Melissa Michaels of "The Inspired Room" has just started her series for Christmas, and she advises thinking about what is important and meaningful for you at this time of year and then planning from there. There is a lot of wisdom in being deliberate about what you choose to do (and what you plan NOT to do!) during the festive season. Having a big picture plan that helps you prioritize will go a long way to preventing that frazzled feeling in the New Year.
Another helpful site is Emma Marie Designs "15 Days to an Organized Christmas". She has a free Christmas Planner that includes everything you need to do and think about before Christmas as well as 15 days of blog posts to guide you through the process.
I also like "The 36th Avenue" for their list of Christmas traditions which includes a list of scripture verses to read by candle light in the 24 days leading up to Christmas. Another of our Christmas traditions is to use the Jacquie Lawson electronic advent calendar in the count down to Christmas.
This year I have made a Christmas "To Do" list ahead of time, with a time line for doing different things so that I can spread out all the things that I would like to get done. This is a rough plan of what I think I would like to do:
By End of November
- Make Christmas Cards
- Update address list
- Write in cards and address envelopes
- Set a Christmas budget for gifts and festivities
- Write a list of gifts that I would like to give at Christmas
- Plan what shops I need to get to to buy gifts or supplies to make gifts with
- Set up advent calendar for my daughter with tiny chocolates and scripture verses
- Finalize plans for Christmas supper/lunch
By early December
- Post Christmas cards
- Finish making handmade gifts
- Christmas gift shopping done
- Put up Christmas tree while listening to suitable "Christmassy" music
By Middle of December
- Complete gift wrapping and make tags
- Make star biscuits or fruit mince pies for neighbours
- Carol Service tea duty organized
- Buy ahead ingredients for Christmas supper/lunch
- Make paper angels
By Christmas Eve
- Set the table and make a center piece
- Finish prep for Christmas supper/lunch
Christmas Day
- Attend Christmas Church Service
- Relax and enjoy the day!
What are your essential "To Dos" for Christmas? Do you like to plan ahead or are you more of a last minute kind of person when it comes to the festive season?
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