This week I will decorate the tree with ornaments. If you are planning to do the same, I’d like to share some tips which have helped me become more organized and systematic with my preparations.
• Once you’ve made a decision, keep the ones you won’t need and leave out the ones you’ll be using. This way hindi magulo. You’ll only have what you want in front of you.
• Check the decor; inspect each one for defects. Then clean each one. Leave them out for a couple of hours before hanging them to rid them of the musty odor.
• Check the tree and plan how you want to put your decor. Would it be one color per line, or alternate? Do you want a tree with spaces in between the decor or yung siksik na siksik?
I do not judge how my trees look in the middle of my decorating. I wait for it to be done and then I make my assessment. I can’t judge fully unless it’s finished. Now if I’m not happy with it, then I make the necessary adjustments.
Then, check your lights. See if there are bulbs that don’t light. If so, have them fixed or if you need to get a new set, then do so. It would be a waste of time and effort to remove defective lights every so often. It’s better to have them all ready.
• Before putting the lights, decide if you want them close to each other or if they should have spaces in between. Some put the lights diagonally on both sides. Decide how you want it.
• Once that’s done, check what kind of Christmas tree skirt you want. Actually you don’t need to buy one if you don’t want to. You have many choices. I’ve used crepe paper, Japanese paper, and even a tablecloth. Be creative.
• You can also decorate your tree with some Christmas cards sent to you by friends and family.
• If you have scented candles, use them.
• If you use potpourri, put some Christmas decor in them. Add tiny pieces of red ribbon or green, some silver dust, or anything from your old decor to lend a Christmas touch to your existing stuff.
• Don’t forget to hang your children’s Christmas stockings. I’ve already asked my kids to write letters to Santa. Oh, I used to love doing this as a child!
• Put something Christmassy in your guest bathroom. You don’t need to spend. A hand soap bottle can have a red or gold ribbon tied around it. Use your imagination. Ask your children’s suggestions. They have a lot of fun things you can do. Better yet, ask them to do it. That would be a special time you can share.
• As early as now, prepare your Christmas list. Segregate your recipients into family, friends, ninongs and ninangs. Doing so will save more of your time. Also put beside each name what you think you’ll buy for them so when you go to a store, you’ll know what to look for.
• On the day you shop, decide which gift goes to whom so shopping will not be overwhelming. Every time I go, I buy for three or four people in the meantime. Little by little. That way, each gift is more special. Mas napag-iisipan.
• Check out bazaars. There are so many of them.
• If you decide to give food to friends, check out Christmas goodies. Ordering them in advance will be beneficial both to you and the makers. Once I’ve decided on which goodies to give, I choose dates to give them and then I tell the person I’m ordering from when I’ll get which batch. I deliver mine per area, on a weekly basis. For example, one Saturday, to friends in Quezon City area, next Saturday, Makati area. This way the one I’m ordering from doesn’t get overwhelmed with so much orders at a time. My driver doesn’t get tired delivering so much at one time also. This only requires planning.
• Wrap the gifts you’ve bought not too long after you buy them so they don’t pile up.
Christmas is a beautiful season and yet with so much we need to attend to, it can be stressful, too. I hope these tips I’ve shared with you will ease your stress and make your preparations easier and more fun.
Happy Holidays!
(E-mail the author at babyjackster@hotmail.com)