Welcome to Before Breakfast, a production of IHeart Radio.

Good morning. This is Laura.

Welcome to the Before Breakfast podcast.

Today's tip is that even Santa's elves need time in the workshop.

Holiday preparation takes time.

So, account for it.

I know a lot of people listening to this podcast are the chief magic makers in their families.

You've already spent a good amount of effort figuring out the holiday schedule, how to make it to family gatherings, concerts, pageant practices, and the nutcracker, if that is on someone's list.

But before you declare victory, think about all the holiday work that doesn't have to happen at a specific time, but still has to happen.

Things like wrapping, or sending cards, or baking cookies for a cookie swap.

If Santa's elves need time in the workshop, then you need to make time for these things too.

So, block it in. I like to schedule December Fridays lightly, so I can do the work of holiday prep then. Weekends are obviously an option,

but if your family is like mine, that is when you are going to the various holiday events.

Squeezing in one more thing isn't always easy. Plus, the kids are around on the weekends, which might undermine some of the secrecy involved

in some aspects of the holidays. If you have unused PTO time, especially if you'll lose it with the new year, now is a really good time

to take it. But even if you won't lose it, now is a good time to take it. You will be able to shop

when the stores are emptier. And if your kids are normally in school or childcare, you will be able to wrap without anyone messing up your work.

But even if the prep can't be during the work day, and I know the end of year can be busy with work too,

you still need to figure out some time for those holiday preparations.

Maybe you trade off with others and block out some hours on a Saturday afternoon and just

brave the crowds.

Maybe you do it after work and just manage your energy through the day.

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