With the start of October, we officially enter the holiday season. This calls for joy and celebration. It also calls for some serious planning and organization!

With a little foresight and the right list, you can totally enjoy the holiday season, from those first harvest festivals right up to ringing in the New Year.  And we’re here to help! Using our checklist, do the prep now then sit back and enjoy a wonderful holiday season!

☑️ Take stock

We’re big proponents of mindfulness and being present...(not just giving presents!)...and that’s especially true during the holiday season. The holidays are magical and filled with moments with family, time in nature, and the experience of traditions. But you cannot be everywhere or do everything, and it would be a shame for this special season to become a frantic race or just going through the motions. So we encourage you to make your first task taking stock of what’s most important to you and your family this holiday season. This will help identify priorities, achieve balance, enjoy planned and spontaneous moments, and keep your heart rate as calm as snow falling on Christmas morning! Taking time to take stock will ensure you stay in the holiday spirit and celebrate what is truly important. 

☑️ Autumn cleaning

Yes, you heard that right. Not spring cleaning, but Autumn cleaning! This is when we can do some serious clearing and cozying, getting our home ready to welcome family and friends for the holiday season, and also getting it to picture perfect ready. Perhaps you also like to decorate for the various holidays or seasons. Whatever your preference, give your home (and garden) a good dusting, organizing, and clearing, then add seasonal touches: family heirlooms, favorite decorations, pinecones, colored leaves, holly & ivy. You’ll feel ready for the holidays! 

☑️ Plan for self-care

Time seems to speed up during the holiday season. The days grow shorter, while your to-do list grows longer and your calendar is filled with parties, gatherings, holiday tasks, and shopping. Even though you might enjoy all of this, it’s important to keep up your self-care during the holidays, especially as it’s usually the first thing to go out the window. Don’t skip exercise classes, drink as much water as eggnog and holiday cocktails, get out for walks in nature, and take a few moments every day to sit, be still, and just breathe. (Even treat yourself to a flex package photoshoot for after the holidays!) While these may seem like silly things to make time for, they will keep you mentally and physically healthy so you can better enjoy this special season.

☑️ Create a budget

This is probably the second thing to go out the window come holiday season. And while it can be wonderful to indulge, it’s important to come out the other side of this time of year feeling good about your finances afterward. So set your budget, know how much wiggle room you have for extra special gifts or unexpected holiday dinners and lunches, and then stick to it without remorse. If the budget is tight, get creative, and focus on what’s truly important. Time together is the greatest gift for family and friends. And if you’re trying to stick to a budget and get your photoshoots in, check out our different packages to find the one that best suits your budget. Also, take advantage of discounts and be on the lookout for Black Friday specials! 

☑️ Make holiday travel reservations

Travel is when an early checklist comes in handy. It’s always shocking to me how quickly things book up during the holidays: shows, airlines, hotels. I always wonder, “who was thinking of these months ago?” People with a checklist! Get your travel plans organized and then start making those reservations to ensure you get the locations and experiences you’re hoping for this season. This includes booking that local photographer at the destination so that all your holiday memories are captured. Doing a little thinking and planning ahead makes all the difference. But also keep the holiday spirit alive. If your first choices aren’t available, consider it an opportunity to do or try something new. 

☑️ Organize gatherings

You can never start planning holiday parties too early and get Save-the-Dates out. Life has restarted...which is great news...and means that we can again gather with friends and family. It also means that everyone’s schedules have gotten busy again! Zoom is also still a great option for those separated by miles and should not be abandoned in better times. We’ve learned over the past year and a half that just because we’re separated by the miles, we can still spend time with each other, so plan to include faraway loved ones via Zoom. Or have entire virtual holiday parties in addition to in-person gatherings. Our local photographers are on hand for both. We can capture special holiday parties, from Halloween to New Year’s, and also do very cool virtual photoshoots!

☑️ Schedule photoshoots

Just like high-demand hair stylists and top restaurants, great photographers book up fast this time of year. As you plan your holiday season, consider what events and memories you want to capture. We’re here to help with that. Our Customer Service Team can answer questions about what is possible. Check out our local photographers, book your dates and rest easy knowing that this wonderful holiday season you’ve prepared for will be remembered always!

☑️ Order holiday cards

Another holiday task that should be tackled early. This is a fun one and an opportunity for creativity and personalization. One of the best ways to achieve both is with photos from your year! Whether you go for a traditional card or want to send a holiday letter, this is an opportunity to share memories and treasured moments with loved ones. Friends and family love receiving photo cards, and (speaking from experience) these are the ones they will keep and treasure for years to come. Already have photos from a photoshoot you did with us? This is the time to order extra pics. Use the code EXTRAS and get a $25 discount. Haven’t experienced a photoshoot with us yet. There’s still time to book a photoshoot with one of our local photographers to get the perfect pics for your photo holiday cards. Use the code FALLMEMORIES and get $25 off.

☑️ Buy gifts

Some of us love the gift-giving season, picking out the perfect book, album, toy, scarf or bottle of wine for those people you love. Others focus on giving experiences instead: restaurants, skydiving, safaris, miniature golf. There is no wrong or right answer, just what speaks to you and what you know family and friends will love. The key here is don’t delay. If you’re walking through a cool shop and see something perfect for someone, even if it’s July, get it! Whenever you’re struck by inspiration, act on it. Holiday shopping doesn’t have to just be done in December! If you’re getting started now, you’re still right on target. Make your list, check it twice then have fun hunting for those perfect gifts. If you’re looking for a unique gift that can be used anytime, anywhere in the world, check out our Gift cards!

☑️ Prepare your wardrobe

It’s not just the house that gets dressed up for the holidays. You do too! From Halloween costumes to comfy Thanksgiving Day outfits to the perfect New Year’s Eve ensemble. Splurge on something tailored, sparkly, or cozy. And if you’re on a budget, have fun at a second-hand store. Repurposing fashion is stylish and sustainable! If part of your holiday season includes a photoshoot with us (as it should!) check out our 6 tips to a picture-perfect winter photoshoot for ideas on what to wear. Our professional photographers are also happy to give tips for the best colors and accessories for settings and how a group might best coordinate during this festive season.

We hope we have helped you get yourself organized and prepared for the holidays. We also hope we’ve convinced you that a holiday photoshoot is a must! After all the planning and effort, sit back and let someone else capture the memories, so you can be in the moment