August Rudolph Day

What's Rudolph Day? Here is the definition according to Organized Christmas:

A few years ago, members of our Christmas community began to observe "Rudolph Day" on the 25th of each month.

On that day, we take a few moments to plan some simple tasks for the month ahead, in order to get ready for Christmas Day with plenty of time to spare. By starting early--and working a bit at a time on each month's Rudolph Day--it's easy to prepare for Christmas, save money on gifts, and cut holiday stress.

Here's the annual line-up with the sub-theme in parentheses:

January - Tie Up Loose Ends (gather ideas and organize your Christmas notebook)

February - Begin a Holiday Letter

March - Birthday Gift-Buying Strategy (party planning for the holiday season)

April - Plan Holiday Crafts 

May - Catalog Shopping Tips

June - Recipe Round Up

July - Choose a Holiday Plan (Christmas in July celebration)

August - Craft Control (thinking ahead to Elf on the Shelf)

September - Prepare for Holiday Gifts and Giving

October - Plan Holiday Meals

November - Write Holiday Letter

The bottom line is...prepare for Christmas by doing something every month and make the 25th of each month a Rudolph Day by doing something Christmas-y!  This month, it's time for some craft control - get those supplies organized and ready for any craft projects you plan to complete before Christmas.  For those of you who have fun with the little guy or gal in the red suit, it's time to think about what mischief he or she will get up to in December.

This has to be one of my favorites from our Elf in the Shelf days:

My Christmas group (Magical Holiday Home Forums) has a hostess for each Rudolph Day who puts up suggestions for the month.  August's hostess recommends the book The Man Who Invented Christmas by Les Standiford and a vintage Good Housekeeping Cookbook.  She had a couple of questions for the group, and my answers are below:

1. Do you change up your holiday decorating theme each year or keep it the same?

It's pretty much the same - I have a mish mash of all sorts - things we've had since Sophia was little, things my Mum made, no real theme running through my decorations other than lots of red and green.

2.  Share a memory of Christmas from growing up.

I think I've shared this before but as I have a few new readers, here it is again.  My parents always locked the living room door when we went to bed on Christmas Eve.  I think that came from the year the babysitter and I unwrapped all the presents and, unsuccessfully, tried to re-wrap them!  I have always been an early riser on Christmas morning, and my parents didn't want me to be celebrating on my own before anyone else was awake!  So, the door was locked and Christmas morning, my sister and I are frantically waiting for the door to be unlocked but my dad made a big to-do about not being able to find the key!  It took FOREVER (probably 5-10 minutes but that's forever to us being 9 and 3 years old at the time).  Finally, the key was discovered and Christmas morning commenced.  Come to find out several years later, the key was never lost but Mum couldn't find the flashbulbs so Christmas could not begin until she had the camera ready!  Flashbulbs, that's how long ago this was, LOL.

3.  What's your favorite holiday drink?

I splurge on a couple of Starbucks drinks during the holiday season - chestnut praline latte usually but I have enjoyed the eggnog latte, and they used to have a gingerbread latte.  For cold drinks for celebrations, I love to modify mimosas with cranberry juice or with a liqueur like Chambord.

Rudolph Day - January 2025

 

What's Rudolph Day? Here was the definition according to Organized Christmas, sadly the Rudolph Day pages don't seem to exist any longer, but I fortunately saved the details:

A few years ago, members of our Christmas community began to observe "Rudolph Day" on the 25th of each month.

On that day, we take a few moments to plan some simple tasks for the month ahead, in order to get ready for Christmas Day with plenty of time to spare. By starting early--and working a bit at a time on each month's Rudolph Day--it's easy to prepare for Christmas, save money on gifts, and cut holiday stress.  

Here's the annual line-up with the sub-theme in parentheses:

January - Tie Up Loose Ends (gather ideas and organize your Christmas notebook)

February - Begin a Holiday Letter

March - Birthday Gift-Buying Strategy (party planning for the holiday season)

April - Plan Holiday Crafts 

May - Catalog Shopping Tips

June - Recipe Round Up

July - Choose a Holiday Plan (Christmas in July celebration)

August - Craft Control (thinking ahead to Elf on the Shelf)

September - Prepare for Holiday Gifts and Giving

October - Plan Holiday Meals

November - Write Holiday Letter

The bottom line is...prepare for Christmas by doing something every month and make the 25th of each month a Rudolph Day by doing something Christmas-y!

Tie Up Loose Ends is your opportunity to sweep through the house and see if there is any Christmas decor still out.  A holiday towel in the bathroom perhaps, or late Christmas cards still in your in basket?  I did pretty good, just need to remove all the Handlez from the kitchen cupboards.  I've been walking by them every day and haven't given a thought to taking them down but down they will go today.

