Christmas Planning Ideas

[Gingerbug]

Thanks...mamma for getting this group started. I am working hard this year to do some Christmas shopping throughout the year since budgeting is always a big goal for me.

I have master list both for stocking stuffers and gifts so I can keep track of what I pick up.
I also like to do the 24 Days of Christmas gifts so this year my goal is to have 1/2 of them be crafted items....needless to say I had better get busy!
I use Rudolph Day each month to make sure I remember to "think and plan" Christmas a little each month.
I look forward to reading about other Christmas Planning ideas.

[Gingerbug]

So are we going to do weekly challenges...and this week is to make a card? Not sure I will get a card made but I could pick a design and make my supplies list for the cards I want to make this year!!! cheesy

[Gingerbug]

Okay I will try to put together a card to share.

[thechristmasnut]

Something I do to help with my Holiday Planning is I have a Holiday Notebook. Ive had one for the last four year and coudlnt imagine my Christmas without it....
How I started my notebook was I got a binder and those tab dividers and just started making sections for the things I would use the most, every year my notebook gets tweaked I take out things that didn't work out and add new things...

I have sections like....

Christmas Cards~ it holds all my addresses and a list of who I've sent to and received from.

Recipes~ from my holiday meals and parties...

Gift~ Holds a list of shopping ideas , a gift closet inventory(so I know what I've already bought) The kids wish list, etc.

Decorating~ A place were I jot down ideas I might have or ideas I come across throughout the year of new things I want to try when decorating my home for the holidays.

Rudolph Day~ Plans for my Rudolph Days each month... Things I want to get done, any new recipes I want to try out, etc.

Holiday Parties~ Guest list, Menus, Recipes, etc.

Crafts and Homemade Gifts~ a place for Christmas crafts I want to make and a list of homemade gifts that need made.

These are just some of sections for my notebook

Just thought I would share something that really works for me......

[Christmasstar]

I want to make up their advent calendars way in advance and then as a surprise, mail the calendars to them so they arrive just before December 1.
I have been thinking about little things to put in the pockets (each pocket is about 2" square) They have had these since they were small so they have great memories for them.
Anyone have any good ideas for items that would be good for this? Should I put practical items they can use while away from home, or just fun stuff? I thought of putting a toonie in each pocket (Canadian $2 coin) but, they would just empty it when they figured that out!

[thechristmasnut]

Of Course ;)

[jolly elf]

This is my first year doing a Christmas notebook and I already love it. Everything is organized and I can keep track of the gifts I already have and jot down ideas and thoughts. I also have a section for the Magical Elves, recipies, crafts, forms, gifts and a few others.

[thechristmasnut]

The notebooks is great and after using it the first year it kind of spead to other parts of my life... I have a few notebooks now... One for Home... One for the Kids.... One combined for all other holidays (except Xmas)...

[Christmasstar]

I will have to get one set up as well. A Christmas note book would save me from constantly checking my box of stuff to see what I have and what I still need. Thanks.

[Gingerbug]

Love your blog Christmas Nut....some of us have created Rudolph Day blogs...if you're interested in creating a blog for Rudolph Day...let me know and we can add it to the Rudolph Day links over at MHH forums I think we have about ten blogs right now.

[Holiday]

Such great ideas!!! I bought a Christmas notebook last year & never wrote anything in it!! :-? I planned to use it as more of a journal...writing down everything "Christmassy" that we do every year...parties, baking cookies, making candy, caroling, house hopping, etc. THIS year I am going to try to do better!!!! :smile:

[Christmasstar]

the 19th is a good choice since it is Victoria day here in Canada and I have the day off.