I haven't posted anything in over a week because I've been finishing up this year's - Christmas Pledge.
It ended up taking much longer to create than I anticipated. I started working on this year's pledge in July. The problem is I worked on it slowly. I'd pick it up and put it down. And then it got dusty. And now I've been working frantically on it for a month while developing a significant eye twitch. Like always.
Which is exactly what happens to everyone at Christmas. Christmas? What do you mean talking about Christmas in October? That's bullshit you say?
Well it's not. Ask anyone who has taken The Christmas Pledge and given it even half a shot. They'll tell you it works to keep you on track and to prevent what I just put myself through these past few weeks.
Because the Christmas Pledge nudges you through a logical, scheduled Christmas assembly line of holiday tasks.
If you follow the The Christmas Pledge calendar you will be have every single Christmas task from pre-making cookie dough to wrapping your presents done by December 1st.
I make decisions simpler. Want nice gift wrapping without having to figure anything out?
You'll have 16 custom picked combinations that I've put together. That's Christmas wrapping combination #1 underneath.
Every wrapping combination and photo has a link you can click to take you to one spot to buy everything in the photo.
I worked hard to make things easy.
Funny. I had no idea I was going to go off on a bragging tangent in this post! But here we are.
This really is the best Christmas Pledge I've ever created. In fact when I think of some of the original ones ... well if you ever fumbled through one of my earliest ones you'll prefer this one.
All this to say thanks for putting up with my unexpected week off and watch for The Christmas Pledge coming to your inbox soon.
I just ordered the Christmas pledge, and it will help me, finally, have a planned lovely Christmas. Thank you!
Day 12 , no, no ,no do not lick envelopes! I worked at an envelope manufacturing company many years ago - in the pre internet/ cell phone days. We just made envelopes, no paper, no pencils, just envelopes. I beg of you, do not lick envelopes. There is a story behind this (just like the story behind on why I don’t eat fig newtons anymore . While cramming for final in college (back when just had mainframe computers - again, no internet or cell phones) I was cramming fig newtons in my mouth, I took a break and watched a video on the life of the the fig wasp.)
Documentary, not video. This was before video players
In your followup posting to this one, you said, "No $14,000 self flying chairs"
Well, I really WANT a $14,000 self flying chair. Is that supposed to make me Old Mister Scrooge or something?
Oh come now Scotty. It's a gift giving guide. You're not going to give anyone on your gift list a $14,000 chair. If you happened upon one you, like all of us, would keep it. ~ karen!
You outdid yourself this year! The Pledge is AWESOME! And I love the extra tips eBook. Yep - bought both! So much fantastic treasure stuffed into those pages. I'm an annual regular, I've been with you for a decade, and you still delight.
Buuut... you still don't have "buy or make Christmas Advent Calendars" in there! A lot of people do buy or make them, and it could be another DIY that you have for your blog... (hint hint nudge wink).
Love the Pledge, Karen. Thank you. From the bottom of my tinselly heart!
Hi Toni! I'm glad you like it. I think it's a good upgrade this year. I'll have advent calendars in The Christmas Gift Guide I'm publishing for everyone in a couple of weeks. :) ~ karen!
I purchased your ‘Christmas Pledge’ last year, and it did give me nudges to get going on Christmas prep details that I often forget until the last minute.
Do we need to purchase the pledge each year?
Hi Mary. I'll post the calendar soon online, but if you want the other extras like gift lists, tips, curated wrapping combinations and all that sort of stuff then you do need to buy The Christmas Pledge. If all you want is the straight forward calendar, then you don't have to buy it. :) ~ karen!
Oooooo, I’m Excited for the Christmas Pledge and Thank You Karen for keeping me organized and Your Pledges are Always FuN! Well, I may not completely complete the pledge but it sure makes me feel Great just being half way there by Dec 1st! I say every Year I’m going to keep up and have a blast trying!
That's what I like to hear! Seriously, even if you quit halfway through you're still twice ahead. ;) ~ karen!
Can't wait - this year is on schedule to be extremely different and challenging. I will be taking your pledge and expect to complete it! Too many other things to get in the way of enjoying Christmas which I want to do. The old fashioned fun family Christmas - like I remember. THANK YOU! for all the work you'e put into this one - we all really needed it.
Thanks Mary. :) ~ karen!
I am patiently waiting. Well, not patiently, but somewhat silently waiting. Unless humming is not considered silently. Is it time yet? How about now?
Very soon. :) ~ karen!
Lol. 😄
In kindergarten my brother was humming and the teacher kept saying, who's making that noise? Stop it!
Eventually she discovered the source to be my brother humming.
He was flabbergasted. You can hear that?! I thought it was in my head!
😂😂😂
Hi Karen. I was glad to see you took a week off until you said you were working. I was hoping you were resting up. I know Halloween is not yet here but I have to tell you that I think I am done with my Christmas shopping. Unless I find something unexpected before Christmas. I always check the Christmas Pledge & do follow some of it. The making & freezing cookie dough is a great hint. When I have freezer space I do that. It's such a time saver. I have a stash of pecans that I have bought a little at a time - along with flour & sugar. I already bought my Christmas cards, stamps, return address stickers, bags & have plenty of paper on hand. Some of my family is hard to buy for so when I see something I think they will like, I go ahead & get it. I have been buying since June. I have to start early because I am a basket case if I start to feel the pressure of getting the right thing for the right person.
Christmas Pledge Comment #1 These are gorgeous and I can't wait for what is to come. classy classy......
ohhhh can't wait for THE PLEDGE. Which makes it sound like a scary movie? For Halloween, you know.
I am extra excited this year. We had a baby last December, so my life NEEDS the Christmas Pledge even more now than ever!! I have a whole extra birthday to plan around, now!
As a “newbie” here, I’m excited, thank you!!
If ANYONE on this planet has more than earned the right to take the occasional unexpected week off it is you dear lady. It is clear to any follower of your blog that your near Herculean DIY and agricultural labours belie your attractive petite frame. I don't know how you manage to do it all, I know I couldn't. So rest and recharge as often as the mood strikes. We'll all still be here when you return.
Well that was a fanciful comment! Thank you. But I didn't rest or recharge.😆 It was a week of working on finishing up The Christmas Pledge. But I always take time off after Christmas so consider yourself sufficiently forewarned. ~ karen!
I find myself adrift in the mist of conflict between the fanciful and my 'eye of the beholder'. It was ever thus.
Oh, the Christmas pledge! I’ve now been following you for so long that I know my routine is to roll my eyes and think oh my gracious who’s thinking of Christmas before Halloween and also to recognize that on December 22, I will be thinking why didn’t do the Christmas pledge?!?! Maybe this will be the year….