I've been trying to get some Christmas shopping and planning done, which means it's time for Margaret's Many Lists. What kind of lists? Let me give you a few examples:1. The Uber Gift List -- this is the list of recipients with suggestions for each. I have three siblings, their spouses and many nieces and nephews. We don't buy for each of them; we draw a name each, and the nieces and nephews become part of the draw when they're sixteen. So that means I now have only a niece and nephew "for sure," plus the draw folks, plus the parents. Then I have the in-laws, but they are much fewer in number, so that part of the list in consistent.
2. I have a list by store, if I hope to get more than one item in a store.
3. I have my kid's list. It's part of the uber list, but also involves lines drawn from one side to the other, so I make sure they each get the same number and I've spent approximately the same amount for each. (In addition to Daughter, I have Son -- but I'm not too sure how he'd feel about me mentioning him in my blog, so I tend to leave him out of it.)
4. I have the Hubby List, which lists the items my husband is responsible for buying.
5. I have the menus for Christmas dinner. This year, I'll be having two -- one for the in-laws on Christmas Day, my side of family on a later date.
6. I have the grocery list for each meal, plus the baking. I like to take homemade cookies, etc. for hostess gifts.
7. This year, I have a list of recipes to try before Christmas, to make sure things will turn out okay for the meals.
8. I have a list of things to do around the house before Christmas (at present, this one is still mostly in my head, but that will change, so I don't forget something).
9. On any given day, I have a list of what I want to do that day.
10. I also list emails to be sent/responded to, that I stick on the computer.
One of these years, I expect I'll be making a list of my lists. But it's the best way I know to keep myself organized. There's also something satisfying about seeing things crossed off and accomplished.
And hey, if it's good enough for Santa, it's good enough for me!
3 comments:
Wow, that is a lot of lists! I need an uber list to keep me organized these days. I don't have quite as many people to buy for, but it adds up fast.
If I made that many lists, I'd have to keep a list of the lists or I'd lose one. :) I keep one Uber list (love the term), and two shopping lists -- one for people and one for food. And you're a braver woman than I am to try out new foods on a family with "expectations" of what constitutes Christmas dinner! Kudos, Margaret!!
Oh, believe you me, I am no gourmet. The recipes are simple; I just haven't tried them before, and I need to find recipes that don't require a burner come the day. One is for glazed carrots in the slow cooker -- good, but I think a little less brown sugar next time. Next up in a bean recipe that you can make a day or two ahead, then I can warm them in the oven while I'm doing the gravy.
As for expectations, only turkey, cranberries and the Infamous Green Salad my mom makes. It's a jello mold concoction.
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