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I got a takeout coffee last week.
For those of you in Italy, Portugal and the like, a takeout coffee is a coffee they give you in a paper cup that you leave the coffee shop with. You do not have to bring the cup back.
So, to further explain you buy a coffee and then … you take it out into the world with you. Takeout coffee.
You can take it with you wherever you’re going. To another store or on a walk or to the mall. If you aren’t familiar with malls, they’re just like hell but instead of fire and brimstone, there’s teenagers and fluorescent lighting. And Cinnabon.
You do not have to relax in the cafe you purchased the coffee in. The concept of the takeout coffee allows you to maintain your rapid fire North American pace of a chihuahua on speed.
Now that I’ve cleared that up I’ll get back to my story. I got a coffee last week that came in a holiday cup. It was a deep red with white snowflakes all over it. It screamed CHRISTMAS IS COMING!!!!
And then *I* screamed CHRISTMAS IS COMING!!!! Right there in the coffee shop.
So it is with great sadness that I must tell you … it’s time to take the 30 day Christmas Pledge.
It was one year ago, almost to the day, that I announced last year’s Christmas Pledge and invited you to take the challenge with me. The challenge I present you with, is to get all the crap you need to get done for the holidays, before the holidays. Within the next 30 days to be precise. That will give you the entire month of December to actually enjoy the holidays. To embrace them instead of dread them.
If you take my 30 day Christmas Pledge, by December 5th you will be done everything you need to do. Your present buying, your house decorating, your Christmas Card sending … all of it. Freeing up the entire month of December to do stuff you want to do. Create a life sized Gingerbread House? You can do it. Knit your pets leisure suits out of cooked spaghetti? You can do it.
The possibilities are endless when you take the Christmas Pledge.
So take the Christmas pledge with me …
“I, (insert name here) being of sound mind and slightly jiggly body, agree to take the Christmas Pledge. I pledge to get all the crap done I need to, by December 5th. And then I will lounge and eat chips.”
This pledge is applicable to Hanukkah or Kwanza or whatever other holiday you celebrate that seems to last for a month.
I will be keeping you updated as to my progress (I actually hope to be done by Sunday, December 2nd but I’m an overachiever like that) and I expect you to do the same. Come the first week in December, I plan to be full of Christmas cheer and as far away from hell as possible.
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Kirsten
I started in August- since I work customer service in one of your aforementioned hells, I wanted to get it out of the way as soon as possible! Not quite done yet, though – but I credit you for planting the idea of starting early, since I saw this pledge last year.
Sam
#*:* no! I still have pumpkins on my front porch for crying out loud! I’m not pledging a damned thing until my massive Guy Faulk-mask wearing gargoils are put away…
I refuse to look at any *#:#ing sparkly snowflakes for at least 2 more weeks! Then god help anything that’s not tied down… For it will become sparkled!!!.
Is there a “lol” for “swear out loud”, because that’s what I did when I saw your post! Lol
Laura Bee
SOL is already taken, and that’s where I usually am when it comes to getting ready on time. COL (Cursing Out Loud!) SLADS (Swearing Like A Drunken Sailor!)
Kim
I think the acronym you are looking for is “WTF” or edited for print “WTH”
Thinking I spewed my coffee over Christmas pledge already upon us… WTF??
Angela
I’m still living overseas, so I definitely have to take the Christmas pledge again. Christmas cards are usually my biggest problem, since I have to have them shipped to me and then put them together and mail them back to ‘Merica. And I’m planning on buying a few of my daughter’s gifts the day after Thanksgiving, so I’ll have to wait for them to be shipped before I can get them wrapped up and such. It’s a good thing she’s so cute, because she sure makes Christmas more complicated!
Laura
Oh this made such a difference for me last year!!! I will, of course, take the pledge again!
Kristina
I can’t participate. I gave up Christmas for Lent.
KiwiKat
I have lights up that have been up since last year – they are solar powered and make me smile each night when they come on, so I figure why not? I live alone, so it’s not like anyone has a go at me about them, and the cat really doesn’t care either way, as long as he is fed. I refuse to put up the tree before 1 December, but it only takes a couple of hours to decorate my whole house. Christmas is fairly low-key in my family anyway, so no stress, no fuss is the way to go!
Spokangela
Boy am I glad you cleared THAT up… I was certian that was a real starbucks cup.
