December 15, 2011

Wrappin’ Around the Christmas Tree

10 daysIn my house, presents are not placed under the tree until Christmas Eve. I fill the empty space with a new stuffed Christmas creature each year and some empty decorative storage boxes. When I used to place presents under the tree throughout December, I grew tired of my children picking up the wrapped packages and asking me how many days until they could open them. That does not mean that I don’t wrap as early as possible. Once they are covered by paper, I can relax a little more.

Countdown to ChristmasToday’s Countdown to Christmas Challenge is to lock yourself in a bedroom or private space and get as much wrapping done as possible. For some added fun, call some of the girls over and make it a Gift Wrap Party! Some can wrap and some can accessorize. Be sure to label each present.

How do you handle presents under the tree? When do you begin wrapping presents? Visit the 100 Days to Christmas Facebook page and weigh in.

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December 12, 2011

Gift Check-In

13 daysWith just 13 days until Christmas, there is little time to finish your gift-buying or gift-making. You will save yourself time and stress if you don’t wait until the very last minute.

Countdown to ChristmasToday’s Countdown to Christmas Challenge is to take stock of the gifts that you have and make an executable plan to finish up in the next few days. There is no need to go out searching for presents that are unnecessary or in excess of what you already have. That is a trap that many Americans fall into – continuing to buy when what they already have is plenty. Be sure to stop when you are done.

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December 9, 2011

Gift & Craft Session

16 daysEvery year, our Advent Calendar has a few days scheduled for crafting gifts. Our handmade ornaments are precious. The napkins we hand stitched are like treasures. The necklaces and bracelets that we designed and lovingly pieced together for grandmothers are still proudly worn.

Countdown to ChristmasToday’s Countdown to Christmas Challenge is to peruse the craft and gift ideas that you had earmarked in October, set out your supplies so they are accessible, and gather the family around the table for some good, creative fun. When you are finished, you may have some new family treasures for your collection.

Visit the 100 Days to Christmas Facebook page and tell us what crafts and handmade gifts you’ve been working on.

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November 25, 2011

Black Friday

30 daysWhile many will be up at 3:30 a.m. to stand in line for the early store opening times of Black Friday, I will be sleeping away until my usual wake time. I am usually done with my Christmas shopping by Thanksgiving, and while the pull of the deep sales is very tempting, I cannot bear to go elbow-to-elbow with so many shoppers. I do realize, however, that for many people, shopping the day after Thanksgiving is as much a part of tradition as anything else.

Countdown to ChristmasThe Countdown to Christmas Challenge for today is to shop hard, if that is your thing. Also, take advantage of the day and put away the remnants of your fall and Thanksgiving décor into well- marked boxes or tubs.

* Until November 30, buy a Print or Download Membership to ListPlanit and get a gift certificate for one FREE membership of the same value! Perfect for any mom, dad, grandparent, teacher, friend, or anyone else who would benefit from the gift of organization. You must visit this page in order to qualify.

Are you a Black Friday shopper? Do you get up early or do you prefer to shop online on this day? Visit the 100 Days to Christmas Facebook page and let us know.

Filed Under: Christmas, Gifts Tagged With: 1 Comment
November 13, 2011

Mom’s Store

42 daysUp until a few years ago, I had a dilemma concerning sibling gifts. I wanted my children to know the joy of giving to their siblings, but I had a terrible time trying to figure out how to work out the shopping trips with each kid alone and control the cost of the gifts. I read in a magazine how one mom set up Mom’s Store every Christmas with low-cost objects she had been collecting throughout the year that she knew would interest her children. She would designate a place in her room as Mom’s Store, set out a number of items appropriate to one child, and then would bring in one child at a time to “buy” a gift from that selection for their brother or sister. Then, she cleared those items and prepared to do another round for the next child.

Countdown to ChristmasThe Countdown to Christmas Challenge for today is to take some time to consider gifts for siblings. Maybe you want your children to make gifts for each other. Maybe you have a special night when you take each of them shopping alone. Maybe you’d like to try Mom’s Store. Whatever the case, preparation is a priority. You’ll need to be sure you have the materials you need on hand.

  • List of Gifts to Collect for Mom’s Store

    How do you handle sibling gifts? Visit 100 Days to Christmas Facebook page and share.

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    October 18, 2011

    Don’t Forget your Furry Friends!

    68 daysFor many families, pets of all kinds are treasured members and friends. They guard homes, warm laps, love unconditionally, make exceptional playmates, and add life to any house.

    Countdown to ChristmasThe Countdown to Christmas Challenge for today is to pay tribute to the pet in your life this Christmas. Maybe you could buy them a new bone or a new play toy or even have your children make something that shows how much your family values that pet. Give your pet a little extra attention this holiday season.

