Yooooo hooooo. I'm just tucked over here in between the couch and the sofa table in my safe place. You of course can't see it, but I'm wearing a hockey mask, 14 dinner rolls as a hat, mittens and steel toed boots. Why the get up? Well #1, it's super-cute. And #2, it's the most adequate protection I could scrounge up last minute.
Today, you see, is the day I broach the most controversial of all subjects on The Art of Doing Stuff. Today I announce it's time to take The Christmas Pledge.
WHAPPP!!
Ha! See? Those dinner rolls came in handy. That shoe one of you threw bounced right off my forehead. No damage at all.
I realize that October might seem a tiny bit early to start preparing for a holiday that isn't until the end of December. And I couldn't agree more. It's ludicrous and I would never suggest you do such a thing. That's why the pledge doesn't start for another 2 days. Which is November. Which is an entirely different thing altogether. Once we hit November, Christmas is just around the corner basically and if you don't pledge to start getting ready for it now your December is going to be miserable. It'll be filled with baking and sloshing and looking for parking spots at the mall, which inevitably leads to high blood pressure, fist fights and more often than not incarceration. You know it's true.
On November 10th, 2011, I introduced the very first Christmas Pledge on The Art of Doing Stuff. It was originally called The Christmas Challenge and it was a bit loosey goosey compared to how it is now, but the sentiment was there. Get shit done. Now.
Every year I hear the same thing from Americans. BUT NOVEMBER IS WHEN WE HAVE THANKSGIVING.
I know. Buck up. Take it like a champ. I've given you a few hours of free time so you can eat your turkey and show off your stretch marks.
The rest of the month is devoted to accomplishing one or two small holiday related things every day. Make cookie dough, decide on presents, drink wine. You can handle that can't you? I knew you could. I will walk you through step by step, every single day. I have compiled all the things the average person has to get done and tends to put off every holiday season into one handy calendar. Actually it's more of a dated list this year. All you have to do is follow along with it. It could not be any easier.
For the rest of you, who aren't ready, willing and able to take the Christmas Pledge, for those of you sneering and laughing and pointing a finger know THIS; you can do what you want, but the rest of us, the pledge takers will be spending December carelessly floating around, suspended by gold thread from flying angels. We will have so few worries in December that we will be weightless. We will be made of powdered sugar and kisses. YOU? You on the other hand will be posting bail.
Ready to do it?
Here's this year's Christmas Pledge calendar. Memorize it.
Click here for a 2 page printout of The Christmas Pledge.
Do you think you can handle it? Is everyone calmed down now? Can I take the buns off?
If you're ready to commit to a calm December and a slightly harried but not completely insane November ... take the pledge. There are no legal obligations (that I'm bound to reveal to you), no payments, no nothin'.
There is a private Christmas Pledge Facebook Group you can join to help motivate you. It's great for sharing ideas and looking for inspiration. Ready to take the pledge?
To show you've taken the pledge, just comment below with a simple "I'm taking the pledge!". Don't forget to join the private Art of Doing Stuff Christmas Pledge Facebook group if you think that'll be helpful for you and print out the pledge.
O.K. Give your virtual signature NOW.
shoshana leeder
Ha! Best reason for being an orthodox Jew! None of this applies to me! A few Happy Holidays cards to key people (cleaning lady. mailman, etc.) and I'm good to go. And no, this is not the time to talk about the Passover Pledge! So, no one bring it up, LOL.
Karen
You shouldn't have mentioned it. The Passover Pledge is a great idea and has a way better ring to it! O.k. My first advice would be to waiver from the traditional blue and white colours. And there's an Octopus menorah on Etsy that's beautiful! Hmm. O.k. I have some thinking and planning to do. ;) L'Chaim!
Monica
She was totally joking but this card is awesome. Maybe for your mailman and cleaning lady?
https://www.etsy.com/listing/474979682/funny-hanukkah-cards-boxed-set-of-15?
Margaret K.
