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.
Jen
Taking the pledge!
SusanR
I'm in, and I've already got half the list done. I mean half the Christmas pledge. I've already got all of the presents, save for one that's coming from Norway that's on its way. I cleaned up the card list today, and it will only take 15 minutes to address all of the envelopes because I use clear large labels that have room for the return address on them, so it's just a matter of plugging in my label printer and printing them off, then pasting them on the envelopes. Writing an individualized personal note on each card will take a little longer.
New LED Christmas lights arrived yesterday. Decorations are in a single large container in an easy to reach place out in the garage, including the cards purchased on sale the day after Christmas last year. No parties this year. All ingredients for cookies already acquired and ready to be mixed together to be frozen. Cookies will be butter, with a fresh, whole pecan pressed into the middle, sugar cookies and molasses cookies.
We don't do a tree anymore, we just buy a HUGE poinsettia plant from Costco, place it prominently in the living room, and put the presents around it. I have a small battery-operated led white light set that I will work throughout the leaves and stems. It looks beautiful.
I've been emotionally ready for Christmas since August.
Pats
I'm in. I'm hoping it will reduce my stress levels.
Kathleen Aberley
I am so sorry to hear of your loss, Pats. All the more reason for me to make the most of what I have. Hugs and Blessings to you.
Tasha
We are in! Again. It is what gives my husband joy, as he generally is a Grinch. This year, most of the presents need to be done by Nov. 15, so he's been talking about it for 6 weeks already. I modify a few things, to fit with my life (decorations go up after Dec. 8, husband's birthday), but generally it is all set by Dec. 1.
Gael
I'm taking the plunge! Er, pledge!
Jennifer
I'm in again. I've almost bought Christmas cards twice so far (I keep deferring because I have to check if I did or did not buy some on sale at the end of season last year) and kept thinking this post would be up soon.
Shanelle
Like a total weirdo I have been stalking your blog for the past 2 days praying that this day would come. We own and operate a Christmas tree farm (as a hobby, like a bunch of psychopaths) and I would totally not make it through November and December without this pledge. Thank you for this!!
Jennifer Hibbard
I'm taking the pledge!
Pippa
I’m taking the pledge... 2nd timer so I know what a genius and, at the same time, ridiculous idea it is... Thanks, Karen!
Teresa
DEAR GOD! WHO ARE YOU PEOPLE???
I opened the email and saw the topic and heard someone keening in the corner "Nooooooo" and then reliazed it was it me. I opened the laptop again and saw that Karen was still protected by buns so I will have to bide my time. (She will never see it coming...)
Then I'll print up the list so I can continue to check it and say "uh, nope, haven't done that yet...."
Teresa
see... I got so flustered I couldn't spell
Lisa O.
God help me, I’m taking the Pledge! It’s my first time, so that means I get to drink even if it’s not listed in the day’s tasks, right? :-)
Jennifer Aakre
I'm taking the pledge again! Love it to bits!
Mary-Jane
I love this! I'm taking the pledge. 1st timer.
DubiousPleasure
I'm taking the pledge!
Heather
I am taking the pledge - again! This is the motivation I need. Thank you for keeping us on task!
Kris
I'm cheating a little this year - We're living with my parents, and our house isn't going to be sold until 12/15. We won't be in our new house (which we haven't picked yet) until sometime after that date. So I'm skipping all decoration related things - because my parents are in charge of that at their house, and frankly, with all of us there, there is no room for a tree. So I get to ignore those boxes or I may mark them N/A. :D
Pat K
Every year I am so hopeful that "this year will be different" & I will have everything done in advance for Christmas- but no, it never happens. I believe in Karen's super organizational abilities as she manages to get so much done so I am admitting that I can not do it alone. So in desperation I will attempt the Christmas Pledge this year!
Noreen McKechnie
Oh heavens above, can l,will I, should I whose main achievement is having a gingerbread house building party the last week of November actually try and join this group of dedicated Christmas makers? It might just be a good idea! I’m in!
Adele
Will be taking the pledge again this year. Last year was a first and even though I didn't get everything done by the end of November it made for a much more relaxed December anyway.
Given that I will be away the last week of November (I won a cruise!) it will be even more important for me to be as organized as possible beforehand.
Snugster
I’m taking the pledge!