I hope you sang the title of this post. 😉
I know. I know. It’s only the fifth day of November but here in blog world, we’re already chatting Christmas. If I wait to talk to you about Christmas until Thanksgiving is over EVERYTHING will be sold out. Please don’t come at me. I love Thanksgiving too but I much prefer my pecan pie with a Christmas tree in the background.
If I was SUPER organized with every holiday, I’d have some type of checklist I’d refer back to yearly. You know the things you need to order in advance, set aside, plan, etc. but you guys know me well. I’m much better at making holidays magical at the spur of the moment. Remember my Halloween procrastinator post?
I don’t know what’s gotten into me. I’m ON my “A” game a bit with Christmas too! TWO holidays lately where I’m pre-planning?!
Let’s look at this post as more of a little chat where I’m sharing things I’m doing or have done to get ready for the season and I’d LOVE for you to share as well. You know things like LOCATE your Elf on the Shelf or order a replacement. Those kinds of things that if you wait to do them, you’ll be panicked. I’m here to help, friends…
*LOCATE your Elf on the Shelf. I’m starting here because MOST of us have probably had to purchase a replacement at some point. If you’d like some help with your Elf, there are tons of Elf Kits on Etsy. Some include 25 days of Elf fun or others are 12 days. You can choose what works best for you!
*AFFORDABLE Christmas sweaters-I geeked OUT when I found these sweaters below. They’re all from Walmart or Target and priced SO well! They’ll be cute the entire season! This green sweater above is my absolutely favorite one! I usually have Christmas parties at school, Christmas birthday celebrations, lunches, etc. and want to be festive. These are PERFECT for all those things that will be filling up our calendar soon!
This navy option is a bit heavier but has all the perfect colors!
The green option’s twin sister…in red.
This red/white sweater could take us all the way to Valentine’s Day! Right?
*Choose a Christmas Study-Lifeway always has a great Advent Study they release each year. I snagged one for myself and the teen study for Ebby Lee.
*Christmas Pajamas-Last year I started a new tradition of getting us matching pajamas. I know most people have been doing this for years but when the kids were little they were into their own things. I leaned into that and would get them football Christmas pajamas or princess Christmas pajamas. This plaid are the ones I snagged this year. They come in a variety of styles so if you just need pajamas pants or shorts, they have you covered. I’m in the medium because I want comfy. Last year, I got us Cuddle Clone pajamas with Champ all over them.
*My Texas House Christmas Decor-A fellow North Texas mom has this REALLY cute and affordable decor line at Walmart! I think her stuff is cute all year but Christmas is when it SHINES! The Gingerbread House pillow and Gingerbread Man pillow are being added to Britt’s bed. She also has cute ornaments, ribbons, etc. I’m not someone who changes up my Christmas decor much but this is a great place to look if you want to add a new item or two at a really good price.
*MAKE Those Reservations-Whatever your family does that’s special or unique around the holidays that requires a reservation…be sure you have your event secured. My family has a special tradition on Christmas Eve that requires a dinner reservation and I made it earlier this week. Special carriage ride has been booked! Now’s the time!
*Order your Advent Calendars-We’re officially out of the Advent Calendar phase. For years our elf brought each of our kids a special calendar. I still get Ebby Lee one every year but now hers is a beauty option. If you have tweens or teens, this is such a fun way for them to get excited every day about the season!
*Get those Christmas cards ordered! Guys, this is on my to-do list TODAY! My goal is to have ours in the mail the day before Thanksgiving! Think it can happen?!
If I get all of these things taken care of, I’ll be feeling REALLY good as we get closer and closer to Christmas! What are some things you like to cross off your list early?!
XO
Great reminders about pre-planning! Happy holidays!!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Elspeth, if I don’t do a blog post about it, I’ll forget myself. 🙂
Those sweaters are CUTE!!!! I think the green one is my favorite too!
I LOVE them! And they’re priced SO WELL!
I always take your advice on Bible Studies and they are always so good. I will get this one for Christmas . Of all the ones you have done, which one is your very favorite?
Typically Lifeway’s yearly study is unique to that year. I don’t know that they keep printing ones from year’s prior? Last year I was still finishing my regular study so I did a Christmas devotional which was great too but not as in depth. The one that stands out {can’t remember the name} was the Lifeway study in 2020. Because it was written specifically for that year, it included current events {like Covid} and REALLY spoke to me. Again, don’t know that you can find it in print or that it would speak to me as much now.
Thank you for answering but I didn’t mean Christmas ones, I meant all the ones you do during the year. I LOVED Ruth by Kelly Minter. I was just wondering your favorites over the past couple years ❤️❤️❤️
OH!! Have you done Seamless by Angie Smith? I think no matter if you’ve been studying the Bible for years or if you’re brand new to reading the Bible, you can learn something. I’ve done it twice and learned something both times.
‘Tis the season! You know I’m ready!
WAHOOO!!!