It's The Christmas Countdown

I'm late. CEO of Organized Christmas has yet another countdown. "Christmas Countdown" started Sunday.  It's six weeks of pure fun.   To learn more click here.  For the past two months I have been following the Holiday Grand Plan which focuses more on house cleaning before the holidays.  Well my place is as ready as it's going to be.With Christmas Countdown, I forget about house cleaning (Well not really) and focus more on holiday prepping.

This week we Get Organized. If you haven't done so already it's time to make lists, think about holiday meals, schedule professional cleaning (if needed), and schedule family photos. It's also a week to think about Christmases past. What worked?  What didn't? Any changes you'd like to make for this year?

Have a holiday planner? If not, this is the time to get one started. CEO has created lots of forms that you can print and add to your planner. Need to decide on what the family is wearing for the photos for the Christmas cards, this wardrobe planner should come in handy.  Having a potluck dinner?  Use this form to keep track of what each person will be bringing.

I've been doing the countdown since 2006 (The year I found Organized Christmas) and let me tell you it has really helped me enjoy my holidays more.

Here's what my planner looks like. It's a three ring notebook with a clearview front.  I just inserted a piece of scrapbook paper for the background. Then printed and inserted the cover on top. The cover is the work of Ms. Melinda.  There are some ladies at MHH whose notebooks are much more creative than mine. I tell you, these ladies are talented. I just have a simple book cover. Heehee.

My notebook is divided into 10 sections:

1. Activities.  Here is where I keep my calendars and the Christmas Countdown checklists.
2. House Cleaning. In this section I have the Holiday Grand Plan or Houseworks Holiday Plan
3. Crafts. In this section I keep a list of homemade gifts and decorations as well as ideas for future projects.
4. Autumn. All about Fall, Halloween and Thanksgiving
5. Decorate. Decorating ideas, room by room planning, decor inventory.
6. Gifts. Gift list, budget, shopping list,Gift closet inventory, stocking stuffer and gift basket ideas
7. Foods/Recipes. Holiday menus, grocery lists, dessert recipes, pantry/freezer inventory
8. Entertainment. Holiday party planning, holiday movie/music/book collection.
9. Addresses. Names and addresses of folks I send Christmas cards to. Tracker form of cards sent/received.
10. Debriefing. Summary of the holiday experience as well as making a few new year's resolutions.

I keep a sheet protector in the back of the book to hold receipts. Some members at MHH use large envelopes. It's really up to you. I also keep blank lined paper for writing notes and reminders and keep the previous years forms for comparising and for guidence for the next year.

Get Organized week is pretty much done.  Being a big Christmas fanatic, I spend time here and there throughout the year planning. 

• All my lists are done (gift list, holiday menu, shopping list, address list, etc.).
• No travel plans for me. I like to stay home during the holidays. Luckily for me the majority of my family live here in Maryland. 
• No overnight guests visiting this year.
• I have a steam cleaner my step-dad bought me a few Christmases ago so I clean my own carpet twice a year.  I plan to spot clean the main traffic areas such as the hallyway and the livingroom. I also clean my livingroom furniture twice a year. The furniture is in great shape and doesn't need cleaning right now.
• No photo sessions to plan either.

Be sure to check out the weekly readings CEO has posted as part of the countdown. They are very inspirational and give great tips and advice.

Finds at Dollar Tree

Well I did it. I did what I said I wasn't going to do - buy more Christmas decorations. 

I couldn't help it. I went to Dollar Tree to buy a few aluminum pans. As soon as I stepped through the door, Christmas stuff was everywhere.  I was immediately drawn over to see what they had. I saw the most pretty purple ornaments. I mean they were georgeous. 

In my defense, I really needed these ornaments. This year's tree in my office will be a bird theme.  I already have red birds that I bought from $ Tree last year (or the year before). I wanted to add more ornaments to the tree and when I saw them I just couldn't pass them up.

I bought two of each shape (star, heart, wreath, sock).  They will look lovely on my tree.

These are the birds I will be using.

I wonder if that will be enough? Maybe I'll buy two more of each.  Also on the tree will be berry garland and regular glass ornaments. It would be cool if I had ornaments with birds painted on them. 

Week 7 of Holiday Prep - Nothing Really Going On.

I don't know what to do with myself. I am at a standstill. Other than shopping for the remainder of the gifts, the rest of the holiday prep cannot be done until December (or at least Thanksgiving Weekend).

So at home I sit, twitteling (sp?) my thumbs, trying to think of what I can do.  All my craft projects are completed (There weren't that many to begin with). Lists are done, menus planned, apartment is cleaned (with the exception of the guest room), parties and other events are penciled-in. There's nothing left to do right now. 

