Holiday Planner Binder | Family Economics

By Trisha

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when you begin to think about all of the shopping, planning, cooking and preparing you will need to do this holiday season. We all know that the more prepared and organized we are the less stress there will be during the holiday season and the more we will enjoy it!

Nearly 15 years ago, I simplified all of my planning and preparing by creating my first holiday planner binder, which I continuously use year after year to keep track of everything. This binder is filled with past gifts purchased, favorite recipes, our holiday card list along with pictures that I have taken of my home decorated so that I can remember how I decorate from year to year.

You can simplify your upcoming holiday season by creating a holiday planner binder to be your organizer and source to keep all of your lists, recipes, and ideas to assist during the upcoming celebrations. Now’s the perfect time to create your binder so in a few weeks when you really began gearing up for shopping and decorating, you’ll have your binder organized and ready to go!

Creating a holiday planner binder is simple. First, purchase a one-inch or larger binder, a set of dividers, pencil pouch to hold coupons and a package of clear page protectors. Then begin deciding what sections in your binder you will need. Here is a list of potential sections and things to include in your holiday planner binder:

•    Monthly calendars to keep track of events
•    Gift lists (past and present)
•    Menus and holiday dinner recipes
•    Cookie/baking recipes
•    Celebration/tradition ideas
•    Service projects to participate in during the season
•    Holiday card list
•    Craft projects
•    Lists of to-do’s
•    Events and activity information
•    Decorating ideas
•    Pictures of your home decorated
•    Coupons

The holiday planner binder takes the hassle out of wondering what you bought your aunt last year or searching for that wonderful holiday cookie recipe you tried three years ago.  All your holiday information will now be at your finger tips in an organized planner for quick and easy access.

What are the must-haves you’ll include in your holiday planner binder this year?