Get out the calendar and look ahead to all the upcoming events and parties you will be attending.
Make a list of all of the places you are going, especially those places where you'll be expected to bring a dish. List each dish you will be making and gather all of the ingredients. Do you have everything you need? Do the shopping now (or schedule it now) for the missing ingredients so won't have to rush out at the last minute.
Showing posts with label Christmas Notebook. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christmas Notebook. Show all posts
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Christmas Connection #7
When the Christmas catalogs start arriving in the mail, start a section in your binder for catalog gift ideas. Tear out any pages in catalogs that you think somebody might like, circle the item and write the person's name by it so you don't forget. Make sure the phone number or website is listed. It also helps to write the catalog number or customer number from the catalog address label to speed ordering. When it's time to buy ANYTHING this year for ANYONE for ANY OCCASION, you'll be ready!
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Christmas Connection #5
Print out a monthly calendar for each month, October through January. Its easier if you do one month per page so you have lots of writing room. What kind of grid/calendar you use is based solely on personal preference. Below are various free printable calendar pages. After you got all four months printed, take the time to write in all your holidays, birthdays, school events, etc.
Then schedule some baking days, crafting days, and shopping days. Do this in pencils since life often gets in the way and schedules need adjusted.
Calendar Pages
http://familycrafts.about.com/cs/calendars/a/122900a.htm
http://www.dltk-cards.com/calendar/
http://www.printablecalendar.ca/
http://www.abcteach.com/directory/teaching_extras/calendars/
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/calendar/
Then schedule some baking days, crafting days, and shopping days. Do this in pencils since life often gets in the way and schedules need adjusted.
Calendar Pages
http://familycrafts.about.com/cs/calendars/a/122900a.htm
http://www.dltk-cards.com/calendar/
http://www.printablecalendar.ca/
http://www.abcteach.com/directory/teaching_extras/calendars/
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/calendar/
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Christmas Connection #3
You should at least by now, have something to keep track of your thoughts and ideas. A notebook, a binder, a composition book, whatever suits YOU. If not get one this week because you need a place to keep track of everything!
This week start getting all those summer photos of vacations and pool time downloaded and off your digital camera to free up the memory for the upcoming school dances, Halloween parties, Thanksgiving feasts, and, of course, Christmas activities and Christmas day. If you are using a 35mm camera then start buying rolls of film.
Continue to work on your gift list for ideas, etc. Work on your list of the things you are going to make and the people you are planning on making things for. If you are making things, start your planning process to decide what to do. At minimum, begin to look through your idea books and notes to see what you want to do.
Work on a list of activities you want to do or that the kids cherish. Just write the list down for now... seeing Santa at the mall, Christmas caroling, baking, donating to charity, etc.
This week start getting all those summer photos of vacations and pool time downloaded and off your digital camera to free up the memory for the upcoming school dances, Halloween parties, Thanksgiving feasts, and, of course, Christmas activities and Christmas day. If you are using a 35mm camera then start buying rolls of film.
Continue to work on your gift list for ideas, etc. Work on your list of the things you are going to make and the people you are planning on making things for. If you are making things, start your planning process to decide what to do. At minimum, begin to look through your idea books and notes to see what you want to do.
Work on a list of activities you want to do or that the kids cherish. Just write the list down for now... seeing Santa at the mall, Christmas caroling, baking, donating to charity, etc.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Christmas Connection #2
Start to get an idea(s) to what you need. Look at your budget. Do you need ideas for presents? Do you need ideas for cards and tags or do you have the perfect one ready to make?
Write up the gift list. Write every family, friend, colleague, group you purchase for. This includes your children, spouse, children's class mates, swaps, etc.
Write down any ideas you have for gifts. If you have already bought gifts get them written down in your notebook now.
If creating your own wrapping paper, get the all the supplies bought such as ribbon/twine, Kraft paper, stamps, stickers, etc.
If creating your own cards and tags, get all the supplies bought such as cardstock, stickers, embellishments, stamps, ink, etc.
Next week there will be another challenge/assignment so we can all get planning for Christmas. This is to help us make things easier in our lives.
If you altered your book/binder that you got last week, please share what you did.
Write up the gift list. Write every family, friend, colleague, group you purchase for. This includes your children, spouse, children's class mates, swaps, etc.
Write down any ideas you have for gifts. If you have already bought gifts get them written down in your notebook now.
If creating your own wrapping paper, get the all the supplies bought such as ribbon/twine, Kraft paper, stamps, stickers, etc.
If creating your own cards and tags, get all the supplies bought such as cardstock, stickers, embellishments, stamps, ink, etc.
