It’s Day 4 of the 21 Days to a Simple Christmas Challenge! Now that you’ve got your Christmas budget in place and determined who you’re going to buy presents for, it’s time to figure out what you’re going to buy or make for those on your list.
Some of you have commented and said you’ve actually already gotten all of your Christmas shopping/gift-making done this year. If that’s you, I’m impressed and inspired. And the rest of us will try not to envy your organizational skills. 🙂
For those of you like me who haven’t finished our Christmas shopping and crafting, today’s the day to make a plan for what you still need to buy/make and when you are going to buy it/make it.
Free Printable Handmade Gift Planner from Callaloo Soup
Look at the master list you made yesterday of who you are going to buy/make gifts for and decide for sure what you’re planning to buy/make — or at least jot down some ideas of what you think you’ll buy. {You can use one of these free printable gift list spreadsheets, if you’d like.}
Once you have your list written, step back and evaluate it:
- Do you need to be buying all the items listed?
- Can you afford to buy all of the items listed?
- If not, do you have time to make something for that person?
- If so, what are you going to make and how much time do you have to invest?
Pare down your list, if need be, based upon the answers to these questions. This is not because you are not generous or cold-hearted, but because sometimes you just have to face the reality that you can’t do it all.
Remember, like I said yesterday: Streamlining and simplifying your gift list so that you have breathing room and aren’t exhausted, stressed, and overwhelmed all December could be one of the best gifts you could give those closest to you — the gift of your presence!
Free printable Christmas Shopping list from Exceptional Charm
Day 4 Project
1. Read chapter 3 from Celebrating & Savoring a Simple Christmas. (Did you sign up for your free copy yet? If not, click here and fill out the form to be emailed a copy.)
2. Make a list of everything you’ll be buying/making as gifts for Christmas. Evaluate each item on your list to make sure you have the time and money to pull it off. If not, pare down your plan so that it’s realistic and doable.
3. Come back at around 9 p.m. EST tonight and I’ll have a follow-up post sharing about our Christmas gift list and encouraging you to share about yours, too!
thank you so much for this! I usually start off calm and then end up crazy. I don’t want that anymore. I luv your comment about giving yourself grace this year. we (I) am finally doing the same. and thank you for the printables.
I’ve been working on a few gifts on and off since summer. I enjoy crafts, so I’m a little better about not doing them all at the last possible minute. This does remind me, though, of ones I could make using supplies I already own instead of spending more money buying gifts. My fabric, yarn, and bead stash could be reduced and make lovely things to give others or even to sell for money to buy gifts! Now to find the time… Where did I put it? 😉
I have enjoyed reading your book Crystal, and felt confirming on many of the points you have made.
Due to an extreme amount of underpayment this year from our home business, we have paired down alot. We are making about 1/4 of what we made last year. Between crafting, sewing, and making personalized block sets, we have been able to make some thoughtful gifts for our 20+ extended family this year. Thankful we were able to earn some Amazon gift cards to purchase our 3 boys this year. Way different than previous years, but it keeps us humble, and able to focus more easily on the true meaning of CHRISTmas: Jesus 🙂
Blessings!
{hugs!} And I love your attitude and commitment to being creative! You inspire me.