Hello, and happy November!
With Halloween behind us and Thanksgiving before us, today feels like the unofficial start to the holiday season, doesn't it?
Whether you embrace Christmas the minute the last trick-or-treater leaves, or ease into the festivities, suddenly there's a lot to think about: decorating the house, planning holiday meals, and figuring out gifts.
When I need to tackle big To Do lists, I often break things into smaller pieces.
There's even a name for this. It's called chunking, and it's a way to get big projects done without feeling completely overwhelmed.
Chunking is the only way I can handle the giant process of writing a cookbook, for example. I break the tasks down until the pieces are manageable.
Today, I'll test a recipe or two. Tomorrow, I'll tackle a few pages of writing. Little by little, the parts come together and eventually I have a finished book.
The Magic of a Timer
Sometimes the hardest part of a big project is just getting started. It's overcoming that little voice in my head that says, "Let's watch funny Instagram reels instead."
When that happens, I set the timer for 15 minutes. Fifteen minutes is usually enough to make a dent in something, but not so much that it feels like a major commitment.
Once I've started, I often find that continuing isn't nearly as difficult as I imagined.
Chunking All the Way Through the Holidays
Today, I think I'll create a new Note on my phone called Holiday Food and start gathering ideas.
Maybe later this week I'll hang our wreath on the front door, and put out some candles. Little by little, chunk by chunk, the 2026 holiday season will start to take shape.
If there's something on your To Do list that feels BIG this month, here's a little challenge: break it into a small first step. Then set a timer for 15 minutes, get started, and see what happens.
I frequently remind myself that even a small step is still a step forward.
A Little Something Fun for You!
Now that we've turned the clocks back and the evenings are getting darker, I love finding little ways to make the house feel cozy.
Just for fun, I'm giving away a set of my favorite pretty lighted branches. I love how you can put them in a vase or arrange them on the mantle to add a warm glow to a room, and they're perfect for decorating at Thanksgiving and Christmas.
The best part? Because of their organic, natural vibe you can leave the branches up after the holidays are over to brighten winter nights.
To enter, just hit reply to this email (or email me at elizagcross@gmail.com) and answer one question:
What's your biggest holiday challenge?
Is it finding the right gifts, getting everything ready on time, planning meals, or simply finding a little peace and quiet in the middle of it all? I'd love to hear what you find most challenging about the holiday season.
I'll choose a winner at random and notify you by email. Good luck!
Enjoy these beautiful November days,
Eliza
Giveaway details: Entries will be accepted through Saturday, November 7, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Mountain Time. Open to readers with U.S. shipping addresses. One winner will be selected at random using Random.org and notified by email.
