Happy November!

To quote Taylor Swift: “Are you ready for it?”

The holiday season is about to go hard.

Christmas music started at some stores a couple weeks ago, before Halloween, even. Christmas decorations and such have been loading into stores for a while now, too.

Chanukah comes in early December this year, starting on the evening of December 7th.

And, of course, Thanksgiving is on the fourth Thursday of this month: November 23rd.

I know there are people who want to take their holidays sequentially, and not lean into one until the one before it is done, and I get it. I’m old enough to remember when Christmas season didn’t start until the day after Thanksgiving.

But those days appear to be gone, in part due to commercialization, and in part due to the economy. After all, with people’s paychecks going a bit less far than in some past years due to increased prices in stores. Not to be too grumpy about it, but most of the increased prices are due to profit-taking by corporations, whether we are talking cereal and eggs or clothing or other gifts. That they now want to make a grab for people’s money starting a bit earlier, knowing that people might have to pace their spending based on paychecks, takes chutzpah, but here we are.

What can we do to get ready for it?

There could seem like a lot to do. Planning, cooking, cleaning, shopping, wrapping, mailing things, etc.

I’d love to help you get yourself prepared for the coming holidays, and I’ve got two completely different offers for you. (You can of course do both, if that’s your thing.)

I am delighted to announce a couple of free coaching sessions!

Free Wednesday planning sessions. Join me on Wednesday, November 8th and Wednesday, November 15th, from noon to 1 pm EST, for free planning sessions. In the first, we will discuss Thanksgiving, from what we will and won't do to creating a few lists to get prepared. (Ex.: We WILL make squash casserole this year; we WON’T tolerate discussion of politics at the dinner table; or We WILL invite our next-door neighbors to join us, but we WON’T invite toxic Uncle Greg.) You should leave with a decent plan for the scope of your celebration, possibly a list of what you are fixing, what decorations you are up for, and more.

In the second session (11/15), we will engage in planning for winter holidays, whether it’s Chanukah, Solstice, Christmas, Kwanzaa, and/or New Year’s. Again, we will discuss what we are and are not available for this year (e.g., “I will attend one holiday party, but not three” (or vice versa) or “I am not available to shop for my spouse’s gifts to their parents and siblings”). In addition to some boundaries, you will create some helpful holiday planning content, from gift lists to meal planning to decoration decisions, and more.

Sound good?

If so, hit the button below to sign up to get the Zoom link for whichever session piques your interest. It will take you to the contact page, and you just need to let me know 11/8, 11/15, or both. Or DM me on IG about it. Either way, I’ll get you the link so you can attend.

And if you can’t make it live, each session will be recorded, and recordings will be sent to everyone who signed up.