I’m already stressed. Inflation, unexpected financial hits (car repairs, medical and dental) has put us in a tough place for Christmas 😢. Last year, I had my Christmas shopping done by November. This year, I haven’t even started. I dont even want the tree (just minimal decor without the tree.) I am Christian, also, so the Nativity set will be my main decoration ❤❤ I need a video on “how to decorate when you don’t have a tree or fireplace) 😮.
Do you have a local woodland (or your garden) that you can cut greenery from to make a wreath / centrepiece / vase arrangement? You can literally use a vase/plate/wire hanger or wreath form that you already have as a base for these, so don't need to spend a single penny on them. Some of my best childhood Christmas memories were with my Nanna, cutting greenery and making arrangements... And I want to get back to it again, now that my son is old enough 😊 Extra bonus of real and free greenery: No clutter to store the rest of the year! I hope this helps, and that things look up for you soon 💚
I've followed my Christmas Plan for years. I buy gifts throughout the year. I listen to family and friends to identify what they need or want. I like to buy things that people want and will use. I hate buying shelf sitters. I like to have all of my gifts purchased by Thanksgiving (USA). I'll bake cookies and wrap presents throughout Dec. This allows me to relax and enjoy the holiday season.
Our youngest is almost 21 and our others go up through 31!!! This year I put out the call to them all to tell us a want, need, wear and EAT! Some are in college so decided to substitute read! We also asked what they might want from “Santa” for something special. We will round it off with a $50 gift card from someplace we know they go and call it done!! We are also being cautious on what precedence we set with our very first grandchild who is just 9 months. 🤶🏻🎄💜
Me again. Thought this may be useful. I use my charge cards with the best cash back on items for everything from bills to food, if I can. Some utilities want a checking account. I don't use the cash back until Christmas, something special, or needed (dishwasher). The trick is do not spend more than you can pay at the end of the month. Took me a long time to get to that simple knowledge. Hope this helps someone.
I also use my store loyalty points and survey app rewards (as grocery store / toy store giftcards) that I rack up through the year, to make the big Christmas shops easier! 😊
I'm hoping to go this route (my kids are very young) have you found that they are satisfied with that tradition? Trying to raise them to be grateful for what they have as well as not over consuming. Maybe planning a trip for all of us to go on in lieu of "a lot" of presents.
Love book!!! I have a binder -- recording all the things!! (Even the lists of what foods we made, who we saw - gifts i bought cuz I’m starting to forget this stuff) Haha Merci i better crack it open!! 😂
I get our Christmas cards done a year in advance, so I just use this year’s envelope addresses to easily address next year’s cards. During the year if anyone moves, passes away or has a name change I immediately write it down on my neon green legal pad (specifically for the next Holiday season - where I also write down batteries, bows, etc. that I will need for the next year as well.
Yes! I start Christmas the day after Christmas. Start making lists and stuff haha! writing down things I want to remember for the next year. I start shopping in September( I pick up things throughout the year as well...but the major shopping starts in September). I buy the majority of the food in October. I wish I was this organized when my kids were little, it really would have made life a lot easier. I remember the years of wrapping until 2 in the morning because I'm a major procrastinator, and that made the holidays so stressful :( I guess live and learn!
My issue is I love Thanksgiving (I live in USA). I don’t want to decorate for Christmas before thanksgiving (this year I have put up the tree). I cook and freeze and plan ahead for Thanksgiving and decorate some. Then Christmas comes sneaking up. (This year we are short a week between). I often do less than I want to and it’s easier now that grandchildren are grown and “really just want money” but usually get something else too. So I just have to put some things aside until after Thanksgiving as I want to enjoy it. Your planning book is a great idea just not to forget things. Thanks!
Not all food has to be cooked from scratch. There’s nothing wrong with shop bought pigs in blankets (I’m in the UK) from M&S or Tesco etc. The cooking from scratch videos always make me feel guilty. I put my decs up at the end of November & take them down around Jan 10th. Some people take them down the day after Boxing Day. Not me, I want them up for as long as possible.
Hi. Love your channel. I did not know you had a second one. I just subscribed to it. Thank you for all the great videos. I am enjoying retirement much more decluttered. I have more time and am not stressed by a bunch of useless dust collectors and extra stuff. My garage is next. We don't want to talk about the oversized garage, maybe another time, LOL. Have a nice day.
