* Start addressing holiday card envelopes nightly as you watch TV. Or, better yet, print labels from your computerized address book.

* Many types of cookies can be frozen. Bake a few batches now and freeze. Just pull them out of the freezer as needed.

* Start making any handmade gifts now! What about having a Christmas craft get-together day after Thanksgiving?

* Getting carpets shampooed? Having a cleaning service come in to get ready for your holiday party? Call to make appointments as soon as possible to get the times and dates most convenient to you.

* While you're making those appointments, make any hair or nail appointments. Salons get busy during this season of parties.

* Define your personal and family

* Create a centralized location to keep all your holiday items. I have purchased presents for folks, forgotten about them and then bought something else about a month later.... only to find the original gift the next June. Decide on a space in a closet, laundry room, or guest room where you can keep gifts, cards, wrapping paper, clippings or recipes or decorating ideas.

Get organized now so that you can truly enjoy the spirit of the holiday season later.
About the Author

Tips and ideas courtesy of Virtual Parlor. Want more? Visit the website http://www.virtualparlor.com and be sure to enter the monthly contest!