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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Karol
My tree is up (don't hate) it totally puts me in the spirit and makes me smile. My gifts are purchased for my grandbabies, and the rest are getting money or giftcards. Fa-la-la la-la, la la la!
ally
Waaaaaay ahead of you! Almost all my gifts are purchased. Lots of stocking stuffers bought as well. Planned my dates for baking and booked two vacation days mid-December to do same. Just have 2 people left to buy for, and the only delay is waiting to hear from their mom what to get them. (takes a bow)
I can not stand being in a mall or any store in December. Don't even like grocery shopping in December, but that's a necessity.
So, needless to say, I'm in.
Sboo
Started buying gifts and ordered my cards last month, hah! (One tip I've learned is that if you order cards in October, sometimes you can catch Halloween sales and get discounts) I'm 80% done with shopping and it feels great. I have extra motivation because this year my annual work convention is Dec 8–12 which really screws with the schedule. Bonus: it's in Las Vegas.
I'm a singer, so add 4 hours of choir rehearsal each week, 3 different Christmas concerts with 3 different solos and my time is definitely precious this time of year. For me, taking the pledge means less stress and more time for carols and cookies :)
jainegayer
I'm still in the no camp (I have a very big bottle of Xanax, just in case), but I did laugh so hard at the "Idid/I didn't take the Christmas Pledge" chart that coffee came out my nose.
Karen
No problem. I'm sure you'll do fine without the pledge! Some people do. Good luck with the cold sore. ~ karen!
jainegayer
LOL
Janet Timinsky
You know I really love this idea, however, since we have Thanksgiving in the US at the end of November, could you possibly do a three week transparency overlay thingy? Must include removing old carcasses from refrigerators without starving family too soon, washing all stemware that hasn't been used in six months, work out menu planning and shopping, who to invite and whom to tell we won't be here for thanksgiving this year without getting caught. Plus toss in must be done after work while planning my daughters wedding...oh and find time to blog too. Could you work that out please...I will pay you in Diet Coke and chips!
BamaCarol
My gifts are all bought and most are wrapped already, just a few more to go. I ran out of paper and have had to wait for some of the stores to actually put their paper out. I've been a convert for many years now. Since I worked retail when I was in college way back in the 1970s as a gift wrapper. Hearing Christmas songs on continual loops did me in for wanting to be out in the crowds. I really enjoy making cookies and hosting parties and always decorate the weekend after Thanksgiving and then can enjoy the whole season without any stress. It is wonderful!
Anelique V.
You had me cracking up like nobodies business. I am definitely in the yes camp. I have been doing this for several years.
Marion
I'm in the "yes" camp, although I'm a little intrigued by those gingerpickle cookies... HA!
Jaylah
I'm one of the "newish" ones. And I'm all in.
In fact, I've been all in for a couple of decades.
I look back on my childhood Christmas's and remember making ornaments out of styrofoam, glue and glitter. And decorating home-made sugar cookies and gingerbread men with icing and sprinkles. And my mother making us stockings, which we decorated with more glue and glitter. And I thought all "good mothers" did Christmas like that.
Of course, my own mother never had a job outside of the home. And for all I know, she had a one-gallon jug of Valium hidden in the house somewhere. I, however, had a job where I worked an average of 10 hour days, with an hour commute each morning and evening. Christmas was never fun for me then.
Finally, early one December, I sat my husband and step-daughter down in our living room, gave each of them a notebook and pencil, and asked them to make a list: "Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without...."
Their responses were an eye-opener for me.
Seemed neither one of them gave a hoot about home-made cookies. Or home-made ornaments. Or a lot of the other stuff. They did want to continue our tradition of going out to the tree farm and searching for our "perfect" tree. They did want to decorate it with lights and ornaments, but they were perfectly happy if those ornaments came from the dime-store. As long as we had the tree, they weren't all that interested in all the other decorations.
And they wanted to receive presents. (Didn't seem all that concerned about giving presents.) So I made a deal with them: I wrote out a list of all the people (grandparents, etc.) that would be giving them gifts and told them that if they would make sure that they had gifts to give to the people on that list, I would make sure they had gifts from me under the tree on Christmas. On the other hand, if they thought leaving Christmas shopping up entirely to me was acceptable, I would assume that meant that they were okay with me not including them on my Christmas shopping list.
