It’s hard to believe that it’s already mid-September! Christmas will be here before we know it. One of my goals for this year is to have the majority – if not all – of our Christmas shopping done by the end of November. This will lessen the stress and allow us more time to focus on the true meaning of Christmas in December. I missed several activities I wanted to do last year, and being disorganized was the main reason for those oversights.
Not this year.
I’m already thinking about sitting down with my calendar and setting some attainable goals for getting the busy-ness of Christmas under control. Setting specific tasks for each week should alleviate a lot of the chaos around here.
My friend Mandi from Life… Your Way just released her FREE eBook Christmas… Your Way: Tips for Organizing & Simplifying Your Way to the Christmas You’ve Always Dreamed Of. Just in time for my planning! She covers topics like budgeting, gifts (shopping and making), making memories, decorating, cards, baking, and charity/giving. You can download your copy from the Life… Your Way website. While you’re there, check out her Printable Christmas Planner pages.
What’s your goal for this Christmas season? Are you planning to streamline your activities? Or maybe keep your budget under control? Or even start some new family traditions? We’ll be talking a lot about this topic in the coming weeks. Let’s start planning together for a stress-free, enjoyable Christmas!
Amy says
Two years ago we had to have all of our Christmas shopping done and gifts wrapped before Thanksgiving. We were planning to go visit my in-laws for Thanksgiving and wanted to take all of the gifts then since at Christmas I would be 9 months pregnant and were weren’t sure we would make it there. It was the most wonderful Christmas season. We relaxed and just enjoyed a peaceful holiday season. I highly, highly recommend it.
Our goal this year is to spend no more than $100 total on gifts. We have our son, 3 nephews, my parents and each other to buy for. That’s 8 people. We are earning credits on swagbucks, buying things now when we see great deals, scoring freebies and using groupon to get some deep discounts. So far, so good. We have 2 people fully done, 2 more half done and another gift ready to go (for my parents) and we still have over $60 left to spend.
Jennifer says
WAHOO Amy! You’re doing great! (I may be a big jealous. *wink*) What an inspiration. I love that you’re taking advantage of Swagbucks and hunting down deep-discounts on things that your loved ones will adore. Love it!
Jennifer says
Thanks for sharing the link for this e-book and the planners. Definitely going to check these out.
November and Decemebr hit hard in our home. Mid-November is my daughter’s birthday (10 this year), then we always host Thanksgiving for my parents, then my son’s birthday is the first week in December (7 this year) and then, of course, Christmas.
I am always in need of organization and budget friendly shopping and activities!
I’ve already been shopping clearance deals (like Target’s toy clearance this summer) and am using gift cards I am earning from things like Swagbucks and My Points.
As for organization, I try to be organized but can ALWAYS use help in that area!
Jennifer says
Whew! That’s a lot of celebrating in a short amount of time. You would have to plan ahead just to survive the financial crunch of all of that. You’ve done a great job of planning ahead and saving your budget! 🙂