A couple of weeks ago, I mentioned this great, free online resource I use to help keep my holiday plans organized. I've found that utilizing this site gives me lots of great ideas/ways to do things from November until the New Year. And because I'm a little (okay, a lot) OCD, the less stress the better.
I am sure there are lots of methods and techniques out there, but this is the plan I've settled on that currently works best for me, so I thought I'd share. You can print out lots of different resources at Organized Christmas or create your own. My own binder is compiled from several different sources, including a few I created myself. Many of the tabs include blank sheets of paper that allow me to jot down notes.
Here's the cute cover I downloaded from Organized Christmas. I use my notebook for both Thanksgiving and Christmas with the Thanksgiving tab (and it's contents) in the front until the day after Thanksgiving when it takes its place at the back of the notebook.
My dividers include tabs for:
Current year's calendar. Here I track all the obvious dates, like parties, but also dates for purchasing the tree and Christmas stamps, mailing cards, baking cookies and wrappings gifts, etc.
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| 2009's calendar was a little austere, but this was in the early days of utilizing a holiday planner and I wasn't making full use of it. |
Gifts: The first page of this section is a running list for this year, recipients and their possible gift(s), ideas/suggestions/wish lists. I also retain all previous years' lists. This makes remembering what I bought for distant cousins (geographically speaking) in 2004, for example, easy.
Food: Mostly menu ideas and suggestions, for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, entertaining, etc. For example, typically we have crock pot chili (that cooks while we're at church) on Christmas Eve, but one year we had bacon-wrapped filets. And yes, I retain all previous years' menus for quick reference. I also keep lists of the assorted Christmas cookies I make from year-to-year.
Recipes: Mostly items that I want to try, generally these are hors d'oeuvres or desserts (like cookies).
Archives: I keep copies of all previous years' calendars, most recent at the front.
Budget: I added this tab for the first time this year in an effort to be very intentional about my spending. It's helped.
Decorating: This sections includes ideas from magazines, catalogues (wreath ideas), etc. Also, an inventory of the items I use to decorate our home. One day, I hope to take photos and complete an ornament journal. I keep information about the garland and wreath I ordered from a neighborhood boy scout (back in October) in this section, too.
Thanksgiving: just one tab that contains all the items for the big Turkey Day holiday.
In the very back of my binder is a Receipts envelope. I use a clear, plastic sheet protector that can be secured at the top. Like this:
Finally,I print out a hard copy of the address labels from my computer and place it in the pocket on the inside front of my binder. This way I can make address changes, corrections and additions, as we receive cards.
My notebook is a work in progress, and I am always looking for ways to improve it. But I have to say, just having a method, however imperfect, helps me (in a just a small way) celebrate and enjoy Christmas even more.