It is really nice to picture myself actually getting the Christmas madness out of the way and knitting things with spaghetti… but I know it will take me years to even come close.
But, I will tell you that your pledge last year inspired me to at least try to be a bit more on top of things this year and I am happy to announce that I actually bought a Christmas gift already!!
This is the earliest I have ever done that so if every year I add a task: add the 10 or so other people I buy for plus baking plus decorating plus cards I should have it DOWN by 2027!! Not bad…
Karen
Not bad at all. Almost fanatical even! Look at you go! ~ karen
Perfecting Pru
I took the pledge last year and am very happy to take it again. Here’s to a hell-less December!
Pru
Heather
Hmmm… A pledge you say?? Before pledging something I need more details please. It seems this is a type of pledge that might have very fine print and a lot of clauses.
Erica Filpi
Thank you, thank you, thank you. My friends all laugh at me because my Xmas cards are always sent out on Black Friday and my Christmas shopping is generally finished by the first week in December. I’m not alone, woohoo.
Merle Lambert
What happened to decorating for Thanksgiving? I like to leave my pumpkins and other Fall decorations through Thanksgiving Day…and then it’s ON. “Black Friday” shopping; Saturday, put up the tree and start decorating the house inside and out. I like to save some shopping for the last week before Christmas, it ramps up the excitement. It does sound like a lot to do in a short time, but everyone in the household is involved (6 of us), so we love it. The day after New Years Day, everything comes down!
Karen
Merle – That’s fine you can shop and do decorating at the end of November after Thanksgiving. Prior to that you can make lists of what you want to buy, buy all of your wrapping paper, write out and stamp all of your Christmas cards etc. etc. See? Never a moment wasted. ~ karen
ev
Though I certainly sympathize with Sam, gotta confess that last night I started making Christmas cards! I got some new dies for my machine and want to actually enjoy the process this year instead of looking over my shoulder at the dreaded calendar! And I too have Halloween pumpkins and other such stuff still around me. And might even have to decorate for Thanksgiving this year yet. My small grandchildren are now old enough to get into such things.
Anyway, I am taking the pledge as of now. Thanks for lighting the fire, Karen!
Tiinity
Could escaping xmas also count..?
Rachel
I went into the grocery store yesterday and it was full-on christmas…looked like Santa had thrown up in isle 7. I’m going to Floriad for a week, hopefully it’s not Christmas there yet!
Janel@nelliebellie
I do swear…come hell or high water. Come thanksgiving and family. Come sickness and exhaustion. To get my Christmas on and done in…(gulp) 30 days.
okay…no lies. I did crossies.
Beckie
I try to do my holidays one at a time…thus it will be after American Thanksgiving that I begin my holiday freak-fest…but I generally do well…I make a list =D
good luck on your challenge…er…plan!!
ktr
That is why online shopping was created – so I can avoid hell all year long!
Shannon
For those of us *lucky* enough to have a Wal-mart nearby we have been seeing Christmas crap since the back-to-school supplies were depleted (which of course began before school was out last year!) ! A big thank you to big business for *reminding* us that the Holidays were only 4 months away!
Side note: Count me in..I’m a glutton for punishment, I have 5 children and out of town relatives coming to stay for the month of December, but I know it’ll be worth it!
Jennifer R
I am so going to do this! I’ve started and the presents are stashed in the trunk of the car as we speak…..
Elle
I would take the pledge only my mind is “slightly jiggly” as well… so I don’t qualify (though I already know what we’re having for Xmas dinner except for the dessert. And I might venture to make my own alcoholic apple cider this year. Who knows)
PS since I don’t live in North America anymore I miss Cinnabons terribly. I’ve tried baking them at home but nothing even comes close.
Laura Bee
But no decorating here until after my daughter’s b-day on the 19th – is that enough time? I already started presents this summer. I want to believe it can be done this year. I do solemly swear I will try.
Bonnie
But, but, but, if I take the pledge, how can I partake in the annual, “I have no idea what to get my siblings this year, Marathon” which occurs on or about Dec. 15th, sponsored by my husband?
Never mind the 12 + months preceding the “event” which in most cases should have been ample prep time. No, in this house we need the sweaty-forehead, tremors, and hand-wringing up until it is too late for overnight delivery.
