100 Days to Christmas

Get Ready for the New Year!

listmama — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 05:01:21 +0000

2012 is upon us and now that Christmas is over, it is time to begin to consider ways to life back in order again. ListPlanIt.com is here to help. With hundreds of pages. . .lists, worksheets, inventories, schedules, planners, trackers, and to dos. . .to print or download and all geared toward helping you get organized, you are sure to find what you need to plan your attack.

ListPlanIt‘s blog is full of practical lists to help you get organized as well such as these to start you in the new year:

Save $5 on any membership to ListPlanIt.com when you use the following coupon code in the checkout: NEWYEAR12

Merry Christmas to All!

listmama — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 05:01:26 +0000

Warmest wishes for a family-filled Christmas day. May you enjoy good food and lots of fun.

Thank you for participating in 100 Days to Christmas! It has been a pleasure working together to make this the best Christmas yet. I hope you will be back next year, on September 16, 2012, to once again begin the journey of 100 Days to Christmas. Until then, check in at the 100 Days to Christmas community page now and again to read timely reminders of upcoming holidays. Merry Christmas!

‘Twas the Night Before Christmas

listmama — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 05:01:04 +0000

We started at 100 and have counted our way down to the very day before Christmas. Today is the final day to do what needs to be done, but above all, to enjoy the beautiful and meaningful moments of this holiday.

The Countdown to Christmas Challenge for today is to sit around the Christmas tree as a family and read your favorite Christmas story, whether that be the story from Luke about the birth of baby Jesus or “’Twas the Night Before Christmas”. Feel the magic of Christmas. Absorb it. Commit it to memory. And finally, don’t forget to leave out cookies and milk for Santa (and a carrot for Rudolph, too)!

Visit the 100 Days to Christmas Facebook page and let us know how you have done on this journey of 100 days. Was there something that wasn’t covered that you feel should have been covered? Your feedback is invaluable to how we organize our 100 days for 2012.

Christmas Eve Eve

listmama — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 05:01:19 +0000

If you’re planning for your Christmas Eve or Christmas day dinner and have pie or bread on the menu, locate your recipes and break out the flour because today is a great day for baking.

The Countdown to Christmas Challenge for today is to finish the task of baking so that tomorrow can be saved for the busyness that accompanies the day before Christmas. Do whatever can be done today. For a little extra fun, camp out under your Christmas tree tonight in your sleeping bags. Savor the tree and its beautiful decorations and soak up the chance to create new Christmas traditions for your family.

The Shortest Day

listmama — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 05:01:25 +0000

Today, as we scurry around to prepare for Christmas day, it may seem like there is not enough time to accomplish all of the things we want and need to do. Winter Solstice is the beginning of winter and the return of the sun.

The Countdown to Christmas Challenge for today is to commemorate the shortest day of the year by gathering around a fire or lighting some candles. One of my favorite activities on this day is to read The Night Tree by Eve Bunting with my family. A new tradition for us is that we dry out our Christmas tree from the previous year and store the dried branches. Then, we bundle up on Winter Solstice and go out after dark for a bonfire.

In what ways do you welcome the return of the sun? Visit the 100 Days to Christmas Facebook page to tell us your family’s plans or traditions.

Commence Christmas Dinner Prep

listmama — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 05:01:18 +0000

Christmas dinner, whether enjoyed on Christmas Eve or on Christmas day, is a time to gather together as family and friends to put aside all of the distractions of the holidays and concentrate on what is truly important. Good food happens to be an excellent way to do just that.

The Countdown to Christmas Challenge for today is to begin preparations of the side dishes in order to save time on the day of the dinner. Chop all of the vegetables that you will need. Prepare your cranberry salad today and allow it to properly set up. Assemble that favorite casserole and then refrigerate it until it is time to start cooking dinner.

Happy Hanukkah!

listmama — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 13:59:08 +0000

Today, after sunset, begins the first day of the eight-day celebration of Hanukkah, The Festival of Lights. It commemorates not only the victory of the Maccabees, a Jewish rebel army, over the Syrians in 165 B.C.E. after they seized control of the holy
temple in Jerusalem, but also the subsequent rededication of the Temple. Jews celebrate with eight nights of traditions including the lighting of the menorah, the exchange of gifts, and treats cooked in oil.*

The Countdown to Christmas Challenge for today is to embrace an opportunity to have a new cultural experience. Prepare some potato pancakes or latkes (a traditional Hanukkah dish) for dinner. Serve them with applesauce on top or on the side. Your family will love them!

* From What is Hanukkah at about.com

Visit the 100 Days to Christmas Facebook page and tell us how you celebrated Hanukkah today.

Cleaning for Christmas

listmama — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 05:01:30 +0000

Once again, we have reached a crucial cleaning time of the season. Christmas is officially THIS WEEK and there is still much to do to be ready for any Christmas festivities you may be having in your home. This week we will be focusing on cleaning different areas, beginning from the top.

The Countdown to Christmas Challenge for today is to plan your cleaning schedule using your calendar or ListPlanIt’s Week of Christmas*. Pencil in the remainder of your Christmas obligations to coincide with dinner preparations, houseguests, end-of-school
happenings, and everything else that takes place during the last week before Christmas. While it’s not necessary to spring clean, some tasks to include are dusting, cleaning bathroom(s), vacuuming, mopping, changing sheets for guests, and cleaning out your refrigerator to make room for make-ahead dishes and holiday leftovers. Are visions of a clean house for Christmas dancing through your head?

* Available as a download in the 100 Days to Christmas 2011 eBook. Members to ListPlanIt.com can print or download a Week of Christmas worksheet in Holidays & Occasions.

How do you build in cleaning to your busy holiday schedule? Visit the 100 Days to Christmas Facebook page and let us know.

Christmas Lights & Hot Cocoa

listmama — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 05:01:45 +0000

One week from today is Christmas day! After a long week of down-to-the-wire Christmas preparations, it is time to have a holiday evening off with the family.

The Countdown to Christmas Challenge for today is to tell your family to get in their warm and cozy jammies. While they are doing that, fill a thermos with some hot chocolate. Pack your thermos and enough mugs for everyone and head out to drive around and check out the Christmas lights. Sing Christmas carols, sip hot chocolate (but not too hot), and enjoy the sights of the season.

Visit the 100 Days to Christmas Facebook page and tell us about your favorite outdoor Christmas decorations. Do they involve synchronized blinking lights set to music? Ours do.

Weekly Workshop 12/17

listmama — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 05:01:46 +0000

It is our final Saturday Weekly Workshop. Christmas is just a week away!

Today’s Weekly Workshop will be all about tying up loose ends. Here is a list that you should check twice to make sure you are where you need to be today:

 Christmas menu planned and grocery list made
 Gifts, including stocking stuffers, have been bought
 Gifts wrapped
 Travel arrangements verified and suitcases readied
 Cards sent in the mail

List of Last Minute Things to Check Off Your Christmas To Do List

Visit the 100 Days to Christmas Facebook page and tell us what you are working on today.