It seems way too early to begin thinking about Christmas. But each year the stores begin urging us to shop a little bit earlier. Many women used to wait until mid-December because that was when the stores put merchandise on sale. After a few years of low profits they decided to change their tactics. Now there are many early sales. This is much better for us - the shoppers. It is ultimately better for the stores too since happy shoppers tend to spend more money.

Now the sales are for a percentage off the price of newly-arrived merchandise. There is a wide selection of the most wanted toys for example. This can be a crucial. Twenty-three years ago somebody's grandma was knocked to the floor while grabbing the last Cabbage Patch doll on the shelf. (the story is, she managed to hang on to it as someone helped her to her feet.) It is great to find that the warm sweater with the green-sequined Christmas Tree on the front is available in all sizes instead of just extra-small and extra-large. The only gifts you prefer to buy closer to December 25th are clothing items for a baby or toddler. We all know how quickly they can grow.

In a week we can pack away our pumpkins and begin makin' a list and checkin' it twice. The stores will be playing Jingle Bells and hiring Santa Claus soon. We should consider making a list of things to do to prepare our celebration. Ten items or less is sufficient. Be flexible - the holiday will survive if you make two kinds of cookies instead of the three you made last year.

Plan where you will celebrate (his family on Christmas eve, yours on Christmas day)

Who will you invite to your home?

What will you serve? (there are ebooks on sale with everything from punch recipes to the latest dip for your chips)

Set aside a morning to bake cookies with the kids (most of them freeze well)

Plan when you will shop with the kids

Plan when you will shop without them (you need to be alone when doing Santa's work)

Enlist your husband's help (modern men even do windows)

Set aside time to decorate, together if possible

One fun way to celebrate with a group of friends is to arrange a "round robin." This is the mobile party that gathers at the first house for appetizers, the next for salads, one person serves the main course and the last house on the list, serves dessert. If you have a larger group, adjust accordingly. This way friends can share their decorations and their favorite recipes. All the kids can whisper and wonder about the presents they hope for. (the anticipation is very exciting to a small child.) Everyone can chat about travel plans and what to wear etc. The news is all fresh and no one is almost too tired to talk as they may be after the holidays. Very often you may wish a close friend had seen your tree BEFORE the neighbor's kid crashed into it during a play date with your kid. Another advantage to a round robin is the preparation work is divided rather than one person being responsible for it all.

With most of the chores on your list completed you will have more time family time. You and your significant other can have longer arguments about whose parents will be most annoying. The kids will have more time to beg for the latest electronic wonder advertised on tv. (you know - the one that EVERYONE has except for your child.) But seriously it is fun to be able to take a drive to look at decorated houses. Or take the kids to grammy's house to help her decorate the tree. Set aside one Saturday to shop for your own tree. Go ice skating together. Most people still enjoy a cup of hot cocoa.

Tell the kids why its cool to be traditional and try to share the holiday in the same way you celebrated last year. Get emotional. Whether religious or not you can appreciate all the good things in your life. Donate a nice toy to an anonymous child you will never see. Tell your kids why you wanted to do that. Happy Holidays to all.