Let's get started with the Holiday Notebook Challenge! 
For the next bit, we're going look at various different sections of our notebook and see what we can do to spruce those sections up. Keep in mind that you are not bound by my sections or chapters and your notebook may be different. Just apply what you can and tweak it to suit your needs, because I am sure that your notebook is only efficient if it suits you!
And this are only a very generic guide made to suit the masses and my (limited!) ideas. Be sure to post your own layout or ideas.
Our first chapter to tackle is "Budgets and Gift-giving". For me, this is one section, but this may be 2 sections in your notebook - 'Gifts' and 'Budget'.
Some ideas that you could work on for your 'Gift' section:
I like having a page (in my case, a computer document) just for ideas. No idea is too kooky to jot down. This biggest thing is to just stay alert- it's amazing what gift suggestions you can collect from every day conversations. I can't tell you the number of times I've mentally filed it and then added it to my notebook when someone said "I saw the most amazing thing today...". Did you overhear your brother-in-law discussing his new skidoo? Add people's hobbies and interests to your list so if you're in a store and see a new gizmo, you can add it to your ideas list. Did Katie get that new ipod for Christmas? Strike it from the list. Add related items that might be good for future gifts - for example add "music gift card" or a ipod carrying case. Those might be good gifts down the road. Keep your mind open to non-traditional gifts too. For example - is your sister planning a trip this summer? Maybe a donation toward her trip, a gift certificate for her hotel, or a great beach bag filled with books and beach gear would be fun to do for her birthday.
Growing Kids? Tastes change? Update size/colour preferences all year long. Not only will it help you at Christmas, you'll be ready to roll for Birthdays, Graduations and other events this year because you can refer to ideas list.
Some applicable forms you may want to print and add:
Master Gift List: http://organizedchristmas.com/printable ... -gift-list
Gift Ideas planner: http://organizedchristmas.com/printable ... as-planner
List of Gifts to Make: http://organizedchristmas.com/printable ... ke-planner
Gift Closet Inventory: http://organizedchristmas.com/printable ... -inventory
Budget:
Take a look at your budget for last year, and a look at your expenses/bills while they are still fresh in your mind. Did you allot enough last year or were you short? Start now to make a budget for the 2008 season, and figure out how much you'll save for that purpose. When will you save for Christmas - a "lump" payment? a little every month? Do you have a savings account for this purpose? Figure out how much you need to save each week to have a comfortable budget.
Some budget areas to consider:
Gifts
Charity/Giving
Christmas Tree (lights, ornaments etc)
Christmas Tree Festival
Wrap
Food/Drink/Groceries/Baking
Postage/ Shipping Supplies
Haircuts/Styling/Toiletries
Clothes, Shoes & Accessories (tights etc)
Tipping (hairdresser)
Babysitters
Christmas Cards/Stationary
Family Fun/Nights Out
House Maintainance (Carpet/Chimney cleaning)
Holiday decor (wreaths, candles, exterior/interior lights, timers etc)
Holiday Travel (gas, flights, hotels, hostess gifts, snacks/food etc)
Crafts
Camera/ Video Supplies (film, memory cards, storage cd's etc)
Parking costs for shopping
Family Budget Forms: http://organizedchristmas.com/holiday-budget
Let's hear from you in this Gift/Budget section! How does yours look? Can you think of any budget areas that you save for that are not included in the list? What does your gift section look like? Be sure to post and share your layout and other ideas.
For the next bit, we're going look at various different sections of our notebook and see what we can do to spruce those sections up. Keep in mind that you are not bound by my sections or chapters and your notebook may be different. Just apply what you can and tweak it to suit your needs, because I am sure that your notebook is only efficient if it suits you!
And this are only a very generic guide made to suit the masses and my (limited!) ideas. Be sure to post your own layout or ideas.
Our first chapter to tackle is "Budgets and Gift-giving". For me, this is one section, but this may be 2 sections in your notebook - 'Gifts' and 'Budget'.
Some ideas that you could work on for your 'Gift' section:
I like having a page (in my case, a computer document) just for ideas. No idea is too kooky to jot down. This biggest thing is to just stay alert- it's amazing what gift suggestions you can collect from every day conversations. I can't tell you the number of times I've mentally filed it and then added it to my notebook when someone said "I saw the most amazing thing today...".
Did you overhear your brother-in-law discussing his new skidoo? Add people's hobbies and interests to your list so if you're in a store and see a new gizmo, you can add it to your ideas list. Did Katie get that new ipod for Christmas? Strike it from the list. Add related items that might be good for future gifts - for example add "music gift card" or a ipod carrying case. Those might be good gifts down the road. Keep your mind open to non-traditional gifts too. For example - is your sister planning a trip this summer? Maybe a donation toward her trip, a gift certificate for her hotel, or a great beach bag filled with books and beach gear would be fun to do for her birthday.Growing Kids? Tastes change? Update size/colour preferences all year long. Not only will it help you at Christmas, you'll be ready to roll for Birthdays, Graduations and other events this year because you can refer to ideas list.
Some applicable forms you may want to print and add:
Master Gift List: http://organizedchristmas.com/printable ... -gift-list
Gift Ideas planner: http://organizedchristmas.com/printable ... as-planner
List of Gifts to Make: http://organizedchristmas.com/printable ... ke-planner
Gift Closet Inventory: http://organizedchristmas.com/printable ... -inventory
Budget:
Take a look at your budget for last year, and a look at your expenses/bills while they are still fresh in your mind. Did you allot enough last year or were you short? Start now to make a budget for the 2008 season, and figure out how much you'll save for that purpose. When will you save for Christmas - a "lump" payment? a little every month? Do you have a savings account for this purpose? Figure out how much you need to save each week to have a comfortable budget.
Some budget areas to consider:
Gifts
Charity/Giving
Christmas Tree (lights, ornaments etc)
Christmas Tree Festival
Wrap
Food/Drink/Groceries/Baking
Postage/ Shipping Supplies
Haircuts/Styling/Toiletries
Clothes, Shoes & Accessories (tights etc)
Tipping (hairdresser)
Babysitters
Christmas Cards/Stationary
Family Fun/Nights Out
House Maintainance (Carpet/Chimney cleaning)
Holiday decor (wreaths, candles, exterior/interior lights, timers etc)
Holiday Travel (gas, flights, hotels, hostess gifts, snacks/food etc)
Crafts
Camera/ Video Supplies (film, memory cards, storage cd's etc)
Parking costs for shopping
Family Budget Forms: http://organizedchristmas.com/holiday-budget
Let's hear from you in this Gift/Budget section! How does yours look? Can you think of any budget areas that you save for that are not included in the list? What does your gift section look like? Be sure to post and share your layout and other ideas.
