The St Thomas HUB

10/15/2026

DAY #30
TO DO:
Now that everyone has relaxed from last weekend, and any huge irritations have settled down to a mind numbing
throb, I want you to think about all that happened last weekend and your behaviour to them… and consider all the
ways you can alter the outcome in the future.
#1 Grab a drink and sit in a quiet spot and start writing down EVERYTHING that you did or happened.
#2 Realize that a LOT of that could have been prepped early or done by someone else.
#3 Make notes on the calendar to remind you to actively prep ahead of time at Christmas.
#4 Ask others in the house for their thoughts eg: clothes ready, last minute cranberries, dusting didn’t happen
How many "leftovers" are now in containers in your fridge? Make notes about the meal you made or was served
for this holiday gathering. Was there enough? too much? Kid friendly? chair issues? timing issues? This holiday is
only a preview of ones to come. Make some notes now about what you would change and how. Implementing new
ideas is not easy! You will still be tempted to open 2 xl cans of cream corn but notes will tell you one is enough.
Remember comments are not complaints, and are a part of family. So, if someone has a something to say - like
Uncle Fred said he would love to see parsnips on the table. Something you may not have ever thought to do.
Being constructive is answering with a reasonable alternative to fix it like: "Great Uncle Fred! There were too
many carrots this time anyway, so I will do half carrots and half parsnips next time."
Being proactive is you listening to the complaint, and handing it back to them like "Great Uncle Fred! We will
expect you to bring the parsnips at Christmas, I would love to try some."
A comment is not necessarily a complaint and is not aimed to cut down your hard work or effort. A comment may
only have been a thought someone voiced. Remember they have memories of past holidays and maybe their great
Aunt Alice used to bring that. So make sure to take any of it with a grain of salt. It was unlikely that it was meant
as a personal assault on your cooking abilities.
HOLIDAY TIP:
With Thanksgiving in your back pocket now, and the weather still playing nice most days, organize the plans for
outside decorating. You may have pumpkins and straw and corn stalks from Thanksgiving decor, but what else
can you add to change it to Halloween? In the next few weekends, have the Christmas lights checked, untangled
and ready to hang BEFORE the cold, icey ladder nights hit. Leave turning them on until after Rememberance Day.
Check in with older friends and family to see if they would like help. A lot of people want to do it but can't
themselves anymore.
ORGANIZED TIP:
Take some time this week to detail vehicles. Book your winter tires NOW - BEFORE bad weather hits. Vacuum,
steam clean and re-scotch guard seats. Empty and put away all the summer items, camp chairs and vacuum the
sand. Get your winter matts in place. Check air pressures, windshield washer blades and top off fluids. Now is the
time to start using the winter washer fluid.
Get a safety kit in your car too.

CLEANING TIP:
Before the hose gets turned off this winter, hose out the garbage cans and recycling bins. Move those bins closer
to the door outside, so you can reach them more easily this coming season. Preparation is everything. If no one ever
puts a bag back in the can... what about putting the new bags closer to the actual garbage can?
For the interior, have garbage cans in many places. For example, one at the front door to catch junk mail BEFORE it
hits the counter or table like we discussed!

