December comes every year… like clockwork. We can’t stop it and yet it seems to sneak up on us like a dream. What were we thinking? Apparently I wasn’t thinking and planning enough (typical).
This year I am starting to get the feeling that I should do something about this to relieve the stress for next year. So I’m already preparing for after the holidays. If I plan out the entire year… and follow the plan… next year, December should be a breeze.
So what should I do first? I could start making checklists and plans and etc. etc. etc. But I really don’t know where to start. Does any of this sound familiar to you? I’ll bet it does.
Instead of waiting until the 1st of 2009 to start thinking about it… I am thinking about it now. Taking tiny bite sized chunks – like baby steps – is the real key to making a plan work. You know this… I know you know this!
The first little bit sized chunk is to take a bit of time each day and review what it is that I wish was already done. Just like daily life… we all have those amazingly long to-do lists that seem to grow, and never get smaller.
What Is It Today That You Wish Was Already Done?
Today is December 4th and I have a huge list of things that I wish were already done in preparation for the holidays. That won’t help me with my “bite sized chunk” idea. I need to narrow this down a bit. I really want all the shopping, wrapping, decorating, shipping, meals and guests accommodations all planned and ready to go – Right Now!
Impossible to catch up… because I didn’t have a really well thought out and structured plan in place. I think I need to hire a personal planner and shopper… yeah that’s the ticket! Not! That would just take all the fun out of the holidays. LOL
The Big Planning Idea – Lists For You To Make Right Now!
Because this is going to be a year long project – we are going to need some supplies. While your out shopping – pick these up along the way. I’ll be sharing things with you throughout the year and you will want a place to keep it all together.
I like to keep stuff stored on my computer – I’m sure you do as well. But I also want to have a physical – hold in my hand and make notes – notebook that I can grab at any time and add stuff to.
- Notebook – A nice shiny red one!
- Lined 3-ring paper
- Dividers – you know the ones with tabs.
- Pocket Pages- I like the colorful plastic ones with tabs. I get them at the big box office supply stores.
- 3×5 cards – trust me on this… your going to love what I do with these.
- Something to write with – I just got a set of metallic gel pens for my birthday – these will work great!
- Labels for the tabs ( I have a label maker that makes everything look neat). – *see below for the label maker I use and why I love it. Hint – this makes a great Christmas gift!
- If you want to get really fancy-pants… they sell a little plastic bag with 3-ring holes to hold pens-labels – 3×5 cards and other stuffs.
Don’t worry if you don’t have all these supplies today. You can still follow along and get started with me. 
Day 1 – Gift List Planning For Next Year!
What will I do on Day 1 (today)?. What will I be putting into this notebook today so I can start getting a grip?
Today (baby sized chunk) - Get those 3×5 cards out and get ready to rumble. (if you don’t have the cards – start with paper and you can transfer to the cards later).
Side note – You are going to use these 3×5 cards next year… so don’t get lazy. THAT Painter Lady said so.
- Each 3×5 card gets a name (the ones who get gifts).
- Single names for those you give multiple gifts to – like kids, hubby etc.
- Family names for those you give a family gift to.. (I also use family names if I’m shipping all the gifts to one family in one box.
- Business Gifts – I like to give one type of gift to all our business associates. For instance – if I’m sending a food basket to all of the business related associates I list “Food Basket From – Insert Food Basket Company Name Here“. Then I list all the companies or people I need to send that gift basket to. (If you send a gift to any professional – doctor, dentist, lawn guy- list them here as well).
- Tip - I use 2 different colored cards for this project. One color for those that have to be shipped and the other color for gifts that don’t have to be shipped.
- Try to be as complete with your list as possible.
- I have a separate card for miscellaneous gifts. These are gifts that I can pick up throughout the year and list on the card. I stash the gifts in a particular storage spot… but I have a “list” that I can see of what is stashed. When someone drops by with a gift (and you didn’t get them anything) you have a nice little place to grab a gift from. See how thoughtful you are?
- As your writing out these cards… list right on the card any gifts you have already purchased. I also list gift ideas for that person on the card as well.
- If the gift is already purchased or made – a little star goes by that gift so you know it’s a done deal.
- Every time you “think” of someone you need to get a gift for… make a new card.
How to use these time saving cards:
- Use a rubber band or case to keep all these cards together. I like to use a little case to keep prying eyes from seeing the gift lists.
- Separate the 2 colors of cards.
- The “must be shipped” card color is your priority. Here are the last dates to ship:
- Bargain Rate: December 6th
- Basic: December 15th
- Express: December 19th
- Premium: December 20th
- International: November 10th
- Canadian: December 7th
Now you can see at a glance what needs to be purchased or made and shipped. This goes to the top of the to-do list.
The Big Idea for Today! Get online right now and see what you can get purchased and shipped today! I love to use Amazon.com
One of Debra – THAT Painter Lady – Favorite Tools (I love toys).
This little guy gets a workout in our house. I use it to label everything in my office… I mean everything. And my craft room is filled with labeled drawers, boxes and jars. Plus… I use it to label stuff everywhere else in the house.
I even have labels in the garage storage areas… No, I don’t feel super organized – but the labels are easy to read for my tired eyes and it has cut down on the frustration factor.
BONUS - If you purchase this label maker or any other qualified office supply or electronic item between now and Dec. 25th – you get a gift as well. (love that!) A $5 music gift card. If I purchase enough qualified items I know these music download gift cards will make great extra gifts for all my friends and family with ipods or mp3 players or those that love to listen on their laptops! See the Bonus Info Click Here
Brother PT-80 P-touch Electronic Labeling System
