It’s already November 4. That means for many of you, Holiday Shopping has already started and may even be done. 

For me, well…at least I am acknowledging it’s November, which means next month is December. That’s farther along than I am most years. 

I am not an early holiday shopper. I’m also not the “Holy Moly, it’s the day before the holiday, I better get to Target today!” I am somewhere in the middle; as soon as the decorations come out in the middle of December, I feel I should probably start shopping. As soon as the menorah is back in the windowsill and the tree is in its corner, then I get the urge to get festive and get shopping.

This year, however, I want to break the procrastination cycle and try to get a little shopping done before then. My family celebrates two holidays—Christmas and Hanukkah, which fall so close this years some relatives will be having ham with their latkes—so I won’t have spare time between the two like I sometimes do. I will also be having oral surgery the week before, so I won’t have much time after recovering. I need to get my shopping done in November and early December, no excuses.

But no worries—I have a there-pronged game plan:

1.) PICK OUT WRAPPING STYLE THIS WEEK.

I always use some kind of Kraft paper for my wrappings; it’s kind of my trademark. I will probably keep that style, but I am feeling like working in some plaid this year. Plaid or threads. I don’t know. But I will know by the end of the week.

2.) SHOP FOR CHRISTMAS FIRST.

Hanukkah is always easier, and even though it begins earlier, I am going to shop for Christmas first. That is always the biggest struggle for me, so I am going to start with those gifts.

3.) LIMIT MY BAKING TO JUST FIVE TREATS.

I love all the sweet things. I could bake them all year round, and sometimes I do (who says almond spritz cookies aren’t for Valentine’s Day?!). With that said, I cannot spend all season in the kitchen, so I need to pick my favorite five and go with them.

With 49 days until Hanukah and 52 days until Christmas, there is still time, but I need to make the most of it. This is why my holiday shopping is Novemver’s first things first.

I can use your help, though: Tell me, if you had to choose one holiday treat to make, what would it be? 

First Things First are monthly posts created to stress that month’s main value. See more of past month’s First Things First!