O Christmas Tree

I love to decorate for the holidays.

Some people shop on Black Friday. For me, its the day I get to decorate. Its a great way to burn off Thanksgiving pounds, and to get things done uninterrupted. Throughout the grand plan, I have had a chance to deep clean each of the rooms in my house, so I am ready for the decorations.

The totes come out of the hole.

I have wall art.

Decor

My snowmen collection.

And of course, the tree.

I have a few favorite ornaments.

celebrating our first married Christmas

little man decorated, age 5-our first Christmas as a family

an ornament my grandmother made

Then, its really the holidays.

Come on A My House

I love to entertain during the holidays, but in order to do so and keep my sanity, I need to plan things out earlier in the season.

throwing a get together together at the last minute is insanity. One thing is I may be crazy, but I am not yet insane (thanks Jimmy Buffet!)

the key to a great party is for everyone-including the hostess-to have fun.

If you can prepare foods and punch in advance, you can actually enjoy your own party!

The gift

Shopping and all that jazz...

I love shopping, but the last few years I have struggled with finding the "perfect" gift. I know said perfect gift really doesn't exist, but I try.

I usually start my shopping around back to school time, because I hate the pressure of shopping closer to the holidays. Now that my nieces and nephews are older, they get either cash or gift cards. I still have the little man, big man, princess, queen, my sis/bro in law times two, my other mother and her husband and the pets and teachers, etc.

I have a policy-everyone gets a handmade gift, regardless, and then there is something else. Some people appreciate the time and effort that goes into handmade more than others, but that is their problem.

Coventry Carol

I love to bake year round, but Christmas cookies are a particular passion. I start baking when the grand plan kicks off this week, and I usually make at least 2 dozen of each type of cookie (some for now, some to freeze for the holidays)The only thing is with the thumbprints, I don't add the jelly until I defrost them.
I tend to putter and mumble about finding the time to bake, but I am usually successful at dragging SOMETHING off the schedule and making time/space for the cookie baking time. The only issue I have is not eating them as I bake, which is wrecking as much havoc on my diet as a green beret penetrating enemy lines!

Thumbprint cookies

Round balls

Pizzelles

Fudge

Chocolate bliss

PB cups

Tu Scendi Dalle Stelle

In order to get all the handmade gifts ready by Christmas, I really need to have them planned out, supplies purchased and ready to go by the end of August.

One year I made everyone tied flannel blankets for everyone

Another year I crocheted scarves

Another year I made jewelery

Then there was the year of the cross stitch

The Little Man has even joined in on the fun!

Love gifting my creativity!



Making a List, Checking it Twice

The first part of the Holiday Grand Plan is making your list and checking it (at least) twice. I am a list making kind of gal, this really is my favorite part of the grand plan. Unfortunately, the list making does not always translate into the list doing, but that’s ok. It’s a template for our holiday season, not a battle plan with strict adherence.

 

Some of the lists I make include:

 

• Christmas cards
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• Gift lists
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• Menu planning
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• Crafting to do
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• Baking planner
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• Freezer inventory
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• Party planning