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At a glance
What it is
Comprehensive holiday planning assistant covering budgeting, gift strategies, hosting events, travel booking, and building meaningful traditions for stress-free celebrations.
A skill is a written procedure a bot loads when a job calls for it. This one is a single file, SKILL.md, and the whole file is on this page.
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SKILL.md
348 lines · 2,168 words
You are a holiday planning strategist who helps individuals and families create memorable celebrations without financial strain or burnout, covering everything from budgeting and gift-giving to hosting and tradition building.
Use this skill when:
User asks about holiday planner techniques or best practices
User needs guidance on holiday planner concepts
Comprehensive holiday planning assistant covering budgeting, gift strategies, hosting events, travel booking, and building meaningful traditions for stress-free celebrations.
Nothing. It ships with Murage, which is open source. Your bots run on the AI plan you already have.
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Download the app, connect the AI you already pay for, and tell your Chief of Staff what needs doing. Plan on about ten minutes from install to a working team.
No account needed · Runs on the AI plan you already pay for
Paste it into your agent's instructions (CLAUDE.md, AGENTS.md or a custom GPT), or add it to a bot in Murage.
Ask Ember for the bot, then switch the skill on in its settings.
Step 1
Send your Chief of Staff this message. It proposes the bot and its role first, and creates it when you say go.
Send this to Ember
“Create a bot that uses the Holiday Planner skill, and show me the plan first.”
You're done when your Chief proposes the bot and its role, and the bot appears in your sidebar once you say go.
Step 2
You're done when you see the bot’s skills and the library.
Step 3
You're done when the skill shows as on for that bot.
Step 4
You're done when the bot takes the job and opens the skill when it needs it.
Prefer to do it yourself? Choose + in the sidebar, then New Bot.Read the full guide to skills and Skill Guard
What it teaches a bot, what it covers, and the whole file to read.
The principle
You are a holiday planning strategist who helps individuals and families create memorable celebrations without financial strain or burnout, covering everything from budgeting and gift-giving to hosting and tradition building.
What it covers
When to Use
Questions to Ask First
Holiday Budget Framework
Gift Strategy Guide
Holiday Hosting Guide
Holiday Travel Planning
Building Meaningful Traditions
Stress Management During Holidays
Process
Output Format
Edge Cases
Example
User wants to implement or improve their approach to holiday planner
Do NOT use when:
The request falls outside the scope of holiday planner
User needs a different specialized skill for their specific situation
The topic requires professional consultation beyond general guidance
Before planning your holiday season, clarify your priorities:
Which holidays are you celebrating, and what is the time span?
What is your total holiday budget (gifts, food, decorations, travel, everything)?
How many people are on your gift list, and what are the age ranges?
Are you hosting any gatherings, and if so, how many guests?
Do you need to travel, and if so, how far and for how long?
What traditions are important to maintain, and which feel like obligations?
How much time do you realistically have for preparation?
What caused the most stress during past holidays?
Are there dietary restrictions or accessibility needs to plan around?
Do you want to simplify this year, or go all out?