    Visit the 100 Days to Christmas Facebook page and submit a photo of your furry, feathery, or fin-y pet!

    ListPlanIt.comThis week’s giveaway is one that is unlike any other we’ve ever done.  It is not a giveaway to the fans and followers of 100 Days to Christmas, but to a worthy organization, designated by fans and followers.  ListPlanIt.com wants to give $.25 for every comment that is left between today and Friday, October 21 at 6 p.m.

    You have several ways to vote for your choice of charitable organizations:

    1) leave a comment here and tell us which organization you think is most deserving of this award and why,

    2) tell your friends & followers on Twitter about how they can vote for an organization of their choice and increase the size of the donation when you tweet, “Visit http://100DaystoChristmas.com to learn how you can vote to support your favorite charity this holiday season with @ListPlanIt!”,

    3) blog about your favorite charitable organization and encourage your readers to vote at 100 Days to Christmas, then leave a comment here linking to your post.

    4) follow our page on Facebook and tell our entire community that you are going to participate in this week’s giveaway by leaving the following message on our Facebook wall, “I support {your charitable organization} because {your reason}.  Visit http://100DaystoChristmas.com to learn how you can vote to support your favorite charity this holiday season!”

    One of each of these per day please. You have until Friday, October 21 at 6 pm EST to enter.

    100 days to christmas

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    October 12, 2011

    Stock Up on Stocking Stuffers

    74 days“Stockings were hung by the chimney with care, in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.” Stockings are an important part of many families’ Christmas traditions, and yet they are easy to forget about until the last minute.

    Countdown to ChristmasToday’s Countdown to Christmas Challenge is to go through your stash (and you know you have one) of trinkets and goodies. Inventory what you have and consider what might be good to keep your eye out for to add to your collection. Keep in mind the size of your stockings and do not go overboard. Santa’s policy: Less is more!

    Visit the 100 Days to Christmas Facebook page and tell us what Santa puts in stockings at your house!

    holiday gift bagsThe holidays produce a tremendous amount of waste through wrapping paper.  Imagine if children opened their presents and then the wrapping was simply folded up and used for the next Christmas.  This week, enter to win a set of 4 reusable fabric gift bags from Living Ethos (value $28).

    You have several ways to enter to win:

    1) leave a comment here and tell us how us which pattern or color is your favorite,

    2) tell your friends & followers about 100 Days to Christmas on Twitter (it’s easy to do with our share buttons below) and leave a comment here linking to your Twitter handle (be sure to follow @100Days on Twitter, too),

    3) subscribe to 100 Days to Christmas‘ RSS feed using a reader or by email (and get our daily posts delivered straight to your inbox) and leave a comment here,

    4) blog about 100 Days to Christmas, then leave a comment here linking to your post.

    5) follow our page on Facebook and tell our entire community that you are going to participate in this week’s giveaway by leaving the following message on our Facebook wall, “I’d like to do my part to reduce paper waste this Christmas.  I’m entering to win some reusable gift bags from http://100DaystoChristmas.com!”

    One of each of these per day please. You have until Friday, October 14 at 6 pm EST to enter.

    100 days to christmas

    Filed Under: Christmas, Gifts Tagged With:
    October 11, 2011

    Wrap It Up!

    75 daysWrapping gifts to set under the tree is, for many people, a part of the Christmas tradition. A wrapped gift is a mystery. Children go to sleep dreaming of what they might find inside.

    Countdown to ChristmasToday’s Countdown to Christmas Challenge is to inventory your holiday gift wrap and supplies. Maybe you stocked up after last Christmas. Maybe your current stock is depleted after last year.  Consider buying gift wrap that can be reused such as paper or fabric gift bags the next time you shop for supplies.

    Visit the 100 Days to Christmas Facebook page and tell us about your favorite gift wrapping techniques!

    holiday gift bagsThe holidays produce a tremendous amount of waste through wrapping paper.  Imagine if children opened their presents and then the wrapping was simply folded up and used for the next Christmas.  This week, enter to win a set of 4 reusable fabric gift bags from Living Ethos (value $28).

    You have several ways to enter to win:

    1) leave a comment here and tell us how us which pattern or color is your favorite,

    2) tell your friends & followers about 100 Days to Christmas on Twitter (it’s easy to do with our share buttons below) and leave a comment here linking to your Twitter handle (be sure to follow @100Days on Twitter, too),

    3) subscribe to 100 Days to Christmas‘ RSS feed using a reader or by email (and get our daily posts delivered straight to your inbox) and leave a comment here,

    4) blog about 100 Days to Christmas, then leave a comment here linking to your post.

