Saving Money For Next Christmas

Here a link to an eHow post on how to save money for Christmas. It explains a common sense approach that involves simply determining the amount of money you will need, dividing that number by 52 (weeks in a year) and then setting aside that amount every week.

I came across this article in September (oops, too late ;) so I thought I'd post this at the beginning of January 2010 to serve as a reminder to myself to start saving!!

Happy new year :)

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Shopping Early

Last year I bought my daughter some shoes for Christmas a couple of months early, and then panicked thinking they'd be too small by Christmas. I gave them to her early, only to discover that they were HUGE on her (and yes, I do know her size ;) She still wears them now, a year later, and now they fit her properly. I could have waited until Christmas last year to give them to her.

You'd think I'd learn to not buy shoes for Christmas... but nooo... this time I bought her runners. Hannah Montana runners, to be specific. (Think very very very happy six year old). I looked at the size of the runners, and then measured the bottom of one runner against the palm of my hand. They seemed enormous, until I got home and measured one of her currents runners against the palm of my hand. Same size.

sigh.

Do I panic and give her these new ones early, just like I did last year? I haven't yet, but who knows what tomorrow will bring...

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Merry Christmas In Different Languages

Here's a fun link:

http://christmas4all.blogspot.com/2007/12/merry-christmas-for-all.html

I was googling Christmas blogs and came across the post linked above, where the blogger lists "merry Christmas" in many different languages.

Enjoy!


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O Holy Night

I'm planning to add a Christmas carol blogroll on the sidebar of this blog, but to start things off, here are the lyrics to my favourite one, O Holy Night:

O Holy Night
The stars are brightly shining
It is the night of our dear Savior's birth
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
'Til He appeared and the soul felt its worth
A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!
Fall on your knees,
O hear the angels' voices!
O night divine,
O night when Christ was born
O night divine,
O night divine,
O night divine!

Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming,
Here came the wise men from Orient land.
The King of kings lay thus in lowly manger,
In all our trials born to be our Friend!
He knows our need; to our weakness is no stranger.
Behold your King; before Him lowly bend!
Behold your King; before Him lowly bend!

Truly He taught us to love one another;
His law is love and His Gospel is peace.
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother
And in His Name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
Let all within us praise His holy Name!
Christ is the Lord! O praise His name forever!
His power and glory evermore proclaim!
His power and glory evermore proclaim!

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When Do You Start Christmas Shopping?

Have you started yet? I actually know a couple of people who have. I'm lucky if I can start six days before Christmas, let alone six months.

Part of the reason is because my kids are still so young, and their interests change fairly rapidly. Still that's no excuse because I could get part of my shopping done at least.

What about you? When do you shop for Christmas?

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Until Next Year...

Happy New Year!!

Well, I guess that's it for this blog for now? There may be the odd post every now and then, but for the most part I suppose it'll be "semi-retired" until next fall (or maybe not! Who knows).

Until then, happy blog surfing, and happy 2009!

J
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How Long Do You Leave Your Tree Up?

For us it's usually until January 1st.

I try and get the most out of all my decorating efforts by starting early (December 1st) and keeping them up as long as I can get away with it.

I also keep turning on the Christmas lights as well - I think the colourful beauty helps to stave off the anti-climactic "boxing day blues". Then by the beginning of January, I'm ready to pack it all up and start fresh with a new year.

What's your Christmas tree tradition?
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