while I’m not working on the other blog, I’ve been making Christmas presents and working through my list. I guess technically, I’m not really making anything but instead I’m embellishing several gifts. 
A horrible picture because I took it on a thick, foggy morning, but you get the idea. Last year, my mother gave a set of towels to emma and mary and they really love having their "own". So, for a set of cousins in Wisconsin, I decided to do a similar gift and add their initial to each towel. The "s" looks pretty wonky in this picture–I think I may have photographed it upside down, now that I look more closely….
I also started one of these this year–a Christmas notebook. My grandmother kept one (she had fifteen children to keep track of), and my mom kept one, too–she still does in fact. I especially remember hers, because it was always soooo tempting to crack it open and read about the gifts I was going to be getting under the tree. Oh, that little black book was so secretive and alluring.
So, I started my own this year and I’m trying to keep it secretive but the funny thing is that emma keeps cracking it open and pretending to read what’s inside–my little non-reader–thankfully, there’s no illustrations. I looked everywhere for ones similar to what my mother and grandmother had, but they are nowhere to be found. So, I just concocted my own from a large moleskine with graph paper inside. One column is all the people I’m buying for, the middle column is ideas they give me or I come up with, and the final column is what I actually ending up making/buying in the end.
It has really helped me feel organized and not overwhelmed when I set out to get my shopping and sewing done. And I think it will be helpful (and a little sentimental) to look back over the years at what was waiting under the tree every year.
embellishments count! seriously, you’re in with the handmade.
and of course i love the notebook and — something to write lists in?! something to stash away and keep for years?! i’m on it.
This is a good idea. I have used an excel spreadsheet to keep track of my gifts for the past few years. It’s so handy because it means I don’t buy somebody the same thing again.
A book is a better idea though…something tangible.
That journal is a great idea. I write my list on a billion scraps of paper, and then lose them and have to try and remember what they wanted.
love the idea! I think it could make one a bit more organized throughout the year- namely, me!
What a good idea! Much better than my little scraps of paper that are all over the place.
love the notebook idea. i always worry that i am duplicating {esp with books} – this will keep it clear. and a lovely record too!
That is a lovely idea. I have mine from the last 3 years on the computer but the book is much cuter. It is great to look back and see what you got everyone each year.
Check out the brain on Molly! That is a GREAT idea.
Think I might have to steal that one…
I love the idea of the Christmas notebook – and the way that you are continuing on with a family tradition.
I keep track of the holidays in much the same way, but I doubt that I (or anyone else) will get a wellspring of emotion from my Excel spreadsheets (even though I’ve been keeping them for years…)!
Your towels are so cute!! What a great tradition you’re carrying on with the little Christmas notebook.
the book is a great idea and the towels are precious!
Ha ha. I laughed when I read this, because my mom always keeps a Christmas notebook too, and it takes all my willpower not to peek in it.
Love the christmas notebook idea. Too late for this year, but something for next year.
excellent ideas all’round.
love the towels. if i could just get my sewing machine to work correctly…
The notebook is a great idea! I always try to keep track on the computer and it seems that having a book right there with me would be so much nicer. I also love the towels! What a nice idea for my preteen neighbor! She would love to have a towel of her very own!
That notebook is a great idea. I have a scrap of paper that is always getting lost in my handbag.
Adorable, and kids love anything monogrammed- actually everyone does…
The towels are beautiful! Excellent gift.I do the christmas journal/record keeping TOO!!! I’ll post it sometime. I also put in the holiday photo, our christmas card for the year and that kind of dorky stuff…the place cards for the table, blah, blah. 🙂 It is neat to look back through.
What a wonderful idea! I’ll have to start a Christmas present journal next year. Love the towels.
I highly recommend you adding these sheets to your Christmas journal from Ann’s Christmas planner at familyfun.com site. They are free to use and you print them off at home, I use them every year, they’ve been very helpful!