Gather up your best girl friends. Hire a sitter to entertain everyone’’s kids. Bake a couple dozen cookies and whip up some festive eggnog or some fun margheritas. Put out lots of bright colorful pens, glue sticks, and anything else you might need to get those cards signed and sealed. Then see how many cards everyone can get through in a two or three hour stretch!

There’s no better motivation than fun drinks, great friends, and a few child free hours.

Put down the #1 Teacher mug and the cute little apple paper weight. Yes, they’re adorable. Yes, your child’s teacher will love it. Just like she loves the 50 other identical ones that line her desk and fill her cupboard.

You can do so much better!

Write the things that you’re grateful for on paper leaves that you string up and hang up on a prominent wall. Make extra leaves so guests can participate. If you start now maybe your garland can go all the way around your dining room before everyone gathers for the holiday fun!