Usually, I'm lucky if I've even started my Christmas shopping at the end of November... most of the time, it's usually after the first week in December. And by that point, we're all running around like crazy trying to find the perfect gifts for everyone, that we aren't able to truly enjoy the magic of the season with our family and friends. This year will be different because I came across this little gem of an idea from Kaley over at Cha-ching On A Shoestring! Essentially, she starts planning for Christmas in November. Well, duh, what a concept! *Light bulb going off*
So, it may sound a little crazy, especially given our busy and hectic schedules and still trying to plan birthdays and Thanksgiving - but I'm going to give it a shot! I used Kaley's ideas from her 20 Minute Missions, tweaked quite a few of them and using an excel calendar, created this very simple calendar to try this year. It is editable, so please feel free to download and tweak how you feel best.
I do have quite a few personalized gifts that I'll be ordering/making this year, so that will be taking up a considerable amount of time. Also, I plan to try and do as much shopping online using Amazon. Since I'm currently a student, I was able to take advantage of the student Amazon Prime rate, and in my opinion, the best feature is the free two-day shipping! Whatever I can't order online, I've got a day dedicated to shopping the weekend before Thanksgiving. My ultimate goal is to have everything ordered, purchased and wrapped, packages that need to be shipped to out of town family and Christmas cards in the mail by the end of November!
I'm ok with a month of craziness now, if that will better enable us to enjoy the Christmas season for all it's worth, with thermos' full of hot chocolate, checking out the Christmas lights, listening to Christmas music and celebrating the birth of our Savior with my family! Wish me luck, I have a feeling I may need it! Wishing you all a blessed holiday season!
So, it may sound a little crazy, especially given our busy and hectic schedules and still trying to plan birthdays and Thanksgiving - but I'm going to give it a shot! I used Kaley's ideas from her 20 Minute Missions, tweaked quite a few of them and using an excel calendar, created this very simple calendar to try this year. It is editable, so please feel free to download and tweak how you feel best.
I do have quite a few personalized gifts that I'll be ordering/making this year, so that will be taking up a considerable amount of time. Also, I plan to try and do as much shopping online using Amazon. Since I'm currently a student, I was able to take advantage of the student Amazon Prime rate, and in my opinion, the best feature is the free two-day shipping! Whatever I can't order online, I've got a day dedicated to shopping the weekend before Thanksgiving. My ultimate goal is to have everything ordered, purchased and wrapped, packages that need to be shipped to out of town family and Christmas cards in the mail by the end of November!
I'm ok with a month of craziness now, if that will better enable us to enjoy the Christmas season for all it's worth, with thermos' full of hot chocolate, checking out the Christmas lights, listening to Christmas music and celebrating the birth of our Savior with my family! Wish me luck, I have a feeling I may need it! Wishing you all a blessed holiday season!
november_2015_-_20_minute_missions.xlsx |
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