Christmas went well with help from HHP and being accountable here.
I think keeping track of what works and doesn't work each year, helps me with getting better organized over time. Writing it out here also helps me process what is happening with HHP and life in general.
The last few years I was dragging my feet on the Christmas cards. This year I was much better with it. I ordered the cards online as well as the Christmas stamps as soon as they became available. I have extra to get me started for next year.
When the children were little, I could buy the gifts way ahead and wrap after they went to bed. Not so with teens. I bought a lot more things shortly before Thanksgiving and wrapped them any free hour that I had alone.
I need to set a clothes budget within the Christmas gift budget so we have enough money for other fun gifts.
I'm also going to purchase the teacher/service gifts earlier than I have been. In the past, the gifts have been food items with long shelf life. I'd like to set up a goal of having them wrapped before Thanksgiving.
The stocking stuffers (chapstick, make up, pocket size Kleenex boxes, etc) were items that were bought in September. A few items that I wanted such as hand warmers were available later. I was able to wrap the stocking stuffers within a reasonable time after purchasing them. That was very helpful.
Stocking up on household items (paper towels, napkins, Kleenex, dish soap, etc) and cold/flu medicine in August and September was very helpful leading up to Thanksgiving and Christmas. We had a three weeks of sickness going on here and I had to make a few extra replenishment runs. I was just glad I had the extras to begin with and it kept me going while everyone was sick.
Keeping notes from year to year is very helpful. I'm surprised how easily I forget.