Next week there will be another challenge/assignment so we can all get planning for Christmas. This is to help us make things easier in our lives.
If you altered your book/binder that you got last week, please share what you did.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Christmas Connection
Instead of waiting until fall to get started, let's get started early this year. Just imagine how organized you will be, how much more can be done, how relaxed you will fill when Christmas time gets here.
These challenges are posted help us get ready for Christmas (or whatever holiday(s) you celebrate). We will be planning, getting presents picked out, gifts made, cards made, tags made, things to help you get ready for that fun, special day.
Your First Assignment
Get a notebook/binder. You can alter it, if you wish. You might want to find something you can use for dividers too. This notebook will fill up fast so find something that will hold enough paper to write all your stuff down. Go find a special pen just for this notebook.
Make your dividers. Your list may look like this. Make the dividers to fit YOUR needs.
Gifts - include bought and handmade
Cards - store bought or hand made
Tags & wrapping stuff - buying or making
Decorations - how are you going to decorate
Parties - attending or planning
Baking - buying or making
Shopping List
Inventory - where are all the decorations stored
These challenges are posted help us get ready for Christmas (or whatever holiday(s) you celebrate). We will be planning, getting presents picked out, gifts made, cards made, tags made, things to help you get ready for that fun, special day.
Your First Assignment
Get a notebook/binder. You can alter it, if you wish. You might want to find something you can use for dividers too. This notebook will fill up fast so find something that will hold enough paper to write all your stuff down. Go find a special pen just for this notebook.
Make your dividers. Your list may look like this. Make the dividers to fit YOUR needs.
Gifts - include bought and handmade
Cards - store bought or hand made
Tags & wrapping stuff - buying or making
Decorations - how are you going to decorate
Parties - attending or planning
Baking - buying or making
Shopping List
Inventory - where are all the decorations stored
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Get Organized Now for Christmas - Day 19 - Baking
One of my favorite things to do every year is to bake things for other people and to have baked treats at home.
Many cookie doughs, cakes, pies and candies can be made ahead and frozen. Even if you do not want to freeze some items you can mix up the dry ingredients ahead of time and they will be ready for you to mix with the wet ingredients and bake. There are definite time savers that you can put into action for your holiday baking with just a little planning.
It is important to plan. What items do you want to give? Narrow it down to one or two items for person/family to help make baking your gifts a little easier. What type of packaging will you use? How do you plan to deliver the gifts? Add your notes and ideas to your notebook.
When do you plan to deliver/mail your baked gifts? Mark your calendars now.
Plan a day or two to do all of your baking. Schedule an extra day or two in case of scheduling conflicts.
An idea:
Think about organizing a day devoted to this task and involve your family and friends followed with a dinner from the crockpot and a few "samples" from your baking gifts for dessert.
Many cookie doughs, cakes, pies and candies can be made ahead and frozen. Even if you do not want to freeze some items you can mix up the dry ingredients ahead of time and they will be ready for you to mix with the wet ingredients and bake. There are definite time savers that you can put into action for your holiday baking with just a little planning.
It is important to plan. What items do you want to give? Narrow it down to one or two items for person/family to help make baking your gifts a little easier. What type of packaging will you use? How do you plan to deliver the gifts? Add your notes and ideas to your notebook.
When do you plan to deliver/mail your baked gifts? Mark your calendars now.
Plan a day or two to do all of your baking. Schedule an extra day or two in case of scheduling conflicts.
An idea:
Think about organizing a day devoted to this task and involve your family and friends followed with a dinner from the crockpot and a few "samples" from your baking gifts for dessert.
Friday, November 7, 2008
Get Organized Now for Christmas - Day 18 - Crafting
Does this sound like your house . . . fabric piled high in one corner, yarn piled in a basket, soap making supplies spilling off the shelf and scrapbook supplies tower over you? Many of us purchase items to make gifts for others, yet not all of us give the gifts because we do not get around to making these special items.
Now is the time to start planning what you want to make and who to make it for. To help get a handle on your crafting for the holidays here are several steps to follow:
Examine your gift list and mark the people you think would appreciate your handmade gifts from the heart. Be honest with yourself about the people you mark -- not everyone appreciates or values the time and dedication it takes to handcraft a gift.
As you go through your supplies use two boxes to sort your craft supplies. In one box put items you want to use for this year's holiday crafts. In the other one put items you will not use. Take the second box to a senior center, day care center, public library, Girl Scout troop, or preschool where those supplies will get used. It will also clear out much needed space in your house while serving a useful service for a group who could put them to good use.
Make a list of things you would like to make for the holidays. Add this list to your notebook.
