Holiday Planning…what!?! We're still walking around with sand in our shoes. How can we even begin to think about the holidays? Well, if you think about it just a little right now you won't be stressing out in December.

You've got to love the Internet and all of its endless (and free) examples of our lives being made easier. Take for example the Web site OrganizedChristmas.com. First they have their Holiday Grand Plan which is an 18-week program to get your house *** and span in time for the holidays. All of the big jobs are broken down into little jobs, complete with printable checklists and calendars, so you won't be embarrassed to host those holiday gatherings. The Holiday Grand Plan starts August 31^st, so you better hop to it! Organizedchristmas.com also has the Christmas Countdown which runs from Oct 26^st to Dec 6^st. Here you'll find weekly themes, a printable holiday planner, daily messages, and even an interactive community at Organized Christmas Message Boards. The site also includes great ideas for holiday gifts and crafts (nothing beats giving a homemade gift-and savings a little $$$ while you're at it!).

If you're looking to save even more money this holiday season (and who isn't, right?!), then check out these great money-saving tips:

• Budgeting
• Holiday Cards
• Gift Wrap
• Decorating
• Hosting & Entertainment
• Making The Most Of Your Wish List
• Homemade Gifts
• Shopping-Getting The Best Price
• Shopping-Getting The Most Out Of Your Money
• Shopping-Buy Now, Save Later

Another great site that takes you step-by-step with a great "plan of attack" is Families With Purpose. You can sign up for their "8-Week Plan to a Frazzle Free Christmas" which includes a free e-book along with weekly and daily reminders to keep you on track. The 8-week plan gets it all done by the second week in December and leaves you a couple of weeks to just sit back and enjoy the festivities!

A round-up of sites keeping you organized this holiday season wouldn't be complete without visiting Flylady. Anyone who has ever had an issue dealing with controlling clutter is familiar with Flylady. She also has a plan for "Cruising Through the Holidays." Download Flylady's Holiday Control Journal and baby-step your way through your holiday to-do list. Before you know it you will have accomplished it all and have time left to savor the season!

Jennifer Applin is a freelance writer, wife and mother of four. She spends her days cooking, cleaning and caring for little ones, and her nights writing about parenting, pregnancy, and the quest for peace (as in peace and quiet—there is such a thing, right?).

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