Yikes! Time is speeding up. I've gotta get rolling!
This week I was still battling covid, but did finally test negative Thursday morning. I figured while I was stuck at home I might as well get a few Christmas things done. I found a few perfect gifts* online and ordered them. (Was seriously surprised when they arrived in just 3 days).
I also found something I am getting for each of my DIL's, which have to remain secret because I know DIL2 reads this occasionally.
I updated my Christmas card list, and even have addressed more than half of them. Of course I will not sign or seal them until much later, but the most difficult part of getting them ready is done.
I have drawn a pattern to embroider for a couple of gifts. I tend to give each person I love multi gifts, but most are smaller items, that have a specific purpose. The embroidery will just gussie up the practical aspect of the gift.
All gifts have been noted in my Christmas notebook, with each person or group having their own page with color preferences, sizes, hints I may have picked up on over the year specific to them, and overheard wants.
There were some scraps of card stock left over from making the gift boxes last week and it bugs me to have bits leftover without a use for them. I remembered seeing this years ago and think this might be a good way to "wrap" some earrings I will buy for My Beloved Sister. These are a 4x3 inch "matchbook". I will push the posts through the back, then put the "matchbook inside a cellophane bag and tie it with a festive bow.
Every year I get her a couple of inexpensive pairs. She is like me and does not "wear well". At some time during the day she/we will fidget with out hair or clothes and about half the time an earring will disappear. Often it reappears in said clothes or around the house, but sometimes it is lost to the universe. Which is why every year she get a pair in a silver tone and a gold tone
I mentioned once before that I save all scraps of wrapping paper, no matter how small. The gifts below are exactly why I do this. All of those below were wrapped with small pieces of paper, most no larger than a 5x7 notecard.
I did not do anything in the room of horrors. I felt too bad to navigate the stairs, or that is my story and I am sticking to it. This week I am feeling well and have no excuses.
Ho, Ho, How is September almost over?
Days until Halloween, 33
Days until Thanksgiving, 60
Days until Christmas, 88
*These are Christmas gifts for my bookclub, which are both age and book clubby appropriate. I would tell you what they are but I am not sure if any of them read this blog or not, so I am erring on the side of caution.
Yay for testing negative on Thursday! That is such a great idea with the card stock. I’ll have to borrow that idea.
ReplyDeleteIt drives me nuts to have 4 inch strips of card stock laying around. I always have to think of something to do with it.
DeleteYou were certainly productive while you were sick. Did your husband get sick?
ReplyDeleteNo he never tested positive. I’m glad he didn’t
DeleteAll the scraps of left-over wrapping paper I've discarded might fill an 18-wheeler. (Gift-wrapping is my Achilles heel.)
ReplyDeleteSince gift-giving is one of my favorite things in the world, I'm more than a little curious what you found for your book club. I'm needing something for my Bible study gals but coming up empty. Won't you please PM me?
Will send you a pm including the purchase link via facebook
DeleteYou have been productive! Have a great new week ahead, Anne.
ReplyDeleteThank you Angie. I hope you have a wonderful week also!
DeleteI actually got something from Amazon in one day!
ReplyDeleteAll scraps here are saved, too.
At least I have my tree up!
ReplyDeleteI have gotten the same day delivery with Amazon before. With your tree up you are one step ahead.
DeleteI am in awe of your preparation! I have never had a Christmas gift wrapped before December
ReplyDeleteI do usually have gifts wrapped as I buy them, but last year I did not get things bought until late in the season and I did not enjoy it at all. I just want this holiday to be less stressful and more fun.
DeleteLike Kylie I'm in awe of your preparations! I know it's not much fun being sick and stuck at home but at least you put your time to good use. Glad you're feeling a little better now!
ReplyDeleteDon't be in awe. This year is just my reaction to having such a chaotic, unprepared holiday season last year. I don't want to repeat it!
DeleteI'm so sorry you've been ill. My Christmas shopping is about 1/3 done and I know what else I need to get. As God is my witness, I will start decorating at the beginning of November!
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
I am right there with you about decorating in early November.
DeleteHow do I get on your gift list?? ;-))
ReplyDeleteGotta be nice, not naughty . . .or just be part of my family.
DeleteI'm so glad you finally tested negative! I am headed out of town for work this week and am thinking about wearing a mask on the plane -- it seems like lots of germs are out there right now. I can't even think about Christmas yet . . .we don't even have our Halloween decorations up yet. Since I work on a church staff, I feel like we run non-stop from August 1 - December 25. Then I will breathe for a week before the new year. I will cram in decorating and buying sometime before then :-). I love how organized you are!
ReplyDeleteI am one of the least organized people in the world. I have to make myself think ahead.
DeleteI have always thought once the school year begins life speeds up until New Years Day, and I usually get caught chasing my tail in the middle of all of the hubbub. I just want this holiday season to be more relaxed and enjoyable instead of frantic.
And yes there is a lot of sickness going around. I have no idea if the masks really work, but I am wearing one on our next flight.
Happy to hear you're over your bout of Covid.
ReplyDeleteWow, you've certainly made lots of progress with your Christmas preparations. I can understand not climbing the stairs when you weren't feeling well.
I could have gone upstairs, but covid was a handy excuse to avoid the room of horrors.
DeleteHello! I am sorry to hear you were down with Covid. So happy to hear you are on the mend. Your Christmas preparations are so inspiring! I never thought about addressing Christmas cards before I filled them out! And, I also have a little notebook for ideas for each person. I wish I were better about filling it in. I have a little spot where I put things when I get them. Then I have to take a day to go through them and mark them down. Yay for Christmas planning!
ReplyDeleteI have never addressed the cards in advance before, but I was at home and couldn't go anywhere, and already had my Christmas cards. I figured I might as well do something constructive with my sick time.
DeleteTake care my friend, we don't need you down like Sluggy. COVID is a mean monster.
ReplyDeleteCovid this time was not so brutal. I just felt kind of bad but was mainly just exceptionally tired.
DeleteSomehow it is good to see Christmas decorations even though it is only September.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you are feeling better and tested negative. Take care of yourself.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you've made great progress with your Christmas preparations! I really like how you used tulle instead of tissue paper for some of the gift wrapping!