I love YNAB, too! My daughter set up a goal of saving up for our Property taxes which are due in the States on December 10th, and it worked! For Christmas presents I cash out my credit card cash back money. It really adds up. I still haven’t figured out what to give my siblings this year. Maybe I’ll try making some special tea blends.
An often overlooked Christmas song that I love is "Spaceman Came Travelling" by Chris de Burgh 🌠🛸 Another classic is Driving Home For Christmas by Chris Rea 💗
We did away with gifts a few years ago, took all the stress off of us and our two grown children. We also have no grandchildren so no more getting or giving stuff that we don’t really need.
Where do you live? I’m in Montreal and there is a holiday train here (& in Ontario and nearby States) that you don’t need tickets to go see (but a small number of people pay a lot in donation to a food bank or something to ride on). Maybe you’re thinking of this one?
Girl, putting homemade food in a BROCCOLI Costco bags is genius!
Thanks from Tennessee
🍁🌾🍁🌾🍁
I’m already stressed. Inflation, unexpected financial hits (car repairs, medical and dental) has put us in a tough place for Christmas 😢. Last year, I had my Christmas shopping done by November. This year, I haven’t even started. I dont even want the tree (just minimal decor without the tree.) I am Christian, also, so the Nativity set will be my main decoration ❤❤ I need a video on “how to decorate when you don’t have a tree or fireplace) 😮.
Girl, I’m there too. My family haven’t recovered from Helene. It’s really hard. I wish I could give you a hug.
It’s absolutely okay to feel the way you do and you are NOT alone 💜🙏🏻
Do you have a local woodland (or your garden) that you can cut greenery from to make a wreath / centrepiece / vase arrangement? You can literally use a vase/plate/wire hanger or wreath form that you already have as a base for these, so don't need to spend a single penny on them.
Some of my best childhood Christmas memories were with my Nanna, cutting greenery and making arrangements... And I want to get back to it again, now that my son is old enough 😊
Extra bonus of real and free greenery: No clutter to store the rest of the year!
I hope this helps, and that things look up for you soon 💚
You’re so funny with the broccoli 🥦 bag! 😂
The broccoli bag trick had me rolling 😂
😂
I've followed my Christmas Plan for years. I buy gifts throughout the year. I listen to family and friends to identify what they need or want. I like to buy things that people want and will use. I hate buying shelf sitters. I like to have all of my gifts purchased by Thanksgiving (USA). I'll bake cookies and wrap presents throughout Dec. This allows me to relax and enjoy the holiday season.
Our youngest is almost 21 and our others go up through 31!!! This year I put out the call to them all to tell us a want, need, wear and EAT! Some are in college so decided to substitute read! We also asked what they might want from “Santa” for something special. We will round it off with a $50 gift card from someplace we know they go and call it done!! We are also being cautious on what precedence we set with our very first grandchild who is just 9 months. 🤶🏻🎄💜
Me again. Thought this may be useful. I use my charge cards with the best cash back on items for everything from bills to food, if I can. Some utilities want a checking account. I don't use the cash back until Christmas, something special, or needed (dishwasher). The trick is do not spend more than you can pay at the end of the month. Took me a long time to get to that simple knowledge. Hope this helps someone.
That’s what I do, too!
I also use my store loyalty points and survey app rewards (as grocery store / toy store giftcards) that I rack up through the year, to make the big Christmas shops easier! 😊
I've done Want Need Wear Read for years with my kids. We love it and it keeps things equitable and I don't keep buying stuff.
I'm hoping to go this route (my kids are very young) have you found that they are satisfied with that tradition?
Trying to raise them to be grateful for what they have as well as not over consuming. Maybe planning a trip for all of us to go on in lieu of "a lot" of presents.
Sugar cookies are my favorite 😊. The broccoli bag trick is priceless, though the cat might be out of the bag now with this RUclips video 😂.
You are making me so hungry for that lovely list of holiday baking treats!!! I love the broccoli bag idea... LoL!
haha! I’m sneaky!
Love your ideas. Diane in Denmark has some great Christmas ideas as well.
Love book!!! I have a binder -- recording all the things!! (Even the lists of what foods we made, who we saw - gifts i bought cuz I’m starting to forget this stuff) Haha Merci i better crack it open!! 😂
Robyn, I'm loving these Christmas posts.
