Christmas Countdown and other holiday prep

OK, this I can do, and more than that, this year, I WILL!!!

I half did Christmas Countdown last year, and by the end realised that had I done it properly, things would have been a lot more under control. This year will be different . . .

First job for the week is to dig out the Christmas box, and especially my Christmas notebook. Need to remember that DH is away with the computer on Wednesday and Thursday, so I have to get ahead on what should happen on those days.

Right, off to the cellar . . .

Zillah

Well, my first step is getting our family portrait done next Saturday. I think we have all the clothes planned, it is very casual. I want to have my cards done by the end of November at the latest. I also want to look for a great recipe to make for small gifts for neighbors, people at work, etc. I'm thinking a bread of some sort - need to scout around for that. Besides that just start thinking of gifts. Our Christmas is usually quite simple b/c our families are small and some don't celebrate. We usually do consumables for our parents such as fruit baskets, flowers, gift cards for restaurants, etc. Never tried the countdown, but I enjoy watching you all do it!
Andrea

Albeit not as fast as I'd like! But I've gotten more done than I would have otherwise. We have a lot of birthdays at the end of the year so it's a little crazy.

I guess I should just join in with the Countdown--HGP kind of fell by the wayside for me. I got some done, but I'm weeks behind. Well, if at first you don't succeed...

you can always fail year after year like me until you finally give up trying!

I think the key though, if none of the Countdowns are really working for you, is to pick what does work and don't beat yourself up about the rest. Make lists and don't get into November without having a vague idea on all the main topics (gifts, card list, who's going where for which meal and what meals you're cooking yourself, and any outings you'd really like to do).

I have something for my mother, a couple of somethings planed but not bought for DH (the shop didn't have his size when I went in), plenty of books and games planned for the kids, and a few ideas up my sleeve for my SIL and PILs. I also know I have Christmas cards somewhere which will have to be dug up soon. I've made an almost final choice on meat and broadcast it to my mother so we should haven't any clashes with her and my cousins either. If my father complains that he's getting roast beef for Christmas dinner instead of turkey he knows where he can stick it!!

Kerri.

Yum Anhata - thanks! I may try it!

Well, I've found myself an unused calender to chop up and provide my planning calender for Christmas.

I'm off to stick them into my book and think about what categories I need for the rest of the book. I'm thinking: gift lists, cards, budget, meals and entertaining. Don't want to over-reach myself with too much planning now, do I?

DH is away with the laptop for the next few days, so I'll concentrate on making paper lists (and, of course, checking twice).

Zillah

wassat then??

I have a vision that all my Christmas shopping may be done before the end of the week... my parents are taking the kids for two whole nights and DH is away part of the time. Who cares about work! If the boss can't take time off, who can!?!?!

Kerri.

Week 12 if you're doing HGP

Week 4 if your doing Christmas Countdown!

Either way....are YOU 3/4 of the way done?????

Yeah, right!

I'm doing pretty good on gifts...making progress, anyway.

I also have stored/gathered the fixings for 2 different appetizers for unexpected visitors and/or last mintue take-alongs.

Thanksgiving prep is going well....I'm serving my family, my mother, and a friend and her family....only 8, which is definitely doable!

DH and I have been invited to an "event" in early December so I must find something to wear with the beaded holiday halter that I bought last year for my graduation/holiday party. I'm thinking a great pair of chiffon plazzo pants might be fun. We'll be spending the night in Michigan and probably breakfasting with business associtaes the next day, so I may try to find a casual holiday outfit for the "day after" too. Fun!!!

How are you all doing? Any great events to plan?

Lenora

Well, there's been general progress on the house, I think, but not so much on holiday stuff. I started on the HGP, but at some point I just stopped looking at the website. Christmas Countdown, too. Some of the things on their lists don't seem to apply so much, and others just seem overwhelming. I am really starting to worry about how I'm going to get all of my holiday and baby stuff done in time, though!

Lenora, you always sound so on top of things! Go you!

Well, after a good start I got distracted by the old PhD and have been worryingly slack on Christmas planning.

I've started gift planning, and made some. Also I've done my Christmas card list - I always write them in the first week of December, so I'm off the hook with that for a while.

Things are a bit lighter this week, so I hope to get back in the saddle again! Must think about food this week and do some proper planning now DMIL is back from her trip.

DMIL are going to have a Christmas cooking session this weekend. She'll do the cake and I'll do the pudding. I've got plenty of mincemeat for mince pies left over from last year. Must make a shopping list for that.

Zillah