Many of my friends at MHH are getting ready for Halloween. They are planning costumes for family members, going over decorations, foods and activities for their parties.  My best friend and her husband always plan and have the best Halloween parties.  I offered to help but they refused. They just want me to focus on Christmas.  The only thing I had to focus on was a costume. I ended up buying a pirate costume instead of a midevil costume - was cheaper.  Boy I tell you, buying a costume is very expensive.  I am definately making my costume next year.

Week Six Holiday Prep - Stocking Stuffers

Well I finally purchased everything for my 10 year old niece's advent calendar.

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  lip gloss
  
  
  
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  bangle bracelets
  
  
  
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  hair bands
  
  
  
• 
  
  designer leggings (tights)
  
  
  
• 
  
  leg warmers
  
  
  
• 
  
  fun socks
  
  
  
• 
  
  nail polish
  
  
  
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  fun writing pens/pencils
  
  
  
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  candy
  
  
  
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  mini digital photo viewer keychain
  
  
  
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  bubble bath
  
  
  
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  jewelry
  
  
  
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  note pads
  
  
  
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  fun stickers
  
  
  
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  watch
  
  
  
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  gift certificate to Friendly's
  
  
  
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  hand lotions
  
  
  
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  lip balm
  
  
  
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  perfume
  
  
  
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  ear muffs
  
  
  
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  mittens
  
  
  
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  change purse
  
  
  
• 
  
  $10
  
  
  

I'll give the gifts to her mom Thanksgiving weekend so that she will have them by December 1st. They need to be wrapped though. Will have to get started on that.

HGP Prep Week Five

This week MHH members tackle the Master Bathroom and linen closet.  I deep-cleaned my bathroom a few weeks ago because I was ready to put up fall color linens.

This week we are also encouraged to make a batch of holiday goodies and add an extra meal to the freezer.  I for one am waiting til December to bake goodies. I have dedicated an entire day with Christmas music, eggnog, the works.  Besides my freezer is small and I don't have room. However I have dedicated my freezer to meals. As the holidays draw closer and I am pressed for time, all I will have to do is quickly grab something from the freezer, heat and serve.  CEO shares some great tips for freezer cooking.  So far in my freezer I have meatloaf, minced bbq, and lasagna.  More will be added each week.

Other plans for this week are:

• purchase more non-perishable items for holiday meals. This also includes baking ingredients
• purchase more Christmas gifts from list
• work on homemade gifts
• look for new holiday movies to add to my collection

This Week

Well it's Rudy Day at MHH & OC.  There's two more before the big day (Dec. 25th).  This week found me putting up more fall decorations and organizing the master bedroom.  Also I printed labels for the DVD greeting cards I'm sending out this year. My famiy is really gonna enjoy watching this homemade dvd over and over again. While watching the many photos of Christmases past, songs by Donny Hathaway and Luther Vandross play in the background.

My dessert list is finally done! It's mainly cookies.

• chocolate chip
• chocolate cake mix cookies with peanut butter chips
• old-fashioned snicker doodles
• sugar cut-outs
• eggnog sparkle
• oatmeal-raisin
• Santa thumbprint
• pecan-shortbread
• Oreo balls
• Ornament shape holiday cake
• Grandmother's jelly cookies.

I got the recipes for the snicker doodles and eggnog sparkle cookies from two nice ladies who are fellow members at Magical Holiday Home, (Hi Jessica and Snowangel00). Snowangel you may not remember posting this recipe. It was when CEO had the forum at Organized Christmas.

I'm at work right now and things are really quiet and slow. My boss has kept hisself closed up in his office all morning.  Well I'm enjoying it while I can.

Be sure to check out my other blogs, Hey Rudolph! and The Harvest. I just added new posts over there.

September Rudy Day

Another Rudolph Day is here.  What will you do to celebrate?

For me, I am undecided.  I have some crafts that I can do.  I need to get started on altering a few canister jars.  I have everything I need (craft paper, ribbons, glue, etc).  These jars will be filled with candies (caramel, m&m's, Hershey kisses, etc.) and given to the ladies in the accounting office. They love snacks.

Yesterday I printed cover labels for the DVD greeting cards I put together.  My family is definately going to love receiving these. Here's what they look like:

Since today is Friday, I may stretch Rudy Day over the entire weekend.  On my last visit to the grocery store I stocked up on popcorn and hot chocolate. We are expecting rain for most of the weekend which is good because it will keep my in the house. I will spend Sunday lying around in pajamas and watch movies (a couple being Christmas). First I must get my dinner cooked. Oh I almost forgot! Our Ravens play the Browns Sunday. So before and after the game I will be watching movies.

Saturday I will go out for a bit and shop for the remaining gifts for the advent calendar I made back in July.  I finally decided how to display the little Christmas stockings.  I attached them to fleece fabric so that it can hang on the wall or door.

It's work right now, so the celebration is on hold until later today.  Hope everyone has a chance to do something Christmas today!