Category Archives: Celebrations

A Christmas Plan

9 Comments

No, I have not forgotten that it is January.

We have all heard the phrase about learning from past mistakes.  While they are not strictly mistakes, past events can be reviewed to see if it is possible to change things with a view to making life simpler and less stressful for ourselves.

Since it is a new year, what better to review than Christmas and the festive season?

My Christmas celebrations are very low-key compared to some.  However, comparison is not the issue here – streamlining the process and having time to enjoy the seasonal festivities is my aim.

Last year we went on holidays in October/November so I didn’t really focus seriously on any Christmas planning until mid-November.  There are also family birthdays at this time – one in November and one in early December.

Lazy Brownie Day is a concept I may have mentioned last year but it never quite got off the ground.  I believe the name comes from a book character, but regardless of the name, the concept is that the 25th of every month is dedicated to Christmas preparations.   While I may not always be able to do Christmas prep exactly on the 25th of the month due to work commitments, I will have a plan and review it each month.  This year I want to make sure that I do a little bit at a time and that there is no mad rush (physical or mental) at the end of the year.

Based on what I did in 2011 I have mapped out a basic idea of what I need to do each month to ensure that I am organised when it gets to December.  I have taken into consideration what worked, what didn’t and what I wanted to do that didn’t happen.

This is what it looks like:

January

  • Sort and file Christmas cards and letters
  • Make sure any contact details are updated in address book
  • Update Christmas card list
  • Set up complete contact list for 2012 e-cards

2012-01-04 01February

  • Make gift bags
  • Plan home-made gifts
  • Make list of gift recipients

2012-01-04 02March

  • Write Q1 review for 2012 Christmas letter
  • Work on home-made gifts

April

  • Work on home-made gifts

May

  • Work on home-made gifts

June

  • Write Q2 review for 2012 Christmas letter
  • Work on home-made gifts

July

  • Work on home-made gifts
  • Make Advent calendar

2012-01-04 03August

  • Complete home-made gifts
  • Check what other gifts to buy

September

  • Write Q3 review for 2012 Christmas letter
  • Buy any extra dried fruit/ingredients for cake
  • Make Christmas cake

October

  • Write Christmas cards
  • Select suitable photos for Christmas letter
  • Discuss plans for Christmas festivities/venues with extended family

November

  • Buy Christmas stamps
  • Make sure Advent calendar is complete and ready
  • Check times and location of carol service and displays of lights

December

Week 1

  • Put up and decorate the tree
  • Finalise menu for meals I am hosting over Christmas
  • Do major grocery shopping to last until after New Year

Week 2

  • Post cards
  • Take Miss O and Izz to carols and light displays

Week 3

  • Send Christmas e-cards/letters
  • Take Miss O and Izz to work Christmas party
  • Buy fresh fruit and vegetables
  • Relax and enjoy

Since Christmas 2011 is still reasonably fresh in mind, I hope I have covered most things.  There will be other small things I do throughout the year.

I am going to print this post and put it in a folder for reference and with the assistance of Lazy Brownie days I plan to have a smooth, non-stressful lead-up to Christmas 2012.

Do you have any particular timelines for Christmas preparations?

Closed For Christmas

1 Comment

A short final post to wish all of my readers a very Merry Christmas.

When I began writing this blog early this year I had no idea whether I could really blog consistently, what I would write about (apart from a very general idea of the topics I might cover) or if it would be of any interest to anyone.  You have all inspired me to keep going and develop the themes of organisation and sustainability which is what underpins all of my writing.

I hope we can continue to inspire each other and make a difference to our own lives and the lives of others in 2012.

Please have a safe and joyous Christmas season.  Wherever you are, I hope you can take time to relax and recharge yourself.  Enjoy the company of family and friends.

I hope you will come back and join me in 2012.  I am looking forward to the new year with anticipation.  I love the thought of a blank canvas waiting for me to put my mark on it.

Best wishes for the festive season and 2012.  May it be everything you desire.

Finishing Touches

2 Comments

I still have 2 full days to go before Christmas Day and I feel more organised than ever.  I am already planning how I can spread the preparations throughout the year to make it even easier in 2012.  More about that another day.

Today I finished a few things.  The last of the gifts are bought and now wrapped as well.

