I don't know about you...but I would rather be organized for Christmas and the holidays then not be. My hubby and I do a lot of cooking for large groups of people...family, church Christmas meal, office party, and so forth. We do a great deal of Christmas 'food' shopping, but have to keep straight what goes where, who the roast is for, etc. He is the resident cook, people love to come to church if he is cooking...me I dice, chop, saute, bake, and also make fake http://ribbonwoodcottage.blogspot.com/2008/11/first-of-all-who-doesnt-like-to-bake-i.html as you can see, baked goods! (Big smile)
When My hubby and I were in college right before Christmas we broke up, I was heartbroken knowing I was going home for the Holidays without him....oh the crying and slobbering that went on that year. Right before I left town from college to head home he came up to me in the cafeteria, I had to act like I was fine (I was shaking inside) and I chit chatted about how busy I would be over the holidays...well we finished up the conversation and he said to me "Oh by the way...you have a big piece of brocolli stuck in your front teeth!" He proceeds to show me exactly where!!!! I wanted to die and knock him in the head with my 20 lb. science book all at the same time. Everytime we buy groceries now, especially at the holidays he asks me if I want to get "brocolli?" and smiles...believe me he now gets thumped in the head with brocolli when he brings it up! But God certainly brought us together and I don't take that lightly...even though I tease about him alot!
Anyhoo....have you seen this Christmas Countdown? You are in for such a treat! I love this, someone else has done all the work, all you have to do is print these (sent from heaven almost) organization forms for Christmas!

I found these different Christmas planners forms to make things go a little smoother, there are printable pages that are free!

http://christmasplanner.com/make-christmas-planner
What a wonderful site this is to explore.
http://christmasplanner.com/print-christmas-planner
http://christmasplanner.com/checklists-christmas-planner
There are even more free printables at this site than I copied here so be sure to look at everything this gal has to offer...
I am buying a small notebook that I can slip a pretty front page in the front plastic slot. Then I will add all the printed papers in their sections.
These are other planners I looked at that are just darn cute!
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.diyplanner.com/files/Holiday-Planning-Set.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.diyplanner.com/node/1379&h=400&w=400&sz=34&hl=en&start=12&usg=__gayeYmwZfQILqIsGEPCd-wTMvBU=&tbnid=4iu4zQpSn4fOMM:&tbnh=124&tbnw=124&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dchristmas%2Bplanner%26gbv%3D2%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DG

http://murdocks.typepad.com/polishedtoperfection/nestabilities/
Instructions for making a Christmas planner are in this tutorial...it is worth looking at...oh my...it will get your creative flow...flowing!
http://tayloredexpressions.blogspot.com/2007/09/manila-folder-album-instructions.html
Get out the paper, glue, scissors...
http://familyfun.go.com/printables/season/feature/1102-holiday-planner/1102-holiday-planner.html
Please check these out. I am sure something will grab your eye!
I hope you enjoy this, I know I did....after all most of us do not have a staff to help us during the holidays! (Big smile) Usually WE are the staff!
What I would have given for something like this 20 years ago instead of just an ugly note pad!
One last important note! During Christmas shopping I put an envelope (large one) in my purse that says "Christmas receipts" and I keep it till after Christmas. Every purchase receipt and gift receipt goes in here, till I have a chance to go through them later. You can see how much you spent on someone, return something, burn it later on...and so forth! What a difference this one little thing has made in my frustration level when looking for receipts. When I get home I put all the receipts in a large ziploc bag, so that everything is in one place!
Tomorrow, I will show a smaller planner I made. Every day I will give you a new idea, organizing and Christmas tip, and give you a variety of planner/notebook to choose from!
Blessings,
Debbie
15 comments:
Morning Debbie,
What great tips and ideas!!!
Your brocolli story had me cracking up cause hubby & I had gone to eat Mexican food one day and then out to shop. Well, he had been talking away with a sales clerk while I was tring on everything under the sun and I came out and we bought our purchases. At some point I looked over at him and he had a big string of cheese (from those gooey cheese enchilidas) hanging from his mustache to his chin.....he was sooooo embarrased and we laughed and laughed about it.
Debbie, these are great ideas! I am a planner and a list maker, and always have used a plain old noteboook! I have wanted to decorate it, but just never got aroudn to it. Maybe this year I can.
If not for all the planning, budgeting, etc, we wouldn't have a Christams around here! Some take this lightly, ubt not me. I want my family to always ahve the best holidays possible.
I enjoyed the story about the broccoli! I'm so glad that the Lord brought you two back together!
My most embarrassing moment? I was on a date with my future hubby. We stoped to put gas in his car and I went to the restroom. Well, I got stuck in the restroom! I was kicking & screaming, but nobody came to help for a what seemed like a very long time. I was begining to panic when the door was snatched open. The guy running the place finally heard me! All I kept thinking was that my date was going to leave me or have the most embarrassing thoughts of "what" was taking me so long! We laugh about it still, but at the time, I was scared half to death! :D
Have a great week!
Debbie-I've been following Cynthia Townley Ewer's Christmas Countdown for about 6 years now..she's amazing and her whole site is awesome. She used to have a great message board, but has closed it. Several of us from that site meet regularly at www.magicalholidayhome.com to chat about Christmas planning and organizing. Now is a great time to check it out! Thanks for the tips! Love the broccoli story!
I recognize the pages from the Organized home website. I have printed them out before. But I have not done a very good job lately of following them. I think my energy level has zapped off, I find it harder to keep up with everything these days.
OMG I need a planner. But I dont have time to whip one up. I need a planner to make my planner. So I can then plan. LOLOL But I might just print out one that you've shown us. Great idea. I can't wait to see the one you made.
And do ya have any brocolli in those pearly whites????
Thanks for your great post. My friend (your cousin), Ralaine, told me about your blog and invited me to visit you. I'm glad I did!
I like how your comments box was easy to find on the page. How did you do that? Thanks for the help and all the great information on your blog!
you are such a hoot!!! i love all your crafty ideas...i think your the craft queen...your posts are great!i am a list maker and a half...daily i need a list just to get from plan a to plan b...does that mean i'm old..hee hee...your blog is amazing the ladies love you! sorry no soccer this year so we wont have blog chats...it was just too hard on lex...her spirit couldn't take it any longer...i am so sad...maybe next year i will be praying for you all and the girls...blessings cat
oh and whit looked lovely at homecoming and farmer hubby 2!!!!!!
I love the brocolli story. How wonderful, what a funny memory. And now you remind me that I need to get organized! Great ideas you shared.
Debbie, I laughed so hard at that story. We've all had things like that happen and can relate! I think it's sweet that you ended up together despite the broccoli incident. :)
Great ideas for organizing this holiday season. I'm a nut about organizing and am always looking for ways to do things better. Like your idea of keeping the receipts in an envelope. Thanks!! -Julia :-)
Your broccoli story was funny and sweet! That's a great Christmas planner and thanks for the links!
Manuela
I am gonna have to check those out!
You were asking about my sewing/embroidery machine...mine is a Singer Futura, I got it for my birthday last month.
What kind do you have?
Mine quilts to, have not tried that yet. Beth
Wow, what a great site you have here! This is my first time visiting, came over from There Is No Place Like Home. You sound super organized. Thanks for all the links :)
What a funny story. I love the tip! I am a planner and a total list maker so this would be great for me!
Oh, I will definitely be back for more. I need all of the organizational skills I can get! Too funny about you and your dh. laurie
Thanks for the tips and links.
Had to laugh at the brocolli story, been there before!
Wooly hugs,
Trudy
Post a Comment