Christmas Planning (2)

If you had decided to follow my Christmas Planning that started here this is the second task.

You will have:

• a December calendar
• Christmas Planner page
• ideas sheet

There are a few things to sort for today.

First you need to look at all the things on your ideas sheet and find all the things that referred to food. Look at them and decided which ones you really want to take on board either for this year or in years to come. Make a smaller list of what you want to happen.

Now look at the things you had crossed out. Why are they crossed out? ........ Because these are the bad things about Christmas. So, don't do them. It really is as simple as that. If they are traditions, who's traditions are they? When you marry you leave your parents and become one with your partner. That means leaving the ties behind. Sure we have to honour our Father and Mother but that does not include having the food they want at Christmas. If you are going to their house then, yes you will have to eat what is there, but when it is your home then you (and your partner) can command what the food will be. But I will say you need to discuss with your partner what they want for Christmas food and what you are or are not going to do, so they can support you.

So looking at what you do want to happen, the good things, you will need to decide what is reasonable. Remember you will be the one doing this so you need to be reasonable and not over do it. If there are lots of ideas faze them in over a few years or maybe celebrate over a few days. Make Christmas Eve and Boxing Day special food days as well. That way you will be starting your own traditions. Remember this is all about making Christmas a season and not just one day, and you want to enjoy it not be exhausted.

When you decide what you are going to do, create a simple version of it as a menu and write it at the bottom of the sheet you started, the Christmas Planner. We are not writing every thing you will need, just the general meal/s.

If you have decided to run some of the ideas over a few days write them on your Calendar, giving them a 'name'.

The second thing to do is check out your supplies of cards, gift tags, wrapping paper, ribbon, sticky tape or anything else you will be using for wrapping gifts. Also if you are posting Christmas cards you will need to have a supply of stamps. If you want to have Christmas stamps you need to get in early. I'm a bit of a hoarder so I keep things from year to year and have special storage ideas to keep them all together. I checked my supplies out and the only thing I had to buy was some stamps.

Write the things you need down and either go shopping or the next time you are out get them. Now don't rush out and buy a whole lot of other Christmas things, as that is not the point of following this plan. Just stock up your stationary supplies now so they are all ready and on hand for when the fun really begins.

The third thing to do today is to decide if you are having an advent calendar of any form. This needs to be ready to start on the 1st. I have a Christmas tree on a little music stand that has 24 drawers. Each day you open the drawer for the date and place a little decoration from the draw on the Christmas Tree. Over the years I would add a few chocolate raisins or jellybeans as a treat for which ever child was decorating the mini tree.

I get it out each year but we don't have children to do it now! But just in case a grandchild calls in they are allowed to put the days decoration up.

So your Christmas planning has

• A calendar
• Planner page with added menu
• ideas sheet
• Stationary needs

Your tasks

• Menu
• Stationary supplies
• Advent calendar

See you in two days for part three.