10 Things to do In Preparation of the Holidays

Hello friends!  The Holidays are coming so fast and I need to prepare!!  I have been super lazy lately but I thought to myself if I conjure up a list of things to do and share it with my followers; not only would be motivating myself but I would also motivate you too.  So, let’s step up the Christmas game and get to it!

1. BRING OUT YOUR CHRISTMAS DECOR AND SET IT ASIDE

We need to inventory what we already have so that we don’t overspend on new decorations for Christmas. Also, knowing what we have in stock will help tie together new décor ideas for 2018.  

2. PUT TOGETHER A NEW WORKOUT ROUTINE AND COMMIT! 

The Holidays is where we gain those extra pounds.  In prevention, put together a new workout plan to get excited about! Get your lazy butts out there!  Any kind of activity will help keep those pounds under control and you will continue to look fantastic in that new Holiday Dress. 

3.  BUY HOLIDAY OUTFITS 

Depending on your lifestyle and your holiday plans, buy more than one dress or outfit!  I like to buy three.  I always buy one for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year even if I don’t have plans, in hopes that I do get invited somewhere fun!

4.  BUY HOLIDAY SCENTED CANDLES 

I am all about scented candles that make my house smell phenomenal all-year-round.  During the Holidays I like to add some extra cozy vibes with pine candles or other holiday scents.  Scented candles really pull in the joy of the Holiday spirit!  

5.  MAKE A SHOPPING LIST FOR GIFTS 

Depending on how many important people you have in your life, Christmas can become overly expensive. If you make a list of who you want to buy for, write out a budget and what you plan to get them.  This can really help organize the season of giving. 

6.  CHANGE YOUR SCREEN SAVER AND RINGTONES

I have actually already done this. I’ve also organized my apps and purged the ones I don’t need. I can do a post about my current iPhone apps in another blog post if you are interested.  Adding a new holiday screen saver to my phone makes answering my phone more fun and festive. 

7.  TRY A NEW RECIPE 

It can be a holiday recipe or a fun cocktail recipe.  I made a winter sangria last Thanksgiving, that I surely paid for.  This year I will make another cocktail and I will not drink it all by myself.

8.  PLAN SOMETHING NEW

Do something you haven’t done in the previous years.  It is always good to keep traditions alive but it is also fun to introduce new ones. This year I am defiantly going to ice skate and I want to try to see a tree lighting ceremony.  As a blogger, I need to jump on the bandwagon to get that basic Christmas tree photo with my outfit.

9.   PLAN FOR HOLIDAY PHOTOS WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY 

Even if you don’t hire a professional photographer, go see Santa at the mall or have a fancy camera of your own; it is important to make fun holiday memories.  Take a family photo in front of your Christmas Tree using a timer on your iPhone!  Buys matching pajama set and take a family photo in them just because it is fun! 

10.  GET INTO THE SPIRIT OF GIVING 

It is important to remember that this is the season of giving.  There are many programs to donate toys too.  Personally, I would like to help make someone’s Christmas more enjoyable just by giving.  

There you have it; ways to prepare for the Holidays!  If you have any other ideas for Holiday preparation, please share.  I love collaborating and grabbing ideas from my followers. You guys are the best!  Below, I am linking my outfit and holiday dresses I am crushing on.  

   

Why Do Bloggers Celebrate The Holidays Early?

Do you ever wonder why some fashion bloggers bring the Spirit of Christmas to social media far too early???  Some are embracing the early celebration because they believe Christmas needs to be longer than a month and some of you just want to have your turkey first!  I am most definitely in-between both ideas however, I am leaning more towards a longer Christmas celebration.  Today on The Dressy Dose, I will be sharing my favorite sweater dresses and three reasons why bloggers celebrate the holidays much too soon.

REASON ONE:  COLLABORATION 

Everyone knows that right before October 31st retail starts putting out their Christmas promotions.  It gets worst on November 1st, every store you walk into is filled with Christmas decor, holiday gift sets, and Christmas editions.  We are only in the first week of November so Christmas cheer will soon be everywhere!  During this time, bloggers gain collaborations with different types of retail businesses to help promote their Holiday items.  It becomes a rat race!  The more you market the more you sale!  A fashion blogger makes a living from collaborations, so they need to get content out before anyone else does. 

REASON TWO:  BLOGGERS NEED TO STAY COMPETITIVE 

We need to be the first ones to get out the Christmas decor and the first ones to blog about Christmas... ahem!  This will help build our following.  Honestly, we want to be the ones you can rely on to get your ideas from first.  If we don’t provide that service then what is the point of us. If you notice, during the winter fashion bloggers will start introducing spring fashion.  The more popular bloggers will take a vacation down south where it’s warm so they can model cute swimwear.  During the heat of July into August, fashion bloggers will wear chunky sweaters and start promoting those cozy vibes of fall.

REASON THREE:  CHRISTMAS IS FUN! 

I know it can be overwhelming dealing with Christmas for far too long.  But Christmas is a joyful time!  Embrace the fun, it is the season to give.  I won’t be putting up my Christmas tree until the day after Thanksgiving because it is our tradition in my household.  I am enjoying the holiday decor by mixing our home's Thanksgiving theme with pumpkins and pine.  If you are interested in a holiday decor blog post, let me know!  I hope this post brings some good insight to why bloggers are bringing out the Christmas cheer super early. 

 Tis the season for sweater dresses!  I love a good sweater dress, they are so cozy and you can wear them with boots or heels.  You can give a sweater dress a casual look or dress it up for a night out.  They are great!  I am linking a few of my favorite sweater dresses, plus the sweater dress I am wearing.  The one I am wearing is more of a tunic/pull-over but it is certainly long enough to wear as a dress.  Have a blessed day and drop by again soon!

-Brandi Kimberly-