10/14/2026

DAY #29
With the cooler weather rearing its fridgid head, take stock of each person's actual USEABLE wardrobe.
START with yourself -always- so you will better understand the system. Find the problems and fix before teenage
temper tantrums begin.
FIRST do a load of all your dirty laundry so everything is there in one place! I use the sofa, so once everything is
there, I can do a quick vacuum of my closet and its easy to put items away as you go . All that should be dirty is what
you have on. Empty all the closets and drawers include coats, shoes/boots and gloves, holiday wear EVERYTHING.
Get 2 garbage bags ready.
Start by organizing like with like. Shirts with shirts, shorts with shorts and so on.
A smart system goes item by item. So do the simple first.
Easy, get rid of bleach stained tshirts, worn out shoes, garbage mittens etc, in general toss out the crap you know
you should have gotten rid of well before this in bag 1. Better to have one good pair of gloves you can find and use, than 10
mismatched pieces taking up room. Coat need a repair?
Next do things that have real homes. Coats, boots, underwear, bras, socks...
Don't forget to downsize as you go. Make notes of what you need to grab. List organizers you may need.
NOW try EVERYTHING on. ***If you have to wonder do you “need” it, you probably already know its time to donate
or get rid of it. If you have not worn in the last year, again, you know. Re-wash any of the stored (sweaters and
sweatshirts) you are keeping. If your body temp is 900 degrees every day, wool pants and cable knit heavy sweaters
need to be downsized. If it is a heirloom item vacuum seal bag it and put it away. Be reasonable about your amount
of "to keeps". You will expect everyone else to!
Choose where these are stored and allot that space. Small drawers are perfect for underwear and larger drawers for
pyjamas. Hang bulky one piece pjs. Base storage allotment on how much you have. If there is one pair of leggings you
have never worn or have 20 pairs – allot the space and or downsize.
If you are a 2nd hand buyer and have a good selection of your favourite lulu lemon leggings, decide how many will fit
in the allotted space (drawer, shelf etc) and vacuum seal bag the rest. Take them out of the immediate use and cut
back laundry and decisions about what to wear.
If they are summer items, box or vacuum seal bag them up.
Holiday clothing can be bagged up and removed from regular wear.
These items now will be ready for when YOU DO need something. I store these vaccuum sealed bags (dollar
store) in a simple file box or laundry basket in my closet.
Another issue can be travel wear.
I have a lot of items that I only use when going to Disney. From ears to f***y packs, IT is all packed in a suitcase
and stored. OUT of my closet at worst hidden in the back of the closet.
I have a lot of business logo wear as well. Again, I have a file box on the floor with all that accessible for events.
Limited space means being creative with what you are already storing – like a suitcase you already are storing
empty.
Look for unused items in your home that can be used to store other items. Use stackable boxes for other things.
Make every inch useable. Once in a very small apartment I had 6 tote bins with a board and table cloth over them
to make a sofa table. Are you using every storage space wisely? What do you need to get better organized?
Under bed and under furniture? The space under the drawers in the dresser and night tables?
Another trick is to only allot yourself x number of hangers. When you bring in a new shirt and need to hang it, get
rid of one. Everyone can have a limited number. If yours are all white currently, use a coloured electrical tape on
the neck of the hanger for each person.
If you have clothes that you are saving for when you lose weight, or the bridesmaids dress from 20 years ago...
Donate Donate Donate! Send over stock to a local charity. IF you do lose the weight you will want something
new ones anyway.
After you have done yourself, choose one person at a time, and do the same thing. Using laundry baskets, have
each person move ALL the clothes they own into one room (don’t forget to check the laundry for their clothes).
Their job is to try on everything. From jeans to socks, shoes to winter gloves, if it is theirs, they try it on.
Because you have done this already, you will be more mindful about how hard this actually can be.
Everything is too much. Its time to make the laundry pile smaller.
Do NOT do this in the person’s room. I use the living room area each time. Remember you will be keeping a list
of what is needed, anything needing replacement… and this makes a great christmas list…. You learn about no
longer loved brands and accurate sizes and what needs to be replaced.
IF this seems an unsurmountable task, it is not. Go to your calendar. Put each person on it and call it
"underwear day for_____________". This used to be a 2x a year job for each person in our home.
Now obviously my husband did not model all his clothes, but he did clean up drawers, get rid of tshirts and worn
out socks! When starting a process this big, always use yourself and husband as the test cases.
If you have to do it - the kids will likely just fall into the line because it is their turn.
This is a great process for spring (change of season) and fall (back to school). If there are uniforms or sports items
get them on marketplace ASAP to fund purchasing what needs replacing.

