trollie
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,580 
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Post by trollie on Aug 9, 2014 17:02:01 GMT
holiday!
I have a small box in my closet for each of my kids Christmas stockings.... Throughout the year, as I see small items on sale or in the dollar spot, I purchase them and put them in the box. When the box is full, their stocking is done! By doing this, I'm not scrambling for small stocking stuffers close to Christmas, when small inexpensive things are harder to find...
Also, I put put up Halloween and Fall (Thanksgiving) decor up at the same time. When Halloween is over, I remove the Halloween stuff, but am already decorated for Thanksgiving....
What are your best suggestions to make the holidays smoother and more enjoyable?
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PrettyInPeank
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,691
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Post by PrettyInPeank on Aug 9, 2014 17:03:47 GMT
Two words: Amazon Prime.
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Deleted
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May 19, 2024 2:15:27 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 9, 2014 17:34:42 GMT
 I also keep a list on my phone with things my peeps have admired or stated they wanted throughout the year so I have something to go off of when I start shopping.
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trollie
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,580
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Post by trollie on Aug 9, 2014 17:51:46 GMT
I also keep a list on my phone with things my peeps have admired or stated they wanted throughout the year so I have something to go off of when I start shopping. Also, when online shopping, make sure you go through EBATES first for extra cash back! If you do a lot of online shopping or make large purchases this adds up over time. Ebates sends you a check every quarter! Every major retailer and so are sites like Groupon an Living Social! |
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Post by andy on Aug 9, 2014 18:25:11 GMT
Yes. In addition, I keep a running wish list on amazon for myself and each of my kids (ages 2 and 3) - anytime I read or hear about something the kids might like, I add it. When we get together with relatives around thanksgiving, everyone wants ideas for the kids... Also camelcamelcamel.com for price tracking items on amazon, it will alert you when your item's price drops to your desired price. It'll also show you the items price history so you can see if there are price trends or if it is likely to go on sale before Christmas. |
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akathy
What's For Dinner?
Still peaing from Podunk!
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Location: North Dakota
Jun 25, 2014 22:56:55 GMT
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Post by akathy on Aug 9, 2014 18:34:07 GMT
One word: Cash
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Post by picotjo on Aug 9, 2014 19:20:10 GMT
We use the with list thingie on Amazon. Each person has a wish list. Easy peasy.
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luvnlifelady
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,421
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Post by luvnlifelady on Aug 9, 2014 19:35:57 GMT
Last year things were so hectic around Christmas that we never got our tree decorated (had it right after Thanksgiving) nor did I get around to stockings. I realized Christmas morning as I was about to stuff them that I barely had anything for 14 yo DS.
I like the tradition of stockings, but now at 14 and 17, it's hard to find things (especially for 14 yo DS) that don't break the bank or I just buy them to have something.
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Post by cadoodlebug on Aug 9, 2014 19:38:48 GMT
This is more about decorating for the holidays. When I decorate the mantle or a shelf in a way that I love, I snap a picture and put it in the box when I take Christmas down so next year I'll know exactly where everything went. This is because I need to declutter my Christmas decorations and have too much to remember where to put the things I really love.
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Post by Scrapbrat on Aug 9, 2014 19:40:24 GMT
I'm not sure how great of a tip this is…. But one thing I do is put extension cords right in the boxes with my Christmas stuff. I mark each one with a tag as to what it is used for. This actually saves a lot of time because I don't have to remember, oh yeah, I need the white 6 foot extension cord for the lights over the mantle, etc.
And OP, I think both of your tips are fantastic. Thanks for sharing.
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Post by myboysnme on Aug 9, 2014 19:54:53 GMT
Two things make my holidays better - online shopping and simplifying as much as possible.
Simplifying means putting up only the decorations I can't imagine not putting up, not baking cookies, not hosting parties.
In other words, do what you enjoy and not what you don't. If you don't like decorating a huge tree, don't. If you don't like baking cookies or if it stresses you out to make time for it, don't. If baking is enjoyable and relaxing, then do it. If you like hosting parties, do it. If you like hosting parties but find it also overwhelming, simplify the party. Have it more informally, have just cocktails and hors d'oeuvres, have it in the afternoon instead of the evening, whatever you can do to simplify.
Lastly, don't travel if you don't want to. Don't travel before the holidays - travel in the week between Christmas and New Year, people have a more relaxed attitude and less need for everything to be perfect.
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lindas
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,160
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Post by lindas on Aug 9, 2014 20:11:14 GMT
I like to bake for the holidays so around mid September I start pulling my recipes and making a shopping list. Then when I go grocery shopping I get 2 or 3 things on my list like butter (I freeze it), confectioners sugar, flour, etc. By the time I'm ready to start I just need to get eggs and anything else I can't buy too far in advance.
I like to decorate every room so to make it easier I box up my decorations by room.
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Post by cadoodlebug on Aug 9, 2014 20:42:12 GMT
Just thought of something else. If you have a really tall artificial tree, tie a big white piece of ribbon in a bow around each electrical plug on the tree (ours has 4 I think.) It makes it much easier to find them once the tree is up.
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trollie
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,580
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Post by trollie on Aug 9, 2014 20:47:25 GMT
This is more about decorating for the holidays. When I decorate the mantle or a shelf in a way that I love, I snap a picture and put it in the box when I take Christmas down so next year I'll know exactly where everything went. This is because I need to declutter my Christmas decorations and have too much to remember where to put the things I really love. **THAT** is pure genius Joy!! |
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tiffanytwisted
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you can check out any time you like, but you can never leave
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Post by tiffanytwisted on Aug 9, 2014 23:39:08 GMT
Great tips!
