(12/16/09 NOTE: This is such a good “to do” list for me, I’m going to modify it as I complete these tasks.)
That’s how close Christmas is — I can already hear Santa’s sleigh off in the distance, like the ticking of a clock, reminding me of all the things I need to do in the next week.
BAKING: I am not a prolific baker like my friend Pam who is making 13 kinds of cookies this year (and she doesn’t do easy cop-out cookies either!). I’m making my favorites: Swirled Mint Cookies, a peppermint pressed sugar cookie, Capuccino Flats (coffee/cinnamon/chocolate cookie), and neighbor Marilyn’s Taffy Cookies, a brown-sugar shortbread cookie with Hersey bar piece melted on top. The sugar cookies are done; two more batches to go. Mmmmmm.
SHOPPING: (almost) done. Now, in the spirit of truthfulness and full disclosure, our family is small, plus we draw names for each other, (plus I do smaller “mom” gifts for the “kids”). I have DH left to buy for (Jim, are you reading this? Reminder to leave a Sears ad out with some things circled).
CHRISTMAS LETTER: Done & Mailed. I have done a Christmas letter every year for probably 36 years until last year. It seemed like it was too depressing, since we were in the middle of some medical testing and didn’t know the outcome yet. Why make people worry? Skipped last year. All the medical stuff came out quite well, so I needed to do a letter for this year. I spent a couple of hours at the computer trying to do some kind of letter, and I felt like I was writing the same letter I had written 35 or 36 times before. So stale and boring. Here are most of our letters since 1996, including one written in verse; it’s a fun way to look back at what’s been happening in our lives since then:
So I searched on line for Christmas letter tips. Just the spark I needed. So my Christmas letter is now a newsletter (which I’ve done before), but I added a quiz. There were several other ideas on this web site for ways to make your Christmas letter more interesting, and I was able to keep to my cardinal rule: no more than one page. Once I had some fresh ideas, the letter practically wrote itself. Now I need to print the labels for the envelopes (yes, I know handwritten is more personal), and get those puppies in the mail! I like my letters to reach their destinations shortly before Christmas, so I am actually on track.
TREE & DECORATIONS: Done. Artificial permanent tree has been up and lit for two weeks, with nary an ornament to be found or my sweet angel on top. Yesterday I added ornaments, but only about half of them. I only hung the crystal and glass ornaments, the silk poinsettias, and the icicles. I’ll see if this tree grows on me this year. It looks a little sparce without all the kids’ ornaments on it.
Put up my snowman wall quilt, have to find a home for my little Christmas tree wall quilt, got out the silk poinsettias, put out my very favorite table runner, along with some other miscellaneous trims.
QUILTING: Have one gift quilt left to finish. (two days’ work)
FUN & PARTIES & FUN & FUN: A brunch, an afternoon “dinner”, a tea luncheon, Wednesday quilt group with cookies & snacks – get out my elastic-waisted pants and I’m ready! And we will try to get a date to work out for our card-playing group as it’s our turn to host (after Christmas).
CLEANING: Hah!
MAILING: Done! Package to DS in Virginia, and get the cards with letters in the mail (tomorrow).
CHRISTMAS DINNER: We always have the same thing — shrimp de jongh with rice, bread, and salad. Easy and special.
Okay, I know I’m forgetting something. Oh….
WRAPPING: Not done.
And let me share three wonderful gifts I got from three wonderful friends (we celebrate early — and often), in case there’s a gift idea that works out for you: an Oregon Scientific atomic alarm clock with the projector for the ceiling, a pressure cooker cookbook – Miss Vickie’s, and a purse (I was able to pick out the purse because I returned a gift that was a duplicate).
So, what are you doing reading my blog??? Don’t you have holiday prep to do? I know, some people are much more together than I am, but I feel like (finally) things are almost under control at our house.
How are you doing — can you hear the jingle of the sleigh???
–Sue
Reading your blog is much more fun than packing, baking, or wrapping. One Christmas gift to finish for DSIL.
I usually enjoy reading Christmas letters. But not the ones that make me feel like a failure because my kids aren’t perfect & high achievers (I get one of those from an old friend every year). Several years ago we started receiving a Christmas card/letter from someone back in Illinois. I have no idea who they are, or who they think we are. It’s actually kinda fun to get their annual letter. I keep thinking I need to write back and tell her she really doesn’t know us, but I’m afraid she would quilt sending me her annual update. They are fun to read.
Who wants to clean or do any of that kind of stuff? I’d rather read your blog and all the other ones that I read. My baking is done-cookie exchange from work. Don’t have any idea what to buy my boys, so they might just get some cash and I bought my hubby some clothes and socks. I got my 2 quilting buddies gallon jugs of Mary Ellen’s Best Press. My Mom is getting a quilt and my in-laws are getting lottery tickets and gift certificates for the restaurant that my oldest son works at. Secret Snata gifts are bought and my younger sister is getting a make-over. She’s gets to run with the Olympic torch next week. We don’t exchange gifts on either side of the family, too many brothers and sisters can’t afford it. They’re such party poopers. I just need to buy or make something for my older sister. When I read your blog I thought that I didn’t have anything done. I now realize that I have lots done. Who knew? Have a great evening.
Your blog is like a letter every day!
With our annual family holiday gathering approaching (this weekend), I need a break and something to read that’s more interesting than recipes. Christmas letters are fun to get if informative and not bragging. I love our atomic clock – it’s great for us more “mature” ladies in the middle of the night – enjoy!
Well- lets’s see- 2 boxes shipped out to the grandkids, the last one went today. I have no decorations, tree or anything of that sort up- since we are just in this house temporarily and most of my things are still packed away- I saw no reason to hunt through the closets and boxes to look for them. My cards( what few there are ) are sent. I’m not doing any ( or much) baking as most of my recipes are packed in a box somewhere also- of course I could try something new or look on line but I really don’t need it anyway!. I have a gift card to send out and probably a couple books to send to my dad and that’s it. DH stood in line at WallyWorld a couple weeks ago to get a deal on a WII so that was our Christmas present. And since I am putting off quilting my husbands quilt ( it’s not turning out the way I would like)I might as well read a blog or two, or three.:)
I should also say those cookies sound yummy!!