Christmas Tip - 2 Days to Christmas! It's Time To Simplify Holiday Breakfasts

Photo Courtesy of Clipart Heaven

Article Courtesy of 101 Days to Christmas

If you're hosting houseguests this week, think ahead to breakfast each day. The simpler, the better--so try these tips to simplify holiday breakfasts:

Set the table for breakfast as you clean up from dinner.

Post a breakfast menu on the refrigerator to encourage volunteer help from early-rising guests.

Focus breakfast menus on quick, make-ahead items like breakfast casseroles, muffins, fruit, choice of cereals and juice. You can't enjoy your guests' company if you're slaving away in the kitchen!

Christmas Tip - 3 Days to Christmas! It's Time To Assemble Toys

Photo Courtesy of Clipart Heaven

Article Courtesy of 101 Days to Christmas

It's the phrase that strikes fear in the hearts of parents everywhere: "some assembly required". Today's toy packaging--twist ties and all--can put a serious wrench in a happy Christmas morning.

Will Santa bring bicycles, riding toys or other assembly-needed gifts this year? The time to assemble them is now!

For younger children, consider removing toys from packaging altogether. Short attention spans won't need to wait anxiously to play with Christmas gifts while you wield the wire cutter.

Get cracking on putting toys together in good time for Christmas Eve. Santa will sleep soundly on the big night!

Christmas Tip - 4 Days to Christmas! It's Time To Prepare Stocking Stuffers

Photo Courtesy of Clipart Heaven

Article Courtesy of 101 Days to Christmas

The stockings are hung by the chimney with care ... so it's time to prepare to fill them! Ease this midnight chore with a bit of pre-holiday organization.

Set aside a plastic supermarket grocery sack for each family member, and sort stuffers into the sacks. Slip handles around a clothes hanger, and hang the sorted stuffers at the back of the closet.

With stuffers sorted and ready, Santa won't be fumbling in the dark, trying to remember what gift belongs where ....

Christmas Tip - 5 Days to Christmas! It's Time For A Camera Check!

Photo Courtesy of Clipart Heaven

Article Courtesy of 101 Days to Christmas

Ready, set, roll 'em! Christmas morning will soon be here, so take a moment to prepare to capture the memories.

Haul out the cameras and videocams and make sure they're ready for the big day.

Charge the batteries, check supplies of film or digital media, and be sure you have cables handy for uploading digital photos. Share the moment!

Christmas Tip - 6 Days to Christmas! It's Time To Record A Holiday Greeting

Photo Courtesy of Clipart Heaven

Article Courtesy of 101 Days to Christmas

To give a holiday welcome to phone callers this week, record a special Christmas greeting on the phone answering machine.

It's fun, free and a festive way to connect with those whose calls you've missed..

Happy Holidays!

Christmas Tip - 7 Days to Christmas! It's Time To Write Letters To Santa Claus

Photo Courtesy of Clipart Heaven

Article Courtesy of 101 Days to Christmas

Haul out the pencils! It's time to write letters to Santa Claus.

Parents, do remember to save children's letters to Santa from year to year. Everyone will enjoy watching the lists (and the handwriting) grow over the years--and the result will spark family scrapbooks.

Christmas Tip - 8 Days to Christmas! It's Time To Make A Christmas Morning Basket

Photo Courtesy of Clipart Heaven

Article Courtesy of 101 Days to Christmas

Gifts are piling up beneath the tree, and Santa's ready to roll: time to prepare a Christmas morning basket!

The concept is simple: gather the tools and supplies you'll need to open Christmas gifts and put them in a basket, gift bag or gift box beneath the tree.

Include items like scissors, box cutter, notepad and pen (for recording "gifts received"), camera or videocam, trash bags, zipper food storage bags (for bundling small pieces so they're not lost) and extra batteries.

Add a Santa hat for a fun touch: she who wears the hat, passes out the presents!