I really would LOVE to join in this year’s pledge, but somehow I think it is against some sort of familial religious belief.
karol
Tree up, gift list done, most of the gifts purchased. Check, check, and check! My middle name is DucksInaRow, so I’m way ahead of the game. My personal challenge is to have it all done by Thanksgiving, and find a way to keep my 10 month old granddaughter out of my tree. Then it’s eggnog time.
Tris
I, Tris, being of sound mind and slightly jiggly body, agree to take the Christmas Pledge. I pledge to get all the crap done I need to, by December 5th. And then I will lounge and eat chips. If I, Tris, become ill during said time period with the flu that always seems to hit my household and therefore am not of sound mind and slightly jiggly body but of fevered mind and mucus dripping body, then all bets are off.
Ann
Can’t do it this year. We are having a sunroom addition put on the house sometime between now and Christmas making it impossible to try and decorate before then. Plus I am not doing any sweets baking this year due to my new dietary lifestyle.
So all I have to do before the big day is to finishing knitting 2 hoodies, 2 pair of socks, a scarf, several hotpad sets and whatever else I decide in a panic I need to give as gifts!
Rose
I need Help!
Is there some such schedule or list that I should be making? How the heck do you get started on this epic quest? My BIGGEST hurdle is those darn Christmas cards! I go soooo close last year, I actually was addressing them, but they never made it to the post office.
“I, Rose being of somewhat sound mind and very jiggly body, agree to take the Christmas Pledge. I pledge to get all the crap done I need to, by December 5th. And then I will lounge and eat chips.”
Karen
Congratulations Rose. Admitting you have a problem is always the first step. Now you’re on the road to frantic Christmas recovery. ~ karen!
Reg
Ahhh, but you would miss the hustle and bustle of the crowds in malls, the Christmas music blaring in every store, trying to find a parking spot at said mall, the oh dear they don’t have it in the size I need, what is again that my grandson wants and it’s HOW MUCH?
Then there is the possibility of a snow dump that will make everyone merry and bright. Every year I say to myself I will start early but I really don’t want to be looking at Christmas decorations in the house for a whole month. By Dec. 26th I want it gone. It’s bad enough stores start bringing out Christmas stuff before Hallowe’en.
I’ll probably one of those people circling the parking lot of some mall Dec.20th. looking for a spot closer than than a mile away and cursing the guy in the truck with reindeer antlers on the hood.
On second thought maybe I will consider taking the pledge.
Pilar
Hello Karen. First I want to express you my sincere admiration for your work and my gratitude for sharing with us so many good ideas an thoughts.
But let me introduce myself: I’m an in Austria living spanish woman (by the way, excuse my gramatical faults!). I came 17 years ago for holidays and went to have a walk in the small town where I was hosted. I saw a hen family crossing the street, walking allong without fear of any danger that might happen. This was a flash experience for me and I thought in this moment: this must be a good place to stay, to marry and to have a child. And that’s what I did two years later! But since then, I’m trying to keep for my family both traditions -the austrian and the spanish-, more or less successfull. Anyway it is allways a very difficult time for my to have my work done until christmas. This year I will follow your plan in the hope, that chrismas will be also for me a peacefull holiday! Thank you Karen!
Karen
You’re welcome Pilar! And it’ll be worth the work now. Trust me. ~ karen!
Ellen
Pilar…but WHY was the chicken crossing the road??
(this is an old old joke….)
DonnaBoo
Ok. American here, so I have Thanksgiving added to the holiday mix. Plus my birthday. Plus a trip from Dec 6-15th.
I’m going for it. My December jacket may resemble a straitjacket, but what the hell.
Pati
You sound like me, DonnaBoo !! T-Day,my birthday AND a trip to N.C. from the 8th-the 16th! We WILL survive !!!
Thera
Seriously? It’s that time of year again?
-sighs-
But you are right Karen and a great motivator, so I will get my @ss in gear and get on board…
“I, Thera, being somewhat sound of mind and more than slightly jiggly body, agree to take the Christmas Pledge. I pledge to get all the crap done I need to, by December 5th. And then I will lounge and eat Hershey’s Kisses.”
SuzyM
Since Hanukkah begins on 12/8 I figure I’m toast already! Not a nice cinnamon swirl with cream cheese frosting toast, but white Wonder Bread, toast.
