December 12, 2012

Wrappin’ Around the Christmas Tree

Day 13: Wrap Christmas presents | 100DaystoChristmas.comIn 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 Christmas 2012 | 100DaystoChristmas.comToday’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.

Filed Under: Christmas, Gifts Tagged With: , Leave a Comment
December 11, 2012

Gift Check-In

Day 14: How is your gift buying/preparing coming along | 100DaystoChristmas.comWith just 14 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 Christmas 2012 | 100DaystoChristmas.comToday’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.

Filed Under: Christmas, Gifts Tagged With: Leave a Comment
December 10, 2012

Mom’s Store

Day 15: Mom's Store opens today | 100DaystoChristmas.comUp 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 Christmas 2012 | 100DaystoChristmas.comThe 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.

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

Filed Under: Christmas, Gifts Tagged With: , Leave a Comment
November 26, 2012

Gift & Craft Session

Day 29: Plan a gift and craft session | 100DaystoChristmas.comEvery 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 Christmas 2012 | 100DaystoChristmas.comToday’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.

Filed Under: Christmas, Crafts, Gifts Tagged With: , Leave a Comment
November 23, 2012

Black Friday

Day 32: Black Friday holiday shopping | 100DaystoChristmas.comWhile 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 Christmas 2012 | 100DaystoChristmas.comThe 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: Leave a Comment
October 12, 2012

Don’t Forget your Furry Friends!

Day 74: Don't forget to show your pets how much they mean to you this holiday season | 100DaystoChristmas.comFor 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 Christmas 2012 | 100DaystoChristmas.comThe 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!

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 3 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 this week’s giveaway 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) blog about 100 Days to Christmas, then leave a comment here linking to your post.

4) “like” 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, “Making this holiday season the best yet with 100DaystoChristmas.com!”

5)  pin this page to one of your Pinterest boards.  Leave the link to the pin below.

One of each of these per day please. You have until today, Friday, October 12 to enter.

Filed Under: Christmas, Gifts Tagged With: , 2 Comments
October 11, 2012

Stock Up on Stocking Stuffers

Day 75: Stock up on Stocking Stuffers! | 100DaystoChristmas.com“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 Christmas 2012 | 100DaystoChristmas.comToday’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 3 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 this week’s giveaway 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) blog about 100 Days to Christmas, then leave a comment here linking to your post.

4) “like” 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, “Making this holiday season the best yet with 100DaystoChristmas.com!”

5)  pin this page to one of your Pinterest boards.  Leave the link to the pin below.

One of each of these per day please. You have until Friday, October 12 to enter.

Filed Under: Christmas, Gifts Tagged With: , 8 Comments
October 10, 2012

Wrap It Up!

Day 76: Inventory your gift wrapping supplies | 100DaystoChristmas.comWrapping 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 Christmas 2012 | 100DaystoChristmas.comToday’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 3 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 this week’s giveaway 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) blog about 100 Days to Christmas, then leave a comment here linking to your post.

4) “like” 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, “Making this holiday season the best yet with 100DaystoChristmas.com!”

5)  pin this page to one of your Pinterest boards.  Leave the link to the pin below.

One of each of these per day please. You have until Friday, October 12 to enter.

Filed Under: Christmas, Gifts Tagged With: , 22 Comments
October 9, 2012

Shop-from-Home Day

Day 77: Shop from Home for Christmas gift ideas | 100DaystoChristmas.comYou 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 Christmas 2012 | 100DaystoChristmas.comThe 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. ListPlanIt’s Holiday Online Shopping Planner & Tracker* is the perfect way to keep track of your purchases, spending, and shipping times.

* Available as a download in the 100 Days to Christmas 2012 eBook.  Members to ListPlanIt.com can print or download Holiday Online Shopping Planner & Tracker in Holidays & Occasions as a guide for your holiday/birthday shopping.

Filed Under: Christmas, Gifts Tagged With: , , Leave a Comment
September 21, 2012

Handmade for the Holidays

Day 95: Making gifts by hand and with love for Christmas | 100 DaystoChristmas.comAs we prepare for a Christmas in an economy that is still struggling, turning to our own ingenuity, ability, and creativity when giving Christmas gifts is a heartfelt yet economical way to show your affection to friends and loved ones.

Countdown to Christmas 2012 | 100DaystoChristmas.comToday’s Countdown to Christmas Challenge is to go through your Christmas gift list to decide who might be most appreciative of a gift made by hand. Start researching what gifts would appropriately match your skills. Make a list of the materials and supplies* and be sure to have instructions on hand should you need them. Set goals on your October and November calendars for completing your gifts.

* Available as a download in the 100 Days to Christmas 2012 eBook.  Members to ListPlanIt.com can print or download Handmade Gifts Planner in Holidays & Occasions.

Visit the 100 Days to Christmas Facebook page and let us know what handmade gifts you plan to make or dream of making!

Lists to Wrap Up the Holidays | ListPlanIt.comListPlanIt wants to give five Print Memberships to 100 Days readers. You have several ways to enter to win :

1) leave a comment or photo here below and show us your pre-holiday spirit,

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 by leaving the following message on our Facebook wall, “I’m counting down the 100 days to Christmas at 100DaystoChristmas.com.  This is going to be my best holiday season yet!”.

6) pin this page to one of your Pinterest boards.  Leave the link to the pin below.

One of each of these per day please. You have until the end of today to enter.

Filed Under: Christmas, Gifts Tagged With: , 5 Comments
«Older Posts