Make a list of needed items to complete each craft. Make a notation indicating which items you need to purchase and which you have on hand.
On your calendar select days to work on different crafts to ensure you have your gifts completed by the needed date. Give yourself an extra day or two in case of scheduling conflicts.
Now is the time to start planning what you want to make and who to make it for. To help get a handle on your crafting for the holidays here are several steps to follow:
Examine your gift list and mark the people you think would appreciate your handmade gifts from the heart. Be honest with yourself about the people you mark -- not everyone appreciates or values the time and dedication it takes to handcraft a gift.
As you go through your supplies use two boxes to sort your craft supplies. In one box put items you want to use for this year's holiday crafts. In the other one put items you will not use. Take the second box to a senior center, day care center, public library, Girl Scout troop, or preschool where those supplies will get used. It will also clear out much needed space in your house while serving a useful service for a group who could put them to good use.
Make a list of things you would like to make for the holidays. Add this list to your notebook.
Make a list of needed items to complete each craft. Make a notation indicating which items you need to purchase and which you have on hand.
On your calendar select days to work on different crafts to ensure you have your gifts completed by the needed date. Give yourself an extra day or two in case of scheduling conflicts.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Get Organized Now for Christmas - Day 17 - Traveling
If you plan to travel during the holidays, now is the time to finalize your plans and book your flights & accommodations. Make any other travel arrangements like informing your sister that you are coming, buying a special game for the kids to keep them entertained while traveling, and gathering all your medical cards & medical information (in case of emergency).
Shop now for any accessories you might need during your travel.
Write down your packing list so you don't forget anything. Take the
list with you in your luggage so you remember everything to bring
back home.
Shop now for any accessories you might need during your travel.
Write down your packing list so you don't forget anything. Take the
list with you in your luggage so you remember everything to bring
back home.
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Get Organized Now for Christmas - Day 12 - Cooking
Flip through the cooking section of your notebook. Take out any recipes you tried that you &/or the family didn't like. Add notes to the recipes you do like, such as 'add more cheese next time' or 'needs more peppermint.'
If you want to try something new for Thanksgiving or Christmas Day, try it now to make sure the family will like it.
If you want to try something new for Thanksgiving or Christmas Day, try it now to make sure the family will like it.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Get Organized Now for Christmas - Day 9 - General Budgeting
As the economy gets more uncertain everyday some may be dreading Christmas because of what you feel you cannot do because of money issues. Money does not equal a merry Christmas. Having a merry Christmas comes from within . . . Christmas is a time about sharing love and time with family and friends and there are many ways to reduce the cost of the holiday season.
Budget is a word many people want to forget at Christmas-time, but it is an important part of our holiday celebration.
To come up with a realistic figure to work with for holiday shopping this year, crunch your numbers. Be realistic about the amount. Dave Ramsey recommends a plan that I have adapted where you write down all the different things you need to purchase for the Christmas season. Examples may include baking ingredients, photographs, activities, charity donations, church donations, clothing, hostess gifts, decorations, postage,
Christmas cards, and gifts. Add any items items you normally spend money on during the holidays.
Gifts need a sheet all to itself. On your this page, break down the types of
gifts you give, such as, gifts for home, gifts for immediate family outside of home, gifts for extended family, stocking gifts, gifts for friends, gifts for teachers, gifts for church family, etc. This will help give you an idea of everyone you would like to give gifts so you can judge whom to cross off the gift list when money gets tight.
Now that you have your categories, divide up the amount of money you have to spend on Christmas and budget each section out. Your total budget has to match the CASH you have on hand.
Remember that you do not have to spend a lot of money to have a wonderful Christmas season— gifts come in many forms throughout the season.
Budget is a word many people want to forget at Christmas-time, but it is an important part of our holiday celebration.
To come up with a realistic figure to work with for holiday shopping this year, crunch your numbers. Be realistic about the amount. Dave Ramsey recommends a plan that I have adapted where you write down all the different things you need to purchase for the Christmas season. Examples may include baking ingredients, photographs, activities, charity donations, church donations, clothing, hostess gifts, decorations, postage,
Christmas cards, and gifts. Add any items items you normally spend money on during the holidays.
Gifts need a sheet all to itself. On your this page, break down the types of
gifts you give, such as, gifts for home, gifts for immediate family outside of home, gifts for extended family, stocking gifts, gifts for friends, gifts for teachers, gifts for church family, etc. This will help give you an idea of everyone you would like to give gifts so you can judge whom to cross off the gift list when money gets tight.
Now that you have your categories, divide up the amount of money you have to spend on Christmas and budget each section out. Your total budget has to match the CASH you have on hand.