PS I’m trying to figure out how to make that sunflower garland around the entry mirror holiday glitzy. Would putting glitter on it work?
Karen
LOL. Yes. Sparkles always work. Tie some fishing line around a few dreidels and hang them off and you’re done! ~ karen
Janie Farmer
I’m physically and mentally unable to comply.
My brain says yes! But my body wonders why?
Shopped early but, don’t remember what I buy.
Not remembering where I put it always makes me cry.
Your pledge I read and heaved a great big sigh,
For in this land of after stroke……what was the question?
Terry Sears
Good post Karen, I printed off the pledge card and filled it out I will pin it up on my wife’s notice board. I will get her right on it.
Ok, don’t freak out just kidding. I love Xmas and do a lot to help out. I bake the treats, write the cards, I get the outdoor lights up, the tree is mine as well to put up and string the lights, (I get all the electrical stuff) but as a family we decorate it together one weekend when everyone is free to come over. I love to go shopping as well, my wife picks out all the appropriate thoughtful gifts and I tag along behind pointing out all the neat stuff that someone somewhere could use. I find that very satisfying knowing I have helped make someones Xmas just a little happier. But seriously Xmas is the best time of the year our family enjoys it immensely, a time for us to get together and enjoy each others company and lots of good food the planning and preparation is all part of that joy and anticipation but alas it passes all to quickly. Merry Preparation to you and the guy. As always thanks for another entertaining blog
Linda
Are you freaking kidding???!!! A fella who bakes AND shops AND enjoys the holidays?!! Would you consider starting a “Rent a Hubby” business? Just for a day of shopping and baking….as my Christmas present?
Rachele
I’m doin’ it this year! I am so ready. I made my list this weekend, and I’ve picked fabrics for some of my homesewn stuff. Only the baked goods will wait until the week of.
AmieM
Sounds like a plan, Stan!
I already have 1 stocking stuffer down, and am working on a group donation plan instead of friends presents this year. UNICEF is going to get a lot of action from my credit card this holiday season!
Also, the Man decided at midnight on Halloween that the spooky decorations must come down, now, and the Christmas ones must go up, now. So decorating is already halfway there!
Lori
Karen…KAREN….KAREN!!!!! my husband and I (mainly my husband but I always try to get in on his antics) tried this last year and it did not work! We tried and tried. Much to our dismay, you name kept coming up…day after day… “Karen would have this done by now”, “Karen is much better at this than we because she would have this done by now”…and on and on it went. I wonder if he (we’ll) try it again this year. He hats putting up lights in the freezing cold rainy snow of western Pennsylvania on Christmas eve! What are we going to do?
Pat
Yesterday my neighbour across the street put up his outdoor Christmas lights. I was making snide comments and now feel repentant as I am thinking he took “the pledge”. However, I think it is a bit early to have the Christmas lights actually blazing away in the B.C. rain but who am I to dampen his pre-Christmas spirit. Okay, maybe I’ll start the gift shopping. Weeelll, I guess I’ll take that stupid ole pledge.
Shelly McKay
Count me in!!!!
More time to stare at the tree while listening to the Andrews Sisters…….& sipping on a spiced rum & eggnog (or 2…..ok, ok……maybe 3) ;0)
Sue From Vermont
The Andrews Sisters rock! I also hereby (somewhat solemnly) pledge to get all of my ChristmaHannuQuanzzukah crap done by December 5th. Last year was the first time in 12 years that I didn’t send out my tongue-in-cheek family Christmas letter, and although I was relieved at the time, during this past year I’ve had so many people tell me how much they missed it! So depression be darned, I’m going to do my best to find my sense of humor again. Thanks for providing the jumping off point.
Patti
I took your pledge last year, Karen, and it made Christmas SUCH a joy, in comparison to the stressy chaotic thing Christmas usually is. So yes, I absolutely take the pledge! In fact, I just booked off November 23rd so my mom and I can go on our Christmas Shopping blitz. Booyeah!
I`m right with ya, sista!
Sarah A.
I’ll take the pledge! I tried last year, and missed it by a couple days. I can’t wait to lay around and eat chips!
Brenda J. M
Well… I got my first tattoo (last Thursday) and I will try this too. Not like you can “try” a tattoo…nuff said.
