No, I'm not planning already for next Christmas. (well, I guess in a way I am...)
After Christmas, I started working on this timeline for the 2008 Christmas season. Christmas 2007 was an enormous improvement for me over Christmas 2006 (the worst ever), but I still felt like there were things I would like to change, ways I can do it better next time. Because my memory is notoriously bad, I knew I had to make a record of my intentions, and thus the Christmas timeline was born.
I am keeping it in the Christmas book that Collette made and gave to us at a book club in the Fall, so very useful. But just in case I misplace it, I am recording it here as well.
Here's the plan:
beginning of October:
-- decide on handmade gifts (although sooner would be even better!)
end of October:
-- start shopping
beginning of November:
-- start making handmade gifts (again, sooner would be even better)
mid-November:
-- make book club gifts
-- decide on Christmas card photo plan
end of November:
-- take Christmas card photo!
-- prepare advent calendar (possibly make new one)
December:
-- first Family Home Evening of the month -- discuss how we can help someone during the holiday season and make plans
-- make cards (or buy, it's better than not sending them like I did this year...)
-- finish, wrap, and ship gifts to family by the 12th
-- send cards
-- finish shopping by the 18th so there is plenty of time for relaxing!
Obviously, I haven't planned out every detail, but I'm hoping that if I stick to this timeline I will have an even less stressful, more enjoyable holiday season this year. (fingers crossed)
** Does anyone else need to give themselves instructions on how to enjoy Christmastime??**
19 comments:
Our Christmas this year was the most under control yet and I loved it! I still had those last minuet gifts to get but I didn't feel overburdened, I just felt excited by the holiday rush.
I think you are very smart to get your ideas all out of your head and on paper. Make it happen:)
Can I just copy your list? I need to do this and now is as good a time as any- I didn't even get Christmas cards out last year! You are one smarty pants to do this now.
I did this a few years ago, then I put it away and never looked at it again. But for 2008 I plan on being much better. I still have some unfinished Christmas projects on my table, and I plan on finishing them before they're put away. I don't want to have carryover for this year, but I really like the projects and I don't want them to go to waste. But definitely October is when I'm going to start. I may be disgusted by stores putting their Christmas stuff out in October, but I can at least be reminded that I need to start too.
I think a timeline is a good idea because Christmas always sneaks up on me and then I'm panicked. It would be nice to be able to start even earlier, but I'm never in Christmas-mode in October.
Great idea! My plan is to totally scale back!! I hope your plan works well for you this year! :)
I love this Michelle! I've been wanting to organize Christmas better and I just love your idea and the list is perfect. Thanks for this post! Take care and happy Christmas planning!
what a great idea! i always feel swamped by december, this would definitely help pull together that list of floating dates and to do together and make them more manageable. you're so smart! good job! i'll be making one of these SOON! thanks.
**Does anyone else need to give themselves instructions on how to enjoy Christmastime??**
Oh yeah, and I've got a notebook of my own to prove it!
I think I'm going to just print your list right into my book! I HATE feeling panicked about the holidays but have to balance with not wanting to celebrate a day before December 1st! I was forced to start early this year because of family coming- I ended up enjoying the holiday much more by starting early, even though I mentally fought it. Live and learn.
oh i do feel like my year was better this year than in the past but being sick for most of december, i think next year should be a breeze!!!!!
your plan looks good!
I am copying this list! This is a great idea. If I had a list like this a few months ago, a lot more things would have been accomplished. Instead, here it is January 17th and I'm still working on one last gift!!! Thanks for the inspiration!
Can I just say you are chalk full of good ideas!
Christmas is always great at our house, but I tell you it is so hard to pull off. I am sad to say I am absolutely thrilled when it is over because it is so overwhelming- which makes me sad & guilty since it is shouldn't be that way.....
Thanks for sharing!
Hey, good idea to document a timeline! I'm sure it will come in handy!
Every year, when I return from 8 days of Christmas purchasing for my retail store, RIGHT after taking down the trees and working about 15 hours a day for three months, I am totally amazed that I can get excited all over again with the purchases for the next season!
So, it is possible to encourage oneself to enjoy the season! And, perfectly normal!!
Good ideas, I'll try to do the same!
I came out of this Christmas feeling like I need to tweak things for next year, but in a different way. I keep thinking that I need to sit down now and figure out what I want to change while Christmas 2007 is fresh in my memory. And here you've gone ahead and done it!
I don't think I could function if I did not plan WAY ahead. I have a Christmas binder that I add to each year When I reorganize it in January, I add an October, November, December calendar. I add some of those same time line items you mentioned. Then as the time gets near I can start to add other dates such as "Inlaw Christmas".
This is a fabulous idea. I think I would enjoy the craziness, and it would be more meaningful, if I had it all organized. Thanks for the idea.
Can I tell you how much I love this idea? Nothing like making a plan while everything is still fresh in your mind.
Impressive. I hope the plan works and you have a stress-free 2008 holiday season.
PS - thanks for all of your comments on my blog. I enjoy them. It makes me happy when I see that you have come by...
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