We went to the tree farm the first Saturday in December. Brought home the three and decorated it that afternoon. Since they understood that I wasn't going Christmas shopping on December 24th, they had their gifts to give to others assembled early, which allowed me to do all of the wrapping early. By mid-week after we got our tree, all of the wrapped gifts were piled under the tree.
We lived out in the country at the time, and we actually took our sleds and toboggan out to one of the hills near our home and spent a Saturday afternoon in the snow. One evening we all bundled up and got in the car to drive into town and admire all the holiday decorations. I took my step-daughter into town one weekend for a "Christmas Tea" at the local tea-house. We attended an evening performance of the Nutcracker.
I actually enjoyed Christmas.
And I think my family enjoyed having me relaxed and fun-to-be-with for a change.
Heather
Jaylah,
Sometimes all it takes is bringing it all to their attention. We get so used to doing things that people just assume we will do it. Too many people just can't let go & give off some of the responsibility to others. I am glad you enjoyed your Christmas. Here's hoping this one goes as well.
I really like your "Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without...." idea. I might use that. :)
Tigersmom
Brilliant "Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without..." idea. We can be see wrong when we try to guess.
Lynne
We are moving in early December (new job/new community closer to 4 of our 6 children) & I am still saying YES to the Christmas Pledge! One year I actually managed to have everything bought and wrapped by October 1st!! Clearly all the stars were aligned - when I saw things throughout the year that would be perfect gifts I bought them immediately instead of making a list and trying to find them again later. :)
Laurence B.
Ha, that buy-it-as-soon-as-you-see-it method never works out for me. I always end up giving the person her gift way in advance, 'cause I can't wait to see her reaction. And then it's buying time all over again for Christmas. ; )
Patty
The Christmas pledge sounds like its worth taking...especially with the outcome of Dec 20th. I'll definitely take eating warm stew over trying to park at the mall. Yup, only interested in the stew. :)
Diane
I'm in! it should be easier this year since so many more stores are gonna be open on Thanksgiving...(NOT)! But it is fun to try anyway and enjoy the decorations and holiday with friends and family.
Jennifer
I'm giving it a try this year--80% of my gifts are purchased so far. :-)
Tori
There's no way any cookie dough made on November 13 is not going to get eaten until December 4 in my house.
Sandy
All I have left is a few stocking stuffers. It really does make the holiday more enjoyable and relaxing.
Mary Werner
We play Christmas Bingo with prizes. If you win, you choose your prize. The next person that wins chooses a prize or takes yours. So getting all the fun inexpensive prizes was so easy after using some of your sponsors! I was so proud of my prize offerings - to see them fighting over the Crazy Cat Lady milk jars, the yodeling pickle, and the other unique things. We always have a pickle prize when someone finds the pickle ornament hidden in the tree. Love your Pledge!
Heather
I'm in! My favourite part is the stockings, but I seem to go overboard. I collect stocking stuffers all year round and put them in a box & then usually forget what I bought. This year I actually made myself a spreadsheet to keep track of what I had bought everyone & the cost. So even if the gift count isn't equal, the total value of the stocking will be. It also helps me to know WHEN to STOP buying.
OH....I've got a lot of requests for gift cards. Every year I try to come up with some interesting ways to wrap BORING gift cards. Any suggestions?
theresa
there are many gift card pouch ideas on Revelry if you knit or crochet--some might find a re-purpose as business/credit card type holders after the holidays...you could sew them too but I troll Pinterest for those ideas.
Beckie
I have been doing this sort of thing (more or less) for years, and it really is liberating. I will say *I'm in*.
Your timetable closely mirrors my own. This weekend is bookmarked for brainstorming who gets what. Outside dec gets done on the 29th (the Saturday after Thanksgiving in the US) It always gets done that day, no matter what Mother Nature tosses our way.
It's fun to follow along and see how everyone else is doing!
Melissa T
Alright... alright. You (all of you) convinced me. I'm in.
Pati Gulat
I try to do this every year but I'm gonna do GREAT this year because I WON'T BE WORKING RETAIL for the first time since 1987 and ALL the grandanges will be together this year for the very first time EVER !!!! Already got about 10 gifts bought and wrapped and am online shopping this morning.... I BE WORKIN' IT !!! SO EXCITED !!! Thanks for the calender, girlfriend...it's a HUGE help !
Pati Gulat
Grand-ANGELS....not granANGES...LOL !