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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Anita
I'm so in this year! Usually I can't get started in time and then I think, "Why bother? It's too late to take the pledge," and then my December is insane. This year I HAVE to do it. My folks are coming for Christmas. I don't know when they plan to arrive. My husband is being sent to Belgium for work for 2 weeks sometime in December. They still don't have the dates set, so I can't rely on him for help with any of it. All I know is my house is a frikkin' disaster right now, so I'm adding a week of deep cleaning, to the top of the schedule. I'm hoping this will be the year I finally get my act together and fool everyone into thinking I'm some kind of organized holiday goddess (LOL). Oh yeah, we're traveling for Thanksgiving, so I'll lose 8 or 9 days there too. It's all good. I got this.
Sarah
I'm in for the first time! I don't know why I have never actually thought of this before because now that I read your pledge it's so dang intuitive that it should be done early. My major hold-up is actually financial because we really need to use part of our December budget/paycheck for many of the gifts but I think I can have everything set in my Amazon cart (thank the LORD for online shopping) and then when the check comes on the 25th of November I can get busy and push some of the wrapping into the beginning of December and still have a relatively restful and happy December! The major thing I'm scratching my head over is "do outdoor planters." What are these outdoor planters I'm supposed to "do" and what does this "doing" involve? Feeling concerned that I've missed a significant Christmas tradition in my lifetime somehow...
Aldrea
I am one of those who firmly believe that I shouldn't see anything Christmasy until the day after Thanksgiving, and that Christmas music should only be played December 23rd through 25th (which are coincidentally the days I wrap all my Christmas gifts). But last year I tried to 'get ahead' and make everyone's gifts by hand starting Dec. 1 (hah), and I had an absolute meltdown. So I've downloaded your calendar and I'm going to give it a try this year!
Brenda
I'm in. Why not the stores have Christmas stuff BEFORE Halloween. If you do crafts you had better start now. I have wine cork reindeer started. Happy Holidays or is that pushing it too far!!
Karen W
As yet another female with a tendency toward anxiety, I have to say I appreciate this reminder to get stuff done. Planning ahead is the only way! Then I can sit back and drink cider and be thankful for Jesus come Dec 25 :) best wishes to all of you in your efforts!
Karen J
I'm in. I already had some Christmas gifts before November this year... unfortunately they were gifts I failed to get mailed in time for last Christmas. Obviously I need a little more structure. We'll see how it goes.
theresa
As with most goals, so long as you try you get further along than you had thought. So I will gladly try again this year as the list really helps balance my love of winter holidays with then huge amount of work I have this season (not retail related just the way my work load falls)
Had a bit of a panic mid-October but got some great gifts made for the stylish girls on my list and so feeling better about being on track. As a catholic I hold that cards can be sent out as late as epiphany as that is part of the season...
Amanda
I did this for the first time last year and I'm so glad I did because I got the practice in-this year our second little is due dec the 30 and I have so many other things on my mind this is going to totally help me stay on track!!! So glad you posted it again!!!
Debbie
Ah, as Chanukah approaches (though not before having 22 people for Thanksgiving from seven states and three countries, with six staying at my home for the two days prior to Turkey Day and my probably having a panic attack or two, even with my extensive list and schedules, because I will invariably forget something), I am calm as that is one holiday over which I do not fret. We decided long ago that adults would not give gifts to adults. Whew! We also discovered that as our kids, nieces and nephew grew older, no matter how much we asked their parents for gift ideas or turned our kishkes inside out looking for gifts, the one thing all of the children cherished was -- the gift of green stuff. This one was saving for something electronic, that one for a car (and/or car insurance), another for college spending money, another to buy stock (seriously, he started as a pre-teen). Providing them with what they wanted/needed ensured that gifts would not collect dust.
It may sound as though giving green stuff is cold, heartless and thoughtless, but once we decided to do so, we got the biggest hugs, smiles and thank-you's. Sometimes ya gotta go with the flow.
As far as the cooking, thanks to the modern miracle of the food processor, latkes are a breeze.
To my friends who celebrate Christmas, etc..., the effort and joy with which you amazingly cook, bake, decorate and celebrate the holiday is wonderful and amazing!
Karen
Hi Debbie! I know I still appreciate getting money! Do you use the food processor to shred the raw potatoes? I haven't had a latke in a bazillion years. ~ karen!
