How I Prepare for the Upcoming Holiday Season

I love the countdown to Christmas – I start getting ready around Thanksgiving (or at least 30 days before Christmas). There’s so much to prepare, but I enjoy every minute of the season!

Each year, we get a live Christmas tree, decorate it along with all of our living spaces, and prepare for the great day that is December 25. My favorite holiday tradition is how we spend Christmas Eve.

I begin the night by taking my family on a car ride to see all of the Christmas lights. It’s something my parents used to do when my brother and I were growing up.

We listened to Christmas music along the way and fantasized about all of the things Santa would bring us after we went to sleep.

When we returned home, we would bake cookies for Santa and leave them out with a glass of cold milk. My brother and I would have a sleepover in our parents’ bedroom and fall asleep watching one of our favorite Christmas movies – A Christmas Story or Home Alone.

RELATED: Best Family Christmas Movies

It’s amazing that we could even fall asleep with all of the anticipation of Santa’s visit or the presents he would leave us. Now, with technology, we can track Santa’s route, last stop, and next stop using the Norad Santa tracker.

Starting around Thanksgiving (or at least 30 days before Christmas), I start planning.

There’s so much to prepare, but I enjoy every minute of the season!

Here are the highlights of my list:

Make a prep list
Create a budget
Prepare for holiday gifting
Plan baking (including getting chocolate for Christmas)
Write letters to Santa
Choose Acts of Kindness
Decide on movies to watch
Decorate my home

I wanted to show you how I set up a place setting for an informal get-together at my house with a touch of holiday decor.

I’m more of a guest than a hostess type of person, but I can whip up an inviting table for any holiday guests.

Here’s what I do:

Put a tablecloth on the table. (We have a glass table so we normally don’t have a tablecloth on it to make cleaning easier and less laundry.)
Add a decorative placemat.
Add a festive holiday plate.
Then add a festive mug (in case you want coffee, warm apple cider, or hot cocoa)
Add a wine glass.
If you’re setting up for your guests a few days early, add a decorative cloth to the wine glass.
Place four crackers on the plate.
Add salami or your favorite holiday deli meat.
Pair with Monterey jack slices.
Add cheddar slices.
Finish with your favorite bottle of Wente Wine.

I love to serve wine, cheese, and deli meats. Simple. Ready-made tray. Warm beverages to end the night.

The wine aisle can be overwhelming. But I realized that they are organized by wine type (i.e. Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, etc.).

Wente Vineyards Wine | kroger wine aisle

Image Credit: hiltonheadisland.org

I was able to learn about the Wente Vineyards Wine Selection before I did my shopping.

I purchased a bottle of Wente Vineyards Morning Fog Chardonnay.

The website provides a wine finder including restaurants and retail stores where you can get Wente Wine, wine information, and pairing ideas.

Visit the Wente Vineyards site to learn more about their wine selection and where to stock up for the holidays!

Features include the history of Wente Wine, where you can find Wente Vineyards, the best Wine for the Holidays, and a Wine Gift Guide.

How do you prepare for the holiday season?

RAKI WRIGHT

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How I Prepare for the Upcoming Holiday Season