November 2019 goals
In our house, the holidays start now – and that’s great with me, because it means we can take them slow! Mind you, that does NOT mean we are listening to Christmas music now (that’s strictly for post-Thanksgiving dinner).
What does start now? The gift planning, Christmas card ordering, activity organizing, reservation setting, babysitter reserving, meal planning – and more. Starting early doesn’t mean we do more or spend more or go crazy: it means I get the space to choose what matters most, and then prepare for it without going crazy. Honestly, I can’t wait :)
Here’s what else is on tap for the month ahead!
On my calendar this month:
— Voting!
— Thanksgiving dinner with dear friends, and the post-Thanksgiving weekend with family
— Black Friday/Cyber Monday shopping – I’m working on my list!
What I’m loving right now:
— On the topic of holidays: I’ve found true warm white Christmas light strands extremely hard to find in my local stores. We ordered several of these last year with great success!
— Also on the topic of holidays: I fell in love with this tree Victoria posted last year, but they sold out before I could get to them. They’re back in stock and I already snapped one up for June’s room – I think she is going to lose it with excitement :)
— File this under weirdest thing to be loving ever, but exfoliating with a washcloth?! I typically just use my hands, but have been gently rubbing a washcloth over my face right after I rinse off my cleanser every night, and my skin is feeling so much smoother!
What I read in October:
— Finish: An easy and enjoyable read as I round the bend on many of my goals for the year!
Revisiting my October goals:
Find a new pot for our mantel and a throw blanket for our sofa (picked the pot and have my fingers crossed for a Black Friday sale!)
Create our family Halloween costumes (went with just the kiddos, but they turned out pretty cute :))
Finish culling and sorting our 2018 and 2019 (thus far) iPhone photos (nope)
Edit Sheptember, Volume 1, and finish editing June in June, Volume 4 (progress here but not done)
Design our family Christmas newsletter and order Christmas cards (just got our photos in – looking forward to doing this tonight!)
November goals:
— Write one thank you note per day (a campaign we’re doing along with our church family!)
— Make decisions about all gifts for all the people
— Do lots of Christmas shopping, taking advantage of Black Friday sales
— Share gift guides! Any requests? (In the meantime, start here!)
— Order Christmas cards and family Christmas newsletter
— Finish culling and sorting our 2018 and 2019 (thus far) iPhone photos
— …and if I do, reward myself with ordering my first five-year album on Black Friday!! The chance to save is good accountability :)
— Organize our coat closet
— FINALLY FINISH June in June and Sheptember – it’s happening, people!!
Let’s get contentious: does the Christmas music start now for you? Were you listening in July? Are you a purist who waits until after Thanksgiving, like me? I’d love to hear. Would love to hear your thoughts on what gift guides, if any, would be most helpful, too!
P.S. I love using PowerSheets to stay on track with my goals throughout the month. The new collection went on sale in October and it is soooo good! The one-year goal planners will likely sell out before the new year, so scoot over and get yours soon if you’d like one for 2020!
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I used to be a Christmas purist, but the last couple of years I have not been able to wait for the holiday season to start! I normally watch Hallmark Christmas movies before Thanksgiving, and save the music for after.
Love the division that works for you, Sara! :)
SO excited for June’s tree!! Can’t wait to see photos!
Thank you for the inspiration!!
I’m a Thanksgiving night person here! We usually try to find some sort of Christmas light display that night or over the weekend and I set my radio to the 24 hour Christmas station until after New Year’s.
Yes! There’s something I love so much about turning on the Christmas music on the drive home from Thanksgiving dinner! :)
I have been singing Christmas carols and songs since the end of October, but that’s only because our Choir’s Christmas concert is on 6 December so we have to start early!! ???? I don’t think trees should go up too early though – we don’t have Thanksgiving in the UK but towards the end of November trees do start appearing! Have you ever seen Easter eggs in the shops before Christmas though?! That’s a big no no as far as I am concerned! At least let people get Christmas out of the way first! ???? Or maybes I am being controversial now so apologies if I am!! ????