Friday, December 26, 2008

Santa Claus Budget of Good Things.


It is too late for Christmas 2008, but for Christmas 2009 - I can be more organized and prepared. The tens of Christmas cards that I didn't get mailed, or the packages that got their just in time - can and will be mailed earlier next year. This is my last official goal I am placing under my year long goal to gain more order in my life. What better time to focus on it than right now, while what I forgot and what was successful is fresh in my mind. This stationary book I found at the gift shop in North Pole, NY and it has now become my book of order for our 2009 Christmas.
I marked the things that are of importance to our family, including gifts, projects, parties, events, cards, food, and menus and decided what type of lists to put under each title. For instance under gifts, I marked a spot for gifts to ship and one for family members that are living close and a master list of when everything should be completed, purchased,and shipped. I am placing A, B, C under each category and providing a contents list in the front of the book. Make your list around what is important to your activities and traditions and store all your plans and ideas in one place!

Do you plan now for next year?
Am I crazy?

15 comments:

Lauralee said...

oh I am totally on the same page.. I started making my lists last night.. of things I want to get done sooner, for some reason in Nov. I always think I am jumping the gun, then Dec hits, I feel like I can't catch up and don't have enough time.. some things for sure I am doing is getting the shopping done before Dec 1. That is so not what I have done, but I feel like it will do a lot for the Christmas cheer around here!
good luck!

donna said...

I will make a list and check it twice.!
Thanks for a great post. Next year i hope to be better organized.! Then maybe i won't be STRESSED OUT!

Bren's Life said...

Well I just bought some wrapping paper for next year. Does that count? Hope you have been doing good. Sorry I haven't been around, sheesh I have been on a blog vacation on & off for a month.

SuzanSayz said...

Michelle, you are talking such major organization that it's making my head spin. I can only worship at your feet and hope that next year, I will be organized enough to have everything bought and wrapped by late Christmas Eve.

Jenny said...

Your packages got mailed. Mine sit here waiting to be taken the post office. They will be recieved late. Christmas Cards will become New Years cards. I just could not get it all done. Lessoned learned, family is still the most important thing in my life. They were happy so for all the things we did not get done Christmas still happened. It was still a wonderful day. Like you I will be starting early....maybe in July.

Natasha said...

I love that you are already getting organized for NEXT year!

Jan said...

I don't over here. I barely plan for next week. You are my hero girl. Way to roll.

linda said...

No planning for next year yet...although I did shop after Christmas and get some good stuff for next year.

I'm not one to plan, plan, plan. I'm kind of a see what happens kinda girl.

dani said...

michelle, i totally admire your goal!!! however, i am not a list maker at all:/ i wish i were more organized, but it's just not in my nature. ha, come thanksgiving 2009, i will hit the road running aimlessly:p
good luck with your planning!!!
love,
dani

Cristin said...

Ready or not, the holidays always come! ...I think I like it that way...but I admire people who are organized and orderly about it all!

I don't plan now for next year -- part of me likes to be caught up in the excitement of it all in November and December!

Tina said...

I normally do not plan Christmas until it's actually here. This leaves me running through the stores on Christmas Eve, Baking cookies after Christmas (Doing some this weekend) and just a complete mess. Now I am on a mission to start planning for next year. Will let you know how that turns out.


BTW I tagged you......Here

Laurie said...

So smart! I think that is a great idea. I've found myself thinking about next Christmas already since there were a few things I didn't/couldn't do this year. The file is an inspiration, thank you for posting that.

michelle said...

I think this is a great idea! I am hoping that in 2009 I will be better organized. I have loved reading all of your organization tips. They motivate me to do better. :)

Amanda :-) said...

That book cover is delicious. I love it! Good luck with it all; it sounds incredibly clever and useful.

I got your Christmas card yesterday, by the way, thank you! It was postmarked 22 Dec at your end and 30 Dec at my end, if that helps you keep track of how long things take internationally! Haha!

List-wise, I made an 11-day menu before everyone finished school and work, that listed all the breakfasts, lunches and dinners that we'd eat day by day. It helped SOOOOOO MUCH, I can't tell you. It helped in making the shopping more focussed, it helped me work out what to freeze and what to keep out, and it reminded me what to defrost the day before! So, I'm all for lists. There's no way I'm not doing that meal plan again next year. My husband laughed when he saw me writing it all out, but he conceded the other day that it was a really useful thing to do.

Amanda said...

Since Christmas Day I have been thinking and planning about next year. This was the first time I ever felt crazy leading up to Christmas. I had so much handmade that I was doing for my husband and kids that it just spilled over into everything else.

I am starting in September next year whether I feel like it or not!