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Forget those waxy chocolates?this Advent calendar will make your life easier.
December 1

Missed both Black Friday and Cyber Monday" Sign up for your go-to store?s e-newsletter; most companies will send you a promo code for at least 10 percent off.
December 2

Admit it: Halloween is long past. It?s time to take down the skulls. To get in a seasonally appropriate mood, bust out some jolly jams. (We heart the Christmas Pop playlist on Spotify.)
December 3

There?s no easy hack for writing personalized Christmas cards. But an email with a family photo and a quick, thoughtful message is always appreciated.
December 4

Handmade gifts are the best. Pretend you crafted something by ordering off Etsy. Do it now to ensure prompt delivery. December 5

Visit the big guy at the mall. The elves won?t be crabby yet, and you?ll avoid the long lines.
December 6

Make one monster batch of sugar cookie dough, decorate the cookies in five different ways and then freeze them. (No one will ever know.) Find the recipe here.
December 7

Make way for the oncoming avalanche. Have the kids go through their stuff and donate to charity. (Check with fire halls and women?s shelters; Canadian Diabetes Association does pickups.)
December 8

Forget about fresh garlands or tasteful snowman sculptures. A string of lights is all you need. (If you use red, you can keep them up until at least Valentine?s Day.)
December 9

Make a list of things you can do as a family to give back. It could be ...