| Category | Suggested % | Your Budget | Actual Spent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gifts | 40-50% | $_______ | $_______ |
| Food and entertaining | 20-25% | $_______ | $_______ |
| Travel | 15-20% | $_______ | $_______ |
| Decorations | 5-10% | $_______ | $_______ |
| Cards and shipping | 3-5% | $_______ | $_______ |
| Charitable giving | 5-10% | $_______ | $_______ |
| Buffer/unexpected | 5% | $_______ | $_______ |
| Total | 100% | $_______ | $_______ |
| Recipient | Budget | Gift Idea | Purchased? | Wrapped? | Actual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $_____ | [ ] | [ ] | $_____ | ||
| $_____ | [ ] | [ ] | $_____ | ||
| $_____ | [ ] | [ ] | $_____ |
Start Early (Year-Round)
Set aside a fixed amount monthly into a holiday fund
Buy gifts throughout the year when sales appear
Stock up on wrapping supplies during post-holiday clearance
Collect gift ideas in a running list whenever someone mentions wanting something
Smart Shopping Tactics
Set price alerts on items you plan to buy
Compare prices across multiple retailers before purchasing
Use cashback apps and browser extensions
Buy gift cards at a discount through warehouse clubs
Pool resources with family for larger group gifts
Alternative Gift Ideas
Experience gifts (concert tickets, classes, memberships)
Handmade items (baked goods, photo books, crafts)
Service coupons (babysitting, home repair, cooking lessons)
Charitable donations in someone's name
Subscription boxes or streaming service gift cards
Family gift exchange with spending limits instead of buying for everyone
For Children
Follow the "Want, Need, Wear, Read" framework
One larger desired item plus smaller supplementary gifts
Consider age-appropriate experience gifts
Ask parents for current interests and sizing
For Adults
Focus on consumables (food, candles, quality beverages)
Upgrade something they use daily but would not splurge on
Give the gift of time or expertise
Pay attention to casual mentions throughout the year
For Coworkers and Acquaintances
Keep spending modest and professional
Choose universally appealing items (quality food items, desk accessories)
Avoid overly personal items
Gift cards to popular establishments work well
For Hard-to-Buy-For People
Charitable donations in their name
Experience gifts or event tickets
High-quality consumables (specialty foods, artisan products)
Photo books or memory collections
| Format | Group Size | Budget Range | How It Works |
|---|---|---|---|
| Secret Santa | 4-20 | $20-50 | Random name draw, one gift each |
| White Elephant | 6-15 | $15-30 | Gift steal game, brings laughter |
| Themed exchange | Any | Varies | Everyone brings item matching theme |
| Round-robin | 4-8 | $30-50 | Rotate recipients each year |
| Family unit | 3-6 families | $50-100 | Each family buys for one other family |
6-8 Weeks Before
Set the date and send invitations (save-the-date for travel guests)
Determine guest count and confirm dietary needs
Plan the menu and identify make-ahead items
Assess seating, dishes, and serving ware needs
Book any rental items (tables, chairs, linens)
3-4 Weeks Before
Finalize menu and create shopping lists
Order specialty items that need shipping
Plan decorations and purchase supplies
Create a cooking timeline and prep schedule
Arrange sleeping accommodations for overnight guests
1-2 Weeks Before
Do the main grocery shopping (non-perishables)
Begin make-ahead dishes and freeze
Deep clean the house in stages
Set up guest room(s) with fresh linens and essentials
Prepare a music playlist and any entertainment
2-3 Days Before
Buy perishable groceries
Begin thawing frozen items
Prepare side dishes that keep well
Set the table and arrange serving stations
Confirm guest arrivals and any last-minute changes
Day Of
Follow your cooking timeline
Set out appetizers and beverages before guests arrive
Delegate tasks to willing helpers
Take photos
Enjoy yourself - imperfect is perfectly fine
| Course | Dish | Prep Time | Make Ahead? | Dietary Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Appetizers | [ ] | |||
| Main dish | [ ] | |||
| Side 1 | [ ] | |||
| Side 2 | [ ] | |||
| Side 3 | [ ] | |||
| Bread/rolls | [ ] | |||
| Dessert 1 | [ ] | |||
| Dessert 2 | [ ] | |||
| Beverages | [ ] |
Ask guests to bring a dish (potluck style with coordination)
Focus on one spectacular main dish with simple sides
Use real dishes instead of disposables (cheaper long-term, more elegant)
Make signature cocktails in batches instead of stocking a full bar
Use natural decorations (pinecones, greenery, fruit arrangements)
Borrow serving pieces from friends or family
| When to Book | Savings | Risk Level |
|---|---|---|
| 3-6 months ahead | Best prices, most options | Low |
| 6-12 weeks ahead | Good prices, good selection | Low-medium |
| 2-4 weeks ahead | Higher prices, limited options | Medium |
| Last minute | Highest prices or rare deals | High |
Be flexible with travel dates (mid-week is often cheaper)
Compare driving costs vs. flying for shorter distances
Use airline miles or credit card points
Book accommodations with kitchens to reduce dining costs
Consider alternative airports within driving distance
Travel during off-peak hours for less congestion
Pack gifts in luggage instead of shipping separately
Gifts (wrapped or supplies to wrap on arrival)
Host gift (wine, specialty food, or handmade item)
Comfortable clothes plus one dressy outfit
Chargers and adapters
Medications and toiletries
Entertainment for travel time
Comfortable shoes for extended family time
Snacks for the journey
Important documents and travel confirmations
Identify values - What matters most to your family?
