Christmas in July
Ah, but who wants to think about Christmas now....
Regardless of what time of year it is, does your life bypass the merry-go-round and zip into a roller coaster ride the minute you swing your legs out of bed in the morning? Do you lose sleep wondering how on earth you'll accomplish your usual daily commitments let alone the additional time-consuming responsibilities surrounding Christmas? What is it about the Christmas season that causes most people to groan? Not enough time? Too little money? Not enough energy? Too much stress? These worries cancel out the simple pleasures of the season. But if you can focus on the causes of your stress and work to minimize it, you’ll reduce the anxiety often felt during the winter holidays.
The key to survival for the frantic woman during the most demanding time of the year is to design an orderly approach. Now you can gripe, grumble and groan but it's true. You might say the word “organization” and then visualize one of those perfectly groomed women who wakes happily at 5:00 A.M., runs three miles looking like she stepped out of a fitness magazine, only to go home and cook a full breakfast for her perfect family in an exquisitely spotless house. Her kids’ lunches are packed with nutritious foods they’ll actually eat and each child has on a starched, creased outfit. This perfect mommy drives the neighborhood car pool with a saccharin smile plastered to her flawlessly made-up, cheery face.
But you can relax. We’re not asking you to be that organized. We know that systematizing and categorizing takes time--a commodity the frantic woman has little of. While, we might wish we were like that perfect woman, it’s unrealistic for most of us. And no, that's not what we’re about.
Try to think of preparing for Christmas as similar to planning a vacation. You would never enjoy your week at the beach without first surfing the Internet for reservation bargains, dieting, buying new clothes, cleaning and packing. And that's exactly how you must approach the Christmas season--in a somewhat methodical, step-by-step manner.
The first thing you need when organizing anything is paper (or virtual paper). Why? Because you must write down all the things that need to be done, bought and accomplished from now until Christmas on an all-encompassing To Do list--even if you’re not a list maker by nature. But don’t be frightened by this task. It’s easy and it can be fun.
There are several ways to record your holiday needs and wants. Pick the one that best fits your personality and lifestyle.
Keep a notebook or journal.
- Buy a pack of white, colored or spiral bound index cards.
- Start a new tabbed section in your daily planner.
- Open a fresh file on your computer or Palm Pilot.
Once you’ve decided on a way to record, keep it accessible at all times. Everything you need to do, buy, achieve or remember will be recorded there. You can readily refer to what you need to purchase for whom, what events are upcoming and what is yet undone on your To Do list.
For example, if you come across a great buy--say a sweater on sale at 50% off--without your planner, you might pass up a good bargain and a chance to cross someone off of your list. Or you might wind up buying two gifts for the same person. Your planner will not only serve as your daily to-do but as a journal of sorts allowing you to unload those overwhelming added responsibilities by writing down your thoughts. This action un-clutters your mind so you can better accomplish the things you need to do at work, home or school. Then when it comes time to concentrate on Christmas, instead of wondering where to start, you can open your planner and get right to work.
Now that you have your Christmas planner, keep track of any “specials” you have picked up along the way. Spring and Summer are great times to buy out-of-season and discontinued items.
Make a list of who you need to buy gifts for, don’t forget the workplace, school, and service people. Then keep your eyes open for great bargains to be had.
Don’t forget to check the paper supplies departments too. Recently, I bought cellophane for .24 a roll and basket gift wrap bags for .33 a pack. Stock up when you see this type of a buy and use your creativity.
With Christmas on your mind months in advance, you’ll be aware of great deals and won’t feel as pressured come the “Most Hectic Time of the Year.”
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