Around Here

The weather:::

A couple of breezy days in Western Washington and then wet, that's fall here.

On my reading pile:::.

The Rose Code by Kate Quinn, really enjoying this one.  The Collector's Daughter by Gill Paul is in at the library but I forgot to pick it up yesterday so I'll have to call and ask if they will hold it until next Saturday.  It's due to go back to the library I requested it from on Thursday and they really stick to those dates.  I had a little browse around Barnes & Noble yesterday - so many great Christmas magazines, it's so hard to pick just one.  Haven't picked yet, that's usually part of our Christmas Eve visit as a family.

On my TV:::

Friday, Saturday, and Sunday's premieres on Countdown to Christmas 2021 on The Hallmark Channel.  Totally lost myself in picturesque towns, beautifully decorated trees, lots of hot cocoa, and all the holiday trimmings.  The latest episode of the new season of The Great British Baking Show - I'm on their Facebook page but I have to scroll quickly past any posts because the episode airs on Tuesday in the UK and I don't want to read any spoilers..

Checked off the list:::

We have a date for the contractor to begin the kitchen work!  8:00am, December 27, I can't wait.  I booked Vic's flight for Christmas and we decided on a paint color for the kitchen.  We're going with Silver Bullet again.

Crafts Roundup:::

Working on at least one page a day in the current album - 2012 Family Album.  Looking forward to the virtual retreat planned for November 4-5-6.  It's in the evenings on Thursday and Friday and all day Saturday so I don't have to take any time off work.

And in other news:::

The dining room server arrived on Saturday.  I paid for doorstep delivery and that's exactly what they were going to do until I asked them very nicely if they would slide it over the threshold and into the house.  There it sits, waiting for Vic to come home so we can unpack it and put the feet on it and the shelves inside.  We're actually going to use it in the living room with the TV on top and our video/audio components inside along with the remaining DVDs that we have.

A couple of photos from World Market - stacks and stacks of Christmas goodies coming everywhere you look.

Advent calendars everywhere, in every combination - chocolate, shortbread, jams, tea, coffee, cocoa,  hot sauce - something for everyone

The shelves are filling up in the international section - British, Italian, German to name a few

So you stay well-lit, I presume? 😜

I've been very remiss with my  Rudolph Days posts.  Will.do.better.next.year.  Today is the 25th so here it is.

What's Rudolph Day? Here is the definition according to Organized Christmas:

A few years ago, members of our Christmas community began to observe "Rudolph Day" on the 25th of each month.

On that day, we take a few moments to plan some simple tasks for the month ahead, in order to get ready for Christmas Day with plenty of time to spare. By starting early--and working a bit at a time on each month's Rudolph Day--it's easy to prepare for Christmas, save money on gifts, and cut holiday stress.

Here's the annual line-up with the sub-theme (if there is one) in parentheses:

January - Tie Up Loose Ends (gather ideas and organize your Christmas notebook)

February - Begin a Holiday Letter

March - Birthday Gift-Buying Strategy (party planning for the holiday season)
April - Plan Holiday Crafts

May - Catalog Shopping Tips

June - Recipe Round Up

July - Choose a Holiday Plan (Christmas in July celebration)

August - Craft Control (thinking ahead to Elf on the Shelf)

September - Prepare for Holiday Gifts and Giving

October - Plan Holiday Meals

November - Write Holiday Letter

The bottom line is...prepare for Christmas by doing something every month and make the 25th of each month a Rudolph Day by doing something Christmasy!

Less than ten weeks to go until Christmas, time to kick up those Christmas plans a notch!

This month's movie is a slight departure from usual Christmas offering, It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.

Have a great Rudolph Day!

Friday Favorites

This Friday Favorites post is dedicated to Rudolph Day.

What's Rudolph Day? Here is the definition according to Organized Christmas:

A few years ago, members of our Christmas community began to observe "Rudolph Day" on the 25th of each month.

On that day, we take a few moments to plan some simple tasks for the month ahead, in order to get ready for Christmas Day with plenty of time to spare. By starting early--and working a bit at a time on each month's Rudolph Day--it's easy to prepare for Christmas, save money on gifts, and cut holiday stress.