Remember that you do not have to spend a lot of money to have a wonderful Christmas season— gifts come in many forms throughout the season.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Get Organized Now for Christmas - Day 8 - Activity and Event Planning
Get out the calendar and look ahead to all the upcoming events and parties you will be attending.
Make a list of all of the places you are going, especially those places where you'll be expected to bring a dish. List each dish you will be making and gather all of the ingredients. Do you have everything you need? Do the shopping now (or schedule it now) for the missing ingredients so won't have to rush out at the last minute.
Are you hosting an event this year . . . a cookie exchange, an open house, a dinner? Plan your menu. Schedule your shopping, crafting, cooking, and baking days.
Remember no matter how big or small the activity or event mark it down on your calendar.
Activities play an important part of most people's holiday celebrations and traditions. In your Christmas Notebook, journal about the following:
Make a list of all of the places you are going, especially those places where you'll be expected to bring a dish. List each dish you will be making and gather all of the ingredients. Do you have everything you need? Do the shopping now (or schedule it now) for the missing ingredients so won't have to rush out at the last minute.
Are you hosting an event this year . . . a cookie exchange, an open house, a dinner? Plan your menu. Schedule your shopping, crafting, cooking, and baking days.
Remember no matter how big or small the activity or event mark it down on your calendar.
Activities play an important part of most people's holiday celebrations and traditions. In your Christmas Notebook, journal about the following:
- Write down all the holiday activities you and your family did last year. Be sure to include church, school, community, and family activities.
- What activities are a must for our family every year?
- Are there new activities that I would really like to do this year?
- Ask every member of your immediate family what their three favorite activities are during the Christmas season and write it in your notebook. Incorporate at least one thing from everyone's list into your holiday planning. Remember this is their Christmas too!
- What things from your childhood do you remember doing? Is this something you could do today?
These questions will help determine what activities to add to your calendar for this Christmas season.
Some ideas for activities at home:
Christmas Parties
Cookie Baking Night
Cookie Exchange
Movie Night
Gift Wrapping Night
Dinner with the Family
Christmas Pictures at Your House
Happy Birthday Jesus Party
Christmas Open House
Advent Activities
Pot Luck Christmas Meal
Christmas Caroling
Plus many more . . .
Monday, October 27, 2008
Get Organized Now for Christmas - Day 7 - Cards, Cards, Cards
Make your card list, including friends, family, colleagues, children's friends, church family, teachers, school staff, children's classmates, online groups, mailman, hair dresser, sorority sisters, high school friends, neighbors, -- all those people who you want to keep in touch with. Complete your list as thoroughly as you can.
Next, rate the people on your card list:
A = have to send
B = want to send
C = would like to send
Then, go around your house with a basket and gather up all of your address books, old Christmas card envelopes, scraps of paper, etc., to get the addresses for your cards. Transfer the updated addresses to your address system (whether it be a computer address book, file cards, or hand-written address book).
When making or addressing your cards you will start with group A. If you have time during the Christmas season, then move on to group B and then group C.
If you decide to hand-make your cards, create a card now to see how time-consuming the individual cards are and to see if you have the supplies you need. If you are buying your cards, purchase them this week.
If creating your own cards, determine how many you need (see above) and what date you want to have all your cards mailed. Remember that cards going overseas need mailed 1 to 2 weeks earlier to arrive in time for Christmas. Divide the number of cards needed by how many weeks are left (depending on your own personal due date). For example, if mailing on December 6th you have 4 weeks (from today) to create your cards, so each week you should be creating 50 cards if you are mailing 200 cards total. This means each day you should create 7-8 cards.
Use the same formula above to determine how many cards need addressed and stamped each day.
Next, rate the people on your card list:
A = have to send
B = want to send
C = would like to send
Then, go around your house with a basket and gather up all of your address books, old Christmas card envelopes, scraps of paper, etc., to get the addresses for your cards. Transfer the updated addresses to your address system (whether it be a computer address book, file cards, or hand-written address book).
When making or addressing your cards you will start with group A. If you have time during the Christmas season, then move on to group B and then group C.
If you decide to hand-make your cards, create a card now to see how time-consuming the individual cards are and to see if you have the supplies you need. If you are buying your cards, purchase them this week.
If creating your own cards, determine how many you need (see above) and what date you want to have all your cards mailed. Remember that cards going overseas need mailed 1 to 2 weeks earlier to arrive in time for Christmas. Divide the number of cards needed by how many weeks are left (depending on your own personal due date). For example, if mailing on December 6th you have 4 weeks (from today) to create your cards, so each week you should be creating 50 cards if you are mailing 200 cards total. This means each day you should create 7-8 cards.