10/13/2026

DAY #28
TO DO:
Assess the card giving tradition. Does this tradition bring you joy? or added stress? Continue only if this particular
"to do" item brings a sense of joy. Maybe just cutting back is necessary to make this a fun to do. Check your stock
of cards. Those for you to send out\hand out and those you were doing for the retirement home or hospital (they
should be bagged and and a delivery/mail date on the calendar NOW). Decide if you are making homemade,
buying or if you have them already. Add buying holiday cards or supplies to your grocery list. It is all about what
gives you happiness.
Using lined paper or a computer program. Create a card list with 5 columns. 1 large for the name and 5 small. At
the top write name, photo (P), letter (L), birthday/anniversary (C), menu info(M) and one for stamp/hand out
/email. (S HO E) Now use the columns beside each name to check off if that person needs a letter or a photo, if
they are celebrating anything in december or january that needs another card and finally a menu reminder of what
they agreed to bring to the dinner (and where it is being held).
Now make a note of how many of everything you need. This saves a lot in postage. Once you have made your card
list, divide the list into 4. During the next weeks, signing one of those piles will
come up. This job is less taxing when its divided into smaller jobs. Remember that actual Christmas stamps will not
be available until Nov 1st. Have you switched to emailing all your greetings? In general, make these decisions now.
HOLIDAY TIP:
Funny Christmas pyjamas look great in photos. Does your everyone in your family own at least one great holiday
pyjama? If your family is not into novelty pyjamas or matchy poo pictures? Just a plain red or green shirt each with
comfy plaid bottoms work. With this becoming more popular, make sure these are already a done deal.
ORGANIZED TIP:
Check on those costumes. Has every costume been chosen? All parts found and bought? Is the tail sewn on?
Does one still need long johns for underneath in case its freezing? Makeup? Is your front doorway well lit? How
many times have YOU and your kids passed a house because it was too dark.
Did covid change how you make Halloween a holiday now? Do you even need costumes?
CLEANING TIP:
It is time to go clean the laundry room. Go give the washer a good cleaning. Vacuum the dryer and clean the vents.
There is going to be plenty of laundry with fall coming (sweatshirts not tank tops) and fall cleaning too. Clean the
laundry storage areas. Now restock items doubling what you usually have, so it is not a purchase cost when you
WANT to buy stocking stuffers. Remember the stain remover, laundry soap, dryer sheets, bleach etc. Also a good
time to check the condition of laundry baskets. Remember a small bottle of fabric softener even if not a normal
purchase. Use when storing items like summer sheets, clothing, blankets, use fabric softener before putting those
into vacuum storage bags.

10/12/2026

Happy Thanksgiving!
Eat,
take pictures
and make memories.

10/09/2026

DAY #27
TO DO:
Time to apply the rule of 4 to handmade gifts. Go get your box of UFO's (unfinished objects). How many even
apply to the person that you started them for? Can they be applied to someone else? No? Time to ziploc bag it
with all its pieces and donate it. Now look at them again. Can any of them BE finished by Christmas? WILL you
ever finish them? Time to ziploc bag it and donate those too. It's time to scale back and be realistic. Make sure
you have not only the actual desire but the skills, real time, money and interest. If you usually DO finish them, go
ahead. If not, maybe plan craft days all fall with friends who also have gifts to finish. Otherwise, save the money,
grief and materials (and storage) and budget something else. ***Ask crafty friends what they would charge to
finish a project if it is very important to you to give.
HOLIDAY TIP:
Now! If crafting is a part of your holidays, be sure to schedule it on your calendar. Do not just write "craft day" set
a goal on each scheduled day “paint frames”. Also be sure you have an accurate list of materials needed and the
craft items are budgeted into upcoming shopping trips. NOTHING is worse than being almost done and realizing
you forgot something OR WORSE YET… its no longer available.
ORGANIZED TIP:
Reminder: Wrapping or gift bags. Big bows or twine, tags, tape... Check your supplies now. Downsize your “saved”
gift bags and donate what you will not use. Don’t forget to get the specialty paper for the "big guy" himself to
use this year. Are you making the holiday tags like you have dreamed of while browsing pinterest? Maybe you
started but are not finished. No matter what the stash of tags (cardboard, handmade or stickers) are they ready
for when you are starting that wrapping? LABEL AS YOU WRAP. Nothing is more frustrating than wondering what
is in a box! If you insist on wrapping early, use stickers to label the gift and add gift tags later when putting under
the tree just place your to/from tag right over it.
CLEANING TIP:
Time to declutter that lost sock basket. Here's a hint, not only empty the basket holding ones of a kind, empty
everyone's dresser and closet too. Wash EVERY sock in the house. Match up what you can, throw out the socks
with holes! Toss the socks that no longer fit anyone. Get rid of stained and take note of what needs replacing to
stock up for the stockings and under the tree. Time to decide what fits and how many pairs is reasonable for any
one person. If everyone has a laundry day each week No more than 2 weeks worth of everyday socks. Give the
socks a home in a drawer or basket (*** a dollar store laundry basket in the closet is easier for him BONUS it fits
neatly under the hanging clothing) and only keep what fits in that space. We ended up getting a second basket for
ball caps! Ziploc bag holiday wear (like easter egg socks) and put out the halloween ones for the season.

