We're six months out from the holidays. It’s too early for tinsel, but we’re just in time for some smart prep! In this episode, we share five simple tasks you can tackle now to make December feel a whole lot lighter. From freezing cookie dough to drafting a household "Minimum Upkeep Plan," these June-friendly ideas are all about giving your future self the gift of breathing room.

Trust us—your December self will thank you.

Episode Highlights:

[00:00:20] - Tradition Spotlight on Choosing Your Song of the Summer

[00:03:22] - Tip 1 - Make and freeze cookie dough

[00:05:32] - Tip 2 - Draft holiday menus

[00:06:23] - Tip 3 - Plan non-holiday meals that fall near the holidays

[00:08:05] - Tip 4 - Schedule your Elf antics

[00:09:26] - Tip 5 - Make your household’s Minimum Upkeep Plan

[00:12:13] - This week’s Get A Headstart Tip for cleaning berries

[00:14:27] - What’s on our to-do lists this week

[00:18:02] - Our Nice Lists

Resources Mentioned:

• Guide to freezing dough
• Guide to cleaning berries in hot water:
• NY Times
• The Kitchn
• Grab The Holiday Headstart Playbook
• Take the Holiday Profile quiz
• Follow on Instagram @theholidayheadstart
• Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!

• Episode 20: 5 Things for January
• Episode 23: 5 Things for February
• Episode 27: 5 Things for March
• Episode 28: 5 Things for April
• Episode 30: 5 Things for May

Welcome to The Holiday Headstart podcast, where we get intentional about kicking overwhelm to the curb and bringing joy back to your holidays (and every day). We’re Heidi and Emily, two sisters and former elementary school teachers, who’ve taken the simple strategies and practical tips we mastered in the classroom and put them to work in our personal lives.

And we’re here to help you do the same! Join us each week as we share how, with a little planning and a little prep, you can ensure that the days that make life special don’t become the days that make you stressed.