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Countdown to the Holidays

Leigh Anne Van Doren

Before I had kids, I thought I would be the kind of mom who made iced Christmas cookies in at least three different designs, had my holiday cards out by December 1st, and found the “must have” toy through my superior research and coordination skills. Now that I have kids, I must confess I am the kind of mom who has at least one crying jag every holiday season. Each Thanksgiving and Christmas brings fresh hope that this time I will do it differently. If that is your goal too, I am sharing with you the Fredericksburg Parent Magazine plan for an organized and joyous holiday season.

November Task List:

1. First, do something for yourself. If you don’t already exercise, get a plan together to incorporate exercise into the holidays. Call Zorina Smith at Gold’s Gym at 540-295-7722 to check out their personal trainers. Or, if you would like to exercise in your own home, visit www.aprilsmithfitness.com to reach April Smith for an in-home consultation and exercise program. If you can’t get to the gym, get outside and walk 30 minutes.

2. Sit down with your calendar and fill it in. Fill in your school, church, office and volunteer functions. Set up goals for Thanksgiving cooking, Christmas card mailings and package mailings.

3. Vote on November 4th. Check out our election editorial and then make up your mind, but don’t forget!!

4. If you have young children, get out some crayons and paper and have them design Thanksgiving table decorations while you sit next to them and do some of your tasks for the week.

5. If your parents or grandparents are veterans, call them and ask them to share with your family stories about their military service. Have your children write a thank you card to them for the service to our country. Check out the Sunday, November 9th Veteran’s Day Ceremony at the Elk’s Lodge at 1 pm. The public is invited (11309 Tidewater Trail).

6. Start looking for an Advent calendar at Michael’s, Hallmark, or AC Moore. The really good ones go fast. AC Moore also has weekly Thanksgiving and Christmas craft classes.

7. Order your turkey for Thanksgiving if you want a fresh one. While you are at it, order your Christmas turkey too. Order a Thanksgiving meal from a caterer if you aren’t going to cook. The year I was pregnant with my second child, Thanksgiving came from Ukrops. Make reservations if you plan to eat out. Hospitality House has a great thanksgiving buffet, and Jimmy the Greek’s restaurant is open on Thanksgiving as well.

8. Set up your Christmas gift list. Set a realistic budget with your spouse for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Consider opening a Christmas club account at a local bank. People’s Community Bank is one that offers this service.

Now that your budget is set, start spending. If you plan to serve wine at Thanksgiving or Christmas, head on over to Caledon Natural Park for the Friends of Caledon Art and Wine Festival on November 15th from 10-4. Cost is $3 for parking, $7 for wine tasting.

For country Thanksgiving and Christmas items try Cobble Hill Farm on November 15 and 16, antiques and Christmas show 10-4, Fredericksburg off Route 17.
540-752-4524

Pick up more gift items at Merry Market, the Holiday Boutique and Gift Market sponsored by the Fredericksburg Area Service League on Saturday, November 22nd (10-6) and Sunday, November 23rd (11-4) at the Jepson Alumni Center of the University of Mary Washington. The gifts are a mix of custom jewelry, handbags, apparel, quality crafters, original artwork and decorative accessories for home and garden. The proceeds benefit local children in need.

9. Give thanks by attending the community concert to benefit the area homeless on Tuesday, November 25th at 7 pm at Spotswood Baptist Church in the sanctuary. 540-898-0757

10. Get everybody haircuts now, then schedule a Christmas photo or take it yourself this week. Some of the photographers featured in Fredericksburg Parent Magazine are Rose Photography, When the Moments Count, Focus Photography, DolphinDance photography, Leslie Larsen Photography and Portrait Innovations in Central Park.

11. Do any catalog ordering you need to do this week. If you wait too much longer you are going to end up paying extra for rush shipping.

12. Set up your Christmas card address list and divide it into quarters. Write and mail 1/4 of them each week.

Can’t face setting up your own tree? You can buy one fully decorated at Fredericksburg’s Annual Festival of Trees at the Fredericksburg Expo Center Friday, November 28th through Saturday, December 6th. Hours are 10-7 except December 2, 5, and 6 (10-5). Make reservations for the Children’s Polar Bear Breakfast: Saturdays, November 29th and December 6th from 8 to 10 am.

Be sure to check these pages next month for more helpful holiday hints and visit our calendar of events for more details on fun family events.