Early Holiday Tips from Rosie

Halloween is done, the holidays aren’t quiet here yet, you’re not completely ready to deck the halls with Holly but yet your little ones are itching to be festive (or maybe you are too). I’ve put together 5 easy and fun activities to get you through the next few weeks and will allow you to get a little ahead of the game before you can break out the holiday sweaters, warm up some eggnog and let the jolly times role:

* There is a fabulous use for those millions of trees that come in the form of catalogs and jam up your mail box every day. Give them to your kids so they can look through the toy ones and cut out all the things they would love for the holidays. This is a great way to get the list going, hours of fun and a great way to instruct grandparents who are starting to ask what they want.

* It’s never to early to start writing to Santa. But before you do have them decorate a scroll or large piece of paper. Once the decorations are done they can begin the list, adding something new each day.

* Order your chocolate advent calendars now so you have them ready the first day of December.

* Start making cookie dough and freezing it so you’re ready for all those school parties and pot luck shindigs that are going to start filling the calendar

* Take your holiday card photo and order them. Just do it.  Don’t be precious about it —  just get it done.  That little phrase “don’t let perfection get in the way of good intention” comes to mind here, and so if Junior doesn’t want to brush his hair today, still take the picture! Just imagine how good you’ll feel knowing you’ve already sent them. If you’re looking for some new designs and ideas try some of these sites:

Pear Tree Greetings http://www.peartreegreetings.com

Hello Lucky http://www.hellolucky.com/

Minted http://www.minted.com

Paper Culture http://www.paperculture.com

Let the holiday countdown begin!