Tuesday 24 November 2020

Ten Things on My Christmas To Do/ Bucket List

 Our place was looking very Christmasy yesterday after all the fresh snow had fallen. 

And in the back yard.
And from my happy chair.
This will be our first Christmas during a pandemic and hopefully, our last. It seems folks are determined the conditions won't stop them from enjoying it; in fact, are going all out to make this a Christmas to remember for all the right reasons. With that in mind, even though it's a tad early, I thought I'd share a few of my thoughts about how to start our Christmas in November too. 

My Christmas To Do/ Bucket List

1. Make/Finish 5 gifts to give. After the Dreamy Hearts quilt and the Fans Hanging, the others will be small-table runners mainly. I've started one called Scandi Snowflake Table Runner that I saw in a list of free patterns. I began with sewing together a background of varied gray fabrics. I guess that's the Scandi bit.

Chose this for a border.

The finishing will involve snowflakes in red. 

The others will be relatively easy sewing as well. 

2. Put my tree up this weekend. Love doing that but will miss little grandson's help. But determined not to feel too sad about that.  

3. Set up the angels and Santas tables. 

4. Begin wearing my Rudolf sweater and my Katmiss fuzzy pyjamas that jingle (yes, I have such things!).


5. Dig out the Christmas mugs and other dishes. That won't be hard as I know exactly where I put them -for once!

6. Make smores in our fireplace...bought the marshmallows and graham crackers and there is always chocolate here. 

7.  Put fruit cake and cinnamon biscotti ingredients on my grocery list.

8. Start using my Christmas candle warmer that uses candle scents with names like Christmas Cookie and Christmas Morning. I already have it out along with the vintage sleigh bells that belonged to Hubby's parents. With two old people and a big dog living here plus using a wood fire daily, the place could use some serious freshening up.

9. Set up a gift wrapping area in a spare bedroom... first dig out the wrapping paper, tags, etc.-in a tote in the basement pretty sure.

10. Set up those wonderful displays we won in an auction back in July. Wait till you see them. Hope I will still feel as happy about them as I did when we got them.

The more I think, the more things there are to be made ready. I may have to make another list. 

What's on your Christmas/ To Do bucket list? 

Happy to link with To Do Tuesday hosted by Home Sewn By Us. Also happy to be joining Our World TuesdayMy Corner of the WorldConfessions of a Fabric AddictSkywatch Friday,  The Jesh Studio and Needle and Thread Network


36 comments :

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

snow always adds a Christmas feeling to the air - almost always miss that here and have rarely had snow on Christmas day - I'm not sure when I will decorate but I know I need to get busy on several small Christmas projects if they will be out this year. I do have marshmallows and things for s'mores and we will do that out at the firepit if the weather is nice now and then this winter.

Magpie's Mumblings said...

I really hate to say this but most of my Christmas prep is done. The gifts are all made, wrapped, and some have been delivered via the mail. The cards are addressed - only have a 'newsletter' to add to a few of them. We'll be by ourselves this year so putting all the decorations out is questionable. I think I'll end up doing it after the 1st of December, if only to give us a little change in our decor. I have never in my life been this organized and I must admit it's a bit of a letdown and it's hard to get myself motivated to start on any new projects.

Brian's Home Blog said...

That's a terrific and fun list. We're hoping our tree comes out of hiding this weekend too.

Sherrie said...

Hi Jocelyn,
Love the Rudolph sweater...so cute. Your bells are really nice and love the chicken, I collect chickens. Haven't got any snow yet...no snow in the forecast, just rain. Haven't even thought about doing anything about Christmas...I'm kind of a last day person..so I'll get everything I need ready and then put it all out. Have a great day!

LIttle Penguin Quilts said...

I love your list, Jocelyn so fun to read along with your thoughts. My favorite and first thing to do, always, is get out the Christmas mugs. The Scandi tablerunner looks like it will be beautiful!

Deb A said...

You outdoor photo's really make me miss my home state of Vermont. Trees with snow on the limbs is one of the prettiest sights. Your list sounds fun... we have a tree up waiting on lights to get decorated later today. I might have purchased smores' things... and holiday scented candles for my globe lights this year. Do you have any holiday movies or books you tend to watch/read each year? I think I need to start a holiday list of 'must do's' as well! Thanks for the idea. Have a wonderful week.

Jenny said...

