WFMW: How to Enjoy Your Christmas To-Do Lists...Every Year!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So excited today because my Christmas Cards arrived as well as the 2011 Photos Calendar that I ordered for my Mom (it's okay she doesn't even know how to use the internet so she never reads my blog ;)

 
The photo on the cover is of my Mom, myself and my DH when we went home for a visit this past summer and we actually got my Mom to take a photo with us...came out great! 

So every year when I do my Christmas Cards I get out my RED kit case that holds my previous year's left-over cards as well as my Christmas Blank Books.  What? (You Ask)  They are blank books or journals that I use specifically for Christmas.  The taller maroon one with the angels on the cover is my Christmas Idea Book and the small floral one is an older Christmas Gift Register.

 

Inside the Christmas Idea Book I have divided it up into different sections such as: Christmas Card List where I have a page for every year and I make notes of; the type of cards that I have sent, along with to whom I've mailed them, and from whom I have received cards from.

So every year after I've purchased my cards, I pull out my box and my book and put on some of our Christmas music (one of the times that I truly enjoy them ;) and make out my cards.  This year it will take a few afternoons because I ordered 50 photo cards from Shutterfly and I have a much bigger mailing list ;)

When I pull out my Christmas Idea Book it gets me in the mood for the holidays because as I flip through it and read about how we have celebrated in the past it brings back so many memories.

For instance in the At Home...section, I write down the different ways that I have used my Christmas deocrations all around the house through-out the years.  I love to go through all the holiday magazines and when I see an idea that I like then I make a note of it in this book so I have it and more importantly...know where I've placed it ;)

 

In the Holiday Tips...section, I coral time-saving tips such a: Each year buy a package of special holiday paper plates.  Some go to the neighbors with cookies on them, the grest get used for Christmas breakfast.  If you have the storage space you can buy your holiday plates along with your cards and wrapping papers when they are all on sale.

In this area I also have printed out gift ideas for Theme Baskets and Blank Books...

Then there is a It's A Wrap...section for those holiday gatherings that require gift swaps use these inovative wraps to make your presentation as meaningful as the gift tucked inside ;)

Which brought back the memories of the year we all did an adult gift swap and we set the price limit at $25.00, drew names and then decided to make a game out of the most innovative wrapped present.  That was the year I drew DH hubby's name so I wrapped his golf balls like this...

The funniest part was that I hammered the golf tee into the package to make it stand up and actually put it through one of the balls inside the package...DH still teases me about this one ;)

There are many other sections inside my Christmas Idea Book but I didn't want to fill this post with all of them so I will just list them here for you:

1. Supplies & Ingredients:  where I list Holiday Musts! like batteries, colored plastic wrap for packaging food to go, extension cords, small packages of toiletries for your overnight guest, extra film (tells you how far we've come ;)
2. Recipes: you know those special family recipes that you only cook for the holidays like my Cuckoo Cookies...those belong here where you can put your hands on them when you need them during these crazy days.
3. Decorations: this is where I've gathered photos and magazine clippings of holiday decors that I love and want to try to incorporate in my home.

You get the drift...create your own Christmas Idea Book with your own sections and keep it with your Christmas card basket or box AND not stored with your other holiday decorations that you can have it handy when you need it.  Keep this journal in your own hand-writing and when it is full, pass it on to your children so that they can appreciate the wonderful keepsake that you've created for them as well.

AND while you are at it...how about starting your own Christmas Gift Register...

Oh my...I started this particular Gift Register back in 1990 and used it for over a decade to record everything that I bought my family and friends for Christmas...even listed what went into their stockings.  When I started this in 1990 I was a single Mom and money was tight and I had to make sure that I stayed with-in my budget ;)

The best part about this book is that it is an accurate record of what was popular when my boys were boys as well as the prices of things...back in the day...lol  It also shows how far I was able to stretch my dollars through-out the years and really give personal, meaningful gifts!  Some day I know that my boys will really get a kick out of this...their mom being such an organized geek and all ;)

Christmas Idea Books and Christmas Gift Registers Work-for-Me because they are a wonderful way of enjoying the moment whether you are writing out your Christmas Cards, Decorating your Home AND even when you are out-and-about doing your Christmas Shopping.

How about you...what works for you during the holiday season?

Linking up to these organizational parties so be sure to tell them that Roberta sent you ;)

 

 

Comments

[Christine]

this is a great idea!

[toni]

The christmas memory book is the NEATEST idea! Hmm. I may have to do this. I hope you have a fabulous New Year!!! Hugs, Toni

[liz]

How amazing it will be for children and grand children to look back in those books! I am no where near this organized! Visiting from totally organized Tuesdays.

[Bella]

I really enjoyed you sharing this with us. I can so relate and even though I don't have either of those notebooks, I LOVE keeping receipts of all my shopping, and I am always keeping my little notes. So your idea is SO VERY organized, and I love it.

I would really like to start this wonderful tradition as well, and why stop for Christmas, this could so work for many times and occations of the year.

I would LOVE if you shared this, at my **Amaze me August** weekly party.

I am enjoying your blog, and have subscribed to it. :)

Bella

[kerri]

oh my gosh. i don't know how you do that? that takes a LOT of time. but as long as it's a task you enjoy, so worth it, i'm sure!
funny about the golf tee! :)

[Donnie]

Don is not a Christmas kind of guy. It has always been my show and was so much fun when the kids were small. I used to buy something for myself from him and put under the tree but after the kids moved out it really ended. One year he gave me the checkbook and said here buy yourself something.....So I took it and never gave it back......lol.....now we don't even exchange gifts(his choice) but do send the kids money for their family and my DIL buys the grandchildren something each from us. I, of course, send them one of his stupid checks. He's not Scrooge but he sure qualifies as a generous Grinch.