I posted
this last year but it still stands true to being a helpful tool for all of us.
I hope you’ll try it this year.
this last year but it still stands true to being a helpful tool for all of us.
I hope you’ll try it this year.
About eight
years ago a very good friend gave me a terrific gift at Christmas. It was a
beautiful red journal with all kinds of sparkly stuff on the outside. She knew
I was a writer and would think of something to do with it. I have filled those
pages every year since that time with memories of Thanksgiving and Christmas. I
can’t tell you how many times I’ve saved myself from embarrassment by referring
back to my holiday journal. It’s basically the same for both holidays except
for the gift giving.
years ago a very good friend gave me a terrific gift at Christmas. It was a
beautiful red journal with all kinds of sparkly stuff on the outside. She knew
I was a writer and would think of something to do with it. I have filled those
pages every year since that time with memories of Thanksgiving and Christmas. I
can’t tell you how many times I’ve saved myself from embarrassment by referring
back to my holiday journal. It’s basically the same for both holidays except
for the gift giving.
What To
Include
Include
1. Plan
your menus right here ahead of time
your menus right here ahead of time
2. If
there is a special recipe to use (like sweet potato casserole from A Taste of
Home) include it or write down where you found it so you can use it again next
year.
there is a special recipe to use (like sweet potato casserole from A Taste of
Home) include it or write down where you found it so you can use it again next
year.
3. List
of people attending
of people attending
4. A
summary of the events throughout your holiday. I do this after the fact because
of a busy schedule. This is where I sit down to breathe and realize: “Wow! I’m
awesome to have pulled this off again.” I also include the things I need to
change, adjust or get rid of.
summary of the events throughout your holiday. I do this after the fact because
of a busy schedule. This is where I sit down to breathe and realize: “Wow! I’m
awesome to have pulled this off again.” I also include the things I need to
change, adjust or get rid of.
5. Gifts
– I make a list of everyone and their Christmas gift. For my children and
grandchildren they get extra space. I make sure everyone has the same amount of
gifts to unwrap. Nothing wrong with wrapping that pair of socks like it was
something Michael Jordon would want. I wrap everything! The advantage is I can
always refer back next year to avoid buying the same thing twice. I also
include a list of gifts I received.
– I make a list of everyone and their Christmas gift. For my children and
grandchildren they get extra space. I make sure everyone has the same amount of
gifts to unwrap. Nothing wrong with wrapping that pair of socks like it was
something Michael Jordon would want. I wrap everything! The advantage is I can
always refer back next year to avoid buying the same thing twice. I also
include a list of gifts I received.
6. Be
sure to include the year at the top of your entry each holiday.
sure to include the year at the top of your entry each holiday.
7. At
Thanksgiving I have sometimes up to 17 people staying a few days with me. I
like to include how many towels, sheets, etc. I used. Makes me feel like
superwoman when I’m finished. It also makes me pause and wonder how long I
intend to continue the madness.
Thanksgiving I have sometimes up to 17 people staying a few days with me. I
like to include how many towels, sheets, etc. I used. Makes me feel like
superwoman when I’m finished. It also makes me pause and wonder how long I
intend to continue the madness.
After
Christmas I tuck the journal away until the next November. I love reading what
happened the last year and begin to plan what needs to be done in the days
ahead. Someday I plan to pass the journal on to one of my kids or grand kids.
It isn’t all that neat and tidy to read. My penmanship is not my best and I
admit there are a lot of grammatical mistakes. But it’s all off the cuff to
help me remember how to make another magical season the next year. It’s one of
my favorite things to do. When family members talk about a certain holiday and
try to remember something specific they have often turned to me and ask “What
does the journal say?”
Christmas I tuck the journal away until the next November. I love reading what
happened the last year and begin to plan what needs to be done in the days
ahead. Someday I plan to pass the journal on to one of my kids or grand kids.
It isn’t all that neat and tidy to read. My penmanship is not my best and I
admit there are a lot of grammatical mistakes. But it’s all off the cuff to
help me remember how to make another magical season the next year. It’s one of
my favorite things to do. When family members talk about a certain holiday and
try to remember something specific they have often turned to me and ask “What
does the journal say?”