Debbie
Karen - you are invited to Pennsylvania for Chanukah! Come any time and I will make latkes for you. Yes, I use the food processor to shred the potatoes. We prefer shredding, though I know some folks grind them to a smooth consistency. Keep the shredded potatoes in cold water to avoid them turning a lovely shade of gray/black. Drain them thoroughly before mixing in the eggs, grated onion, salt and pepper. Some folks add back the potato starch left in the bowl after draining the potato water. I add as little matzoh meal/flour as possible, just enough as a binder.
There are fancy latke recipes, but I'll take a basic crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, golden latke with (homemade) applesauce anytime. I must admit that, oh darn it, some of mine get very well done (yum, yum). I hope you get a chance to make some - maybe on December 1 when you are crying tears of joy that are diamonds!
Nancy
I'm in, I take the pledge!
It was a real lifesaver last year. My Mom passed away the week of Thanksgiving and most everything was done except for the decorating and we didn't feel much like it anyways after all. But having the cards done and gifts practically done, it was so wonderful not having to think about it.
This year we go to visit the kids in Texas the 5th of Dec and it will be great to have everything done before we go and just enjoy the holiday.
Dawn
I'm in, with the exception that I refuse to put up decorations/tree before December dammit.
My main problem this year is that money is a bit tighter than usual, so I'm reluctant to spend much, and as a result appear to be totally grumpy about the whole thing. :D Buying for my in-laws is a pain in the arse normally dagnamit, so hating spending money on them isn't helping matters!
On the plus side, it's only temporary skintness, so I might just break out the credit card and stop being such a grumpy cow ;)
pat
The tree decorating at my house happens on the Saturday of Grey Cup weekend (Canada's version of the Superbowl for our neighbours to the south; our version of football finals for the rest of your guests) which happens near the end of November. It was a shock to my family when I started doing it a few years ago, but once the tree is up and all the decoration boxes are out and you're decorating your house while you're at it, every time I hear someone at work complain in December how they're running out of time and the tree isn't up yet, I breathe a sigh of relief.
Keith
Some of those people who keep a stopwatch for when Christmas can begin, I find, are the same ones who are frantically running around the last few days trying to get everything done. My opinion is that they harp on getting early preparation because underlying this hold-off on the holidays is an underlying dread of getting it all done (in other words procrastination).
Either you strategically plan to get it all done, or you just downsize all the obligations and festivities.
Personally, the anticipation and build up is what makes any holiday great. When you were a kid, you counted the days until you turned another year older. Christmas and Easter have formal names for these times: Advent and Lent. Most weddings take a good amount of fun time to dream about and to plan. I just say enjoy it - the fun is in the process.
Shelly McKay
Count me in! Last year I tried & failed miserably. Hoping this year will be better - already have a bunch of gifts purchased/ordered. I host a "Christmas In November" with a bunch of my cousin's coming out for the weekend of Nov. 21st, so I'd better have the house looking somewhat festive (inside & out) by then :)
Jody
Yup, I' m in. I have tried to get most of everything done by Dec 1 with only a few things to do early in December. I am a much happier, gee-I-want-to-be-around-that-person kind of person when I stay way ahead of the curve.
Carla
Yes yes yes! Did it last year and it is life changing!
Julia at Home on 129 Acres
I've declared Nov. 1 the end of project season for the house, so for the first time I might just be able to take the pledge. Considering that last year I didn't bake Christmas cookies until our wedding anniversary on Jan. 26, I think this year will be a definite improvement.
Cindy
I'm in again! Karen, you're a genius - December was so much more relaxed last year. I'm looking forward to the same this year.
mimiindublin
Definitely count me in!
For the first time in 36 yrs, I will not be working, so I want it to be very special, cos there's no excuse to not have freshly baked cookies.
And I've already lost the 3lbs! (but wouldn't mind losing maybe 3 more....room for cookies )
Laura M
I'm in. I host the family for Christmas Eve and morning so there is a lot of extra cooking and laundry going on but I've added all your notes to my calendar. Good start to the rest of it. At least this year I'll get the cards done if I look at my calendar. So far I have 6 of 16 gifts taken care of. And I only have one difficult person on my list. My husband. He is in the habit of just buying whatever he wants or likes or sees when he feels like it. I try to tell him the rules change the month before his birthday or Christmas. We'll see how that goes. I have some homemade gifts I've got to schedule in. Once that's done there will be quite the relief with your list. Thanks.