I welcomed the break over Thanksgiving weekend (and the days following) and I hope you did too. We’re two weeks away from Christmas Eve and if you don’t feel calmer than you did this time last year, then I have failed. I’m assuming (wishfully) that’s not the case. Personally, I’ve purchased almost all of my gifts and the wrapping paper to put them in, and I feel prepared for all that the holidays may dump on my lap like unannounced guests and last minute parties. (These are my go-to hostess gifts year after year, but I’m also planning on buying plenty of these and these this year in case you’re looking for some ideas.)

The Food: Our family finalized our plans for the holiday dinner schedules and I’m in full on prep mode. I’m ordering my first smoked turkey this year from Greenberg Smoked Turkey and our annual Honeybaked Ham, and I’ve planned out the rest of my menu so I can start making dishes to freeze, or at the very least, plan my cooking schedule for the day of. I purchased my chargers a month ago, my holiday china is dusted, washed, and ready to go, and I found the perfect tablecloth today. For runners, and other entertaining accouterment, I like to keep an eye out year-round and stowaway my finds when I see something I love because around this time of year they all start to look the same and poorly made. Now is the time, if you haven’t already, to pick up non-perishable baking items and wine or champagne, especially if you plan on cooking the day of. Don’t leave these items to the day before Christmas Eve because you’ll be lucky not to have to go to multiple stores.

USPS Deadlines: If you plan on shipping Christmas presents and cards to loved ones through USPS, here are the dates you need to know. For U.S. Domestic destinations (excluding Alaska and Hawaii): Dec. 14 – Ground, Dec. 19 – First Class Mail, Dec. 20 – Priority Mail, Dec. 22 – Priority Mail Express. For European destinations: Dec. 14 – Priority Mail Express International, Dec. 20 – Global Express Guaranteed. For all other USPS holiday shipping deadlines and destinations, including military, click here.

Decorating the home: I initially planned on decorating after Thanksgiving, like I do every year. However, this year, between family life, the California wildfires (which are a bit too close for comfort, we’ve got a go bag packed just in case), and the heat, it just hasn’t felt like the right time to decorate. I can’t imagine decorating in the final days before Christmas, so hopefully the weather breaks soon.

Happy planning!