by kathilipp | Nov 24, 2012 | Christmas, Home |
I love hearing your feedback about how the Project is helping you make this holiday (and next). Look at how Renee is using the binder to prepare for next year (and BTW – we will be doing the Project again next year, so get a head start now!):
“I’m already thanking you, Kathi! I love the Christmas notebook idea. I even wrote out everything I needed for Thanksgiving dinner, including my grocery list, location of all the relevant recipes, and time schedule to get everything in and out of my single oven by dinner time. Last night after all the guests went home and the dishes were in the dishwasher, I made notes on what recipes need to be doubled next year, which tweaks to the recipes should stay and which can go, (and, okay, I’ll make fewer sweet potatoes, but you can’t make me skip them altogether!). I printed off a copy and added it to the front of my notebook and I’ll know right where to find it next year!” Renee
And now for Today’s Project: Write out all your gift ideas/what you’ve already bought for your gifts. You can print out lists to keep in your holiday binder over at my author page. (See link below.)
Wouldn’t it be great if the gift giving part of Christmas was the least stressful? Here are a couple ideas to help you take the stress off:
- Limit the List For several years, we limited the number of gifts we bought for each kid: One spiritual gift, one box of clothes, and one fun gift. You may think that it sounds very Little House on the Prarie-ish, but with all the grandparents, aunts and uncles and friends, the kids weren’t hurting for gifts. Trust me.
- Extended Family Swap We’re doing this with my family this year. Every time I start to panic about not having a gift for my brother, I stop, take a deep breath, and remember – “He’s not on my list.” Huzzah. If this is something you want to try, talk about it with your family now, not the week of Christmas.
- Ask Ask people what they would like. I know it’s fun to surprise people with something perfect, but really, why stress yourself out?
- Keep Your Ears Open – Print out the Christmas List over at my Author Page and start to take notes for each person you’re buying for. Maybe your son mentioned a book he’s interested in, or your husband received a renewal notice for his favorite magazine, make a quick note to get it (or jot it down for next year.)
by kathilipp | Nov 23, 2012 | Christmas, Home, The Get Organized Project |
OK – now that you are recovering from all things turkey, it’s now time to kick the Christmas plans into high gear. Spend 15 minutes scheduling out all your commitments for the next few weeks on a blank calendar.
It’s so easy to have great ideas (“Let’s go look at Christmas lights!” “Let’s curl up and watch Elf one night this week!”) and with the craziness of the season, let them all slip through your fingers because of your schedule. So along with all the chores of the season, let’s schedule in some fun!
Head on over to my Facebook Author page and download printable blank calendars for November and December to fill out. Put it up on your fridge so everyone knows the holiday plans.
Here are some things you may want to consider with your schedule.
- Kid’s school calendar
- Work events
- Church events
- Parties and other fun
Once you have filled in all the scheduled activities, set aside some pockets of time to work prepping for Christmas. Here are some things you may want to schedule some time for:
- get tree
- cookie baking
- decorating
- project nights (for wrapping, card addressing, ordering gifts online)
- a night to go look at Christmas lights
- a night to watch It’s a Wonderful Life
I’m not saying you should do all of those things (in fact, I don’t think you should…) but if you want to do any of these or any other family/friend activities, put them on your calendar so you can plan the rest of your month. (And make sure the rest of your family and friends can see the schedule as well.)
When you’re snuggled up on the couch with you family eating fresh baked cookies while watching It’s a Wonderful Life, you’ll thank me.
by kathilipp | Nov 22, 2012 | Christmas, Home |
The Christmas Project #4 Get Your Christmas Card List Together
Let me be the first to say that I don’t think that sending a Christmas card is a requirement for being a good mom, wife, daughter or friend.
I have several people in my life who I’ve never received a card from and I don’t think any less of them and know that I’m loved.
That being said, I do love receiving those cards and pictures. If you are one of my friends who does send them, thanks.
I don’t always send them. The year I had a book due, my mom had cancer, and I had pneumonia all in the same two week span? No cards went out. If you are having that kind of holiday season, you get a Christmas card pass. If you would like, I can even write you a note.
