'till Christmas.
It may seem crazy, but I've started making lists of Christmas presents already. Who will get jewelry? Who will get cookies? Who will get an encore of the very popular limoncello or grapefruit-cello I made last year?
I always try to get my shopping, as well as the game plan for the home-made stuff, done by Thanksgiving at the latest. I love the holiday season and I like to concentrate on the fun, creative, relaxing and social aspects instead of going crazy in a mall.
My Christmas season was kick-started this year when I received a book, "My Christmas Organizer" in the mail from it's publisher, Ryland, Peters & Small, for potential review.
The organizer ($19.95) is gorgeous — beautifully bound with glossy photographs. It tracks gifts given and received, decoration and recipe ideas, etc. With plenty of pockets and a space to record "memories." I've purchased holiday organizers before (I used to love the ones Hallmark used to give out — with the little stickers) but my system always ends up being a pile of clippings and post-its in a box.
I'm hoping to do better this year. Maybe this organizer will be the inspiration I need. I'd at least like to record what jewelry I made for who so I don't duplicate the particularly well-received classics from year to year. I'm always looking for new ideas to really blow people away. What's has been your best home-made gift ever (jewelry or otherwise)?