How
To Make Next Christmas Even Better Than This One
by Colleen Moulding
With
the decorations still up and the Christmas successes or disasters
fresh in your mind this can be the perfect time to make plans
for next Christmas.
Make a note now of what worked out as well or better than you
had planned and note too ideas that didn't quite gel as you had
hoped or jobs or activities that you just didn't get time for.
Did your Christmas menus work out well? What could you have prepared
in advance? Did you have something to offer an unexpected vegetarian
guest? What did you have for the children who wouldn't eat vegetables?
Did you forget to warm the plates to help keep the food hot or
chill the wine?
Jot these things down now for an easier time next year.
When it's time to take down your cards take a few minutes to make
a Christmas card list in the back of your new diary or address
book, this will make writing out your cards much easier next year
as you won't be worried about forgetting anyone.
Take a good look at your tree and room decorations. Are some of
them looking past their best? Would you love to start again with
a new theme or colour scheme or add just a few new items to give
the whole look a lift. Did a friend's decorating scheme inspire
you or did you see a wonderful decorating idea in a department
store or craft shop?
Now is the time to hit the sales for cards, decorations and wrapping
paper as all these items can be found at half their usual price
or less. Don't forget to stock up on clear or coloured cellophane
and tissue paper to wrap all those gifts or gift baskets that
you intend to make yourself.
Treat yourself to a couple of crates or storage boxes to pack
away your decorations
neatly and label them so that they are easy to find, or even more
cheaply, cover some cardboard boxes with gift wrapping paper and
you will always be able
to spot them in your closets.
Resolve to spread the financial load next year by making a list
of everyone that you
want to give gifts to and make or buy one or two each month throughout
the year, this works well except for children as who knows what
the latest must have will be by next Christmas!
Spend a few minutes to think about what gave you pleasure this
Christmas. Who did you really enjoy spending time with? Who did
you hate spending time with? Would you have enjoyed something
a little more spiritual? Make a note to attend a midnight mass
or a carol service or get yourself an invite to the local nativity
play.
Would you have liked to stay at home with your partner, a bottle
of wine, a large box of chocs and the tv guide? Schedule a day
doing just that.
Did your kids enjoy making cookies with you, or paper decorations?
Did you spend some time with the tv off just talking about Santa
coming soon, reading Christmas stories or poems or gathering greenery
and berries to decorate the house? Perhaps these will become family
traditions that they will remember forever.
It will only take a few minutes to note down these things now,
yet once you are back into your regular routines they are easily
forgotten. Once you have them in your Christmas note book or the
back of your diary you have everything you need to make next Christmas
even better than this one!
Copyright
Colleen Moulding 2002
