A Well-Planned Christmas

For several years I have used this 12 week Holiday Planner to plan my time from shortly before Thanksgiving to New Year’s.

I had listened in on a conference call with Marilyn Moll {then of the Urban Homemaker} and two women I had never heard of.  The first was Sheri Graham, who had co-authored the 12 Week Planner, and the other was Ann Voskamp, who’s Jesse Tree devotional at the time was being included as a bonus with the Planner. {yes, there WAS a time when Ann Voskamp wasn’t a household name…at least not in my household!}

I decided this was exactly what I needed to stay on track during the holidays, so I purchased it that night and downloaded and printed it off immediately.  I took their advice and slipped each page into protective covers inside a notebook (Jesse Tree devotional included) and sailed through the holidays despite the impending birth of our 6th child {a large factor in my needing this planner!}

Now, some people can plan their holidays just fine without a planner.  I am not one of those people.  And I’m also not someone who can come up with everything I need this time of year on my own, so I am truly grateful for people like Sheri, who put together materials like this!

Now, you might be wondering why you need a “well-planned” Christmas?  And what does a well-planned Christmas look like.  Well, let’s just say, I got the planner out late this year and it shows!  Without planning, your gift giving is haphazard, your meal planning is over budget, and you feel more stress than peace during a season that ought to be full of peace and thanksgiving.  I am so glad I remembered to get my planner out, even if it was late in the game…better late than never!

So, if you are looking for order this Christmas (and the next and the next), I highly recommend the 12 Week Holiday Planner!  I’m sure there are others out there, but this has worked for me for several years now and I don’t plan on changing.

And if you are looking for peace in the weeks to come (and long after the Christmas decorations are put away), check out my ebook Creating a Peaceful Home.  Only $5.99!