Planning a Matheson Family Christmas Post #32 Planning for Next Year

           So, I won't be documenting the tear down. It puts more pressure on me and I feel like it has enough pressure. I will be taking my time and doing it at my own pace. I did get to take the ornaments and garland off both trees so far.

          So the other thing I started was planning for next year. I have a scratch pad for next year on the go. In it, I have started to map out next year's blog, some elf ideas. I also am making a shopping list of supplies. I know I need hooks, ribbons and pipe cleaners for next year. The most valuable tool is my shopping list. 

          I'm talking about the list of people I want to buy for next year and this is a valuable tool. Once a month, I make this list and write out gift ideas for next year. Doing this well in advance means a few things. 1, I could potentially get gifts started REALLY early. 2, I  am not scrambling when we get close to Christmas with no idea what to get that person. My first list has one gift for every adult (who are the hard ones to buy for), and 2-3 for all the kids (which is dangerous). 

             It's also good for things like making notes about how you packed, or where you packed items. And any random ideas I get through the year. This may sound like a lot, but it makes for a lot less next year. 

          K, Luv Ya, Bye 

          Nancy, Cale,Jake, Brock and Alice 

Planning a Matheson Family Christmas Post #31 Tear down plan

           Well I know a lot of people have taken down their decorations, I'm not one of those people. I have heard of a lot of people who haven't too, I've heard it being a covid thing and even a mental health thing. Being as into Christmas as I am, I'm on groups of like-minded people. Any who have torn it all down are pretty bummed. While I'm not on the same page as those who decided to keep the tree up and it's now sporting hearts and cupids, I am looking around and wondering what might stay for winter?  

         None the less, to avoid confusion and keep everything organized, I have to make a tear down plan. First thing I need to do is go through my tote of tree ornaments. I go through, and ornaments that didn't make it on the tree this year I assess why and then get the tote ready to pack up the ornaments. Then I go through the big totes I use for bigger items (ie tree, large wall hangings, our big advent calendar, etc)Ornaments go first and then the lights and garland. Anything that goes on the tree goes in my ornament tote or the big tote I put the tree in, so does the tree skirt. This also includes the special plug (remote controlled) I use for the tree and the extension cord.  The reason I do the tree first, is I now have an area we haven been using , so it won't be missed while I use it for organizing. I go through all my smaller totes and organize the decorations that didn't get out first. Some people in my chat group organize by room. That would be super convenient if I decorate the same way every year. I don't, so I do it by type. Lights, garland, wall hanging, stuff that goes on table tops etc. The only room that gets it's own is the kitchen. I pick a room (usually the most decorated) and go one end to the other putting everything in it's designated tote. This is something that takes me a while. It takes me a while to put it all up. Once it's done everything looks bare and empty. As a result, this is typically the time of year I make decor changes to make it feel a little warmer and more cozy. This year I have some pictures I want to print of the boys, get a couple of new frames, and some twinkle lights. I also want to make sure I have plenty of candles. I already started changing all my light bulbs to warm ones, that helps too.