I remember last year, my neighbor Sarah panicked because her payment usually arrived on the 27th. She thought she’d have to survive on leftover crackers and willpower. When she saw it land on Christmas Eve, she actually shouted, “It’s a Christmas miracle!” It wasn’t a miracle; it was just good scheduling. She then spent the extra day planning a proper meal with her kids.
So, take a deep breath. Look at your calendar, check your journal, and mark the early date in big red pen (or a festive glitter pen, if you’re fancy). This small act of planning is the difference between a stressed-out mess and a relaxed host whose biggest worry is whether the turkey is dry.
