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The Christmas Book
Home Page => Organize => Home => The Christmas Book

The Christmas Book
by Teri Spaulding

Description: Learn how to create a Christmas book to organize your holiday season.

For many people, Christmas triggers stress. The decorations are up in some stores and the commercials for toys begin.  It's no wonder we start feeling a little rushed to get started.  For me the answer was to make a Christmas Book.  A Christmas  Book will help organize the holiday and can save you money. Many have heard of the Christmas Book but don't know how to make  one.  To get started get a three ring binder.  Fill it with dividers  with tabs. Now there is a bit of work.    Make a list of  categories for your book. Some examples are, Inside, Outside,  Gifts, Crafts, Kid Parties, Menus, Recipes, Lists, Videos/Books, Songs, Traditions Lists, Calendars.  Anything  that you want to keep track of.  These categories are placed on  the tabs. 

I started with menus.  I save them from year to year.  I keep  menus for breakfast, brunches, lunches, dinners, tree trimming  party, kids' party, any party I think of. At times I have made  up sample menus to try. 

On the back of each menu I keep a list of all ingredients  needed. This is where you can save a little money.  I decide  now on a menu and I move  it to a category called "this year."   I am then able to buy staples (some on sale), which won't go  bad now.  This will free up money during the holidays when a  few extra dollars might be needed.  I keep my recipes in alphabetical order in a category called "recipes."  I keep recipes to try in alphabetical order behind  my tried and true recipes.  Remember that this book is for you.   Your book may have a separate category for recipes to try, or  you might want subcategories like desserts, meats, vegetables,  etc. 

Most of your categories will be self explanatory.  You will  become more creative as your book ages.  In the song category  you might start with the popular or traditional songs, then expand to lesser-known or funny songs. 

After decorating the house, take pictures of every display.   Next year you will know exactly where everything was.  If you  want to make changes, make a list of what you wanted to change.   I also make a list of things to buy so I can get them at the  after-Christmas sales.  With pictures you can use the same  displays from year to year, rotate displays or make new  displays each year. 

After putting up the outside decorations, take photos.  I mark on one photo where to start the lights and how many strands are  hooked together.  I also make lists of what I want to change  and what I need to buy for next year. 

I keep a list of traditions we celebrate and a list of  traditions in others'  homes.  Each family gets a separate  list. This way, when we stay with  others I can prepare my children for traditions that might be different  from ours. It also helps me to incorporate the traditions of people that  visit us. 

In the "list" category, keep all the original lists you might  use.  I also would keep copies of these lists ready to use.  Some examples might be to change wrapping paper, stocking  stuffers, gift list, card list.  I bring some of these lists to the after-Christmas sales; I keep some to help me buy year-round and others are just for organizing.  After a Christmas Book you might start books for other holidays or a book with small celebrations.  Remember you can make a book as simple or as elaborate as you want.  Good luck. 

Reprinted with permission.


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