Category: Christmas

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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.

NameEmail AddressRelationshipLocation
John Doejohndoe@email.comFriendLocal
Jane Smithjanesmith@email.comFamilyHometown
Bob Johnsonbobjohnson@email.comCo-workerNYC
………

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.

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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:

  1. 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
  1. Photo Paper
  • Specialty photo paper compatible with your printer ensures high-quality prints.
  • Estimated Cost: $20 for a pack of 50 sheets.
  1. Wall Space
  • Designate an area in your home—a wall or large board—as your display space.
  1. Photo Display Materials
  • Consider clips, a clothesline, or washi tape to hang the photos creatively.
  1. 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:

  1. Thanksgiving Weekend: Start collecting photos and planning the layout.
  2. First Week of December: Begin printing photos and setting up the wall.
  3. 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:

  1. Create a Photo Album: After the holiday season, compile all printed photos into a family album for lasting memories.
  2. Rotate Photos Annually: Choose a few standout photos to keep on display and store the rest for future holidays.
  3. Digital Archive: Scan the printed photos or take digital shots of the wall before taking it down to preserve them in a digital format.
  4. 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!