Get an early start and make the holidays manageable

For many people, the four weeks before the winter holidays are among the busiest of the year. Indeed, there's a lot to get done before New Year's. This week-by-week chart includes many of the to-dos that will come up, followed by some helpful time-saving tips. Finish the tasks in a timely fashion, checking off one or more every day, and the week before Christmas won't be a mad dash to the finish line.

Week 1

Write gift lists and organize addresses, preferably on a computer or a personal digital assistant.

Purchase stamps, cards, and wrapping supplies.

Plan a gift swap with friends to limit your total number of purchases.

Sign and send holiday cards.

Spend a few hours shopping on weekdays or after work, when stores are calmer than they are on weekends.

Ship gifts early to guarantee on-time delivery.

Carry your address book or PDA when you shop, since some stores will ship directly.

Finalize travel plans. When the time comes, check in and print boarding passes at home.

Week 2

Plan holiday menus. Order a turkey, ham, or other specialty items.

Shop online. It will save you the time and effort of wrapping and shipping gifts.

Unpack decorations, and inspect them for damaged ornaments and burned-out bulbs.

Take an inventory of baking staples, and replace those that are running low.

Set up a wrapping station in a low-traffic area of the house, and wrap gifts as you buy them.

Hand out gifts and gratuities to service people.

Buy bulk gifts, such as a case of wine, and offer bottles to neighbors, acquaintances, and party hosts.

Drop off a few festive outfits to be dry-cleaned.

Week 3

Complete half of the house cleaning, starting with infrequently used areas, such as a guest room or formal dining area.

Display exterior decorations; greenery lasts longer outdoors.

Polish silver, and hand-wash stemware.

Make and freeze cookie dough to bake as needed over the coming days.

Purchase the tree and other greenery. You can even buy a tree online and have it delivered.

Put up interior decorations.

Trim the tree toward the end of the week, so you'll have time to enjoy it, and it will stay fresh.

Prepare chicken broth for use in holiday dishes.

Week 4

Launder and iron table linens, then roll them around wrapping-paper tubes for short-term, wrinkle-free storage.

Shop for food at an off-hour (some stores and markets expand their hours). Consider having purchases delivered.

Clean the remaining areas of the house, this time targeting frequently used rooms.

Finish last-minute wrapping.

Take stock of and clean serving dishes and utensils if you're hosting a holiday meal.

Make seating plans, and write out place cards; set the table.

Prepare make-ahead side dishes. Cranberry sauce, for example, can be made early and refrigerated.

Get an early morning jump on the main meal, which will give you more time to socialize with your guests.

Helpful hints

Do the math Draw up a budget and gift list before you shop. This will ensure even distribution (among, say, your kids) and eliminate aimless shopping trips. Organize lists by category (clothing, electronics, toys), so you'll have to make only one trip to each store.

Keep bows neat Wrap gifts early but add ribbons, bows, and tags later (label gifts with sticky notes so that you don't forget who gets what). Unadorned boxes are stackable and therefore easier to store and transport.

Fly lightly When traveling for the holidays, lighten your load by purchasing gift cards rather than bulky presents. If you must bring gift-wrapped items, package them so that airport security will be able to examine their contents. (A box in which the top and bottom are wrapped separately, with a card and the ribbon tucked inside for attaching later, is one option.)

Work together Organize a party with friends to tackle a big holiday task, such as baking cookies or wrapping presents. An expedition to a tree farm to cut down the Christmas tree is also a fun group activity.

Adapted from Martha Stewart Living Magazine. Questions should be addressed to Ask Martha, care of Letters Department, Martha Stewart Living, 11 W. 42nd Street, New York, N.Y., 10036. Questions may also be sent by electronic mail to: mslletters@marthastewart.com. Please include your name, address, and daytime telephone number. Questions of general interest will be answered in this column; Martha Stewart regrets that unpublished letters cannot be answered individually. For more information on the topics covered in the Ask Martha column, visit marthastewart.com.