Use the same formula above to determine how many cards need addressed and stamped each day.
Friday, October 24, 2008
Get Organized Now for Christmas - Day 4 - Create Christmas Calendar
Your Christmas Calendar will serve as your road map for the upcoming season. Add the calendar pages to your Christmas Notebook.
The calendar is one of the most important aspects of holiday planning. There are many Internet sites (see bottom of post) that have free calendar programs where you can print customized calendars. Or you can create your own calendar. Make the squares for each day are big enough to add comments and events.
Print out a monthly calendar for each month, October through January. Its easier if you do one month per page so you have lots of writing room. What kind of grid/calendar you use is based solely on personal preference.
Input birthdays, anniversaries, school events, lay-a-way payment due dates, holiday break for the kids, parties you plan on attending, the date of the annual Open House, the date of the Cookie Exchange, and days off from work.
You need to schedule time on your calendar to work on projects. Make a list of all the things that need to be done during the Christmas season and make sure they get a date on your calendar not only to work on it but also for completion. Mark the due date for these projects. Add baking time, crafting time, and shopping time. Don't forget to add time for wrapping gifts because that is a big project. Other projects may include decorating your tree, making and mailing Christmas cards, mailing Christmas packages, due date for the Angel Tree gifts, getting annual Christmas photographs taken, etc.
There is one thing you should not over look in order to help your stress during this Christmas season - you must actually do what is on your calendar! Even by accomplishing one or two of your tasks on your calendar will help lessen the stress of the holiday.
Below are various free printable calendar pages: http://familycrafts.about.com/cs/calendars/a/122900a.htm
http://www.dltk-cards.com/calendar/
http://www.printablecalendar.ca/
http://www.abcteach.com/directory/teaching_extras/calendars/
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/calendar/
http://www.printfree.com/Calendars.htm
http://www.myfreecalendarmaker.com/
http://www.printablecalendar.ca/
http://calendarhome.com/free/
http://www.mycalendarmaker.com/
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Get Organized Now for Christmas - Day 3 - Create Christmas Organization Notebook
A Christmas Organization Notebook is a necessary item so you have a blue print of your holiday plans, goals, and dreams all together at your fingertips.
A Christmas Organization Notebook can be whatever kind of notebook you would prefer. Ideas include index card file box, recipe file box, file box w/ folders, magazine holder w/ folders, 3-ring binder, "old-fashioned school" notebook, composition book, or a portfolio. I like a 3-ring binder because I can easily add papers and items as needed.
Your Christmas Notebook is the backbone of your organization for the holiday season.
It is highly recommend that you use both your computer and a three ring binder to create your notebook. Use the computer to sort through your ideas, lists, etc., and then print them out and put the pages into your binder.
Everyone's notebook will be different because everyone has their own traditions and celebrations during the holiday season. What I share is based on using a 3-ring binder because that is what I use. Use what works for you.
Things needed for your notebook:
3-ring binder
3 hole punch
Dividers with tabs
Pockets/page protectors/envelopes for loose items such as receipts
Notebook paper
Zippered pouch/page protector to hold pens, pencils and other loose items Calendar
Label the dividers. Your list may look like this. Make the dividers to fit your needs.
A Christmas Organization Notebook can be whatever kind of notebook you would prefer. Ideas include index card file box, recipe file box, file box w/ folders, magazine holder w/ folders, 3-ring binder, "old-fashioned school" notebook, composition book, or a portfolio. I like a 3-ring binder because I can easily add papers and items as needed.
Your Christmas Notebook is the backbone of your organization for the holiday season.
It is highly recommend that you use both your computer and a three ring binder to create your notebook. Use the computer to sort through your ideas, lists, etc., and then print them out and put the pages into your binder.
Everyone's notebook will be different because everyone has their own traditions and celebrations during the holiday season. What I share is based on using a 3-ring binder because that is what I use. Use what works for you.
Things needed for your notebook:
3-ring binder
3 hole punch
Dividers with tabs
Pockets/page protectors/envelopes for loose items such as receipts
Notebook paper
Zippered pouch/page protector to hold pens, pencils and other loose items Calendar
Label the dividers. Your list may look like this. Make the dividers to fit your needs.
- Gifts - gift lists
- Cards - annual card mailing list, copy of cards sent each year
- Decorations - blue prints of each room so you can plan where to put each tree
- Calendar - mark parties planning on attending, schedule baking and crafting times
- Menu - what are you cooking for Thanksgiving, what snacks will you have for the annual Open House
- Kids Activities
- Shopping Lists
- Inventory - where are all the decorations stored
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