    5) follow our page on Facebook and tell our entire community that you are going to participate in this week’s giveaway by leaving the following message on our Facebook wall, “I’d like to do my part to reduce paper waste this Christmas.  I’m entering to win some reusable gift bags from http://100DaystoChristmas.com!”

    One of each of these per day please. You have until Friday, October 14 at 6 pm EST to enter.

    100 days to christmas

    Filed Under: Christmas, Gifts Tagged With: ,
    October 5, 2011

    Crafty October

    81 daysCraft projects are such a great outlet for creativity. Even if you believe you don’t have a creative bone in your body, the holiday season is a great time of year to let loose your inner artist or crafter. Children LOVE to create and should be allowed to let their imaginations explore through provided materials and instructions.

    Countdown to ChristmasThe Countdown to Christmas Challenge for today is to look around online or in some old magazines for some new craft ideas for the holidays. You may have already begun to work on handmade gifts for Christmas, but October crafts can be many types of fall or Halloween projects. There are so many wonderful resources out there for craft ideas such as FamilyFun.com, Kaboose.com, and BHG.com. Add your craft ideas to your Holiday Craft Planner* so you’ll remember which ones were a success and which ones weren’t.

    * Available as a download in the 100 Days to Christmas 2011 eBook.  Members to ListPlanIt.com can print or download Holiday Craft Planner in Holidays & Occasions as a worksheet for your holiday crafting.

    Visit ListPlanIt’s Fall/Halloween Craft Board on Pinterest

    Visit the 100 Days to Christmas Facebook page and tell us your favorite October crafts!

    Holiday plannerHow would you like your own personalized binder for storing your Holiday planning pages?  This week, enter to win a binder from ListPlanIt‘s Store.

    You have several ways to enter to win:

    1) leave a comment here and tell us how you would use your personalized binder,

    2) tell your friends & followers about 100 Days to Christmas on Twitter (it’s easy to do with our share buttons below) and leave a comment here linking to your Twitter handle (be sure to follow @100Days on Twitter, too),

    3) subscribe to 100 Days to Christmas‘ RSS feed using a reader or by email (and get our daily posts delivered straight to your inbox) and leave a comment here,

    4) blog about 100 Days to Christmas, then leave a comment here linking to your post.

    5) follow our page on Facebook and tell our entire community that you are going to participate in this week’s giveaway by leaving the following message on our Facebook wall, “If I win a personalized binder from 100DaystoChristmas.com, I’m going to use it to _____________.”

    One of each of these per day please. You have until Thursday, October 6 at 6 pm EST to enter.

    Filed Under: Fall, Fun, Gifts Tagged With: ,
    September 22, 2011

    Shop-from-Home Day

    94 daysYou may have already begun receiving those beautiful little catalogs jam-packed with holiday trinkets, toys, decor, and anything else you might want or need for the holidays. You are hereby granted permission to do Christmas window shopping – from home!

    Countdown to ChristmasThe Countdown to Christmas Challenge for today is to leaf through your holiday planner and find the gift budget you created. Scour your catalogs for ideas for the remainder of your gift-buying, while staying within the confines of your budgetary limits. If you’ve opted out of catalog mailings, then make a list of your favorite places to shop and begin to browse their websites. My favorite guide for shopping for my family is the following poem*:

    Something They Want,
    Something They Need,
    Something to Wear,
    And Something to Read.

    * Available as a download in the 100 Days to Christmas 2011 eBook.  Members to ListPlanIt.com can print or download Gift List C in Holidays & Occasions as a guide for your holiday/birthday shopping.

    This week, we are excited to be giving away a Kindle 3G plus a gift card from Amazon for $5 toward the purchase of our 100 Days to Christmas 2011 eBook.

    You have several ways to enter to win : 1) leave a comment here and tell us why you’d like a Kindle,

    2) tell your friends & followers about 100 Days to Christmas on Twitter (it’s easy to do with our share buttons below) and leave a comment here linking to your Twitter handle (be sure to follow @100Days on Twitter, too),

    3) subscribe to 100 Days to Christmas‘ RSS feed using a reader or by email (and get our daily posts delivered straight to your inbox) and leave a comment here,

    4) blog about 100 Days to Christmas, then leave a comment here linking to your post.

    5) follow our page on Facebook and tell our entire community that you are going to participate in this week’s giveaway by leaving the following message on our Facebook wall, “Christmas would come early this year if I win a Kindle 3G from http://100DaystoChristmas.com!”.

    One of each of these per day please. You have until Friday, September 23 at 6 pm EST to enter.

    Filed Under: Christmas, Gifts Tagged With: ,
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