Here's the annual line-up with the sub-theme in parentheses:

January - Tie Up Loose Ends (gather ideas and organize your Christmas notebook)

February - Begin a Holiday Letter

March - Birthday Gift-Buying Strategy (party planning for the holiday season)

April - Plan Holiday Crafts 

May - Catalog Shopping Tips

June - Recipe Round Up

July - Choose a Holiday Plan (Christmas in July celebration)

August - Craft Control (thinking ahead to Elf on the Shelf)

September - Prepare for Holiday Gifts and Giving

October - Plan Holiday Meals

November - Write Holiday Letter

The bottom line is...prepare for Christmas by doing something every month and make the 25th of each month a Rudolph Day by doing something Christmas-y!

Last year, my Christmas group decided to come up with a set of categories to help us celebrate Rudolph Day.  Each month's hostess picks a movie, a book, a magazine, a You Tube craft or cooking video, and a Pinterest idea to share with everyone.  I am January's hostess and here are my recommendations, this week's Friday Favorites:

Movie - Deck the Halls with Matthew Broderick and Danny DeVito - just as we've put our decorations away, it's time to watch the dueling neighbors put theirs up!

Book - Jingle All The Way, Debbie Macomber's latest Christmas novel

Magazine - Tell us all about any Christmas magazine you purchased or received as a gift in December

Blog - I'd like to introduce you to my friend Vicki who blogs over at Christmas 24/7/365. She'd love it if you would leave a comment on one of her Christmas posts. Tell her I sent you!

Christmas 24/7/365

a blog dedicated to my love of all things Christmas

 christmas24-7-365.blogspot.com

YouTube Craft or Cooking Video - I just discovered Tiny Craft World, https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkARfqDkb9k1MCNmT6C5KOA - what beautiful designs! This one is a special favorite.

Pinterest Idea - If you're thinking of a Grinch theme for décor, entertaining, or food, my Grinch board might interest you, https://www.pinterest.com/pamelagc/grinch/, the Bingo and Jeopardy cards links may be broken but you can see the details from the photos if you'd like to recreate your own.

September Rudolph Day is coming!

Here's the three-day Rudolph Day warning.

What's Rudolph Day? Here is the definition according to Organized Christmas:

A few years ago, members of our Christmas community began to observe "Rudolph Day" on the 25th of each month.

On that day, we take a few moments to plan some simple tasks for the month ahead, in order to get ready for Christmas Day with plenty of time to spare. By starting early--and working a bit at a time on each month's Rudolph Day--it's easy to prepare for Christmas, save money on gifts, and cut holiday stress.

Here's the annual line-up with the sub-theme in parentheses:

January - Tie Up Loose Ends (gather ideas and organize your Christmas notebook)

February - Begin a Holiday Letter

March - Birthday Gift-Buying Strategy (party planning for the holiday season)

April - Plan Holiday Crafts 

May - Catalog Shopping Tips

June - Recipe Round Up

July - Choose a Holiday Plan (Christmas in July celebration)

August - Craft Control (thinking ahead to Elf on the Shelf)

September - Prepare for Holiday Gifts and Giving

October - Plan Holiday Meals

November - Write Holiday Letter

The bottom line is...prepare for Christmas by doing something every month and make the 25th of each month a Rudolph Day by doing something Christmas-y!  This month, it's time to prepare for holiday gifts and giving and that means getting a handle on the time and budget needed for a fun-filled, stress-free Christmas.

There's still time to jump in to one of the holiday countdowns:

Holiday Grand Plan (started August 26)

House & Holidays Plan (started September 2)

Christmas Countdown (starts October 21)

This month's movie is anything from Hallmark, so make your selection, make some hot chocolate, and think all things Christmas for the day.  Check back on the evening of September 25th to see how I celebrated Rudolph Day.

August Rudolph Day

Oh my goodness, it's been a YEAR since I put up a Rudolph Day post!

What's Rudolph Day? Here is the definition according to Organized Christmas:

A few years ago, members of our Christmas community began to observe "Rudolph Day" on the 25th of each month.

On that day, we take a few moments to plan some simple tasks for the month ahead, in order to get ready for Christmas Day with plenty of time to spare. By starting early--and working a bit at a time on each month's Rudolph Day--it's easy to prepare for Christmas, save money on gifts, and cut holiday stress.

Here's the annual line-up with the sub-theme in parentheses:

January - Tie Up Loose Ends (gather ideas and organize your Christmas notebook)

February - Begin a Holiday Letter

March - Birthday Gift-Buying Strategy (party planning for the holiday season)

April - Plan Holiday Crafts 

May - Catalog Shopping Tips

June - Recipe Round Up

July - Choose a Holiday Plan (Christmas in July celebration)

August - Craft Control (thinking ahead to Elf on the Shelf)

September - Prepare for Holiday Gifts and Giving

October - Plan Holiday Meals

November - Write Holiday Letter

The bottom line is...prepare for Christmas by doing something every month and make the 25th of each month a Rudolph Day by doing something Christmas-y!  This month, it's time for some craft control - get those supplies organized and ready for any craft projects you plan to complete before Christmas.  For those of you who have fun with the little guy or gal in the red suit, it's time to think about what mischief he or she will get up to in December.

