Okay, October went better than September, at my house.
Here goes my November holiday to do list
My goal is to get things done…BUT not exhaust myself doing it! And I do say that with a smile…sometimes with a tear! Tired is the whole reason I started doing these monthly holiday lists. I don’t want to arrive in December with a hundred things left to do and wonder where the fun went.
If I can do a few things now, make a few decisions ahead of time and maybe even cross a few things OFF the list completely, December can/will have a little more breathing room. Remember, DO what you need on the list.
Please Do ONE thing for yourself this season:
Stitched into the Story with Quilt Blocks, Read About It
I am so proud of this book and 25 quilt block to make too !
ONLY in print HERE
November is the month to finish some things, make some decisions and—most importantly—delegate! And remember my rule about delegating: If you give someone a job, you don’t get to tell them exactly how to do it. They get to do it THEIR way. Yes, I know. This one takes practice.
And one more thing before we start: You don’t have to do everything on this list. I certainly won’t. Pick what will make YOUR holidays easier, skip what doesn’t matter to you, and leave yourself a little room to actually enjoy November.
NOVEMBER To Do List
Update the Holiday Calendar – Add plans, Christmas events, school programs, church activities, parties, travel days, appointments, birthdays and anything else happening between now and the end of the year.
Send Out Info, Arrange Plans, text, phone call – Christmas gatherings, concerts, dinners or other events before calendars fill up.
Plan Christmas Eve – New pajamas? Christmas cookies? One special gift? A favorite dinner? Decide which traditions you actually love and make those happen.
Christmas Cards – Purchase or order cards, update your address list and start addressing them. They don’t have to be mailed today—just get them ready. We passed on them this year, costs!
Check the Gift List – See what you’ve already purchased before buying more. Fill in the missing gifts and start thinking about stocking stuffers.
Black Friday & Cyber Monday – Shop with a LIST. A bargain isn’t a bargain if you DO NOT need it in the first place! But that coffee pot will be MINE ! !
Have Your Own Wish List Ready – When someone asks what you want for Christmas, have an answer. Treats, books, something for quilting, an experience—or maybe something you’d never buy for yourself.
Finish Homemade Gifts – Notice I said FINISH. November may not be the best time to decide you’re making twelve new quilts for Christmas.
Cook & Freeze – Make anything ahead that freezes well. Cookies, breads, casseroles, appetizers and other family favorites can save you a lot of work later. I am ordering and picking up this year ! Okay to said it out loud. I am OLD !
Create a Holiday Drink Basket – Hot chocolate, marshmallows, peppermint sticks, coffee, tea and a few special treats make an ordinary evening feel a little more like Christmas. DID this a few years ago, forgot it with everything last year and I missed it !
Start Decorating – Do a little at a time. There is no rule saying the entire house has to be decorated in one weekend.
Outdoor Lights – Put them up while the weather is nice. Check that everything works BEFORE you spend an hour hanging it.
Holiday Flowers – Watch for amaryllis, paperwhites, poinsettias or greenery. A little bit of something living makes the house feel festive without adding another box of decorations.
Support Something Local – Visit a craft show, holiday market, church sale or charity event. You might find a wonderful gift while supporting someone in your community.
Give Something Away – Donate to a food bank, choose a name from an Angel Tree or support a favorite charity. Put this on the list just like everything else so it doesn’t get forgotten.
Deep Clean the Bathrooms – Floors, grout, shower, toilets, mirrors, lights and fresh towels. Get the big cleaning done now so December only needs a quick touch-up.
Keep the Kitchen Under Control – Wipe counters, keep dishes moving and try not to let things pile up. A reasonably clean kitchen makes everything else feel easier.
And Finally…Leave Some Breathing Room – Don’t fill every day on the calendar. Leave a few evenings with NOTHING planned. Order a pizza, make some coffee, sit down, quilt, watch a Christmas movie or just do absolutely nothing.
November does not have to be about getting everything perfect. It’s about doing enough now so you enjoy December.
And one update from my old list: No need to check the snow shovel. We live in Florida now! I think I’ll check the coffee supplies instead.
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