Editors Note

Happy holidays, Pen Pal readers! It’s December which means the holiday countdown is on! Have you finished your shopping? Are your holiday meal menus prepared? Is your house cleaned and ready for guests? No? That’s ok, you’re not Martha Stewart!

December is the busiest month of the year for most of us. Our schedules are packed with parties, baking, decorating, working, and family time. It’s no wonder New Year’s Eve falls at the end of the month. We can all use a glass of champagne by then!

I’ve put together a list of some tips you might find helpful this time of year.

ü       Take a mid-week day off from work to do your holiday shopping. Fewer people in stores means you can get more done in less time.

ü       Sell your clothes to a resale shop and use that money to buy gifts.

ü       Don’t be tempted to buy new wrapping paper. If you’re like me, you have at least four rolls in your basement that you can use up first. Sure, new is fun and trendy, but not necessary. And if it’s old enough, it just may be trendy again!

ü       Bake some of your holiday meals ahead of time and freeze them.

ü       Say yes when someone offers to bring a dish to your holiday get-together. Why not let your niece make cookies for dessert or your sister bring the salad this year?

With so many preparations going into the holidays, it’s easy to lose sight of what it’s all really about—enjoying the season and creating wonderful memories with your loved ones. Cheers!

Christy Wolf

Editor

P.S. Be sure to check out our News You Can Use article this month: How to organize a holiday work party on a small budget.