Jen
I have 6 vacation days I still need to use between now and Dec 24…instead of taking them the week before Christmas, I’ve decided to take them the first week of December so I can cross everything off my Christmas to-do list by then. I will join the pledge, because it really would be sweet to use those vacation days for lounging and eating chips.
Lights go up this weekend!
JebberA
Sorry. Can’t do it. I’m too busy growing a moustache.
Karen
Ahem. Well … that is … time consuming and strenuous. Especially if you’re a woman. O.k. You’re excused. ~ karen
qtpuh2tme
LOL! ~:D
ruth
I cannot pledge because I will surely fail. BUT, I will do some things, and I have some shopping already done. Good luck and great joy everyone!
Sarah in Illinois
I am 100% on board with this. I want to ENJOY Christmas! We are even cracking down on our Christmas budget, no more going into debt to give someone something they may not like or need.
However, I am putting my house on the market in the next 3 weeks so I may be a little stressed but I am going to do my darndest to take your pledge! If I go crazy between now and then, I will try to read your blog when they commit me!
Dana
I remembered!! I bought my Christmas cards last night and I SWEAR that I’m getting them addressed and signed before Thanksgiving! I will mail them Thanksgiving weekend so that I can be the first card on the mantle
And I plan to order all my stuff from Amazon. I hate shopping anyway and I have no plans to spend a single moment elbowing nasty people at the mall. I’ve been making canned goods for Christmas gifts all year long so I’m a little bit ahead – now if I can just get them to the danged post office by the 5th. Shoot, one year I handed out freshly home-processed 6 lb chickens as Christmas presents a mere week before and I’m not afraid to do it again. That’s a very practical handmade gift!
Tasha
I did it last year, and my husband did too. We loved it. You changed Christmas, and for the better.
This year, we’re doing it again. DH is all about it. AND my parents are leaving to go back to their place on December 4. We HAVE to be done shopping by then since they will be lugging up a lot of our stuff in preparation for our Christmas visit.
Lynne
Oh my. Potty mouth. You said the word CHR&*^#@$ so early in the season ??!! I hate you and love you, all at once.
Langela
My sound mind and jiggly body take the pledge. It’ll be so much easier this year. There is a huge rift between our family and my in-laws, so no presents for them and no visiting them! FREEDOM! I have not had a Christmas at home in 18 years and I am looking forward to it this year. All that to say, I have very few gifts to get and will have them done online by your deadline.
Langela
Btw, Karen, can I copy and paste your pledge onto my blog with a link back to you? It’s ok with me if you don’t want me to, just let me know.
Karen
Why wouldn’t I want you to, you loon? Go ahead! And congrats on your first Christmas at home in 18 years. You’ll love it! ~ karen
Treva
I took your pledge last year and almost got it all done on time. I nixed the baking at the last minute and didn’t send out cards but you gotta not do what you gotta not do- or something like that.
I just started playing hockey for the first time EVER last week so I, Treva, being of crazy mind and aching body, agree to take the Christmas Pledge. I pledge to get all the crap done I need to, by December 5th. And then I will lounge, drink buckets of wine and eat chips AND dip.
Ellen
I, Ellen, being of mostly sound mind & very jiggly body do solemnly pledge to have all the cr*p done by Dec 5….. But I might give myself a 1 week extension, cuz I have 2 horrendously busy weeks in mid November working on the biggest rummage sale in our city, & clearing away afterwards… But I’ll make a plan & try to stick to it…
Paula
I’m all in. I have several presents bought already and I actually have lists made for the rest. I can’t wait to enjoy the season.
mimiindublin
*humming “deck the halls” * Loving this post Karen, cos it reminded methat just cos I’ve bought 2 (yes 2!) presents, I’m not finished!
Baking is next on the list, bring it on!
Karen
And now *I’m* humming Deck the Halls, LOL. ~ karen
Brie
I’m so excited to see what kind of new bow invention you come up with this year Karen! The pine cone bows of last year were such a hit! Also- did I miss the tutorial on the awesome snow globe thing you kept promising? I’ll have to look around.
I accept your challenge…. again.
Karen
Brie – No, you didn’t miss anything. I’ll be doing the snow jars in December. ~ karen!