10/08/2026

DAY #26
November will be here before we know it. The holidays pop up almost scarily fast.
TO DO:
Furniture ads will soon weigh down the paper, insisting you need everything new. Do not just ignore them.
Businesses pay tons of money to make those. Use a tear file, to keep photo ideas you love. (what is a tear file?
Tearing out something you like like a mantle decorated or a chandelier decorated and slide it into a page protector
in your binder.) In stores you will see the current holiday items like Halloween being squeezed down, so the tide of
red spangled christmas trees and decorations have lots of room. If it is just too early for you, use your phone to
snap pictures of ideas you like. Currently it is the quiet weeks before the rising tide of the holiday season.
Yes! we are all aware that it is October but that does not mean we can slow down the stores.
Don’t be afraid to pre-buy AND get pre organized.
HOLIDAY TIP:
Decide who if anyone, will be getting any of your homemade delightful goodies. Use your calendar to book a
baking day to accomodate those. Double check your list and see if adding their favourite coffee or Earl Grey tea
to that baking would make it your gift to them??? What about a tin of hot chocolate and a slightly larger assortment
as a family gift???
Make your best and buy the rest. Do not be intimidated by photoshoots of trays of homemade gifts.
Make your best treat and buy anything else. For example: Nanaimo bars. $5-6 pre-made tray at Superstore.
Now price the mix! Never mind the extra ingredients and time they are almost the same price now. Sometimes a
nanaimo bar is just a nanaimo bar and will be popped in their mouth and eaten just as fast. Better yet buy one and
a tray of date squares and split between you and a friend…. Now $10 got you 2 kinds of squares. Here’s a simple
idea. Make freezer containers of assorted baked goods, just a few of each. Pull out to bring to
parties or for unexpected guests all season long. Individually bag odd items in a tin so there is no cross
contamination (eg. Peanut butter, nuts, gluten)
ORGANIZED TIP:
Time to ensure you have a photo shoot booked IF you plan to include them in the cards this year. Get that done
and planned. Or did someone take a great photo at Thanksgiving this weekend? Maybe a great shot this summer
on your phone? Send them to print NOW. Speaking of photos! Never know what to get Mom? Grandma? Great
Grandma? Take those bored kids out together during the fall and get a photo of grandchildren playing in the
leaves or of you and your siblings recreating a photo from the past!
CLEANING TIP:
Have one of those kids empty the silverware drawer. Get everything clean, donate the collection of useless
treasures, and wash the divider trays. Note any missing items like spoons. Restock. Also check the serving pieces.

