Hello all Today the realization hit me ... its just over 6 months until Christmas....
I have promised myself each year that I am going to begin my Christmas preparations early and therefore avoid the 'panic' and last minute rush. Each year I have made this promise and each year I have failed to get it down to a 'fine art' and actually avoid those last minute panics and the stresses that come with them. Christmas is a time of rejoicing, a time to relax and enjoy the gifts that have been given to us, family, friends, etc., It is not supposed to be a time of panic... 'will aunt aggie like the paper tea bags I bought her because the shop was about to shut and being Christmas eve it was my last chance to buy her a present.. it was that or nothing.... ' We have all done it, bought a gift out of sheer desperation at the last moment, knowing deep down that if we had planned better, prepared better, taken more time over the season that we could of done a lot better. How many of us have thought during the season that we wish we had started earlier, been more organised, thought more deeply about it? I for one have. So this year I am determined to enjoy my Christmas without the last minute panics, to get the gifts that I know will be appreciated, to plan it down to the last detail or as near as I can get it. I know that unexpected guests or events will mean that Christmas cannot be 'timetabled' to the last minute... but at least I can avoid the expected panics and plan for the known stuff. So if you find yourself with a few minutes to spare why not relax with a nice cup of tea (or what ever you drink) and start thinking about your Christmas preparations. I have put a notice on my blackboard in this room that says 'Christmas cannot be organised too early'. Hopefully it will help me to get a move on and start, baby step by baby step. This year I want to make all the Christmas cards I send and the gift tags. I want to buy a gift a week rather than all in one go. I want all the vegetables we have to have been grown in our garden and as we don't like figgy pudding, all the apples to come from our own tree (we love apple crumble and custard). Its never too early to start preparing for Christmas even if it is only on paper. A good schedule with reminders will aid us and help to minimise the last minute panics. I don't know about you but the only thing that spoils the Christmas season for me is the stress that it can bring ... this year I am going to do my utmost to minimise it. Louise Off to do update her Christmas card list.
<<attachment: winmail.dat>>