Pretty sure Shoshanna was seriously referring to a Passover Pledge for next spring. That holiday is a major amount of prep, particularly for an orthodox Jew. The octopus and the menorah are cute. It looks rather confused!
Monica
Oh, I meant that Karen was kidding about finding the octopus menorahs.
Karen
No I wasn't, lol! They do indeed exist. And I was misspoke when attaching the menorah to Passover. Like a dumb, dumb. Speaking of which, found GREAT Chanukah cards at Chapters today ... "Happy Challahdays". ~ karen!
Erin S.
I'm in! We have guests coming in from far away and I don't want to drag them through commando shopping heck on the week of their visit.
Alena
I am not taking the pledge. I may throw out a string of lights at the 6' spruce in my front yard but that will be about it.
I think we all (on both sides of the border) need to stop approaching Christmas as a shopping mega-bonanza and a festival of endless overeating and overdrinking; and focus more on the time spent with one's loved ones, chilling out and focus more on what Christmas was originally for before we have ruined it.
(Don't take it personally, Karen).
I have an old dog whose time is rapidly approaching and if I am able to kiss her on Christmas Eve day in the morning and wish her Merry Christmas, it will be the biggest gift I can ask for.
Eileen
Alena,
I am so with you on this.
Best wishes and good health to you and your dog.
Alena
Thank you very much, Eileen, muchly appreciated.
Margaret K.
It's possible to find Karen's list useful without doing an over-the-top holiday. Outdoor lights along the eaves because they have been part of your holiday ever since childhood in the late 1940's - or just a wreath on the door, because ditto. Inside, a small tree and a creche ditto or whatever is an essential part of your holiday. A few cards to near and dear that you won't see in person to wish holiday greetings, especially elderly relatives who don't have many other family or friends left. One batch of that special holiday cookie you never allow yourself at any other time of the year. One special holiday meal - roast beef for us - with a reasonable number of side dishes and one dessert. One present for each grandchild under the age of 21. One present or else stocking-stuffers-only for your significant other, depending on your agreement with each other. If you know you will be invited to a holiday party, decide what to wear and make sure it is ready-to-wear condition. And IF you decide to entertain in your home this holiday, prep for that. That is NOT a megaspending holiday, but it still helps to have Karen's list to remind you that time is passing and you need to get things done.
And I hope your dog keeps well, so you can have the Christmas you want.
Alena
Thank you for the good wishes, Margaret.
Samantha
I'm taking the pledge!
Veronica
Oh sure, I’m taking the pledge! If I even get one or two of these things done, I’ll be WAY ahead!
Deb
I’m in - besides, my youngest daughter started listening to Christmas carols 2 weeks ago!
Mary W
Karen, your spirit comes through loud and clear to get off my duff and do things. It was a present to me when I first read your blog and has continued to be for years. I look forward to your pledge each year and try to do most of it. Such a great idea. Who would have thought to plan ahead? What a concept. I used to think Christmas snuck up on me all of a sudden, then realized it is actually marked on my calendar. No one to blame but me. I especially like the frozen cookie dough idea. I have used your package decoration idea for two years. I even planned this years - copy last years! So much fun for me and recipients. Your the best! Merry Christmas!
Christie
I'm doing it! I've already secured a date for my Christmas dinner party!
Monica
My Christmas tradition is to start shopping in July. I have a special drawer in my house that I keep the purchased presents in that I'm the one allowed to open. Then when December rolls around, I kick my husband and son out of the house for a boys' afternoon. My best friend comes over and we wrap presents while watching a terrible ABC Family Christmas Movie (Holiday in Handcuffs is our favourite).
Karen
I'll make note of that movie. There's NOTHING better than bad/good made for tv Christmas movies. ~ karen!
Monica
Have your niece or sisters over. It's always better with someone to roll your eyes at. Also, this one is a 90's dream. Melissa Joan-Hart and Mario Lopez star in it and she takes him hostage to appease her judgmental parents (disappointingly, not in a cult fashion).
