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Gladsoon

Guides for the wait.

Ideas and checklists for the weeks before something big. Every idea here comes from the same hand-written collection Gladsoon uses to plan a countdown.

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Vacation countdown ideas for grown-ups.Small things to do while you count down to a trip: a playlist, a dish to cook, five phrases, a first-hour ritual. Sorted by how long you have left.
How to get excited for a trip, and enjoy the wait.The weeks before a trip can be the best part. What the research says, six ways to build excitement, and what to do when the wait feels long.
Things to do before a trip: a calm checklist by week.A short checklist of things to do before a trip abroad, sorted by when to do them, with extra steps if you fly, drive or travel with children.
Things to do before a trip to Japan: the useful and the lovely.Before a trip to Japan: Visit Japan Web, medicine rules, cash and IC cards, plus films, food and small rituals to enjoy while you count down.
Things to do before going to Italy, and how to start living a little Italian now.Before going to Italy: timed tickets, the Venice fee, ZTL zones and train tickets, plus pasta, films and a passeggiata to enjoy while you wait.
Wedding countdown ideas for the two of you.Wedding countdown ideas for the bride and groom, or any couple: small things to do together in the months, weeks and last days before the wedding.
Christmas countdown ideas for grown-ups.Christmas countdown activities for adults: small grown-up rituals from November to Christmas Eve, plus a short practical list so December stays calm.
Birthday countdown ideas for a big one.Countdown ideas for a 30th, 40th, 50th or any big birthday: look back, look ahead, gather your people, and make the last days before the day count.
Things to look forward to, from this week to next year.Ideas for things to look forward to, small and big, plus simple ways to make any plan more fun to wait for. No spending required for most of them.