However, if you are going to send them out, there are a few steps you need to take:
- Pick your Christmas cards
- Gather up mailing addresses
- Organize addresses
- Printing addresses
- Get Stamps
- Return Address
No wonder so many of us quit in the middle.
So today, all I want you to do is gather up your addresses that you plan on sending cards to, figure out your Christmas cards, and order (or pick up) your stamps.
For addresses, get any envelopes and lists from last year, your address book, and your online address book. Create an Excel spreadsheet with all the info you will need.
Create your list (this may take a couple of sessions, but no fear, I’ve put a couple of work sessions into your 30 days!) Once you get your list together, you will be able to either hand address, or create a Mail Merge from your Excel list. Here is a great tutorial on How to Create a Mail Merge (It will take a time or two to learn, but it’s a great skill to have. And if you want to make labels, and Mail Merge scares you, ask a friend for help and then bake some cookies for her.)
As far as cards, all you have to do is make your decision: Custom cards, or store bought? Yes, custom are cute. Store bought are great for those who are just now getting started. Just saying…
If you are one of those women who said she wanted a simpler Christmas, may I politely suggest an adorable, standard-sized, store-bought card. (And if you’re making your cards from scratch, I can’t even talk to you…)
For adorable custom cards (that really aren’t a huge hassle…) check out shutterfly.com
Finally, get one item checked completely off your list by getting your stamps. Yes, you could wait in line at the Post Office, or for the service fee of exactly one dollar, you can order the adorable holiday stamps from USPS.com and have them delivered to your door. (Look at the cute stamps I ordered from the site.)
You can do this! So in the comments below, tell me the date that you plan to have your cards sent out , or tell us the that you’re NOT going to send out cards. Either way, I will send one lucky commenter who posts before next Wednesday, a pack of 20 of the FAB ornament stamps.
by kathilipp | Nov 21, 2012 | Christmas, Home |
The Christmas Project #3 Pick Your Photo for Your Christmas Card
We’re keeping today’s Project fun (and hopefully simple!) in honor of Thanksgiving. I want you to either:
Pick your Christmas picture (if you’re including one in your cards,) or
Take a picture while everyone is gathered for Thanksgiving
See? Fun and easy. Tomorrow you can send it in to Costco, Target, or your card company to get it ready for your cards. But for today, just enjoy looking through all those pics on your computer (or your phone,) and remembering how blessed you and yours have been this year.
Tell us all what you are doing for your photo: professional, a snapshot, something you found from this summer? Or maybe you’re skipping the whole card thing – good for you! Tell us that too! For everyone who comments, I will enter you into a drawing for a $10 gift card to Shutterfly.com Here is what we did this year on Shutterfly – it was super simple (and did I mention, it’s DONE!?!)
First, Here is what we did last year:
And here is what we did this year:
Oh, and Happy Thanksgiving! I really do include you my friends as one of the things I am most grateful for!
by kathilipp | Nov 19, 2012 | Christmas, Home, Uncategorized |
Welcome to The Christmas Project! We are so excited to get this holiday up and going. Start planning with us now, and you will experience a more sacred and sane holiday this year – Promise!
Project #1 – Create Your Holiday Mission Statement
Proverbs 19:21
“Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.”
What you will need:
I know, I know. You want to dive in and start checking things off your list since it’s going to be a busy few weeks. I get it.
But, I want you to spend ten minutes determining this: What do you want your Christmas to look like this year.
If we can go into the holidays being intentional about how we spend our time, physical and emotional energy,
it truly will be the key to a more sane and sacred celebration.
Brainstorm about what is important to you. Some years, I’m looking for Joy. I want to experience that deep, abiding Joy that only comes from God and being with His people.
In 2011, it was different: I was all about the Peace. Between chaos in my ministry, chaos in our home lives, chaos in my husband’s job and a triple shot of chaos with my mom’s health, I needed that peace that passes understanding. Here is what my mission statement looked like:
For Christmas 2011 I will share God’s peace with my family, my friends, and people I meet and I will to be done with my prep by December 20th so that I can experience peace during our celebration. I will read the Christmas story each morning of December.
