Friday, October 03, 2008

How to Have a Sane and Enjoyable Christmas!

A number of years ago, I realized that the only way I could make Christmas a stress-free and enjoyable time was to plan way ahead of time, shop all year, and take the last minute stresses away for my husband. And, of course, put the focus back on Christ our Savior, and reason for this celebration, after all.

Well, I believe this year may be a little different because we will be moving the beginning of December:-), but I wanted to share a great resource that will help you get on the right track. And you need to start NOW!!! It is not too early to plan for a wonderful holiday season. In my Inbox today, I received information about this wonderful resource:

The 12-Week Holiday Planner for the Christian Family
by Sheri Graham

Here is some of what is included for only $12.95:
  • Blank monthly and weekly calendar pages for planning your year

  • Weekly "To Do" lists showing exactly what needs to be done each week

  • Thanksgiving and Christmas Menus forms

  • Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Recipe Card forms

  • A Holiday Self-Evaluation form

  • Shopping Lists

  • "Sheri's Tips"- tips to make your holidays meaningful, shared throughout the ebook

  • Christmas Craft and Gift Ideas

  • Memory Making Ideas for the Family

  • Holiday Journal Pages

  • Many, many forms such as:

    Christmas Gift Shopping List
    Gift Making Checklist
    Christmas Card Checklist
    List of Baked Items to Share/Give Away
    Favorite Meals to Freeze for Later
    Decoration Ideas
    Needed Supplies to Purchase This Week
    Holiday Baking Schedule
    Kids' Gift Idea List
    Christmas Gifts to be Shipped

  • PLUS!!! This ebook includes "The Glorious Coming: A Jesse Tree Celebration of Advent" - Jesse Tree devotionals, ornaments, and instructions to make your own Jesse Tree!

  • PLUS!!! Some of our favorite holiday recipes!

I have to confess that I am in no way being compensated for promoting this item - I haven't even been in contact with these folks. I just saw it and knew it would be a wonderful planning tool for so many of you who get stressed out over the holidays. Since it is an ebook, you can buy it and print it out today to get started. And you will never have to buy it again - just print out new pages each year!

Here is the link, in case you want to check it out more for yourself. And if you are participating in a Jesse Tree devotional/ornament group swap, then you won't even have to buy another book for your devotions - they are all included, too!

I am going to start laying out my planning for the holidays now, since the next two months are going to be a little crazy in our house. I already have almost all my Christmas shopping done, so that is one thing I am WAY ahead on:-) Just a few more things and it will all be done. That takes ALOT of stress out of the holidays!

3 comments:

brite00eyes said...

We're moving too! Although we're leaving SoCal beginning of Nov and dont know how long it will take to find a place where we're going - Going on faith :)

Won't Christmas be a joy in a new house? Though I won't have the planner (wont have $ either), but will have each other :)

Anyhow; I stopped by as part of my TOS crew-mate blog tour to have a looksee and get familiar. I am looking forward to getting to know you better over the coming year.
Sheryl - brite00eyes

Anonymous said...

Where are you moving to? Coming back to the beach maybe?
Blessings,
Tammy McCord

dolphin lady said...

Tammy,
We are moving to Phoenix, not back across the states:-).
Erica