Making a List

I hope none of you are sitting around out there thinking "it's not even Thanksgiving yet, I have plenty of time to get ready for Christmas!" Because if so, and you have a family, you are already way behind. I spoke with my Grandma two weeks ago and she asked me how my Christmas shopping was going just so she could tell me that she's already done with hers. Now, because she's old and feeble, she's working on wrapping the presents, a few each day. She buys a present for each of her 7 children, plus their spouses, plus her 30 to 40 grandchildren, plus her great-grandchildren. That sounds exhausting. Not to worry, she's almost done wrapping.

As a helpful reminder for all of us, especially family members who like to procrastinate and then panic and run around like the proverbial chicken the last week of Christmas, frustrating everyone, I've composed a preparations check list. I will tell you ahead of time that I don't want to hear any whining about simplifying. Simplifying means you prepare early so you can relax and enjoy the holiday when it gets here.

Here's your early preparations check list:

Christmas Cards-This is such an important and festive aspect of the holidays. If you think sending out a quick, dingy photo of your kids made into a glossy Christmas card, mass mailed, is all it takes, I will refer you these words of wisdom Christmas Card Sending 101. And may I add that a papery or homemade card wins over a photo printed Costco card any day.

Here's what you should be doing to be ready: have a family photo taken to be used in the card. That involves planning and possibly shopping for what outfits you will all wear, booking a photographer, picking a location, and convincing your children to get dressed up on a day other than Sunday morning. After that it's in God's hands. I will admit that while I have outfits planned and a photographer, I didn't get the photo taken before the terrible (terribly enjoyable) weather moved in! Now I think I will have to have our family photo taken in front of the Christmas tree, which means I will have to have the tree up and decorated first. This makes me nervous as I like to have our family photo done and over with before Thanksgiving. Wish me luck.

These photos are meant to show you how much my family loves getting their picture taken.


If you would like to include a family update letter, start writing it now so that you aren't tempted to skip this step when you are in a hurry. It's true, I don't mind and even kind of like family brag letters. If I don't want to read it, I don't have to. Otherwise I like hearing what people without blogs are up to.

After the photo and letter, consider what card you will send out. If you pre-bought cards on the after-Christmas sale, well then you are all ready to go. If you make your own cards, and I do not, you have your work cut out for you. If you need to go buy cards, buy more than you think you need, do it now, and start addressing immediately. If you are more in the mood after Thanksgiving, fine, brush up your list now and start immediately after Thanksgiving.

Shopping- What can be said? Whether you are "keeping things simple this year", wise, or going a little crazy, bragger, make a list and stick to it. There is no reason to wait to shop. Set a goal to have it all done by the end of the day on Black Monday. Get an early jump on out-of-town relatives. Otherwise you'll question your holiday spirit while waiting in postal lines and paying for express shipping. [This means you Gayle.] You are allowed to put off stocking-stuffers until the last week of Christmas. I like getting caught up in the last minute excitement when there is no real pressure.

I don't know how to take a good photo of a lit tree. This doesn't capture it's glory.

Decorations- I can not put a single decoration up before Thanksgiving. But come Friday the 26th, all will all be pulled out. If you are going to go to the hassle of decorating, do it early enough for you to enjoy it all season.

Still getting a few more miles from these treat box photos:

Friends and Neighbor Gifts- by this I mean Christmas treats dropped off at doors, small homemade gifts, or thoughtful, useful items. This is a great time to plan what you will do. I break down my holiday baking into several sessions because I like that kind of thing. If you do not, if it stresses you out, no one really wants your baked goods that bad anyways. Skip this step, drop off a card, or buy something small and holiday-ish to give out instead. What I am saying it if you like it, plan for it now. Otherwise, simplify. There! I said it!

**A word to the wise: I love homemade gifts at Christmas. They capture the spirit of the holiday. If you would like to make homemade gifts this holiday, they must be finished early. Starting them the last week before Christmas, and driving your family crazy in the process, defeats the purpose of a homemade gift. It can't be said enough: start early or skip it.

My boys kickin back sodas at the kids' table.

Holiday Parties- if you are throwing one, do I even need to say it? Plan now. If it is going to be fun, invite me. If you are attending several parties, what do you plan on wearing?

Do you know what I find frustrating? Everyone wants to have their holiday parties early "because it gets too crazy closer to Christmas". So much so that it is busier for us early in the season. One year all our parties, friends, work, church, were over with by the 8th of December. The weeks before Christmas felt a little anti-climatic. If you are so prepared that you find yourself with extra time on your hands, well then go ahead and throw and little last minute party. You've earned it.

Look for a Service/Giving Opportunity - it shouldn't be hard this year. If you've been blessed, I know you'll want to take the time to help others. The worse is when Christmas gets here and you realize that while you thought about it all season, you never actually did anything above and beyond for someone else. What's the point?!

Now if you'll excuse me, I have a sizable list of things to do. All the preparations, when not rushed and stressed, are half the fun of Christmas. If you dread it, you're missing the point. I am saying this because if you do not enjoy any of the above mentioned, if it just a list of obligations that stress you out, then don't do it. Don't do any of it. Life will go on without all the details. But if it is your thing, don't wait.

Rachel's handiwork.

Keeping in mind that this is my early list, have I missed anything?

Because Rachel is always asking, what are some of your favorite small friend/neighbors gifts that you've been given?

What preparation do you enjoy most?


Bonus Question: Every other year Justin makes a DVD of family videos and photos and sends them out to family and maybe a few close friends. Seeing how we already have a family blog, should he bother this year? Will anyone watch it to make it worth his time?