Plant indoor bulbs such as amaryllis and paperwhites for a lovely holiday display; put up Advent calendar for kids
Take holiday decorations out of storage; make any repairs
Craft ornaments and wreaths; make holiday cards; update mailing list
Prepare and freeze cookie doughs; mail holiday cards and gifts
Decorate exterior of house; string lights outside
Visit a tree farm to pick out an evergreen; trim the tree
Garden
Keep your evergreen fresh (page 82)
Celebrate
Deck the halls; hang stockings (see page 82)
Finish shopping for and wrapping gifts
Plan holiday meals; make shopping lists; order specialty items
Plan holiday table settings
Hand out tips to service providers
Wellness
Do quick workouts (page 83)
Stock up on spirits
Entertain
Prepare home for holiday houseguests (page 84)
Take in a seasonal concert or performance
Organize kitchen tools; restock candle supply
Host a holiday party or open house
Take houseguests (and dogs) on a long hike
WINTER SOLSTICE*
Learn about rituals that honor the solstice
See a holiday light show (such as at a botanical garden) or drive around a festive neighborhood
Deliver gifts to coworkers, friends, and neighbors
CHRISTMAS EVE
(December 24)
Make eggnog; go caroling; set out cookies for Santa
CHRISTMAS
(December 25)
Celebrate with family and friends; recycle holiday paper
KWANZAA BEGINS
(December 26)
Take a welcome break by doing something you enjoy
Prune any damaged or broken tree branches outside
Wash table linens
Find a home for all holiday gifts (donate any you don’t want or need)
Kids
Create paper snowflakes (page 85)
NEW YEAR’S EVE
(December 31)
Chill the sparkling wine (and add ruby pomegranate seeds to each glass)
*WINTER SOLSTICE Occurs sometime between December 20 and 23 in the northern hemisphere.
*HANUKKAH Starts on the 25th day of the Hebrew month Kislev, which can occur any time from late November to late December.