Elen Grey
In my infinite insanity, I designated Movember (historically known as November)as hospitality month. We are entertaining every weekend (sometimes twice!) the entire month of Movember. The male guests will be Shades of Scraggy, so we can all allow ourselves to dress flannel-shirt casual. Score! The house has been cleaned within an inch of my life, inside and out. The garden has been put to bed. Outside lights will go up before finger-freezing weather. Today? Tomorrow? I’m halfway there. No? Come December, I’m kickin’ back. Decorating the tree. Triaging Christmas cards. Getting a takeout coffee.
Right now. Here be pumpkins.
Sherry
I do so pledge! I came here to find last year’s list because I didn’t know if you’d do it again this year. This year, I’m hosting a Christmas Cookie Exchange Dec 9th so I’m going to be totally, completely ready for Christmas by the first weekend in December.
Thank you Karen!
Shauna
It’s not fair that you don’t have to still deal with Thanksgiving like we other North Americans do.
I do have most of the shopping done and since I don’t send out cards, I can check that off my list. Everything else must wait until after Thanksgiving. Will you be providing us a list of possible shtuff we might need to do? i.e., what you will be getting done?
Karen
Shauna – if I have time I’ll try to do a mock up Calendar “to do” list by the day. You know. Martha Stewart style. If I can fit it in with all the Christmas preparations I’m doing.
~ k
GwenDee
We still have American Thanksgiving to celebrate. So I will start slowly. Plus it is 80 degrees.
FLP
Thanks, Karen, for getting us on the right road. I try to eliminate one thing each year that I thought was so essential and I have found that my kids, now adults, don’t seem to notice as long as a few of their favourite cookies and traditions appear. I have cut down to just a few baked goods instead of thinking that variety was the spice of life. Guilt be gone.
Kylie Anderson
It is imperative that I take this pledge. My due date is December 5th! Unfortunately there will be minimal lounging with chips, though……
West Coast Nan
I do love a challenge, I’ll do it! Now to get the rest of the famdamily on board. There are a lot of Grinches at my house, maybe the smell of Christmas baking will grow their little hearts…
Chau
Karen, believe me I do want to take the pledge. I do, I do, but I have to get through Thanksgiving (US) first. I will try my best
Kate
I pledge the pledgy christmas pledge thing!
Also the 5th is my birthday so I’m going to call it the ‘relax and enjoy your birthday’ pledge too.
Jody
Yup count me in. Thing is I have come to prefer Thanksgiving over Christmas. It is one day not a month at minimum, no thinking of the perfect gift for everyone,and no little creature or jolly elf to add to the chaos. I’m making out a time table now to get everything done before Dec 5.
Sebrah
I pledge every year that I’ll be done by 1st December. Then every year I am still wrapping up the kids gifts at 2am Christmas morning. And I wonder why … and I realise it’s cause I didn’t do a damn thing about getting it all ready by 1st December. I saw this pledge last year…. BUT this year I’m PLEDGING WITH KAREN and you know what? I’m quite excited to have not one persons gifts sorted, but 6 a ….. I’m getting there!!
Rktrixy
Actually, my pledge is to not start anything until after Thanksgiving. No humming xmas tunes, no buying or making presents, no baking, no decorating, no anything. I hate the stretching out of the season. I hate Christmas lasting more than 2 months (because you saw the decorations lurking in the store, waiting to kick the bats and pumpkins to the corner – admit it!). I don’t like buying a tree until after the 15th because I want the house to smell like FRESH evergreens, not DRY everbrowns. Am I weird? I mean – weirder than normal?
Karen
Rktrixy – Yes. Yes you are. ~ karen!
karenagain
Do you remember? It does not seem like a year has passed. I hate Christmas Trees! I got lucky last year and broke my leg on the 23rd. I laid in bed on Christmas day and was high on legal drugs. My daughter came over and did all the work. I just instucted from bed in my cozy high how to do everything. It was the best Christmas ever. This Christmas I will have to do a lot though. Unless I break a leg again. It was almost worth it.
Karen
karenagain – Tell you what. I’ll come over and punch you in the throat. How’s that? ~ karen
Eleanor simmins
Great idea. I take the pledge. Today I set up my village. Only with no lights or decorations, I’m saving those for later. Next thing on the list is on the hunt for greens for my planters. I also need some of those red skinny sticks – what are they called again?