And yes – God delivered that – even while at the mall. In December.
In 2012, here is what I want my Christmas to look like:
During this Christmas season, I want to throw off any old traditions that are just habits, and do those things that:
- Bring me closer to God
- Bring us together as a family
- Equip us to serve
I will ask in advance for help from Roger and the kids.
I’m putting my Christmas Plan on an index card in three places:
- On the fridge
- Taped to my computer
- On the visor of my car
Since these are the three places that I need a little more Jesus during the holidays.
I’ve got a free resource to help you brainstorm and come up with a sentence (or two) about your intention this Christmas. Just go to my Facebook Author Page to download My Holiday Mission Planning Sheet (we’ll be putting all of our goodies up there!)
For a chance to win a copy of THE HUSBAND PROJECT sent to any address on your Christmas list (and it will be wrapped and a gift enclosure card will be added with your note!) tell me on my FB author page or here at the blog write your mission statement in the comments by Friday, November 23rd. I’ll announce the winner next Monday!
If you would like to receive The Christmas Project to your inbox every morning, just sign up in the box below.
by kathilipp | Nov 18, 2012 | Christmas, Home, Uncategorized |
There is enough drama around Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner that it’s best to keep some things very simple. The funny thing is, four of the five super simple recipes listed below are the ones that we get requests to make (and for the recipes… I end up emailing at least a couple of my kids or their friends the recipes every holiday season. So here are 5 Quick Dishes To Make (or Bring) for Thanksgiving or Christmas. whether you’re hosting at home, or bringing these on the road, you’ll be thankful for a few appetizers and deserts you can make (mostly) ahead.
Artichoke Dip
8 oz cream cheese
1 c. Parmesan cheese – shredded
1 c. mayonnaise (low-fat or fat-free is acceptable) (pantry)
½ t. dill weed
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped (pantry)
Preheat oven to 350
Cream the cream cheese, add the Parmesan cheese, mayonnaise, dill weed and garlic. Mix well.
Fold in the chopped artichoke hearts and then spoon mixture into a 9×9 pan.
Bake for 30 minutes.
Serve with crackers, toasted baguettes, or toasted pita points.
Serves 8 as an appetizer
Goat Cheese Bruchetta
Ingredients
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons chopped fresh herbs, such as dill, parsley, or basil
Toasted baguette
Goat cheese
Prep
Add the balsamic vinegar and herbs together. Drizzle over slices of toasted baguette or other bread and spread with goat cheese. Finish with another drizzle of vinaigrette. Garnish with thyme.
Drive By Cheese Plate
For those last minute party invites. Just grab a plate and cheese knife from home. You can assemble once you arrive. (Or, if you’re like me, in the backseat of the car while your hubby is driving…)
Grab at the store:
Camembert or other artisan cheese
Carr Water Crackers
1 bunch of green grapes
Roger’s Pumpkin No-Bake Cheesecake
2 sticks of cream cheese
1 Cup of sugar
1 Tablespoon vanilla
1 Tablespoon lemon juice
¼ Cup Pumpkin pie filling
Pre-made graham cracker crust
Blend until creamy and fluffy
Pour into graham cracker crust.
Garnish with
Cinnamon sugar (makes it look baked)
Shaved white chocolate
Refrigerate for a few hours
Roger’s Cranberry No-Bake Cheesecake
2 sticks of cream cheese
1 Cup of sugar
1 Tablespoon vanilla
1 Tablespoon lemon juice
1/3 Cup Whole cranberries in jelly
Pre-made graham cracker crust
Blend until creamy and fluffy
Pour into graham cracker crust
Garnish with any (or all) of the following:
The remaining whole cranberries/jelly. I put this just on the outside edge of the pie.
Orange peel zest
Shaved white chocolate
Refrigerate for a few hours
Now it’s your turn. Tell me your can’t miss, so simple it’s embarrassing, recipe that you pull out for the holidays in the comments below.
holiday binder over at my author page. (See link below.)
