2015 Day 4 - Planning Happiness

I had to plan more closely again this year because of my trip - tree was up the 3rd weekend of December and I had several gifts purchased plus my baking.

Once I got home from the trip...I completed all of the other shopping the 1st week back (2nd week of December) and then the Christmas letter and cards.  It was a busy couple of weeks, but it was all done in time...phew.

__________________
This year we went to beach level for sunset photos...something we didn't do last year - it was a great vantage point for sunsets.

2014 Day 3 - Planning Happiness

This year, planning was moved up earlier because I was losing a week in December.

I planned, and succeeded, to put up the tree a week earlier.  GJA helped haul up the branches and  lights, so I was able to assemble it in 2 days rather than 4.  When I tested the lights, I found that 1/3 of them were toast (and it was weird, it was 1/2 of the strings that weren't working...ain't time to replace that many little bulbs, that's for sure!   The plan was to have the tree and lights up before my trip, but I was able to put on the ornaments too...as well as decorate the fireplace mantle...YAY me!

I didn't, however, get my Christmas letter done or cards ready....this was because we didn't get microsoft word loaded into the new computer until the DAY before I left...ah....thanks for loading that program...its just way WAY too late!

________________
On Dec 3 this year, we spent the day at the resort.  We started down on the beach and after lunch, stayed up by the pool - very relaxing.

2013 Day 3 - Planning Happiness

I'm all about planning, just not about follow-through....lol!

For Christmas, I have a spreadsheet with all the stuff that needs to be done...its the same list every year.  I deviate from the plan in when I accomplish the items, not particularly the types of things to do.

As for party planning, every year, our families come over for Christmas Eve supper - my parents, GJA's Mom and my 2 BFFs.  Some years we have extra guests - my brother (with/without girlfriend), BFF's boyfriend....   THIS year, I'm thinking of changing up the menu....from a M&M lasagne (which we've had for every year since this started), I'm thinking of lemon chicken...lol!  My issue with this planning is oven space.  I also always have hot appetizers, but that's tricky when you need to cook chicken...and what sides...oh my?!  I'm cooking impaired, so its stressful.

I like to have everything decided, purchased, prepared, so when the big day comes, the oven does the work and I can drink & be merry with my friends and family.

The reason that we do the Christmas Eve thing is the 1st year my parents were at home alone on Christmas Eve, my mother called to see what the plan was for Christmas morning and I could tell she was sad....so I asked them to come over and we'd play some games.  The following year, we had them over for supper and I decided I'd also invite my 2 single girlfriends and it became tradition!

We also host the parents for gift opening around 10 am on Christmas day and we also have a light lunch.  I"m still spoiled and supper is at my parent's place!

Christmas eve (my parents and Miriam) - waiting for GJA to mix our drinks

Mom & I Preparing Christmas day lunch