Christmas All Year Long – An Update So Far

Less than nine months until Christmas!  I know I’m a sick person. 

I work on Christmas all year long so I am prepared for the season with as little financial and emotional stress as possible.  After many years of feeling stressed out, overburdened, under budgeted and dreading the holiday altogether, I decided I needed to take a much different approach to the holidays.  After all, it just isn’t worth driving yourself crazy over. 

So far, this is what I have accomplished: 

• I compiled a modest and affordable gift list for all the people I wish to give to this next Christmas.
• I made a list of stocking stuffers so I can start accumulating those items as I find them on sale.  So far I have acquired free toothpaste and toothbrushes I purchased on sale with coupons which made my total $0.
• I already started working on my handmade items so I have plenty of time to complete my projects.
• I have completed 4 hand knitted hats so far.  All made from leftover yarn scraps or yarn that was given to me.
• I made 20 Christmas cards.
• I made 30 self adhesive gift tags.
• I sorted and organized my gift wrap bin.  I purchased 2 rolls of wrap on clearance at 50¢ a roll and two packages of tissue paper for $1.50 after Christmas last year.  I also saved gift bags, gift boxes, tissue and bows to re-use.
• I have updated my Christmas card list.
• After using coupons to purchase sale items at Bath and Body Works I have three nice gift sets put together.
• I have made a list of homemade treats I plan to make and give at the holidays.
• I started a preliminary budget plan.
• I am planning to re-use our existing holiday decorations so I do not plan to purchase any additional items this year.

I used to plan for Christmas and start working on it in July but I found that the summer activities would tend to sideline my efforts.  I wouldn’t get back on track until the kids were back in school.  By then I was feeling the pressure to get busy and I ended up feeling stressed out and unprepared. 

Now that I work on it a little bit at a time throughout the year I find I can get far more things done and I don’t feel pressured or overburdened.  I also feel like I give nicer gifts and spend less money doing so.  I love to make my gifts and fortunately I have just enough talent to make some nice things that people seem to enjoy receiving. 

The best part is that I really get to enjoy the holidays.  How do you tackle your Christmas planning?