I think you've got the right idea!! Thanks for sharing those tips!!

Another idea might be to buy a certain number of those Anytime postage stamps each month so the December buy won't feel like you're spending your life savings to buy them!!

Great ideas!! I, too, pack away the decorations and label which room they go in. Makes things so much easier. Love the gift card idea!! Thanks for sharing.

I pack in plastic bins according to rooms, (except for the few things I ALWAYS miss, and they get stuffed into the last bin, LOL)
I keep a notebook with the things that I want to change for next year or be on the look out to buy, deco wise.

I lose things. My lists, my mind......

hugs, Karen

I've saved the addresses of those we mail Christmas cards to in a Word document for labels. Then I can update as changes occur. In December, I just have to buy blank labels and print them. Plus I have a number of how many cards I need to buy. It took some time to do it initially, but it's a real time-saver now with all the craziness at Christmas

That gift card idea is pretty smart, I'm going to try and adopt that one myself...
was thinking about the whole holiday the other day and how much work it was - have decided next year I am going to a relative's house and let them do all the fussing while I sit by the fire and sip something tasty...LOL.
Suzan J

LOL Karen!!! So true, that's why I bought the book. Cute Mary Engelbreit from Michael's. Keep it by the computer! Papers forget it..I am forever reading things I wrote down, with no clue what they mean!!!

Great minds think alike, Kathleen. I just bought a pretty little notebook and put it by my computer.
I love the ideas on this thread, some really good ones!

hugs, Karen

Kathleen, your comment about reading what you wrote on paper and then not knowing what it means made me laugh as I do the same thing! I always think to myself....now why couldn't you have wrote another couple of words about what it was about!! lol! I came across a paper just the other day with phone number on it......but WHO does it belong to??? :)

I esp. like that gift card idea!

Susan, that sounds like a pretty nice way to handle the holiday. LOL

Karen, where o where did you find that little icon? I love the slippers and the mug--and I relate to that expression! ;o)

I've had a little notepad on my computer desk for years so I could write down cute ideas or quotes that I didn't really want to create a computer file for but still wanted to have. Never thought about getting a cute book--might have to look for one of those. However, what I might want is a looseleaf notebook so I can move things around and take them to the craft room with me, etc.

Homersgarden, welcome to the forum. You sound waaay too organized. What are you gonna do with all that extra time you save by not having to search for things???? Just teasing you--loved your ideas.

Kathleen, I ran across two more things I had missed just before we left on our trip. Just got them stashed in the storage bins when we returned home this afternoon. So funny how you just look at them and don't SEE them until later isn't it?

Luvs

I am new to this forum...have used some others. This sounds fun! Anyway, I am a very busy person so I have found organization is the only way to balance things. I am a teacher heading into administration and I have two young children. We entertain A LOT (holidays tend to get big at our house) and as a result I have found I have to be on top of things to actually enjoy myself when things roll around. This pays off usually! Excited to get some new ideas here!

Luvs, that silly photo was emailed to me last year with a saying. Something about "he's the happiness fairy who's just sprinkled happy dust on you, and you better smile cause that sh-- is expensive". LOL I saved his pix cause he looks like I feel too often.
My pretty notebook I bought is a loose-leaf, spiral bound one. Its about 5x7, fairly hard cover in PINK with a cat and fairy on it. I loved the drawing and had to have it.

I wish I was still finding Xmas stuff to pack instead of out buying MORE to pack. NO will power at all.

hugs, Karen

But just look at the bargains you are finding Karen! And it will be so fun next year when you unpack them and get to enjoy them. :o) Luvs