Karen
CANDY CANES!!!! THEY’RE CALLED CANDY CANES!!!!! Unless you mean a red hockey stick. Either way, very festive. ~ karen
caryl
I saw a scandinavian site that had a guy using his arms as knitting needles. Think I’ll try it it would probably speed up the spaghetti thing but my lights won’t be up and none of the gifts will be wrapped!!
elaina
i’m doin’ the pledge!
Nancy Blue Moon
NO NO NO..It is not time for this..It has not been a year..You are lying you BAD BAD Karen!!! OK..I feel better now..I will try..but I’m only doing this cause I like you..just remember..I’m a lot older than you..
Karen
Nancy Blue Moon – Are you sure? ‘Cause I’m 78. I just look exceptionally good from my healthy lifestyle. ~ karen
Jake
I’ll take the pledge if you change the ‘being of sound mind’ thingy, the jiggly body bit’s right on though.
laura
I am in. After my spectacular fail last year, this year will be better, right? After all, last year was better than the year before, so I am setting a trend.
Chelle (@Asheyna)
“I, Rachelle, being of sound mind and slightly jiggly body, agree to take the Christmas Pledge. I pledge to get all the crap done I need to, by December 5th. And then I will lounge and eat chips.”
Part of my pledge this year is going to be doing the Organized Housewife’s 20 Days to a Clean and Organized House challenge. I want all my clutter and cr@p cleaned out by Christmas so I can really enjoy the holidays this year!
heather bell
do you have to eat chips? what about brownies?=)http://bellesbazaar-heather.blogspot.com/
Teresa
I have not visited your blog since summer… I have missed it! I like you dread the Holiday time… love the concept, dislike the frenzy. So I vowed to myself when we began having children, 3 boys in three years, to not make it more crazy with gifts. Our tradition is one gift from Santa, one from the parents… anything else is bonus (from relatives or grandparents)… they dont know anything else and it makes my shopping experience much easier.
I am taking the 30 day challenge… except, now I am one day behind!!
Peace sister!
candace
OMG, knitting spaghetti is a genius idea! Thanks Karen! Haha
Karen
I bought paper, ribbon, tissue and name cards yesterday, so I am feeling confident that I can conquer the challenge!!!!
Sara
I LOVE your Christmas cup!
Karen
Thanks Sara! Remember. It doesn’t resemble any cup. I just made it up. On a whim. Out of my head. ~ karen
Sara
I do not know how to reply to your reply from my phone. Anyhow, I really think if a certain coffee chain that rhymes with Carlucks ever wanted to go for more of a doodle art look, they really should call you for a re-design. I’m sensing real creative vision and inspiration on your part.
Erin
I solemnly and jigglingly take the pledge. Since we’ve had snow on the ground for the past five days (*!!@%!) – it’s a little easier to think about Christmas. Actually, I excited to send the Christmas cards that ALMOST got sent last year. I think they’re all together in a box somewhere…
Now I’m kinda distracted by that spaghetti knitting vision you’ve planted in my head.
Caroline
“I, Caroline, being of sound mind and slightly jiggly body, agree to take the Christmas Pledge. I pledge to get all the crap done I need to, by December 5th. And then I will lounge and eat fudge.” (I am more of a sweet than salty gal!)
I guess that means I better get my fall and hallowe’en crap put away tout de suite!
Zoe
I’m not sure I can handle another ‘to do’ list…..
(I have a to do book)
But I like the idea…..and i’m starting writing……
jojo
In this part of the world, where we’ve been displaced by “Sandy”, and our Christmas stuff is scattered out there in the dunes or the ocean or someplace else, we’re still trying to move past Halloweed. The town we’ve relocated to is hosting Trick or Treat tomorrow, and then we’ll quickly move to Thanksgiving, and THEN Christmas. Weird. My mind is stuck in the days prior to Hurricane Sandy, and I’m convinved it is still October. Ugh.
Karen
What part of the world are you in jojo? ~ karen!
jojo
(Maybe I should give out red & green Christmas candies tomorrow…)
jojo
Breezy Point New York — now famous for the devastating fire that occurred during the height of Hurricane Sandy.
New Holiday for me this year — Trik-or-ThanksMas
Anemone
why? Already. I don’t feel christmasy yet. I will try to get most things done. But i pledge to not buy decorations. I over did last year. This year it’s clothes! sparkly new clothes! What’s the decorating theme this year though? I doh know what to do. I’ll just repeat.