You snowy photos look gorgeous, but rather cold I expect. Lots of interesting projects to finish up. Enjoy your Christmss decorating and wearing your special festive clothing!

Ruth Hiebert said...

Looks like you are well on your way to a great Christmas celebration .

Klara said...

I loved your post. energy and hope is what I need right now.

A Left-Handed Quilter said...

I love your photos of the snow - especially from your "happy chair" - and I love your sweater! My Christmas tree is already up - and has been for almost 20 years. We bought it on sale after Christmas one year - got it set up and decorated the next year. When it came time to take it down - we couldn't figure out how we could get it back in the box without breaking some of the fiber optic lights - so we decided to NOT take it down. It has been in the perfect corner in the living room ever since. Everyone who comes over doesn't even notice it until they go to leave because the front door is set at an angle and the tree is in the corner over their left shoulder as they come into the house and head for the family room. The day after Thanksgiving - every year - I turn on the lights in the morning and off at night until New Year's Day. Then it just sits in the corner looking lovely until the next year - and the best part is that I don't have to set it up or decorate it - it's already up - LOL - ;))

HollyM said...

Your pieces with the snowflakes are going to be pretty!
I think we will be doing a bit of decorating early as well although I don’t really have room for much.
I’ll look for some new recipes maybe S can no longer eat the sweets I once did. I expect we’ll be alone too and I’ve thought about getting out the old fondue pot , maybe for a cheese fondue.

Michelle Ridgway said...

Loved seeing your snowy landscape...it does look very Christmasy! I did my decorating last weekend...... but no lights switched on until Dec 1st.... Shopping mostly done....no wrapping yet! Some baking still ahead with littliest Granddaughter. I think Christmas cheer is more important than ever this year, so jingle on I say xx

Home Sewn By Us said...

Hi Jocelyn! Oh, those trees look so pretty dusted with snow that looks like powdered sugar. It looks like you have the best seat in the house! Your Scandi Snowflake table runner looks like you're off to a great start. We're putting our tree up this week/weekend as well. I remember your grandson hopping from chair to chair not that long ago, I believe. Thank you for sharing your to-do/bucket list. Thanks for linking up this week. {{Hugs}} ~smile~ Roseanne

Rosemary Dickinson said...

Love your snow pictures! I'm finishing up my handmade Christmas gifts. I just have a few more to go. I really have to get going on my gift buying but that would mean that I would know what to buy!! I'm still looking!

QuiltGranma said...

Last winter I made us a small wall quilt that depicts a tree. I will pin that to the window valence in our 5th wheel travel trailer and that will be our tree. Years ago I made a BUNCH of Christmas stockings with cross stitched names on the cuffs. I've got those on the ready as well. The body of the stockings is a red fabric that is pre-quilted purchased from the local chain fabric store. I made room on a shelf for a stuffed snowperson holding skis and she is smiling at us right now.

Sharon - IN said...

What a beautiful snowy yard you have! We only got about 1/4" of snow Sunday. Christmas mugs - I need to dig mine out too! Hope you have good week with your projects.

Lyn Warner said...

Hi Jocelyn
I've just found your blog and love the idea of your Christmas to do list. My husband pointed out today that it's the 25th November so it's only 1 month to Christmas Day. There's much to do between now and then and I think your idea of a to do list is good place to start.
Your view of snow covered trees is beautiful! There's not much chance of that here on the east cost of Australia where we have already been having super-hot weather.
I hope you have a happy festive season!
Lyn

Michele McLaughlin said...

Great list of to-dos and love all your festive decorations going up. We aren't that ambitious this year but then Brad is still recovering from surgery. Sounds wonderful. What is your favroite Christmas carol or musical album? Just wondering? That's the one thing that can get me in the mood. Hugs and stay well and thanks for the pattern link for the table runner!

David M. Gascoigne, said...

We had snow here too, not as much as you, but enough to give me the prod I needed to get winter tyres installed. I have an appointment tomorrow! As for what's on our Christmas bucket list, in a word, nothing. We have no young grandchildren any more and we have never been huge fans of extravagant decoration and an orgy of gift giving, so given that COVID will prevent get togethers, Miriam and I will be quite content to go for a walk and spend the day together.

Linda said...

Your snow covered landscape looks like a Christmas card. That Scandi project will be beautiful, especially with red on the snowflakes. I love your list! Those sleigh bells are priceless.

