved ones through a cheerful greeting, but you’ll also encourage them to whip up something special in the kitchen!

Double Check Your Address / Contact List

Why Include a Recipe Card?

Including a recipe card with your holiday card serves a dual purpose. It adds a personal touch to your greetings while sharing a beloved holiday recipe. Whether it’s grandma’s famous gingerbread cookies or a new festive drink you discovered, a recipe is a wonderful way to share traditions and inspire others to celebrate.

Steps to Prepare, Send, and Enjoy

1. Gather Your Supplies

Holiday Cards: Choose your favorite designs—these can be store-bought or homemade.
Recipe Cards: Print or write out your favorite holiday recipe to include with each card.
Envelopes & Stamps: Make sure you have enough for both your cards and recipe cards. Don’t forget to purchase the right amount of stamps!

2. Craft Your Messages

Personalize Messages: Write a sweet note in each card, sharing festive cheer and a little update about your life.
Recipe Explanation: Briefly explain why you chose that particular recipe or share a cherished memory related to it.

3. Check Your Contact List

Use this mailing as an opportunity to ensure that all email and mailing addresses are correct. This can save you time and ensure that no one is missed.
Make note of any changes or missing addresses, so you can follow up if necessary.

4. Best Dates to Send Out Christmas Cards

TIMING IS KEY: Aim to send out your holiday cards by the first week of December. This allows ample time for them to arrive before Christmas, especially for friends and family who may live far away.
For International Mail: Sending by early to mid-November is recommended to ensure arrival by December.

5. Mailing and Costs

Domestic Mail: For cards sent within the same country, they typically arrive within 3-7 days.
Overseas Mail: Keep in mind that mailing a Christmas card overseas can take 2-4 weeks, depending on the destination and potential delays.
Cost of Mailing: In the U.S., the postage for standard letters is generally around $0.66 for first-class mail. International postage varies, usually between $1.40 to $2.00 depending on the country.

Final Thoughts

Sending holiday cards—and including a cherished recipe—creates a profound connection with your loved ones during this festive season. Taking the time to ensure your contact list is accurate will help you stay in touch with everyone.

So gather those supplies, write your heartfelt messages, and let’s spread some holiday joy, one card at a time! Happy mailing!

November 22, 2025November 21, 2025

Wrap Extra Gifts and Presents |Day 30 of 60 | Health Storey Holiday Prep

Holiday Prep Day 30 of 60

Tasks for Today:

Wrap Extra Presents for Charity

Gather any gifts you’ve purchased for charitable donations.
Use festive wrapping paper and tags to make them more appealing.
Consider including a small note encouraging joy and kindness.

Prepare for Extra Guests

Assess your seating and dining arrangements.
Gather extra serving dishes and utensils.
Prepare any additional food items that might be needed.

Double Check Gift List

Review your gift list to ensure no one is missed.
Confirm that you have all gifts purchased and wrapped.
Make a note of any last-minute gifts needed.

Double Check Budget

Review your holiday budget to ensure you’re staying on track.
Take into account any last-minute purchases or expenses.
Adjust if necessary to avoid overspending.

Make a Contact List of Email Addresses

Collect email addresses for your guest list:

Family
Friends
Co-workers
Neighbors

Use a spreadsheet or a note app for easy access to information. Consider adding a column for RSVP status if relevant, what kind of presents you are gifting, relationship to the person and location of the person.

Sample Contact List Template ( This can be created in Numbers or Excell or Google Sheets)

4 or more columns: names, email addresses, Relationship, Location etc.

Name	Email Address	Relationship	Location
John Doe	johndoe@email.com	Friend	Local
Jane Smith	janesmith@email.com	Family	Hometown
Bob Johnson	bobjohnson@email.com	Co-worker	NYC
…	…	…

Tips for Organization

Digital Lists: Utilize a tool like Google Sheets or Excel for easy updates and accessibility.
Physical Copies: Print out the contact list for reference during planning and communications with family and friends.
Regular Updates: Check and update your list as guests RSVP or if you add more people. Duplicate the main list to use for events.

Stay organized today, and you’ll set yourself up for a joyful and stress-free holiday season ahead if you decided to plan events or group festive gatherings.

November 20, 2025November 19, 2025

Create a Photo Wall for the Holidays | Day 28 of 60 Holiday Prep

Cherishing Family Memories

The holiday season is the perfect time to gather with loved ones, reflect on the year, and celebrate the moments that matter most. One wonderful way to do this is by creating a holiday photo wall where family members can display their favorite pictures from the year. Not only does this make for a heartwarming decoration, but it also stimulates conversations and nostalgia for shared experiences.

Why Create a Holiday Photo Wall?

A holiday photo wall serves as a visual diary of your family’s year, showcasing everything from birthdays and vacations to everyday moments. It allows everyone to share their unique experiences and bond over shared memories, adding a personal touch to your holiday decor.

Supplies Needed

To create your holiday photo wall, gather the following supplies:

Small Photo Printer

A compact printer that can easily print 4×6 or smaller photos. Models like the Canon Selphy or HP Sprocket are popular options.
Estimated Cost: $100 – $150

Photo Paper

Specialty photo paper compatible with your printer ensures high-quality prints.
Estimated Cost: $20 for a pack of 50 sheets.

Wall Space

Designate an area in your home—a wall or large board—as your display space.

Photo Display Materials

Consider clips, a clothesline, or washi tape to hang the photos creatively.

Decorative Items

Optional: Fairy lights, garlands, or holiday-themed decorations to enhance the visual appeal.

Time Needed for Printing Photos

Printing photos for an entire wall can take some time. Here’s a rough estimate:

Total Prints: If you plan to include 50 photos, printing each photo will take about 1-2 minutes.
Estimated Total Time: Approximately 1.5 to 2 hours for printing all photos.

When to Start Organizing

The ideal time to start this project is around Thanksgiving. This allows your family to reflect on the past year during the holiday and gather pictures from various sources, such as smartphones, social media, and digital cameras. Here’s a suggested timeline:

Thanksgiving Weekend: Start collecting photos and planning the layout.
First Week of December: Begin printing photos and setting up the wall.
Second Week of December: Finalize your display and enjoy the visual memories.

What to Do with the Photos After Posting Them

Once your holiday photo wall is complete, consider these options for preserving the memories:

Create a Photo Album: After the holiday season, compile all printed photos into a family album for lasting memories.
Rotate Photos Annually: Choose a few standout photos to keep on display and store the rest for future holidays.
Digital Archive: Scan the printed photos or take digital shots of the wall before taking it down to preserve them in a digital format.
Gifts for Family: Surprise relatives by creating smaller versions of the photo wall or framing individual photos as gifts.

Final Thoughts

Creating a holiday photo wall is a delightful way to honor your family’s memories and build connections during the festive season. With just a few supplies, some planning, and a sprinkle of creativity, you can turn your home into a warm showcase of love and cherished moments. So gather those photos and let the holiday magic begin!