Is Preparing For the Holidays Like Planning For a Disney Vacation?

I’m a planner.  Sometimes the plans involve written lists, but mostly the lists are in my head.  I am able to stretch tasks over the course of several days or even weeks with an idea of how much time is going to be available based on life events.  I rarely procrastinate and often get things done ahead of time. 

As the holiday season shifts into high gear, I hear and witness the burden on others of the “to do list” as if it is some cross people must bear;  often stifling the actual enjoyment of the holiday season—friends, family, experiences, celebrations.

While working my way to the big day, it got me thinking about how getting ready for the holidays can be similar to planning a Disney vacation!  Or, at least, I go about them similarly.

When planning a Disney vacation, I have some deadlines:

180 days—Advanced Dining Reservations made

45 days—Trip Paid in Full

10 days—Check in on line and pre-order Photopass CD

1 day—bags packed

Somewhere in there other things are taken care of, like arranging care for the pets, communicating our itinerary to friends and family, purchasing any needed items, finding flights, etc.

A holiday countdown looks amazingly similar:

1 month—tree up and decorated

2 weeks—cards mailed

1 week—shopping done

5 days—start thawing the turkey, bake and decorate cookies

1 day—all presents wrapped, wait for Santa!

And, somewhere in there, take care of communicating plans with family and friends, purchase needed items—a grocery store run is my “list” for today, etc.  Yep, a very similar process to planning and preparing for a Disney vacation.

Next year, we’ll be doing both at the same time—planning for the holidays and a Disney vacation.  I’ll keep you posted on how that works out.  In the meantime, happy planning and happy holidays!