This has to be one of my favorites from our Elf in the Shelf days:

Here's another reminder about the holiday plans and links to each one - the two big ones are just a week away:

Holiday Grand Plan (starts Sunday, September 1)

House & Holidays Plan (also starts Sunday, September 1)

Christmas Countdown (starts Sunday, October 27)

I spent the day getting my Christmas planner organized with the printables for the House & Holidays Plan and added the Christmas Countdown sheets in there as well to be ahead of the game.  This month's movie was Love the Coopers, it was open in the DVD closet but I don't remember ever watching it before.  It was ok, won't make my top ten but it had a cute ending.

Here's a sneak peak at my planner - I've been meaning to put up a Christmas planner organization post, it's coming soon.

I love my Christmas planner clips from Cherry Blossom in the Market Square on Etsy.

That's me!

August Rudolph Day is coming!

A day late and a dollar short, that seems to be me right now!  Here's the three two-day Rudolph Day warning.

What's Rudolph Day? Here is the definition according to Organized Christmas:

A few years ago, members of our Christmas community began to observe "Rudolph Day" on the 25th of each month.

On that day, we take a few moments to plan some simple tasks for the month ahead, in order to get ready for Christmas Day with plenty of time to spare. By starting early--and working a bit at a time on each month's Rudolph Day--it's easy to prepare for Christmas, save money on gifts, and cut holiday stress.

Here's the annual line-up with the sub-theme in parentheses:

January - Tie Up Loose Ends (gather ideas and organize your Christmas notebook)

February - Begin a Holiday Letter

March - Birthday Gift-Buying Strategy (party planning for the holiday season)

April - Plan Holiday Crafts 

May - Catalog Shopping Tips

June - Recipe Round Up

July - Choose a Holiday Plan (Christmas in July celebration)

August - Craft Control (thinking ahead to Elf on the Shelf)

September - Prepare for Holiday Gifts and Giving

October - Plan Holiday Meals

November - Write Holiday Letter

The bottom line is...prepare for Christmas by doing something every month and make the 25th of each month a Rudolph Day by doing something Christmas-y!  This month, it's time for some craft control - get those supplies organized and ready for any craft projects you plan to complete before Christmas.  For those of you who have fun with the little guy or gal in the red suit, it's time to think about what mischief he or she will get up to in December.

Here's another reminder about the holiday plans and links to each one:

Holiday Grand Plan (starts August 26)

House & Holidays Plan (starts September 2)

Christmas Countdown (starts October 21)

This month's movie is Christmas Story (not to be confused with A Christmas Story) so grab a copy, make some hot chocolate, and think all things Christmas for the day.  Check back on the evening of August 25th to see how I celebrated Rudolph Day.  UPDATE:  Super busy weekend so postponed Rudolph Day until Wednesday.  Check back on the evening of August 29th.

Christmas in July 2018 - Day Twenty-Five and July Rudolph Day

It's been a super-busy, full of all things Christmas kind of day.  With a steaming cup of hot chocolate with a dollop of whipped cream on the top (and the air conditioner running 😉), I sat down to enjoy this month's movie, A Charlie Brown Christmas.  I love Peanuts!  It made me think of all the Peanuts items I have in my Christmas inventory and how I can't wait to put them all out again.

We will be in full getting-ready-to-move mode when the Holiday Grand Plan, House & Holidays Plan, and the Christmas Countdown kick off so I will have to tweak things this year.  I love looking through my Christmas notebook and seeing what I budgeted and bought over the last eight years, recipes I tried, and menus I planned.  I updated my inventory, adding this year's ornaments, and took a look at my movies list to see which ones I'd like to add to our collection.  Last year I bought a new Christmas CD and look forward to checking out Target's display and adding another one this year.  My planner is all updated as well as the gift closet so I'm good to go there for now.

It was Christmas in July because UPS delivered a package - the Harry Potter cookie cutters I ordered from Williams-Sonoma during their 20% off and free shipping deal.  I can't wait to make them with Sophia.  I also watched quite a few December Daily You Tube videos from a few new scrapbookers and found some new resources for supplies.  There are some very talented artists out there.

And finally, today was the big reveal for the Magical Holiday Home members who participated in the Christmas in July Ornament Swap.  There were seven of us this year so I have my ornament and six others to add to my collection.

