Simplified Christmas Countdown

I am continuing to work on my Christmas countdown preparations. So far for the month of August I have cleaned and touched up paint on two rooms. I have one more area this month to get to and that is the dining room.

Here is a list of my to-do's in the rooms I have down for the month of August.

Clean light fixtures

Wipe down walls and hand prints

Touch up paint on walls or repaint as needed

Clean windows and glass

Wipe down and dust molding and trim including baseboards

Clean rugs and floors

Last time I didn't get into gift buying in detail but that is part two of my countdown. Because of the age of kids in our family I buy a lot of gift cards so my assignment this month was to buy three gift cards and two toy gifts for my littlest. Some people have family policies of no gifts but in ours and many others we still exchange with some and with a few friends. We have cut back all gift exchanging with out of town family but in our family we enjoy the tradition of gifts. As long as we are able to do it, I want to continue this tradition. That is why I have to be more organized. 

Also, watch back to school sales for great stocking stuffers.

I can honestly say knowing I have five gifts bought and paid for in August is so wonderful.

I can feel the holiday stress lightening up already.

So on my list is the dining room. And then onto the next three rooms for September and more gifts checked off the list. I think I will also set up a wrapping station in September.

If you missed my first Christmas Countdown post you can find it here.

I really want to make cookie dough ahead and freeze. I have not done that in years past so if you have and would share tips or recipes please do. I can post with the September countdown.