Even The Best Laid Plans...

Way back here, I made a To-Do List in the hopes of getting myself prepared for Christmas that week. It is now almost 5 WEEKS later.... let's see how I've done (embarrassing myself here!):

• Finalize gift list: I really should...
• every single person, 
• my ideas for their gift 
• the budget for each one

• Set budget for overall Holiday expenses: And this too... See, sometimes I have good ideas!
• DH/kids
• other gifts
• wrapping supplies
• decorations
• craft supplies
• pet gifts (yes, you read it right!)
• cards/stamps

• Determine which gifts will be homemade:
• figure out which projects I will use/give to each person
• ensure have supplies, if not, buy them

• Decide what project to make/give for Teacher's Gifts (I'll post some ideas on that another week!)

• Christmas Card List
• Make sure have addresses, if not, get them

• Design Christmas Cards & get supplies  Yay! I got one!

• Get children to show me what they are hoping Santa will bring Check. Aim to have shopping done by end of this month. 

•  Finalize baking list for the year
• check pantry & determine the grocery list for the holiday treats!

• Double check who is hosting what over the Season, and times, to ensure we know where we are going when

•  Send out e-vite reminder for my fete on New Year's Eve! Wouldn't want anyone to forget!! 

• Determine anything critical and/or quick that can be polished up around the house - in particular, I'm thinking of painting the boys' bathroom. ... sorta.... have the paint for said bathroom, working on refinishing the kitchen table....

• Book the following:
• carpet cleaners And they have already been in too!
• upholstery cleaners  Ditto!
• house cleaners  Going to be a big girl and do it myself (OMG!)
• hair appointment for December Important!
• hair appointments for boys ... oh, right...
• family photos (undecided) ... still undecided, which probably means no at this point!

It is going *well*, as you can clearly see... I blame it on the weather! Very hard to be Christmas-y when we have 10 & 12 degree weather and no snow, don't you agree? I am going to start playing that Christmas music right now, and get out my address book, to at least cross off one more thing before the day is out!