Dawn
I'm in. My first year!
Karen
Good luck and welcome to the club! ~ karen
Magali
I already have 3 presents bought so I am IN! (Last year I succeeded by about 50% :)
Lisa
I am going to try.. My mom passed away in June, very unexpectedly. She was my best friend and partner in crime. Most days it's hard to think, or breathe. I miss her so much.
I loved this last year. I was hoping you would do It again. It was f and everyone was great.
Mary W
When my Mom died and 'our' Christmas was no longer, I decided to devote one whole day to doing the stuff we did together. It was a way to change what would otherwise be a sad time. I make our favorite cookies and play Christmas music. We always made an ornament together, so I make one, also. The first time was the hardest but now I plan and look forward to this day of remembering our times together. I have invited another person this year to make an ornament with me so we both can have our day of remembrance. Merry Christmas, Lisa!
Monica
I'm so sorry for your loss. Maybe a part of your pledge could be doing something to honor her? Maybe something that you used to do with her like baking a favourite recipe that she gave you or going to your local pageant? I'm sure this year will be hard but I think that you can find traces of her still with you in the things that you do. Warmest wishes for a good holiday season.
Jenny
I'm so sorry for your loss, Lisa. I love Mary and Monica's advice to honor your mom by carrying on some of your traditions together.
Nicole Sparks
This will be my first Christmas without my Mom too. I suspect there's going to be a lot of tears, but she would be the first to tell me that Christmas is about joy and love and that I shouldn't NOT celebrate because she isn't there to join us. This is a woman who had an entire closet dedicated to her Xmas decor, so I know it.
You'll be in my thoughts as another person who is struggling this holiday. I don't wish you forgetfulness, but the ability to think of happy memories without going down the tunnel of despair.
Monica
I'm sorry you'll be going through this this year, Nicole. It's great that you have her desires for you in mind, though. The situations where you know what the loved one would have said are a little more sweet than bitter on the scale. My Great Aunt was someone who I looked up to so much and whenever I miss her I do an embroidery project because it was what she always gave me to do when I was fidgety. Maybe if you have a couple of her Christmas closet decorations you could put them up to keep her close?
Karen
I'm very sorry about your mother Lisa. Do what you can. The Pledge and its people are here for you. :) ~ karen!
Sandi Remedios
I'm taking the pledge for the first time. I missed the summer of doing stuff. I need encouragement.
Leticia
I am an atheist from a family that does not have children or does Christmas presents. Every year I am conscious of how "blessed" I am. I will not take the pledge, but I support you wholeheartedly in your madness. Happy Whatever It Is You Celebrate!
Karen
That makes me sad! I'm not religious, I like Christmas as a celebration of family, friendships and ... well ... to be honest with you, food, lol. But yeah, it is definitely madness. ~ karen!
Kim Kelley
exactly
Kari McDonald
I’m taking the pledge, again!
Jamieson
After traveling over the previous two holiday seasons and missing out on all of the festivities, i am planning to OD on Christmas this year.
I am back to taking the pledge this year!
Jenny W
I'm in again! Could't quite keep up last year, but I'm just gonna call that a practice run :)
I start decorating other people's homes, for the holidays, in mid November, and my own place gets pushed to the side everydamnyear! I also signed up for a 30 Day Yoga Challenge for the month of November, so let's hope that helps by keeping me all "Zen" about the whole thing -Namaste fellow Listers
By the way putting the list in point form as opposed to calendar boxes makes it seem far more do-able :)
Karen
Good to know. I actually like calendar form but the printing had to be soooo tiny. I figured a list would be easier to read. :) ~ karen!
Monica
I liked the calendar form, too. But the up-side of the list is that people can drop the tasks on their own calendars on the days that suit them instead of giving into the temptation to just print and bear it.
Fonda
We don't celebrate Christmas, so we're out. Lucky us!
Clare Hollingsworth
I'm taking the pledge! Thank you, Karen <3
Brenda Massey
I’m taking the pledge!