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 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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    September 21, 2011

    Handmade for the Holidays

    95 daysAs we prepare for a Christmas in an economy that is 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 ChristmasToday’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 2011 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!

    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.

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