I Karen, being of sound mind and body, (except for an occasional dagger-like pain in my eyeball from a migraine) hereby declare I am going to be completely and totally organized for Christmas by December 4th.
That gives me exactly one month to get everything done.
By everything, I mean by December 4th I want all of my presents bought, the house decorated and all my Christmas cards completed and sent out. That leaves pretty much the entire month of December to actually enjoy the festive, holiday season as opposed to cursing it and everyone associated with it.
I should let you know, I have this thought in my head every year, but never actually commit to it.
So here and now, in front of blog and everyone, I am committing to attaining this goal.
Here's the schedule ...
November 5th - November 30th - Buy presents, put lights up outside, do outdoor Christmas planters.
December 1st - 2nd - Decorate inside of house.
December 3rd - 4th - Fill out Christmas cards.
December 5th - 31st - Enjoy festive holiday season. Maybe get drunk or take on a new and exciting lover. Who knows. There's a world of possibilities.
Every year by the time the middle of December comes around, I'm thinking .... I'll never get everything done, I hate this, this is stupid, I haven't even baked a gingerbread man, why did I buy my mother a set of boxing gloves, who knew a parking lot could actually cause my blood pressure to rise to the point of my ears bleeding? And then I'm officially overwhelmed, I pop a Gravol and crawl into a corner to nap.
I've been known to become violent throughout it all and once almost ripped a cashier's arm out of her socket when she told me after spending $350, I'd have to PAY for a box if I wanted one. Since then I've taken to calling the holiday season, Dismember December.
My hope is to make this the most relaxing, enjoyable Christmas season ever. I challenge you to do the same.
I, Karen, being of sound mind and body, challenge you the readers, to a Done by December duel. Are you up for it? You can totally apply this method to Hanukkah or Kwanza or whatever other holiday you celebrate that seems to last for a month.
We can do this if we encourage each other as opposed to trying to run over each other in the parking lots.
I will be keeping you updated as to my progress and I trust you will do the same. Come December 5th I plan to be full of Christmas cheer, standing smack dab in the middle of the mall handing out free boxes.
KittyCardea
I applaud your determination, and it is certainly a good idea to get others involved and supportive. I wish you the very best of luck.
I'm not doing it.
I actually almost drove myself off the deep end last year trying to make a gift for everyone. That was a nightmare. Of course, it probably would have been easier if my anxiety meds had not been causing panic attacks, but still. So, I decided, on Christmas Eve, that I will Not give gifts this year. I will focus my energy on being with family and friends, instead. A relaxed, not-foaming-at-the-mouth Kitty really is better for everyone.
Tabitha
Such a great idea! I'm in!!
Karen
Excellent! I'll report on my progress next Friday! ~ karen
Elaine
Years ago I decided that if Christmas were moved to November 25th I would have to have the gifts and cards ready, so, I decided that I would look at it that way. I have all the shopping done and wrapped, cards are written, stamped and waiting to be mail. The last weekend of November the tree goes up and the decorating begins. I leave the candy making and baking for the nights and weekends prior to Christmas this way I enjoy the Christmas season which it is a season, not a day. There is time to party, enjoy family and friends and not be stressed. Also I love being in the kitchen, so I am relaxed and happy making candy to give away and baking for family. It took a lot of years to learn this but by doing this and having a list of people I buy for in my purse 365 days a year it works. I buy all year long, it cuts down on all the expenses at this time of year and when I see my list with the names of people with gifts purchased beside them reduces my stress.
Melissa
I'm with you sister! Made many of my presents last weekend.
Karen
Yesssss! Good job. I'm getting the Internet shopping done first, then onto making a few things. ~ karen!
cynD
I am with ya darlin' done and done. I would like to be one of thoes people who have it all done and together. I will still be baking and kniting and crafting up till the 20th of Dec.. How ever I do have my daughter all done and wraped. The boys gifts are not quite one each is gotten. We only do three gifts per kiddo... Hubby and I are taking a trip the end of January that is our big Christmas for us. He will get a fragrance & hand knited sox ,that makes it easy. Stocking stuffers are two apeice and under $7.00 for the whole family a total of 28. I am half done. This year the guys are all done.. and the little kids. Yea! only one teen and two adult neices Yea!! go! doers - go! doers - get it goin'!! I sure hope to have it all under control and done.. so I can chill...