Jenn Jilks said...

You are so crafty!
I love the snow. The rain tomorrow, not so much.

andy's colours said...

What lovely winter scenes. Especially as in your previous post everything appeared so green. I really envy you for your snow. The past few years have not granted us much snow at all. The children hardly know how to make a snow man. But do you really put up a Christmas tree this early? In Germany most people don't do that until Christmas Eve. But our family has agreed to do it earlier so that we can really enjoy it in the advent of Christmas. I'm looking forward to some baking, too - vanilla crescents are a must here - as well as some ginger fudge (a recipe from my school days in New Zealand). Enjoy the snow.
Andrea

MissPat said...

My motivation to deck the halls varies from year to year. We haven't put up a big trees in years (I have several table top trees). The first step in the process is getting my husband to remove enough of his clutter from in front of the attic door so I ca even access the decor. We have no visitors during the season except my daughter on Christmas Eve and that may be questionable this year. Almost all my gift giving goes to out of state recipients, so I've been letting Amazon do the shipping the last few years.
Your snow covered landscape looks Christmasy, so that probably helps get you in the mood. We've not had more than a dusting which melted quickly, but last night the weatherman said that was due to change next week. Enjoy your holiday preparations.
Pat

Nana said...

Work, work, work (grocery store) and remembering to enjoy life while not at work ;)

Nana

Needled Mom said...

That gorgeous view would put anyone in a festive winter mood. I think I would find a good stitching project and never leave that chair. lol

Chopin - A Passionate Quilter said...

I love the table runner fabrics - Pretty soft colors! Love the snow pictures! We are finally going to get some Arctic air next week! YEA! Have a wonderful week and enjoy preparing for Christmas!

PaintedThread said...

I love the snow. So pretty. I'm hoping to have enough at some point this winter to go snowshoeing. Love your fuzzy pj's. And I had to chuckle at smores in the fireplace. I pulled out my Christmas to-do list - I'm working on designing this year's card and planning my cookie baking list! :-)

Bonnie said...

What a fun list of things to do. Must say I think I'm in denial about Christmas being so close. Love your ideas of getting out all the Christmas things so the house says Christmas. I think I need to make a list like that too. We don't expect to see our kids for a while. Just too much Covid going around. We haven't seen snow like that for 10 years or so. (Do you mind if I say you can keep it?) Enjoy working through your holiday list.

Angie said...

Jocelyn - such lovely winter scenes! We are saving our tree decorating until our daughter and her boyfriend come, but we will put up all the other inside decorations this weekend. I am so excited!!! We will also put up our porch decorations - wreath and ribbons and bows - as well. My husband has already bought fruitcake ingredients; he usually makes them right after US Thanksgiving so that he can soak them in brandy until Christmas. Yum!

Carolien said...

That sounds like great Christmas preparations, enjoy!
I LOVE your curtains, by the way :)

Have a great weekend, Carolien

kiwikid said...

Your snow photos are beautiful.
Love your jumper and jammies.
Getting to the beach is on my Christmas list.

Bernie Kringel said...

This post makes me feel all Christmasy. Thank you for that!
LOVE the sleigh bells. They are just gorgeous.

Lydia C. Lee said...

You are very organised! I'm trying to feel christmasy but not really yet! Wrapping stuff like crazy and might delivery to the neices before xmas day - in case we under up under restrictions again and I get stuck with it all!

Villrose said...

Oh, you also got a bit of Christmas-snow :)
I have decided to do everything on the to-to list slowly and enjoyable.
Today i have decorated with lights outside, and baked a cake (daughter and me usualy bake 13 different sorts for Christmas). Then I will polish silver and brass little by little. Find candles, decorations, presents to wrap. Write a few (not many) Christmas cards :)

betty-NZ said...

Such a crafty lady you are!

What a fantastic addition to 'My Corner of the World' this week!

junie-Jesh said...

That is so good to make it an extra good Christmas this year. The snow no doubt helps you bring in the mood:) Bucket list for Christmas? Half of it depends on hubby - finishing up the renovations in the kitchen and the bathroom. I already started on a pastel painting, and on Christmas day or there after I will finish a bigger Christmas painting of last year. Am sure some other things will be added when December progresses.
Thank you for the link of the beautiful table runner and your post for All Seasons.That your work may go smooth and fast:) Jesh