Each of my kids has their own 'Santa paper'. This eliminates the need for me writing out name tags for every present.
When I'm getting ready to bake, I take one day when I'll mix all the dry ingredients together & put them in labelled ziploc bags. If I'm really on the ball, I'll take another day to make & refrigerate all the dough. Then it's quick & easy to just bake off whatever batch of cookies I'm in the mood for w/out having to pull out the mixer every time.
Oh, and I would marry Amazon Prime if I could.
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Post by rumplesnat on Aug 9, 2014 23:42:42 GMT
I dust holiday decorations before packing them away so I don't have to do it when setting them back out again the next year.
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Post by Scarlet Ohana on Aug 9, 2014 23:51:54 GMT
I'll be watching this thread. I get so stressed during the holiday season and I'm tired of feeling that way. I feel like I need to start shopping earlier and wiser. The decorating I'm good with, but it's the shopping & budgeting that gets me!
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Post by myboysnme on Aug 10, 2014 0:23:34 GMT
I track everything I might want to buy on BlackFriday.GottaDeal.com. Then I know exactly what I want to buy and from where for what price.
I also do the certain paper for certain kids - and each person's gifts are stacked up for them. If I really wanted to save time and be traditional, I would not wrap gifts at all, but then Christmas morning would be over in 2.7 seconds flat.
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Post by peasapie on Aug 10, 2014 1:02:29 GMT
I'll be watching this thread. I get so stressed during the holiday season and I'm tired of feeling that way. I feel like I need to start shopping earlier and wiser. The decorating I'm good with, but it's the shopping & budgeting that gets me! Ditto this for me. |
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Post by evnimom on Aug 10, 2014 1:36:21 GMT
Great tips! Each of my kids has their own 'Santa paper'. This eliminates the need for me writing out name tags for every present. I do this too! I thought I was clever and original and wondered why my mom never did this. |
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tiffanytwisted
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you can check out any time you like, but you can never leave
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Post by tiffanytwisted on Aug 10, 2014 13:57:31 GMT
Great tips! Each of my kids has their own 'Santa paper'. This eliminates the need for me writing out name tags for every present. I do this too! I thought I was clever and original and wondered why my mom never did this. I actually got the idea from my mom, lol. I was green tissue paper, my one sister was red & the youngest always got some cute patterned paper. Now, one of my boys always gets snowmen & the other gets Santas. |
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Post by amandad74 on Aug 10, 2014 14:01:33 GMT
While wrapping Christmas gifts, all gifts from Santa are wrapped in Santa paper. All other paper is from us.  Just something we started doing when the kids were young. |
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Post by amandad74 on Aug 10, 2014 14:02:23 GMT
Just thought of something else. If you have a really tall artificial tree, tie a big white piece of ribbon in a bow around each electrical plug on the tree (ours has 4 I think.) It makes it much easier to find them once the tree is up. Great idea! |
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styxgirl
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Jun 27, 2014 4:51:44 GMT
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Post by styxgirl on Aug 10, 2014 14:23:45 GMT
Over the years I have gotten some great tips and ideas from these two things. (I adapt both and don't follow either to a "T". I take what works for me/ my family) FlyLady Holiday Cruise
and Organized ChristmasThen two of my favorite tips for the holidays is that I have a notebook I add traditions, notes things for next year etc to each year. I also take out stuff we no longer enjoy or that our family has grown out of. I keep recipes, and past advent calendar activities in here too. My second tip is my fave ... Many times I don't get around to decorating until late ... But, there are a few items we need out late November/ beginning of December... My girls Hallmark Countdown to Christmas Trees and my holly berry Scensty warmer. Also Xmas card stuff and wrapping stuff. So, I keep one tub, clearly marked ready with just the early season items. I put it away last the previous year so it's right up front, Happy Holidays! (all inclusive!) |
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gloryjoy
Pearl Clutcher
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Post by gloryjoy on Aug 10, 2014 15:22:55 GMT
I'll be watching this thread. I get so stressed during the holiday season and I'm tired of feeling that way. I feel like I need to start shopping earlier and wiser. The decorating I'm good with, but it's the shopping & budgeting that gets me! Ditto this for me. This is me exactly! Every year I say I want to start earlier, spend less.
I do the "take a picture" tip, helps me set up my village for the next year. I also keep all the extension cords with the Christmas stuff.
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msliz
Drama Llama
The Procrastinator
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Jun 26, 2014 21:32:34 GMT
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Post by msliz on Aug 10, 2014 15:23:41 GMT
You might pick up on a theme for my tips:
Real pumpkins and gourds for Halloween and Thanksgiving, so I can throw them out afterward.
Paper snowflakes taped to the windows all winter, so I can throw them out when spring comes.
Bowls of wrapped candies to eat, for any holiday.
Did you catch the theme? I don't like packing things up for storage!
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J u l e e
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Jun 28, 2014 2:50:47 GMT
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Post by J u l e e on Aug 10, 2014 15:44:35 GMT
This is more about decorating for the holidays. When I decorate the mantle or a shelf in a way that I love, I snap a picture and put it in the box when I take Christmas down so next year I'll know exactly where everything went. This is because I need to declutter my Christmas decorations and have too much to remember where to put the things I really love. I do this in reverse. I have to take a photo of the regular stuff on my mantle before I take it all down for the Christmas stuff because I never remember where the things go back to after Christmas. I hardly ever change anything throughout the year. You'd think I could remember what it looks like. But, sadly, no. |
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Just something we started doing when the kids were young. 
