getting ready for next Christmas

Yes, you read that right. I'm already thinking ahead to next Christmas. I want to make sure that I'm more organized next year so that I'm not scrambling at the last minute to get gifts made, mailed, etc. Especially in case something happens like (God forbid) my son breaking his leg, tree branches coming in my windows...you get the idea!

Of course, one thing that will help me next year is limiting the amount of handmade gifts I make. Despite what I said in a previous post, I have now decided that I'm no longer making handmade gifts for family members. Don't get me wrong, I haven't changed my views on what is truly important this time of year. But I don't like my time being taken away from my kids to make gifts that are not appreciated. I will still make gifts for friends, teachers, etc. because I truly enjoy it.

Anyway, I decided to decorate up a little notebook to jot down notes, kind of like a To Do list for each month. So that when October rolls around I don't suddenly realize there's stuff I should have already finished. Next December my plan is to have everything done (except baking) before the month even starts. I've done it in the past so I know it's doable.

I bought one of those little Mead notebooks to hold all of my notes. A little patterned paper, stickers, a little ribbon, don't forget the jingle bell, and voila!