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.
Erika Pelletier
Waiting for the 26 to decorate is quite late :/ I'm Canadian, thanksgiving here is already over, I won't wait till that late to decorate ahah
Erika Pelletier
Also might regret this. Or thanks myself come December 1. Put I'm taking the pledge ! :)
Melissa
I might modify your list just a bit (and probably do some things out of order), but after all the years I've read your blog, it's time to cowboy up and get it done!
I'm in!
P.S. I never finished prettying up my flower garden bed (and submitting photos to you), so I hope I can still join this party of inspiration, with that... ...um, 'blemish' on my record.
Karen
You're in, but I'm gonna keep my eye on you! ~ karen
Melissa
LOL. I <3 you!
Erika Jarden
Ah, what the hell. I'm taking the pledge but starting it after this weekend.
Look, I worked a 15 weekend season at Bristol, then strike, had a week off and then did two weekend renaissance fairs, a Harry Potter festival, my wedding anniversary / Halloween party and this weekend is a sold out steampunk convention, where I dress Victorian and serve tea for 4 days. I. Need. Sleep.
So next week. Promise.
Karen
But tonight is just get takeout and put on your pajamas to browse Pinterest. Surely you can do that! C'mon ... we're all doing it. ;) ~karen!
Erika Jarden
Started the pledge a bit late but here we go! My husband is less excited than I am, mostly because he gets to haul the boxes. 😊
Leigh Meyer
I have finally tucked in three sugar hyped kids into bed and can finally admit there is a November. Given that I’d like to enjoy my December, I’m in!
Karen
Good job! Tonight's the first night. ~ karen!
Lauren
I have been the one throwing shoes the last few years, so sorry about that, but the rolls ARE cute and effective!
This year I'm giving in. I'm ready, I'm motivated, and looking forward to relaxed rum ball fairies free from stress come the last half of December. I'm taking the pledge!
Karen
Just in time! It all starts tonight. Get your takeout and pajamas ready. ~ karen!
Joyce
I'm in!
Roxanne
I'm in and I'm taking your pledge. I live in Northern Ontario so every year my first job in November is to get the Christmas lights up on the house. The shrubs and inflatables can be done a little later but I prefer not being up on the ladder in a snow storm. Lol
Meg
I'm taking the pledge!
Hooray!! I was SOOOOOOO waiting for this. I have taken the pledge probably several years now, so I was starting on my *own* this year, like some kind of organized person. (hysterical cackling laughter) I mean, maybe I *am* becoming more organized because of repeated Xmas pledges?
It's actually probably because of that AND the fact I need to be extra on the ball this year. We moved home to help my boyfriend's Dad out after his Mom died, and his Dad is kind of anti-Christmas now. So I'm hoping I can be super on the ball this year with a little help from The Pledge and maybe some extra (extra) rum in my egg nog, and slowly ramp our resident geezer into the Christmas spirit.
Kathleen
Doing it!!
Kathleen
Doing it!
Kristen C.
I'm taking the pledge! And I have been enjoying your blog!!!
Miriam
I am taking the pledge!
Kristina
I am just catching my breath after our five weeks of walnut harvest ended on Saturday. I am up at my cabin in the Sierras (with new wi-fi -woot! Modern conveniences come late to these parts), but I think I can just about manage Pinterest to get me started on day 1. Let's see how this pledge goes.... I'll surely end up coming out ahead, anyway. Thanks for organizing it.
Suzie Oliver
I am taking the pledge! Bring on Day 18!
Connie
I have 3 trees already done & 7 to go. Plus my village. My goal is always to be ready by Dec 1st so that I can enjoy Dec & not have to do anything. Then I take it all down by Jan 31st. I love Christmas!!!
Tres
I'm in! In fact, I am ahead of the game this year. All the Christmas cards are done and awaiting the day before Thanksgiving to put in the post. I have purchased and wrapped about 50% of my gifts and I know what I am getting for the other 1/2 of the family!
Karen
Impressive! ~ karen
Adrienne
Newbie, but I am so in.
Sandra Blackwell
No Way! The rule at my house for decorations....NOT til after my Birthday on December 6. And they come down before my daughter's birthday on New Years Eve.
Besides, I work retail...I have been dealing with christmas crap since June.
Sabina
I'm in, again!
Teresa Perry
Eh, we're going on a dive trip for most of December (scuba). We'll be in tropical waters, in foreign countries ignoring the holidays completely. Perfect.