Thank you.
Cheers
I get our Christmas cards done a year in advance, so I just use this year’s envelope addresses to easily address next year’s cards.
During the year if anyone moves, passes away or has a name change I immediately write it down on my neon green legal pad (specifically for the next Holiday season - where I also write down batteries, bows, etc. that I will need for the next year as well.
Yes! I start Christmas the day after Christmas. Start making lists and stuff haha! writing down things I want to remember for the next year. I start shopping in September( I pick up things throughout the year as well...but the major shopping starts in September). I buy the majority of the food in October. I wish I was this organized when my kids were little, it really would have made life a lot easier. I remember the years of wrapping until 2 in the morning because I'm a major procrastinator, and that made the holidays so stressful :( I guess live and learn!
Paul McCartney Christmas song drives me crazy also….
I don't know why I'm so resistant to make a plan... yours is so practical and helpful!
My issue is I love Thanksgiving (I live in USA). I don’t want to decorate for Christmas before thanksgiving (this year I have put up the tree). I cook and freeze and plan ahead for Thanksgiving and decorate some. Then Christmas comes sneaking up. (This year we are short a week between). I often do less than I want to and it’s easier now that grandchildren are grown and “really just want money” but usually get something else too. So I just have to put some things aside until after Thanksgiving as I want to enjoy it. Your planning book is a great idea just not to forget things. Thanks!
We rotate hosting thanksgiving and this is my year… my husband also has a milestone birthday a few days before thanksgiving… it’s head spinning time!
Not all food has to be cooked from scratch. There’s nothing wrong with shop bought pigs in blankets (I’m in the UK) from M&S or Tesco etc.
The cooking from scratch videos always make me feel guilty.
I put my decs up at the end of November & take them down around Jan 10th. Some people take them down the day after Boxing Day. Not me, I want them up for as long as possible.
Aunt Bea’s shortbread, maple pecan diamond cookies, jam linger heart cookies, Santa’s whiskers, fancy cookies (pb, ritz, dipped in chocolate), bourbon balls
I’m loving your content on the new channel! ❤
Hi. Love your channel. I did not know you had a second one. I just subscribed to it. Thank you for all the great videos. I am enjoying retirement much more decluttered. I have more time and am not stressed by a bunch of useless dust collectors and extra stuff. My garage is next. We don't want to talk about the oversized garage, maybe another time, LOL. Have a nice day.
Great video, wonderful ideas as always! Love the broccoli bag idea!! Enjoy!
Buckeyes, frosted sugar cookies, and salted caramel bars are 3 of my favorites!
I love YNAB, too! My daughter set up a goal of saving up for our Property taxes which are due in the States on December 10th, and it worked! For Christmas presents I cash out my credit card cash back money. It really adds up. I still haven’t figured out what to give my siblings this year. Maybe I’ll try making some special tea blends.
Two great Christmas albums are the bare naked ladies album and charlie brown Christmas. Also! Seth MacFarlane has one on you tube that is great!
An often overlooked Christmas song that I love is "Spaceman Came Travelling" by Chris de Burgh 🌠🛸 Another classic is Driving Home For Christmas by Chris Rea 💗
Cut out cookies are the best!
We did away with gifts a few years ago, took all the stress off of us and our two grown children. We also have no grandchildren so no more getting or giving stuff that we don’t really need.
I had no idea that you needed tickets to the holiday train.
Where do you live? I’m in Montreal and there is a holiday train here (& in Ontario and nearby States) that you don’t need tickets to go see (but a small number of people pay a lot in donation to a food bank or something to ride on). Maybe you’re thinking of this one?
Peppernuts, Pfeffernusse, Pepperkakker, they go by many names, and many ingredient lists, without this spice cookie - it's not Christmas for us.
🎄😃👍🏼
❤️💚
Peppermint popcorn....?....
😊
Good ideas! Yes, I loved the Beatles but that Paul McCartney song is awful. I also cannot listen to the Michael Bolton Christmas songs either.
The one I hate is “Last Christmas I gave you my heart.”
@ that is my husband’s number 1 choice of worst Christmas song
I can't stand Wham, or Mariah Carey 😬 Already heard both earlier this month 🤦🏻♀️