Comments on: Ready to Get An Early Start for Thanksgiving?

By: melissa @ the inspired room

melissa @ the inspired room — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 19:20:31 +0000

Wow, look at how organized you are! Great tips, Laurel! Thanks for sharing them at Friday Holiday Linky! Melissa melissa @ the inspired rooms last blog post..Welcome to {Not} My New Home

By: Jinx

Jinx — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 15:45:04 +0000

Being organized, even when I don't want to, certainly helps lessen the stress AND expense of the holidays! I'm hosting Thanksgiving this year, & really enjoying the planning & getting ready. I think it's because my son will be home for college & I want everything to be special for him! Jinxs last blog post..The Bucket List

By: Laurel Plum

Laurel Plum — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 07:26:49 +0000

Oh, I really hope you do. It is a lot to take in, but you only need to do the hard part once if you start a planner. My planner has changed my life.

I started my first Thanksgiving planner page 15 years ago. I have made a lot of small adjustments over the years, but spend little time on it. I am now able to really enjoy the holidays. I have my plan worked out so I spend a few minutes here, a half hour there starting at the first of October. Not so much that the work part interrupts our regular activities much at all.

Here is where I am personally in my holiday prep with Thanksgiving two weeks away. I have two more grocery lists to get for the Thanksgiving dinners. The meal prep is all planned out including who will be willing to help with what once extended family arrives. We’ll decorate Thanksgiving weekend making it an extended family event. (Help for me and busy hands for lighter discussions.) I have all of my Christmas card envelopes addressed and will be ready to mail them the Monday following Thanksgiving with a personal note in most of them. I have one more Christmas present purchase to make and have already set aside the $100.00 that I know my hubby will ask for the night before Christmas Eve so he can get last minute things he always refuses to add to my list. I have starter grocery lists for December made. All I have to worry about is keeping our regular crazy daily life on track. No more crowds, no more frustration, much less stress, tons more time for fun. The holidays do not feel commercial to me. I have time each night to relax and look forward to them.

By: Jeanne @ Inspiring Ideas

Jeanne @ Inspiring Ideas — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 04:17:18 +0000

OK, that all sounds a little intimidating, but I know if I did it I’d feel SO much better. I think I’ll print this out!

By: Pink Ink

Pink Ink — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 03:48:49 +0000

I love getting ready for fall. I confess I hardly decorate for Halloween since I usually look forward to just autumn decorating in general. I think that’s a great idea to plan in the food pantry donation, too.