It's never too early to prep for the holidays

Don’t shoot the messenger, but here’s the real deal: Halloween is 42 days away, Thanksgiving is 70 days out and Christmas will arrive in 97 days.

This week’s to-do list was inspired by a Harviell reader who wrote in offering suggestions on how early planning for budget-friendly holiday meals is a must. I’m also including some thrifty Halloween ideas, easy Thanksgiving prep and Christmas gift buying strategies to utilize now.

• Halloween - If your family celebrates Halloween, homemade costumes are a cinch. Just search the web and you’ll find tons of ideas for other easy to make costume ideas. A couple of old cardboard boxes and a funnel spray painted silver will turn any youngster or adult into one of the most beloved characters from the “Wizard of Oz.”

If you don’t wish to spend money on pre-fab Halloween makeup, you can purchase a cheap hypo allergenic facial cream and a container of silver eye shadow at a local dollar store. Simply crumble up the eye shadow into a bowl and mix with a dollop of the cream to create a non irritating face paint that removes easily.

Don’t spend loads of money on expensive candy to hand out on Halloween. Purchase a box of cheap clear plastic disposable gloves (beauty supply stores are a good source). Pop a few bags of any flavor popcorn (kettle corn is great for Halloween) or buy already popped corn and fill the gloves with it.

Hint: let the popcorn cool a little before stuffing the gloves. Trust me, they will melt! Secure the gloves with recycled bread ties (never throw them away, they can serve many purposes) and use a black, red or green permanent marker to draw creepy fingernails or create other designs on them. If you’re not artistic, stickers work too. Kids and adults love these fun treats and you will love how easy and inexpensive they are to make.

• Thanksgiving - A Harviell reader wrote in to tell me how she gets a jump start on her Thanksgiving and holiday meals by shopping early and stockpiling basic cooking items needed for later. She advises shopping current grocery store sales on broth, pantry staples and canned goods, alleviating the stress of last minute shopping and avoiding the pitfalls of a supply-shortage when the holidays arrive.

There is no shame in using instant potatoes, packaged macaroni and cheese or canned vegetables, wrote the Harviell reader. I agree. Shortcuts will save you time in a hot kitchen and give you more hours to enjoy the company of your loved ones.

• Christmas - Believe it or not, I’ve already purchased a few stocking stuffers and gifts to stash away. Typically, around mid summer, I start making a list of everyone on my gift roster, paying attention to conversations throughout the year noting the special wants people may have for specific items. I also peruse websites and catalogs for gift ideas, book-marking pages along the way for future reference. A recycled large Christmas tote bag hanging in my closet serves as a secret (well maybe not-so-secret now!) hiding place for my early purchases.

Hint: wrap the gifts as you buy them and write each recipient’s name on the bottom of the packages in black marker. Later, tie a ribbon and add a tag, then you’re all set for gift giving. Plus this idea keeps “sneaky Petes” from trying to peek at the presents, even if they find your secret stash.

Decorated sugar cookies are a tradition in my family at the holidays. I don’t skimp on the dough ingredients, but I will use cheap store bought vanilla icing to decorate. Simply add food color, sprinkles, flavorings or whatever you desire to the ready made frosting and you’re good to go.

Hint: add a little meringue powder or powdered sugar to the frosting to thicken it up for decorating purposes.

Hint #2: Save yourself some hassle by making your dough ahead of time and freezing it. Homemade sugar cookie dough will keep in the freezer for up to 90 days when sealed properly. Let the dough thaw on the counter for an hour or so before rolling it out.

Whatever you choose, have some fun checking off your own to-do list.

Email suggestions for the to-do list to news@darnews.com or write to me at Daily American Republic, c/o To-Do List, PO Box 7, Poplar Bluff MO 63902.