10/07/2026

DAY #25
TO DO:
As you make this week's grocery list, start attempting to list things in the same aisle together. Streamline the
shopping process and eliminate back tracking, getting you in and out faster. Nothing costs more than going down
an aisle a second time and rethinking those cookies, individual snacks, chips etc.
Start stocking the canned goods for food bank donations as well as holiday meals.
Start using the weekly menu planner. Spend less by filling out the plan for the week and only buy the items needed
to complete those dishes. So, if you have meatballs and pasta but need sauce ONLY add the sauce to the grocery
list! Budget saver! With your savings stock up on something.
ORGANIZED TIP:
MANY many items can be baked or made ahead of time and frozen. So, take a minute to make a plan of attack.
Throughout the coming weeks, prep items and freeze. Buy an xl turnip, peel, dice and make. Divide in 2 and freeze
half of the turnip for the next big dinner! Make cookie dough ahead of time and freeze till you need it and bake
only the required amount. Pre-buy tart shells or pie crusts and pie fillings while it is still on sale during the
thanksgiving sales.
CLEANING TIP:
Hit the cupboard today. Get rid of all the extra mugs (like the one of a kind Christmas mug that you got last
Christmas), one of a kind glasses, 700 travel mugs, chipped water glasses and water bottles no one uses because
they leak. (why do we save those?) Then continue through the dishes and bowls. Time to "trim the fat" a household
of 2 does not need 18 dinner plates – just like a household of teenagers does not need sippy cups. If replacing dishes
is in the budget... start sourcing out a good deal. Sets are not always cost effective, if a cup and saucer is not
something your family uses because you prefer mugs or the bowls are 1/8th" deep look to the open stock. Buy smart.
We actually need double the number of side plates here because we use them most OFTEN.
HOLIDAY TIP:
Time to stock up on sidewalk salt.
Put some xl pails with lids and an old mug at each door, with a shovel. Find it early this year, or maybe sand you
are stocking up on. This easy task makes it simple for anyone to help out when that messy stuff starts flying.
Get that snowblower booked in for pre-season maintenance. Whether you do it yourself or send it out. It will need
a good cleaning, tires checked, clean gas and l**e up. Be sure that you have a full gas can for use when needed.

10/06/2026

DAY #24
TO DO:
Here is a giant MOM chore. I bet every Mom has quite a chore getting everyone dressed nicely for family dinners.
Suddenly realizing a child no longer wears size 4 and is in a 6x now is always fun. Whether you dress casually or
formally for family functions, there is also concerts, recitals, house parties, church and last minute invites. Just
finding matching pj parts for every day can be a job and a half! But co ordinating pjs for the entire family is a lot of
cute but maybe unnecessary work. Evaluate.
Get this wardrobe job under control now. It is Thanksgiving weekend, as good a time as any to look into all this.
#1 do they have at least 2 outfits that are presentable AND THEY WILL WEAR
#2 do the clothes need repair like a button or hemming?
#3 make a list of what you “need” to make 2 outfits each with sizes and colours.
#4 take into consideration the temperature these people will be in or are regularly. A handknit irish sweater at
Grandma's house that is kept at 90 degrees is probably a stressor! as is a sheer dress for someone who is always
on the chilly side.
#5 Once it is all decided, collect it! iron or send it to the cleaner, even jeans!
#6 using one of the million leftover giftbags hanging around, collect all the accessories like reindeer socks,
barrettes or charlie brown tie – filling a bag for each person. Then hang it on the outfit hanger.
#7 Now cover it with a dry cleaner bag *most cleaners will give you a couple extra. Most family members will
avoid dry cleaner bags like the plague because those bags mean dress clothes not hoodies!
#8 shoes for everyone. Do they all still fit? A christmas dress with runners isn't necessary when cute ballerina slippers
are more comfy, inexpensive and easy to get. Had to do it? Everyone has been there. Be proactive.
***Remember that clean and neat is easier than ruffles and ties.
HOLIDAY TIP:
Whenever you can afford lunch out or grab a coffee or burger because you do not want to go home and make
something, buy a $5 gift card too. It's kind of like a penalty system for laziness with benefits. As the season draws
closer $5 gift cards are great toppers for smaller, hard to buy for people’s gifts. Bonus? if you don't use them as
gifts, you have plenty for your use in the tight months of the new year.
ORGANIZED TIP:
Start collecting your mailing supplies. Shorten your wait by buying flat rate mailing boxes and envelopes. Grab a
book of stamps in advance. FedEx has prepaid boxes that you can have at home and just call for pick up. Prepping
now cuts costs and panic later.
CLEANING TIP:
Where are all YOUR small appliances stored. Do you even USE any of them? What could be gotten rid of? What
small appliances could be stored in oversize tupperware that already take up space to give you more room in prime
locations? And if it needs to be stored away, do you even need it anymore? What do you have stored in the stove
drawer? Time to pull everything out and get it cleaned up and decide. Don’t forget to check the location of oven
roasting pans you plan to use for the turkey and ham (and make sure they hold water) mine had a pin hole last year
where it had worn through. NOT something to find out as you put the turkey in!
PRINT
THE
THANKSGIVING
WISH
LIST

10/06/2026