Have you ever heard of Kathy Peel a.k.a. The Family Manager? She's an author, speaker and the founder/president of Family Manager, Inc. Kathy promotes the strengthening of busy families and enhancing the home by becoming better organized and more purposeful with your time.
Several years ago I had the pleasure of attending a Family Manager seminar and I have to say that I enjoyed it very much. My kids were quite young at the time and believe me, between having my hands full with them and a husband who worked a lot - I was very interested in anything that would help me stay organized and retain my sanity with 3 little ones!
Last night I was browsing through a Family Manager book. This one was called "The Family Manager's Everyday Survival Guide". Something caught my attention that I thought was pretty neat and I'd like to share it with you.
Obviously, we've just gotten through the holiday season. Was it stressful for you or did you enjoy it immensely because you were well prepared ahead of time? I guess I'd have to say I was a bit stressed. I'm determined to do things different for Christmas 2008! How, you may ask? Well, let me share with you at the beginning of each month something called "THE YEARLONG CHRISTMAS PLAN"...
THE YEARLONG CHRISTMAS PLAN
I was getting tired of Christmas being a joyful time of the year for everyone but me, the Family Manager. So I began a search for better ways to manage this huge project. That's when it came to me: Divide and conquer - work on Christmas a little each month, all year long. In other words, start a yearlong Christmas plan. It's really very simple, and you can start any month of the year and still reap benefits. Here's how:
JANUARY:
*After Christmas, take some time to write down what would make things go smoother next year. Incorporate those ideas into your next year's yearlong Christmas plan. Avoid gift duplications next December by writing down who received what this past season. Also make a note of which gifts were a hit and which ones weren't.
*Hit the half-price holiday trimmings sales.
*Go through holiday-card envelopes and make necessary corrections on your card list.
I'm hoping to make this next Christmas season less stressful by following this Yearlong Christmas plan month by month. I'll share the rest of the plan at the beginning of every month. Care to join me?
What a great ideas! I love this... I'm with ya sister!
ReplyDeleteHope you are having a wonderful week!
A while back when our two older girls were pre-teens, I found this book, and read it several times, cover to cover. I think between her and Emilee Barnes, I managed to figure out how to run my home. I'm a big fan!
ReplyDeleteHi Michelle,
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of this book, but I do plan Christmas yr. around ,it is so mcuh easier.When I first started I set aside a day per month just to craft for Christmas gifts or buy a gift. Its worked Beautiful and I try to be finished by the last of Oct. You can start a gift closet, or store gifts in a big box etc. make life less stressful!
Hope you have agreat wk.
Blessins',Lib
Michelle,
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for visiting me! I hope you'll stop by again soon.
I have heard of Kathy Peel, but haven't read one of her books. I will have to try to find this one - sounds great. I, too, love Emilie Barnes and have tons of her stuff.
My Christmas this year was very stress-free. I've been working on having a plan for some time now and I think it finally kicked in! I do want to start crafting earlier, though. That is something I'd like to do each month and then have a big stash ready in December.
Hi Michelle,
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful idea, and yes I would love to follow along with you.
Penny