Planning for Christmas 2012

High Class Mamma isn't about me proselytising about how to be a better class than any other person, or about looking down upon another - I was really grasping what I had intended this blog to be, and where I wanted the direction of it to be headed as 2012 starts off.

I really want to be blessed to be able to reach out to other people - to see the potential in them - provide that little bit of needed encouragement; inspiration ... to get out of debt, to start that course, apply for that job, or to make peace with yourself ... to pay forward kindnesses.

High class living - at low expense (tee hee hee) because the finer things of life are definitely worthwhile, and they make life more enjoyable - but the stuff isn't what the finer things of life are. Being able to sleep at night because the mortgage has been paid, and knowing that I haven't got a heinous credit card bill coming to me in January from stuff the kids have gotten bored of is definitely a plus. Also, I have lost 53 kilograms of bad feelings - emotional baggage translated into physical baggage.

I enjoy my family and my friends, I cherish them. I look at ways to trim the fat off the budget so that we can live to fulfil the goals which really count.

So now that the paper has been recycled, the toys lying around the place, and I look back at what was Christmas 2011, I am thankful for my beautiful family, that I am still here to enjoy them, and savour my wonderful friendships.

As I look forward to Christmas 2012, I am going to enjoy the journey on the way there - each day can be a step in preparation towards celebrating a very special time. As a Christian it took on new meaning for me last year - just to be thankful for what Jesus did for me - and even though the stuff wasn't piled high or the gifts very elaborate, my experience was unlike any other. It was joyful, and amazing. It wasn't the stuff, though receiving gifts is lovely, because somebody took the time to think about me - that is really awesome. It was being around people, the kids, laughing, sharing and enjoying.

I was invited to my brother's home, and I felt very privileged to be there. He is an awesome man now, and watching he and his beautiful wife together are really precious to me. They have their own place now, and they are amazing financial managers. They save, and save, and save, and get exceptional quality stuff. Their children are gorgeous too.

My husband and I have been together this year for 20 years, it is a special time for me - this year - I really am going to enjoy this year. I am starting preparation for Christmas early this year, though, with some savings goals in mind, and I really want to treat ourselves to something lovely.

My husband's 40th birthday is next year, so I said we ought to start saving now ...

Plan and prepare. Save. Have a wish list. Enlist the help of your family now in assigning a budget and the gifting scheme so you're not caught short :)

Then you can enjoy in January the peace of having no nasty credit card bill that you are concerned about (if you clear the amount every month, then that is a different story altogether). That is a pretty classy feeling.

Here are some Christmas planners I have seen which may be worth looking at - one you have to pay for, the other is free - so depending on your budget - take a peek :)

I like Flylady, and have been a follower of her routine for years:
Her Holiday Control Journal is good, a printable.

For Bloggers, The Organised Housewife has some excellent planners, including a Christmas Planner, she has some free printables.