I am starting to think about Christmas, are you?
This morning, watching the autumn leaves falling to the ground, a thought ‘it’s time to get the Christmas bauble rolling’ came to me.
I love Christmas. Over the last few years, it’s increasingly become a pleasure and most definitely has moved away from any potential of it becoming a chore.
The top priority, each Christmas, is spending time with one another. And never has that been more poignant than this year.
During the Summer I was interviewed by a Women’s magazine, asking the question ‘Has Christmas become too pressurised?’ Generally? Maybe. Specifically to us? No.
Our Christmases get simpler each year. Presents are still bought, events are still attended and food is still prepared. But it doesn’t feel pressurised, it feels like fun.
One of the key components to keeping the pressure off is to plan.
That planning process has already begun. Although it kicks in once we have celebrated Halloween.
Prior to Halloween I intend to have Christmas all wrapped up. All the simple gifts that are to be given to close family will have been collated, boxed up and shipped off to Santa. This leaves just the Kids’ Christmas lists to Santa to be fulfilled at a later date. That’s a post closer to December.
One day is allocated to sourcing all the items that will be placed in each persons no-clutter, consumable Christmas box. You can see how I do it here.
The format will be very much the same this year. Each person will receive a hamper or box (often upcycled) that contains something to eat, something to drink, something simple to wear such as socks, and an experience – this may be a voucher, ticket, or maybe a book or DVD.
This year each box will also contain an Angel Wish.
This is not a sponsored link. Just something you may be interested in. Read all about Emma’s inspiring story here.
(I hope to run a giveaway featuring The Choccy Pot soon)
Each week I will be doing a Christmas post – the next one will be a step by step guide to how I put together my simple Christmas boxes – as I hope that by next week it will indeed be all wrapped up!
How are your Christmas plans coming along? Have you started them, or is it still too early for the C word?
I’ve started! It helps that I started my own small business at the beginning of November (the fact that I sell make-up still surprises me. I’m such a tomboy!) and have been buying Xmas gifts for everyone out of our catalogue. Also, Miss Z has had the talk about the man in red (in the middle of a gaming store no less!) because the pop vinyl harry potter figures come out and she wanted them all! Instead we have allocated some to family members to give her and some from us. She’s been so funny, sneaking up to me and thanking me for things she’s got over the years. And asking how we enjoyed the strawberries on Christmas eve!!! Cheeky 😉 I usually start Xmas prep in September so i have time to budget and plan and really amp it up in November after all my senior students go on exam leave. Right, that’s enough from me 😉
So why don’t I know about this business Clare? 😉 have you told me and I have missed it – if that’s the case then I am incredibly embarrassed. Please can you e-mail me all the info – sincerely I want to know more x
I’ve started planning and purchasing! Gift wrap and boxes are at the ready too!
Go Noreen!!
I’ve been planning for Christmas for months! Ha! I actually made the decision to not buy any new Christmas items (decorations, wrapping, etc) and have already saved myself A LOT of money! I got 100 Christmas cards for under $3 and I plan to start writing out notes this week.
Super organised!!!!! I too am not buying any new decs this year – although I rarely need to, my family love giving them to me 🙂
I’ve started loosely planning here, and have gotten a few presents. We have Halloween, Thanksgiving and a family vacation in between so lots of good things coming up before the end of the year. Christmas is my absolute favorite season, and although we don’t decorate the house until after Thanksgiving (4th Thursday in November) we start the Christmas music playing on November 1st! As the family has aged, both my own children and our many nieces and nephews, along with the children of friends, it’s gotten much easier. An exchange of cards and/or getting together for a Christmas cheer is all that’s required for most.
Sounds wonderful Susan. I think Thanksgiving is a fabulous idea for a holiday and intend this year to celebrate it despite being in the UK. This is for various personal reasons – but mainly because the act of showing gratitude is so very important (so will be slightly different to the US holiday here!). Perhaps it’ll catch on?
Yes yes yes. Usually i find christmas abit boring but im really excited this year as its my sons first. I already have numerous gifts brought and wrapped. Im loving pinterest too so many cool fun christmas ideas to do with little ones like satas footprints, elf on the shelf, christmas eve boxes ( in the propose of putting one together now).
Cannot wait and it will get more exciting as he gets older. I think its when the big kid in you is allowed to come out.