ANZIO Digital Preparing for Christmas

by Patricia Montgomery, LincsMag Writer.
Date: 18 November 2009

Preparing for Christmas - Lincolnshire Magazine - LincsMag

It’s that time that comes around once a year and the more they make it commercial the more the two ends get closer to meeting until I’m sure that it’ll get to be continuous throughout the year.

It's Christmas of course, but despite the fact that shops keep putting in the items for sale earlier and earlier, most of use are never really prepared and before we know it … it’s Christmas Eve. The reason for this is that with the constant bombardment by the conglomerates that urge us to buy, buy, buy, we reach a point of pure apathy.

Though this joyous time is now a universal occasion it is of course very special for Christians as it celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ the Son of God.

The Christian element that many seem to lose sight of or just choose to ignore. However it should be noted that celebrations for around this period of the year have been going on since before the introduction of Christianity, and were a means of combating the long cold nights and short days.

So where were we? Ah yes, preparing for Christmas day … now’s the time to make at least a reasonable effort and try to prepare for the event. The greatest tip I can give you is to make lists. Lists, lists, and yet more lists, I always making lists to help me and even have lists of the lists. joking aside, I do rely on lists and even more for this time of year because with everything going on at once it’s pretty hard to remember everything and everyone.

It’s important that you know what your budget is and how to plan your Christmas within that budget. Try not to go over it! And don’t think that you have to, you don’t.

Make a list of all your family and friends, putting down their names, addresses, telephone numbers and the presents or types of presents they would like. Some on this list may only be for Christmas cards, or a phone call on Christmas, like your Aunty living in Australia.

The list will help you to plan, seeing who will want what and how many. This will also be good to see how it eats into your budget and ways where you can prune down costs and be frugal. When you’ve got the list sorted, don’t rush off, but sleep on it for a bit.

Presents are for certain family members, loved ones and very close friends. Don’t feel that there is a need to buy expensive gifts, there isn’t nor is there ever, the main thing is the thought and the genuineness behind the giving of the gift. Think of something different, unusual, quirky are even organic as a gift. Be creative, be original.

Hunt round for bargains and look at the mass of great offers at the superstores. This is a time to look at the 2 for 1 offers or as they are often referred to Buy One Get One Free (BOGOF). Do this for your food shopping as you prepare for the Christmas period, as well as your decorations and the presents.

Some people like my mother are frugal, clever and well organised (I’m the opposite), she actually does her shopping in the sales, yes, even the January ones, ready for the next Christmas and puts them all ready in a cupboard. Come December she is all ready and unfazed by it all. The interesting thing is, is that she plans well ahead and incorporates her buying into her everyday life, so she never rushes or goes out of her way. Unfortunately not all of us are like this.

Got a calendar of this year? Of course you have, so use it and tick off the days as your plans fall into place. Your lists are there to keep you focused and for everything to be going according to plan.

 10 Tips for Preparing Your Christmas Cards

1) Have a collection box to put envelopes you receive from family and friends who you send cards to at Christmas.
2) Make a list of people you would like to send cards to.
3) Divide these lists into 3 sections: must send, want to send, and would like to send.
4) Begin looking for your cards or making cards as early as possible.
5) Put your return address on all the envelopes.
6) Decide what date you want your cards to be mailed on.
7) Divide your list by the number of weeks you have until then.
8) Work on that many cards each week - especially if you are making them - or if you have them purchased, work on addressing them.
9) Address all your must send cards first and have them ready to mail before working on the other 2 lists.
10) Buy your Christmas stamps early! You will have a shorter line at the post office!

Source: ChristmasOrganizing.com

The main rule is … don’t fret and don’t worry … stay calm. Christmas is not a time to rush, get nervous or anxious. It’s one day in the year, and a time to bring the family and friends together, as well as remembering people special to us. Christmas can be as complicated or uncomplicated as you make it and the real secret is to remember what it is really all about and to count your blessings for what you really have.

Just enjoy it.

Have a Merry Christmas

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