Rose campion
I hate the holidays. No, not because I won't think about it until Dec. 10. I hate them because I worked retail for 10 years, until just this year. I'm not yet sufficiently recovered from this to enjoy them again. Maybe in a decade or two. Until then, there will be no tree, only such gifts as I am obligated to purchase, and for the love of baby Jesus, no Christmas carols. Bah, humbug.
I have to say, I do admire the people who have it all done early. They're usually the calm ones in the shops. It's the ones who wait until last minute who are insane and make retail workers miserable. Usually.
djonn
I refuse to even think about Christmas till December 10th. This stuff has gotten waaaay outta hand. People hate the holidays, I'll give a good guess as to why. relax folks.
Karen
djonn - The only people I know who hate the holidays are the people who refuse to think about it until December 10th. And the whole point of getting a head start is so everyone CAN relax. Yup. ~ karen
Cindy Marlow
Since I'm newly retired, one would think that I would be looking forward to going all out this holiday season. Yet, NO! I've decided that the 'no hassle' holiday is the only way to go. Therefore, I've made Thanksgiving reservations at the beautiful Mimslyn Inn in Luray, Virginia for my family. This day will include a trip through the famed Skyline Drive ending at the Inn. Christmas, too, will be simple. I've been gifted with a ticket to Southern California and will spend the holiday in the sun and the fun of a spa-like atmosphere. Very different from the usual hustle and bustle and feelings of inadequacy. I'm looking forward to the change...
Stéphanie
I'll give it a try, hoping this year november and december won't be a nightmare (all the members of my familly, me, hubby and kid included, are born in october, november and december, it's double punishement!)
But thanks, you give me energy at least!
Jen
I did quite a bit of Christmas shopping this weekend...and I got this "wouldn't it be great..." feeling, anticipating actually being ready this year ahead of time. I will take your pledge...and see what happens.
Ellen
I'll give it a good try. It's complicated for me by the fact that the next 2 weeks are full with setting up & tidying up after the biggest rummage sale in my city. But on the plus side, most gifts will be bought by the end of next week, so I might be able to make it if I do a little planning....All except the baking & food prep, sigh, which is a huge job, cuz no one else in my circle cooks.
michelle
karen? when do you plan to wrap gifts? you didn't schedule it!
~michelle
Karen
Michelle - Everything I actually *enjoy* doing, I'm not scheduling. I like to wrap presents! So ... probably the 1st week in December will be present wrapping time. :) 2nd week in December is real tree trimming time. ~ karen!
GiniGL
I'm in!
Caroline
I too pledge to have every thing done (except decorating my real tree) by the first week of December and I am adding a pledge to spend less on stupid things and give more meaningfull gifts (I am giving chickens, goats and mango trees to third world countries through Plan Canada to most of my family and donating to the local foodbank as well)
Here's to making Christmas enjoyable and stress free!!
Gillian
I love the idea of giving more meaningful gifts. We do it at work instead of Secret Santa (everyone puts in some money and we pay for a well or something).
For those who don't "get" the concept that I'm giving a goat on their behalf I try to give an "experience" rather than something physical - for example a ticket to go abseiling, or to the theatre.
When I'm being super lazy or busy or brain dead I give magazine subscriptions appropriate to people's hobbies. Everyone seems to like that.
pve
I just felt the first "Christmas hive or bug" yesterday, that itch, that panic of feeling like it is a darn race. I will take your pledge, but only if I can savor the spirit of Christmas and open my heart to others.
pve
Angela
I'm in! I already have most of my shopping done, with just a few gifts left for the in-laws and new babies. The most difficult thing is going to be finally making my hubby a homemade stocking, he's been using a *gasp* store-bought stocking since we got married and my daughter and i have stockings that my mom made for us. The hubby has a GIANT work event in the second week of Dec, so it would be great for us to be fully prepped before then!
And due to that damn work event, my first Christmas party is November 29. Ick.
Jaclyn
As absurd as it sounds, I actually put my tree up this evening & hung the ornaments... I know, I have lost my mind. My nutcrackers are out (it's a growing collection) & I am on my way to an enjoyable holiday. I accept your challenge. LOL
Karen
Jaclyn - Yup. That does sound a tad absurd. Although my mother is putting up her tree in a week or so because she's having company. Ya do what ya gotta do I guess. :) ~ karen
Nicole
Challenge accepted. And as of today, 3 gifts are done.
Ashlyn
Ummmm...It sounds great but I'm a procrastinator...Let's say, I'll try ;)
Diana @ frontyardfoodie
Ummmm yeah, that is SHEER genius. I'm totally going to do this too. TOTALLY. I am totally not joking, my mind is blown right now.