Holiday Survival Tips - KT2 Style

I love the holidays in a crazy kind of way. From November 1st on - I am all in. I have actually been like this since I was a kid. In fact I used to make my own advent calendar that started on October 1. If we make it through Halloween without any Christmas music on then Kevin considers himself lucky. Over the years I’ve come up with a short list of tried and true do’s and don’ts.

1. Pick a theme. It can be a word, a color, a vibe - whatever comes to mind. This theme is your holiday decor mantra. This year our theme is Gold. I know it seems stupid, but having one guiding element for all of your decor helps you make cohesive decisions that flow. Some of our past themes have been Woodland, Retro, Plaid, Rainbow etc. You may ask yourself - does anybody even notice my theme? Probably not. But the theme keeps me on track so I don’t gild the lily. Unless the theme is Gold and then you can gild everythin

2. Work from the outside in. Swap out your front step planters (keeping your theme in mind). Hang the holiday lights. Clean the yard up like a crazy person, including power washing front steps. Put the front door spotlight in the ground before it freezes. Anything you can possibly do before the cold sets in - just get it done.

3. Do your least favorite tradition first. I have two words for you. Potato Latkes. They scream holiday to me - but they smell like a deep fryer. The kind of smell that lingers for days (I know because we just made them 2 nights ago and the windows have been cracked ever since.) They are also - honestly - a big PIA to make. But, they are a tradition in my family, so we just make sure we do them while I still have patience and tolerance and energy. Also everybody knows leaving the best traditions for last is way smarter.

4. Curate your calendar like a pro. There are never enough weekend days in December to do everything. I have tried. So now, I live by a few calendar rules. The five days before the big Holiday are completely off limits. Those are the days that the to-do list is long, but also the days where the joy and anticipation are palpable. Don’t miss those days for anything. And on the other days, balance kid wants with grown up needs. Yes, my girls want to have 10 friends over for a sleepover and for me to make homemade gingerbread houses for everybody while also staying calm and joyful. I have tried that one and it is always a bust. Only agree to things that you feel a full body yes to. Pajama movie night crossed with a sleepover for 4 - sign me up. I can handle that. Also communicate to all family members the days you have booked for non-negotiable family fun.

5. Freeze, freeze, freeze. Homemade cinnamon buns on Christmas morning sound wonderful. Making homemade cinnamon buns on Christmas Eve is the worst. Making them the first week of December is still a pain, but at least the house is empty and you don’t have any other food prep to do. Freeze them and defrost the night before and you are the winner. Bake, freeze and repeat (at least for anything sweet.)

6. Pass the Holiday Card torch on to your kids. I used to make hand crafted cards for each person on our list. I’m talking stitching, gluing, bedazzling. Then I had kids. There was a Holiday Card lull for many years. Then, one day, my kids asked why we didn’t send cards out like all the other normal families. And then I passed the torch. Yes! Do it! Pick the photo! Design the card! Address the envelopes! Just let me know when you need me to drop them in the mail.

7. Create one tradition that is just for your immediate little family. One thing that the kids will remember began with them. Ours is going to Concord on Christmas Eve Eve for pizza, strolling and hot chocolate before our relatives come into town. It is such a little thing - but there is never a question of what we are doing on the night of the 23rd. Someday we may add college roommates or significant others, and it will grow and shift - but it will always have started with us.

8. Clean. It. Up. I’m talking before New Years Eve. At our house it is on December 26th. My kids had deemed the 26th the saddest day of the year long before I started taking down the decorations so early. But, if it is the saddest day of the year anyway, then you should just rip that band-aid right off. Settle into the peacefulness of winter, totally clutter and to-do list free.

Sending you all the warmest, busiest, December wishes. Together we create.