Holiday hacks: Tips, tricks and suggestions for how to get a jump on the busiest time of the year

By Emily Kulkus, Special to The Sunday

Monday, Nov. 23, 2015 | 2 a.m.

You just ripped another month off the calendar and realized there aren’t many pages left. That can mean only one thing: The holidays are almost here!

Take a moment to analyze your reaction to that statement. Does it fill you with joy — or dread?

If you haven’t started planning or shopping or wrapping or even thinking about all of the things you want and need to do to be ready for the season, chances are, you fear the holidays right now.

But don’t fret. There are plenty of projects you can get started on now to make the holidays exactly what they are meant to be: memorable, enjoyable and just plain fun.

Here are a slew of suggestions to help get you organized from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day.

1. Plan now

Lists, lists and more lists. Get organized and stay organized by making lists of what you want and need to do this season.

• Celebrations and events. Where will you spend the holidays? Mark your calendar with the time and location of each holiday celebration as it is decided, as well as other important dates such as neighborhood or office parties; concerts, plays or holiday-themed events; and kid-related activities that are time-sensitive.

• Shopping for others. Who are you buying for this year? Has someone requested something specific? List ideas for each person, being sure to note whether you already purchased the gift.

• Shopping for you. What will you have to buy this season? A holiday dress? Extra dining room chairs? Wrapping supplies? Outdoor lights? List items you know you’re planning to buy, such as a Christmas tree, holiday cards, stamps and supplies to stock your bar. Make a separate list for items you’re still on the fence about.

• Meals and food. Will you be entertaining or bringing dishes to share? Start planning shopping trips, recipes and baking days.

• The fun stuff. Make a list of all of the activities you WANT to do, not just those you HAVE to do. Make this the year you start a new family tradition, finally visit your local holiday display, attend a religious service you’ve never been to or just spend the day decorating cookies with the kiddos. Then do your best to make each happen.

2. Shop like a pro

Serious shoppers arm themselves with a strategy when they hit stores.

• Set a budget. As if blowing money weren’t easy to do any time of year, the holidays are an even more tempting time to spend beyond your means. But there’s nothing like a giant credit card bill to bring you back to earth.

If you really need to stick to a budget this year, make purchases only with cold, hard cash. You’ll have no choice to but mind your pennies.

• Plan your stops. Make a shopping list — whether for groceries, supplies or gifts — then break it down by where you can get what. Then plan one trip to the mall, one trip to the outlets, one large order online.

Chances are, you’ll have to run out for a forgotten item at some point, but with a little planning, you can cut driving and walking time in half.

Don’t forget to strategize when you shop, too. If you can visit stores during nonpeak times — weekdays, evenings or early mornings — you’ll avoid long lines.

• Look for deals. Retailers know you’re out there shopping your heart out, and they want your business. Make them earn it.

Black Friday is not for the faint of heart, but it can be a money-saver if you’re buying a big-ticket item such as a TV or computer.

But don’t feel pressured to join the madness the day after Thanksgiving (or even on Thanksgiving), as many stores offer great deals right up to Christmas Day.

For additional savings, check store websites for perks such as ship-to-store sales, free shipping or layaway. And watch your mail for coupons and giveaways. You may be buying the goods, but make the stores work for your business this year.

• Shop smart. Be a savvy shopper. Just because an item is a good deal doesn’t mean it’s a slam-dunk. That’s code for: Don’t buy junk!

Many people appreciate quality over quantity. Give one exceptionally nice item instead of a stocking full of “what am I going to do with that?” flotsom.

And if you’re buying for children, consider the rule of four: something I want; something I need; something to wear; something to read. That guideline will cover your bases and keep over-stuffed kid stashes to a minimum.

3. Hurry up and wait

It’s easy to get sucked into a buying frenzy during the holidays, but there are several items you should hold off on purchasing until after Christmas. These are the top five items you should wait to buy until after Dec. 25:

• Gifts for yourself, if you can muster the patience. Discounts will dive even deeper, and you might just get what you wanted from someone else.

• Holiday decorations. Unless it’s an item you can’t live without this year, wait. Consider how much sweeter the knickknack will be when it’s 50 percent or 75 percent off in just a few short weeks.

• Wrapping paper. Even if you’re head over heels for the pattern, paper is paper, and its shelf life is minimal — it is designed to be torn. Save yourself some serious scratch by waiting until the price is slashed postseason, then stocking up for next year.

