We understand this week is going to be a little hectic.
With buying last-minute presents, going to holiday parties and getting ready for Sunday (that’s Christmas), you don’t have a lot of time for anything else – like figuring out what your Christmas Eve looks like. Don’t worry though, we’ve got you covered.
By the time Saturday rolls around, you should be done with shopping (and if you’re not, we feel for you), and you can finally breathe a little bit from the chaos that is going to just about any store around the holidays.
Sure, you might have some wrapping to finish up and maybe a little baking to do, but it won’t be hard to find the time for that. What we want to do is ensure you get a little you (or family) time, and enjoy all that this day is meant to be. Surely you remember the anticipation and excitement from your younger days? We want to see that come roaring back this year, so we figured why not provide a little Insider’s guide to Christmas Eve?
Dinner
Look, you’re probably going to be doing a lot of cooking on Christmas (especially if you’re hosting) so we suggest treating yourself. Who cares if you just spent a month’s salary on Christmas presents, what’s another $20? Pizza and Chinese food are two of our go-to Christmas Eve meals, just remember that places will be closing early. And if you use paper plates, you’ll have no dishes.
Read a bookNo, we’re not suggesting starting a new novel or the dictionary. We were thinking more like Dr Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas or ’Twas The Night Before Christmas. You know the Christmas classics that you won’t pick up for another 11 months after the night.
Family timeBefore all the craziness, spend a little down time. Break out Monopoly or Clue, watch National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation or Elf, and just enjoy the quiet moments – assuming you don’t have toddlers running around like us.
Food prepIf you are hosting, this is the chance to get ahead so your Christmas morning isn’t spent attempting to pull your hair out. We had a great story about how to get all set up for Thanksgiving (theconcordinsider.com/ 2016/11/22/here-are-some-tips-on-how-to-cook-for-a-group) that you can check out.
It’s also the perfect opportunity to open up that special bottle of wine or reserve bourbon that this kind of occasion calls for.
Santa
In the hubbub, you might forget who’s going to be stopping by later. Just remember that Santa loves cookies and milk so make sure you leave him some to fuel that all-nighter he embarks on each year. The reindeer also like carrots, so that would be a nice thing to leave out, too.
