Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Christmas help...


I have had something on my mind today. The thought of trying to get organized for Christmas, keeps coming up. I think this has to be the year. The year that I am officially sitting down with myself, and making a agenda. Every Christmas it seems like, I am running around like a chicken with my head cut off. I do love the Christmas season, don't get me wrong. It is actually one of my favorite times of the year. The big problem is...I procrastinate! I work great under pressure. This is not always a good thing. I think I have gotten sick every year, for as long as I can remember, right after Christmas. I think this is my body telling me, to get with it! :) Time to get organized, so this wont happen year after year. So, this is my question to you, my dear friends. Do any of you follow an agenda for the holidays? For example, do you have a date that your Christmas pictures have to be taken by? Do you have a date set, that you know your shopping will be done? I am open to any, and all suggestions my friends. Thanks bunches, The procrastinating Mom. :)

13 Comments:

Blogger Unknown said...

You are too cute. I just kind of play it by ear, which is surprising since I'm usually such a scheduler...Come comment on my blog for a chance to win my "favorite things" giveaway..I'm no Oprah, but it should still be fun!

October 7, 2008 at 2:43 PM  
Blogger SuperCoolMom said...

I printed off some great lists and planning materials from Laurie at Tip Junkie and also got some awesome stuff from FlyLady.net. I printed a bunch from her Christmas Control Journal and ran with it. Now I keep my lists year after year in there. That way I don't have to keep reinventing the wheel. No more forgetting about my visiting teachers or scout leaders!

October 7, 2008 at 3:58 PM  
Blogger Katie's Krazy Klan said...

Ok, I'm new at this still, and my house is significantly smaller than yours. The first weekend of December we pull out all of the x-mas stuff. Take the whole weekend to have a huge mess, things everywhere, and decorations going up...this way things are crazy for a day or 2, and then it's all done. My brothers birthdays are on the 15th of December...I usually try to get our holiday cards out just shortly after that, at least within a few days, that way if they get delayed or take longer to get somewhere, they still have a little while to enjoy them or display them before x-mas. We keep all of our christmas stuff up intil new years day...and then do the same thing and take an evening or day to put it all away. I don't know if any of that helps you, as far as the shopping goes, I already have a few things for my girls, and all of the nieces and nephews. I hit the schoolyear sales and holiday sales (labor day) and take advantage of those bargains. It also spreads out the EXTRA spending over a couple of months so January credit card bills don't kill us. the last gifts we usually purchase are for the people who have everything...we always end up finding something last minute for them-I'd like to have those people done earlier this year so I don't stress. Any suggestions for my inlaws? There's my advise. Take it or leave it-whatever works best for you. Talk to you soon.

October 7, 2008 at 6:30 PM  
Blogger n8'swife said...

If you figure it out post it! I can us all the help I can get in that department!

October 7, 2008 at 6:33 PM  
Blogger Jan said...

Sorry Michelle, I am trying to avoid this issue :) Good luck.

October 7, 2008 at 8:43 PM  
Blogger Missy said...

unfortunately I'm in the same boat! But, thanks for the reminder ~ I need to make an agenda, too!!

October 7, 2008 at 9:00 PM  
Blogger Melinda said...

Oh, I am such a HUGE list maker. I like to be done early so that I can really enjoy the season. The problem?? My husband! He is the procrastinator and when I try to be done he feels left out and shops even more so that we over spend completely. With the things that I can get done that he doesn't care about, mainly everything except for the kids, I get done and I like to be done early. That is where my lists come in. I make them over and over again all month long. I like to have picture cards done by Thanksgiving so that I can send them out early and just be done and not think about it. Good luck and I hope it all works out for you and you don't get sick!

October 7, 2008 at 9:31 PM  
Blogger Linda said...

Sorry I don't have any words of wisdom...you're talking to another procrastinator here. I've always worked well under pressure too.

I'll be checking back to see you if get any helpful hints as I could sure use some too.

October 7, 2008 at 10:30 PM  
Blogger Monica said...

Oh Michelle,
You got my stomach all in knots. I try not to think of Christmas before Halloween! Every year I say that my motto is "Simplicity" This year I really hope I can pull it off. I'm getting my Christmas cards printed off in November this year and already have my list from the wedding! Usually I get annoyed at the mall when they have Christmas up in October, but this year when I saw it I actually got excited. I think it is because we all need hope at this time, at least I do, with the elections and economy. I think the meaning of Christmas will be very impactful this year! Lets get together. I'm still sad you're not cominig to Rocky Point!

October 7, 2008 at 11:48 PM  
Blogger Anna said...

I try to do our family pictures in the fall. If I wait too long I can never get them taken and printed in time for cards, etc. That helps relieve some stress come December.

October 8, 2008 at 6:22 PM  
Blogger Michelle Alley said...

I am a procrastinator too, but this year with my order goal, I hope to take more effort to be organized! I love that you are bringing this up now. I remember some good ideas from some other bloggers like an agenda book made just for Christmas with section for food, gifts and time management - I think it was Amie on my sidebar, but she's private -I'll send her an email and see if this was her. My sister Jenn H on my sidebar is mostly done with her gift buying and is highly organized, I'll see if she can do a post on this - she must have good ideas! Take care Michelle!

October 10, 2008 at 8:29 PM  
Blogger Cheryl said...

I decided not to stress- christmas will happen whether I'm organized or not...we need to get you well so you can relax!

October 11, 2008 at 7:06 AM  
Blogger Kim Sue said...

One thing that makes sure we don't miss some traditional holiday fun is my daughter's coutdown box.

I plan ahead, in November, 25 days of treats for her little boxes. About 1/3 are trinket type gifts and the rest are little notes to do family type activities...drive around and see christmas lights, make christmas cookies, decorate gingerbread house, make gift tags.

Because I "plan" it out (christmas cookies would not be scheduled for a school night) and keep a list handy at all times. I know what materials we will be needing and what I need to be ready for.

Having to sit the box out by November 30 MAKES me think it out.

October 16, 2008 at 3:43 AM  

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