• Evergreen gifts. Think about whom you bought presents for this season, and consider what you purchased. How many of those items could have been bought during the offseason, possibly for less? Probably plenty. So this year, do post-holiday shopping to stock up your evergreen gift stash or collect a stockpile for birthdays, anniversaries and other occasions. Obviously, you can’t stash a Hickory Farms variety pack for 12 months, but you can hold onto clothing, accessories and home décor items, all of which will be heavily discounted the day after Christmas. Just avoid items that expire and anything too trendy.

• Other wrapping supplies. Get creative and hunt down super discounted materials such as boxes, bows, tags and trimmings in unconventional stores. For instance, beauty supply and craft shops typically sell wrapping supplies during the holidays, but most are loathe to carry the items over into the following year. That’s good for you, as you can find gems for pennies.

4. Be a decoration mastermind

Many people enjoy decking their halls, inside and out, with bright, shiny things to celebrate this time of year. But if the thought of lugging out boxes of stuff turns you into a crank rather than a Kringle, perhaps this is the year for a new approach.

• Untangle and test your lights. Now. Just do it. Really, you’ll thank yourself later. Separating the tedious task of untangling last year’s jumble of “who knows if they work” lights from the actual task of decorating will make both less stressful and the latter a lot more fun. Plus, it gives you ample time to shop for replacement bulbs or strands should you need them.

• Rotate decorations. There’s no reason you have to display all of your holiday décor every year. Sure, you may have a few favorites or family heirlooms that always will find a prominent display in your home, but consider pulling out only select items this year. And when you pack everything away once the season’s over, label the box 2015, which will remind you to ignore it next year.

• Pick a theme. Looking for a little holiday inspiration? Select a theme to guide your look — for instance, anything snowy or featuring a favorite character (Rudolph, snowmen, nutcrackers, etc.). Or choose one color or color palette for your entire home. Classic, stylish choices include silver, white or gold, all three of which carry right into the new year.

• Less is more. Turn to your favorite home and lifestyle magazines or Pinterest boards to find carefully curated displays, and you’ll notice that often, not every surface in the home is covered in something holiday-ish. Looking to tame the herd this year? Consider choosing just a few areas of your room or home on which to focus.

• Start clearing space ASAP. Think about how much more enjoyable decorating will be if you have wide-open spaces to work with. Consider packing away the contents of a bookshelf or a tabletop, so when you’re ready to assemble your menorah or Christmas village, you can concentrate on the items you see for only a few weeks a year.

5. Ease your travel stress

For many folks, traveling during the holidays is as commonplace as wrapping presents or sending cards — it’s just what you do. But even when it’s commonplace, it doesn’t mean it’s easy. Here are a few suggestions for how to get where you’re going without pulling out your hair.

• Keep things flexible. If possible, try to give yourself a little wiggle room when it comes to travel times. For instance, if you’re flying in to have dinner at grandma’s, do your best to land well in advance. Air travel can be challenging and unpredictable, even during the offseason; the holidays are understandably a little crazier considering the crowds, and in some cases, the weather. Book flights with more time on both ends than you think you may need.

• Embrace technology. When it comes to travel, technology is your friend. All of the major airlines and carriers, from Amtrak to Greyhound, offer phone-friendly apps to help you track your travel time or your loved ones’ arrival and departure schedule.

• Send ahead. Speaking of shipping, sending gifts by mail before you get to a holiday destination will save you all kinds of money and effort. As long as you don’t need overnight delivery, shipping should be cheaper than checking a bag, and you won’t have to worry about carrying items in or out of an airport or train station.

• Pack light. Between what most airlines charge for checking bags and the possibility of losing what you checked, it really does pay to pack light. Plan what to bring and what not to bring. Considering doing laundry wherever you’re going, especially if it’s a relative’s house, and wear layers that can serve multiple purposes and contribute to different looks. If you’re traveling with children, consider shipping items, such as diapers, in advance. The freer your hands are, the better off you’ll be.

Need more help?

Find more holiday hacks online.

• How to carve a turkey. Realsimple.com offers step-by-step instructions, a list of necessary supplies (Paper towels! Who knew?) and a video tutorial. Clutch.

• How to wrap a gift. YouTube is loaded with instructional videos on gift-wrapping, many of which have hundreds of thousands of views.

Need a laugh? Search for “Jimmy Kimmel learns how to gift wrap.” It will make your skills look amazing.

• How to set a table. EmilyPost.com is the ultimate resource when it comes to manners, and setting a table is no exception. Find descriptions and diagrams for basic, informal and formal table setting. Pinkies up!

• How to make Christmas decorations. HGTV.com pulls out all the stops with a list of 65 do-it-yourself decoration ideas. Glitter and glue guns galore.