2011-12-22 01It is a modest collection of mostly practical gifts.  There is no use espousing minimalism and decluttering all year, only to go overboard when Christmas comes around.  The hamper gifts are yet to be labelled and packaged so they are not in the photo.

I had my hair cut, the cards are posted and email correspondence sent.

After a short day at work tomorrow, I will buy some fruit and vegetables as well as mayonnaise, yoghurt and salami.  Then we will be all ready for the festive break.

Missy will arrive tomorrow, then Belle and the family on Saturday.

We will be enjoying a few days with the family from tomorrow.

Don’t forget to drop in tomorrow for another Friday favourite – this time it is another salad for Christmas (or any other time of the year).

Making a List & Checking It Twice

Leave a comment

6 days until Christmas and I am beginning to feel like it is all coming together.  I have crossed a few more things off the list today and this is what the list looks like now.

Tonight:

Finish making food gifts for home-made hampers
Email Christmas letter to most of my friends/relatives
Finish writing the last few cards – I don’t send many (see above)
Write down menu plan (it is in my head) for the rest of the week and weekend
Make carry bag to go with gift for child at Royal Children’s Hospital

Tuesday:

Work
Print letter to go with cards and post
Look for last part of present for Belle
Volunteer morning at Royal Children’s Hospital – take gift (unwrapped)

Wednesday:

Work

Thursday:

Work

Friday:

Children’s Christmas party at work (Miss O and Izz attending)

Saturday:

Buy fruit and veg (fruit stall open from 6am)
Buy mayonnaise and yoghurt
Assemble hampers
Enjoy Christmas Eve with family

Aside from the list there is the usual washing and ironing.  The floors will get swept and washed at the end of the week but other than that I am happy that I am prepared.

I think all of my decluttering and streamlining this year has helped.  All is well.

How are your Christmas preparations going?

Taking Time Out For Fun

1 Comment

I did not post yesterday because I was spending the time with my precious family.  Miss O and Izz were here so we pulled out the Christmas tree and decorated it.  Here they are with the creation.

2011-12-11 01We went to look at the Christmas light displays last night and the wonder and delight on their faces was priceless.

I also took Miss O to the Carols at Twilight in Maleny.  Due to a terrific thunderstorm about an hour beforehand the occasion was relocated in the hall rather than the park.  Miss O could not believe her eyes and ears at the music and colour.  She sat entranced during the entire event.

This morning I helped the girls make a gift for Belle.  It is a string tin.

2011-12-11 02A coffee tin covered with pieces cut from a local magazine.  The paper is glued on, a hole punched in the lid and a ball of string inside.  I will finish the outside with some clear varnish to seal it and we have a practical gift that small hands can make (with a bit of help) at no cost apart from the ball of string.

2011-12-11 03I did the cutting but Miss O used the glue stick and placed the pictures.  Izz also did a couple with the glue stick.

We had a lot of fun working on this project together.

Do you have any suggestions for Christmas gift ideas for children to make?

Minimalism – Everyday Maintenance

3 Comments

Minimalism and decluttering should not simply be an excuse for a massive clean-up followed by more of the same – buy, buy, buying of stuff.

Downsizing, voluntary simplicity, minimalism – whatever terminology you wish to use – is a complete change of mindset which requires constant vigilance to ensure that clutter does not creep back into your life.

I try to do something every day to streamline my life and enhance the way we live.  Yesterday I unsubscribed from 2 email mailing lists so that is several more emails that I do not have to delete every week.  It is much easier to eliminate things at the source rather than constantly trying remove unnecessary intrusions, regardless of their form.

There is so much we can do to simplify our lives but it is important to remember that we did not acquire all of this ‘stuff’ overnight, so it is a ridiculous goal to attempt to clear out the excess in our lives in a short space of time.    Slow down and appreciate the benefits of the space (mental and physical) you create with every small step.

By creating space you are able to embrace special opportunities that present themselves.  I am looking forward one such occasion tonight.  The Duke and I are going to a show with Belle and Missy.  It will be great to spend time together as a family doing something that means a lot to all of us.  This possible because we have plenty of space in our schedules which is often unusual this close to Christmas.  Over the past few years we have eliminated many of the Christmas functions which we attended due to a feeling of obligation rather than a real desire to celebrate.  Now we do exactly what is important and meaningful to us and a lot of the stress has been removed.

Have you simplified aspects of your life?