I made this Let It Snow ornament out of Scrabble tiles and covered the tops with Snow-Tex.  That stuff is so cool.

Gramma Deb's cross stitch kitty hanging from a wreath is adorable

Piratemamaof3boys came up with this ingenious wrapped design - so intricate

Lana's painted snowman on canvas is so cute with the hanging scarf

MissJodee came up with a novel use for a cork - love the sheet music for wings

MinnieCo's cross-stitched wreath is so exquisite - such tiny stitches

I love MrsSoup's natural wood slice ornament - I need to ask her if it's a local wood

Today's topic over at Christmas in July was how to display the ornaments that we received in our swap.  This is my second year to participate so I have almost twenty now as well as some other ornaments that I have received in other swaps.  I was thinking that a small tree would be a great way to display them, perhaps with some state or international flags or some other ornaments to show that they are from a variety of places.  I'll have to work on that.

I hope your Rudolph Day was productive and will make your holiday a little more stress-free.

July Rudolph Day is tomorrow!

I usually put up a three-day warning for Rudolph Day but I've been a bit distracted with daily Christmas in July posts so here's a one-day warning - it's tomorrow!

What's Rudolph Day? Here is the definition according to Organized Christmas:

A few years ago, members of our Christmas community began to observe "Rudolph Day" on the 25th of each month.

On that day, we take a few moments to plan some simple tasks for the month ahead, in order to get ready for Christmas Day with plenty of time to spare. By starting early--and working a bit at a time on each month's Rudolph Day--it's easy to prepare for Christmas, save money on gifts, and cut holiday stress.

Here's the annual line-up with the sub-theme in parentheses:

January - Tie Up Loose Ends (gather ideas and organize your Christmas notebook)

February - Begin a Holiday Letter

March - Birthday Gift-Buying Strategy (party planning for the holiday season)

April - Plan Holiday Crafts 

May - Catalog Shopping Tips

June - Recipe Round Up

July - Choose a Holiday Plan (Christmas in July celebration)

August - Craft Control (thinking ahead to Elf on the Shelf)

September - Prepare for Holiday Gifts and Giving

October - Plan Holiday Meals

November - Write Holiday Letter

The bottom line is...prepare for Christmas by doing something every month and make the 25th of each month a Rudolph Day by doing something Christmasy!  This month, it's time to think ahead to Holiday Plans that will get your house spic and span and take the stress out of your celebration.  It's also the big reveal for the Magical Holiday Home Christmas in July ornament swap participants.  Be prepared to be dazzled by the amazing craftsmanship of some of our members.

For those of you who may not be familiar with Holiday Plans, the Christmas-lovers over at the Magical Holiday Home have three suggestions:

Holiday Grand Plan (starts August 26)

House & Holidays Plan (starts September 2)

Christmas Countdown (starts October 21)

This month's movie is A Charlie Brown Christmas so grab your copy, make some hot chocolate, and think all things Christmas for the day.  Check back on the evening of July 25th to see how I celebrated Rudolph Day.

June Rudolph Day

It's time for another Rudolph Day and this is part of what's on my agenda:

June Rudolph Day movie with a cup of hot chocolate (after I turned on the air conditioner - I know, those two things don't go together at all!), my Christmas Planner, and on the clipboard, my Christmas Inventory which is in need of an update.

Today's task was Recipe Round Up - time to go browsing through my Christmas cookbooks and Pinterest for ideas.  Since I'm not sure what our Christmas schedule is going to be like due to the move in November, I'm going to table this one until we get settled in our new home and review it then.

This month's movie was Northpole: Open for Christmas.  Oh my goodness, what a delightful movie, so cute, and it contained the best Christmas line, "You can never have too many ornaments".  I definitely recommend adding this one to your collection.

My Christmas in July swap ornaments made it to their destination.  Now our hostess, Lana, will repackage the ornaments everyone sent into boxes for each of us.  It has been suggested that we have a grand reveal on July Rudolph Day so the postal service willing, we will all have our boxes by then and can share our goodies.

I received my Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments flyer in the mail with my reward and bonus dollars to spend at the Ornament Premiere as well as a preview of the Limited Quantity ornaments that will be available.  I will be there when they open because there are a couple I do not want to miss.

I spent the afternoon working on my Christmas inventory.  I have an assortment of totes and everything is listed by tote so it makes it easy to find things and to put everything back when the holiday season is over.  I had gifts tucked in here and there so I updated my gift closet list in my planner and placed all the gifts in one tote.

How was your June Rudolph Day?