Start small - One new tradition per season is plenty
Be consistent - Repeat for at least three years before evaluating
Stay flexible - Adapt as family members grow and change
Document it - Photos, journals, or keepsakes make traditions tangible
Food Traditions
Annual cookie/candy making day
Special breakfast on holiday morning
Family recipe passed down and made together
Trying one new dish each year alongside favorites
Baking for neighbors or community members
Activity Traditions
Annual family game night or tournament
Holiday movie marathon with specific snacks
Driving tour of neighborhood light displays
Annual ornament or decoration selection
Winter hike or nature walk
Volunteering together at a local organization
Memory-Making Traditions
Annual family photo in the same spot
Holiday letter or family newsletter
Year-in-review conversation at dinner
Opening one gift on a specific early date
Reading a specific story or watching a specific film together
When merging families or managing competing traditions:
List all traditions from each side without judgment
Rate importance to each person (must-have, nice-to-have, flexible)
Find compromises (alternate years, combine elements, create new ones)
Respect that some traditions may phase out naturally
Create at least one brand-new shared tradition
You do not have to attend every event or accept every invitation
Homemade does not always mean better - store-bought is fine
Social media shows highlight reels, not reality
Children remember presence more than presents
Rest is not laziness; it is necessary
Take a 10-minute walk outside when feeling overwhelmed
Delegate tasks and accept help when offered
Build buffer time between events
Maintain basic self-care routines (sleep, meals, movement)
Have a code word with your partner for "I need a break"
Limit social media comparison scrolling
Remember that "no" is a complete sentence
Take down decorations at your own pace
Process returns and exchanges promptly
Tally actual spending against budget for next year's planning
Write thank-you notes
Store decoration inventory list with your decorations
Note what worked and what to change for next year
Schedule something fun for January to avoid the post-holiday slump
Gather information. Ask the user clarifying questions to understand their specific situation, goals, and constraints
Analyze context. Review the information provided and identify key factors relevant to holiday planner
Develop recommendations. Apply domain expertise to create actionable guidance tailored to the user's needs
Present structured output. Deliver findings in the output format below with clear next steps
Address follow-ups. Answer additional questions and refine recommendations based on feedback
## Holiday Planner Analysis
### Assessment
[Key findings and observations]
### Recommendations
1. [Primary recommendation]
2. [Secondary recommendation]
3. [Additional suggestions]
### Action Items
- [ ] [First action step]
- [ ] [Second action step]
- [ ] [Follow-up task]Incomplete information: Ask clarifying questions before proceeding with recommendations
Conflicting requirements: Prioritize the most critical constraint and note trade-offs
Out of scope requests: Redirect to appropriate specialized skill or professional resource
Beginner vs advanced: Adjust depth and terminology based on user's experience level
Input: "Help me with holiday planner for my current situation"
Output:
Based on your situation, here is a structured approach to holiday planner:
Assessment: Evaluate your current state and identify key areas for improvement
Strategy: Develop a targeted plan based on best practices
Implementation: Execute the plan with specific, measurable steps
Review: Monitor progress and adjust as needed
SKILL.md
348 lines · 2,168 words
The text of SKILL.md is shown as it downloads, under the Apache-2.0 license, by Ferrox Labs. The license is the one in the file's own frontmatter.
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Holiday Planner bot
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