time racing

The main thing that I try to do to make sure that I am able to get through this part of the year is that I try to start my holiday shopping very early in the year. In fact, I am over halfway done with my Christmas and birthday shopping for the remainder of this year. In fact, just today I ordered three more Christmas gifts that I'm really excited about. In addition to that, I also just try to take a little bit of time out of every day for myself. If I wasn't able to do that, I think that I might very well go crazy.

this time i am busy with my project so i don't spend much time on this new year.i planed a list if all works going to complete on time then i will have some time to enjoy with my friends. hope i will enjoy this december

Instead of mentally lumping it all together as a "holiday rush" I try to focus on different parts of the celebration. It is easy for me, in a way, as my family has many family birthdays near Thanksgiving. I also focus on that aspect, thankfulness. I was having a really bad year last year, and I was frustrated. I had a thought that came to me, and I wrote a poem about it, which I have published elsewhere, online. The thought is that Christmas will come, regardless of whether or not you are "ready" you cannot stop Christmas from coming, but your heart needs to be ready.

November is not so bad but December is quite hectic. It is the endless shopping for christmas that takes up most of my time and expedite the year end.

I don't let it get to me. I try to remember that Thanksgiving is a day to be grateful, not cook myself silly and get all tense. Christmas is a birthday celebration, not a day for presents but a day to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Presents are nice but they are just a symbol of what the Magi brought to the Child. I enjoy the holidays if I make these thoughts the focus. I began making gifts in September for most of my loved ones so it kind of draws out the enjoyment.

I don’t know they are usually a blur! It’s my daughter’s birthday in November so I usually have to organise her celebrations as well. It is a mad time of the year and the only time my diary is extremely full of things to do. I hate and I love it at the same time. By the time Christmas comes around I wonder why I rushed around so much...It’s the same every year...

oh i totally agree with you and i am way behind in my Christmas shopping this year because we had planned to go away and now we are not.

Oh man, I can already feel the craze starting. I went to the mall, for a quick trip to get a new bra the other day (I think it was last Saturday) and it was ALREADY CRAZY TOWN there! I was in shock - since when is the beginning of November included in the holiday craze? Apparently the craziness is beginning even sooner than i thought. I try to avoid malls after Black Friday. Parking and trying to shop are terribly inconvenient and annoying and I can't handle it. I'd rather pay extra OR shop online because during "the season", shopping just is NOT fun. And this is coming from a shopaholic! I try to get all of my Christmas shopping done ahead of time (I have some of my gifts taken care of.. Probably about 1/2 or a little less than that), so that for the entire month of December - I don't have to take ONE step in any mall just because it's such a pain in the butt. This year, though, money-wise, I think I'll be shopping at least through mid-December, as I'm trying to buy a new present every paycheck (so it feels like it "hurts" less LOL), but I think I'm going to try going to the mall NOT on the weekend, but on a random day - like a Tuesday morning just to avoid the rush. Hmm.. Perhaps my plan will work. LOL. We'll see.

I told myself I wouldnt stress out over it this year. Whenever I ask my brothers or sister what they plan on doing, they say they dont know yet. Well fine!! Ive made my plans and I'll ask dad to come over. If my siblings want to come, fine again, if not, its the same. Dad likes to have Italian food for xmas so my sauce and meatballs are already done, all ready in the freezer. I'll only need to take care of the last minute details. So bring it on...Im ready!!

my partner has been self employed in building trade for many years. that means at any time, subject to weather, his work can dry up any time from end of october to end of january.. so for years i have had to plan xmas from august to make sure it happens.. its a habit i cant break.. however, i plan to try and make sure beyween now and end november, that all my bills are paid up and in advance, so i can sort pressies and enjoy the run up to xmas and xmas itself without borrowing, or worrying x