photo by sister72
I am one who cringes at the site of one holiday following immediately on the heels of another - at the site of Christmas decorations in stores just after (if not before) Halloween, Valentine's Hearts up just after the New Year, and so on. At the same time, I generally find myself wishing for more time from the first hints of fall through the end of the year.
I'm trying something different this year - I will still cringe at the early signs of Christmas, but I'm planning ahead this year - and not just for Christmas, but for the fall and Thanksgiving activities and for fun ways to celebrate that eventual first snow as well.
My daughter is old enough this year that I think she will begin to appreciate the seasons, to delight pumpkins and corn mazes, Halloween and Christmas lights. I've started a list similar to my summer list with all the seasonal activites I am planning. I find this visual checklist is a good reminder to get out and do fun things.
In addition, I've printed out blank monthly calendars for October through December. I'm filling in activities we've scheduled so I can see where we have free time. I'm pencilling in activities from my new list where it makes sense.
I've started a craft list, both on paper and bookmarked on my computer. Some of these crafts will turn into Christmas gifts for friends and family, others are just fun activities I think Sweetpea will enjoy.
I will post some craft lists and my "Fall/Winter" list in the coming months. I'm hoping this pre-planning will help ensure we have a fun and stress free holiday season. What do you do to help things run smoothly during the holidays? When do you start planning? Are you trying something different this year? I'd love to hear your ideas!
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6 comments:
good job planning ahead!!
(btw: my little girl DOES.NOT.SLEEP. in her toddler bed. She is actually delerious today because she won't sleep all night in it. I honestly don't know what to do.)
Doesn't it all just seem to go by so fast?? The last couple of years we have missed out on picking peaches because we just didn't get around to it - and now we're almost to the end of apple season! We definitely will hit the pumpkin patch, though!
Sweetpea is lucky, what a fun mom you are! It's always fun to celebrate the seasons - brings me right back to elementary school when we'd make paper lion and lambs for March (in like a lion, yada yada). We also made Indians for Fall, but somehow I think they don't do that anymore...
I can't wait to see your fall/holiday lists. Great idea. and I think I'll incorporate it too.
I think getting the calendars ready now sounds like a good, organized, idea. I've been reluctant to start on anything holiday-related. It just doesn't feel like the right season when it's 80 degrees outside.
Heather, I totally agree! That's partly why I'm determined to try and get ahead this year!
Elle, thanks, I hope so! :)
Deb, I should have my lists up this week...
Rachel, I can relate to feeling like it's way too early - I hate seeing Christmas decor, etc in the stores! So far I'm just working on paper, and we had lots of cold weather this past week, which helped get me in the mood for the holidays a bit! ;)
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