It is time once again to post about the most polarizing topic this website has ever seen.
The Christmas Pledge. (also known as the Chanukah/Hanukkah/Kwanza/Winter Solstice(Yule) Pledge)
For those of you who are new(ish) to this site, let me explain. The Christmas Pledge is something I've been blogging about since the creation of this website. It is a pact. A promise. A determination to get EVERYTHING that needs to be done for Christmas BEFORE December 1st. And with that one simple sentence I have instantly divided you into two camps. Let me address your comments before you even have to make them.
From those of you on the NO side.
It is TOO early to think about Christmas. It isn't even Thanksgiving in the States! You're stupid! I hate you! Why are you doing this?!!!
Well, I do it because most of us think there is lots of time to do Christmas things once Christmas actually hits. But most of the time there isn't. And most of the time we're stressed and freaking out and NOT having a good time in the weeks leading up to Christmas because we're too worried about how we're going to find that one toy or gadget that's sold out everywhere.
Plus the point is really to get all the things that are a PAIN in the ass done before December 1st. For me that's shopping. You? You might love going to the mall during the height of the season when you have to fist fight for a parking spot but I don't. So I vow to get the shopping out of the way.
Then there are those of you on the YES side.
This is genius! This Christmas Pledge is the greatest idea ever!
Every year I get emails from people who took The Christmas Pledge and say it changed their life. For the first time in years they've been able to actually enjoy the Christmas season. They can go to parties and bake and enjoy time with their family because they aren't stressed out about the fact that haven't got all the "hard stuff" done yet.
I am obviously in the yes camp. I don't just encourage you to take The Christmas Pledge, I do it myself. Some years are more successful than others, but it always, always makes my life easier.
The Christmas Pledge is a gentle reminder to keep on schedule and not put off things that will eventually need to be done. That's all. And it works.
Please enjoy this handy little Christmas Pledge calendar to help you stay on schedule.
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* the bow making course is subject to change
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Not convinced yet?
Here's an example of the difference you'll see in your life if you take the pledge compared to if you don't take the pledge (based on actual, fabricated examples)
Gonna take the Christmas Pledge? Give your virtual signature now!
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Laura Bee
Putting up lights today if I can find them. Appliance two busted beyond repair. Getting a "new" washing machine tomorrow. Enjoying the new furnace though. I really want this pledge to work for me this year.
Dana
I just discovered I'm a christmas pledge slacker! I decided to take the challenge. I started shopping. I bought cards. It felt great! However, I've had a setback.... despite the early cold snowy weather here, I can't seem to wholeheartedly write and address the cards! It just doesn't feel like Christmas yet. Writing "Merry Christmas" just feels...empty. I'm not giving up entirely.... Maybe next week.....
Serduszko
I didn't participate last year because this came out just before I had my twin boys.. This year, I AM IN! Christmas pledge, don't fail me now!!! :)
calliek
I think this is very smart. Thankfully I don't actually do most of the things on that list in the first place ( no cards, no cookies, and minimal decor) and this year for the first time ever I am skipping Christmas with my family. I feel so relaxed already I may not need to take the pledge! But I'm bowing to your wisdom, going to make a list of things I do plan on doing,and see if I can fit them into your template.
Jan In Waterdown
OK so here's my prob. Everytime I shop early, either the stuff I buy goes on sale closer to Christmas and that makes me CRAZY or I change my mind about what to give that person or come up with a waaaay better idea. Wish I knew hot to solve that . . . any ideas? anyone?
Paula
I'm signing up late, but since I have a couple of things bought already, I should be ok. I'm excited at the prospect of a calm Christmas. Basking, purring, napping....what a life. The thought of any of my neighbors dressed only in a fur blanket is a little frightening but stew sounds great. Especially since the cold weather got here overnight. Got up to 71 yesterday and down to the 20's last night. Now off to make my list.
Jennifer
I want to join because I want to have enough time to learn to purr!! Awesome ideas!
Mel
I am firmly in the yes I take the pledge camp. Done by December has been my goal for the past 10 years and I usually succeed. This year the only change I'm making is that I am not decorating the inside of my house until the first week of December. See the thing is, by Christmas my son will be a year and a half old and I just can't do more than a month of tree touching, pulling, climbing prevention. It's getting knocked over though anyway I'm sure. Sigh.
Sam ~ it doesn't taste like chicken
I am so doing this!!! I am usually locked in my childhood bedroom on Christmas eve, finishing up DIY gifts and wrapping furiously, while everyone else is enjoying champange. With both of my parents Birthday's at the end of November, it's beyond chaos. I have already bought some presents, and made my list. Going to follow your rules and get it done this year, birthday's and all!
Thank you for the push :)
Stef
I'm in! You spurred me on to order Christmas cards and I was in time to use a 40% off coupon. I'm hooked!
Tammy S
I'm all in! Been in the "Yes" camp twice so far - what a GREAT feeling it is to be done.
At least with this, when something "unexpected" happens it does not completely de-rail my plans.
Thank you for the shove in the right direction!
Erin Hall {i can craft that}
I am in the 'yes but' camp. I totally agree and am already on it. BUT pretty much everything is handmade from me. So i would have to start in july but never do...
This year i decided to completely over tax myself by knitting 5 new stockings for the family making a bunch of new decorations and actually buying decorations for outside....
So yes i am on board but probably only happen if i win a small lottery. My failure is always not having the money to do things in time.
Jaylah
I will admit that I, too, don't even like the thought of Christmas before Thanksgiving. I usually wait until the weekend after Thanksgiving to head up to the attic to start bringing the Christmas stuff down. No Christmas carols until at least the day after Thanksgiving, thank you. I just refuse.
But if I'm totally honest, I have the majority of my Christmas shopping done by about March. Since I never have much luck buying clothing for family (it's never the right size or style or whatever), I just don't. They get something (whatever) from me that doesn't run the risk of being "out of style" 9 months later. So I can go almost totally bat-sh** crazy with the super-low after Christmas sales. (While the lines at the return counter are incredible, the lines at the check-out counters are almost non-existent.) Stores are practically giving Christmas wrapping paper away then, too. Another plus is that I never have to cringe on the day after Christmas, knowing those credit card bills are going to start arriving soon. Christmas has long since been paid for.
So house decorating the weekend after Thanksgiving. I actually do enjoy one evening (with a glass of eggnog by my side) with all the wrapping paper, bows and ribbons spread out on the floor with me, and I get all the gifts wrapped that evening. And that leaves me pretty much the full month of December to chill with more eggnog, or a glass of wine, or hot chocolate in front of the fire, with Christmas music softly playing in the back ground. (Besides, a tree looks rather lonely with no gifts under it. I have a full pile under mine as soon as it's up.)
Karen's hysterical calendar made me think of something else, too. I don't remember now where I saw it (probably the book, "Is Martha Stewart Living?"), but several years ago I saw a parody of the monthly calendar Martha Stewart always had in her magazine for December. (Google "Martha Stewart December Calendar parody" for examples.) I actually sent out a "Christmas letter" that year, instead of cards. But mine was more like a parody of the ubiquitous Christmas letters. Whereas most of them are full of great accomplishments and notable achievements, mine was intentionally b-o-r-i-n-g. I made mention, for example, of how many new Starbucks had opened in town over the past year. And on the back-side of my letter, I created my own "Martha Stewart Christmas Calendar." One day was, if I recall, devoted to glittering the cat. Another was given over in its entirety to polishing each needle on the tree before decorating.