Christmas Countdown 2009

raebates

I know. I know. It's waaaay too early to be thinking about Christmas. Or is it? There are only 180 days. It's less than half a year away. Plus, I was in Hobby Lobby earlier this week, and they were putting out their Christmas items. Seriously. It was crazy.

Now, my focus right now is on NC, but think about this. While you're in Chicago you'll probably have a great opportunity to shop. Keep your eyes open for gifts for those on your list. As a matter of fact, you might want to take a quick look at your list to help plant some ideas in your mind. Then, while you're shopping, look around for that perfect gift for someone special.

If you're a plan-ahead person like me, you might want to check out organizedchristmas.com. They have wonderful make-it-yourself ideas for all of the holidays, as well as ideas for doing a little each month in order to have a sane and relaxed Christmas.

DessertDivaFL

baychef

Love this Rae! I am the typical person of this thought process:
July though September:
excuses: either too early or too busy
October: trying to gather ideas...considering I purchase for 10 family members...all are men except 3. They NEVER have any ideas!!
The women? The only one is my Mom who I could purchase gifts for from now to eternity. My sister in laws...no ideas to share?
November: panic sets in but busy with PC and worn down from my day job already!
December...

As the Christmas cards don't get made out...
I want to holiday bake....HAAAAH...no way!!
The gifts become gift cards.

So Rae, I have no idea what you are talking about!!!

I have an employee that I hear has her shopping done in July. She spends September or October wrapping her gifts. SHE probably enjoys Christmas!!! Where me...the best part of Christmas is knowing that it is over and I can finally RELAX!!

Guess I will check out that website!

Crystal Patton

I'm a plan ahead-er too. I do all my shopping in Aug & Sep, wrapping in Oct. I want everything done and ready before Halloween. I do get a few little things here and there in Nov and Dec but for the most part I consentrate on cards, decorating and baking when 'holiday time' rolls around.

raebates

I keep my eyes open all year, and buy things here and there along the way. I finish my shopping the day after Thanksgiving. I also use that day to pick up a few things for myself or the house. After all, the sales can be great.

Christmas cards are signed, addressed, and stamped in early November. The ones that won't get a newsletter are sealed, too. That way I can simply print off the newsletter and add it to the envelopes before sealing them and mailing them all out the week after Thanksgiving. For the newsletter, I make notes all year long so I'll be able to remember what I want to tell people about.

Gifts are wrapped that first week after Thanksgiving, too. Decorating is done on Saturday after Thanksgiving.

This means that all of the "work" is done by the end of the first week of December. That gives me plenty of time to bake, entertain, go shopping with friends, visit with family, and just sit back enjoying the season.

I'm not saying that's the only way or even the best way. I just know that it's what works for me.

kuntrycook

Shopping is a foreign language to me...don't like it. I purchase one nice gift for my "hope-to-be" wife, and give mom and dad gift-cards. BUT, I do love Christmas (although Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday). I usually pull out my Christmas CD's in August and start listening to Christmas music...weird...I know...

rennea

I have already finished shopping for my sister this year


I start shopping for the next Christmas in January!

baychef

You all make me look so bad. I like this way of doing things.

You don't sweep the cobwebs down all summer so you are prepared for Halloween decorations. Then for Christmas you throw some glitter on them and be done with it!!!

For the last few years I honestly can say that I do less decorating etc. because I only enjoy Christmas that night when everything is DONE!!!
Ms. Scrooge!!

pampchefsarah

Shopping ahead of time doesn't work for me. For example, I went to a jewelry party a couple of weeks ago, and bought a necklace for my sister for Christmas. I'm giving it to her this week when I pick up my daughter from her house. As a 'just because you're such a cool person' present.

However, I am well aware Christmas is less than 6 months away - and hope to capitalize on people with Rae's mentality by having a Christmas in July show!!

chefsteph07

I have started thinking about Christmas and have started making a list. I did see 2 cool electronic things I want to get my dd, one is a Leapster Didj and I got an email that the Leapster website was having a 25% off strictly email sale, do you think I got it? NO. But I will the next time it goes.

And as far as Chi Town goes, I pick up a different ornament every time I'm there! But I"m sure I could get some cool gifts at Navy Pier.

TrishPCMommy

I'm so glad there are others out there like me!!!! I like to have ALL presents purchased and wrapped by Thanksgiving Day. The day after Thanksgiving (Black Friday) is still for getting up early to go shopping, but it's to buy gifts for the Salvation Army's Angel Tree. Then we go home and start addressing our Christmas cards for friends and start making homemade Christmas cards for family.
I'm definitely going to check out Organized Christmas: Simplify Your Holidays and Celebrate The Season! Thanks!

Jolie_Paradoxe

Had me giggling over here!

Jolie_Paradoxe

I always have plans to organize and prep better. But like Sarah, I end up giving the gifts before xmas! Or I can't find them come xmas...or i find MORE great gifts and buy those too!

Need to learn self control!

raebates

If finding the gifts at Christmas is the issue, designate an area as your "gift closet." Gifts for your children might have to be hidden. For those you can keep a notebook and make note (in code if necessary) as to where you've hidden what. Otherwise, just having one general place to keep gifts makes it so much easier. Plus, check people off your list as you purchase things. This keeps you from buying additional items for that person because you've forgotten that you already bought something for them.

As for the urge to give a gift right away, I can't help you there.

Beth1170

If you are thinking about the holidays now, there is a chance others are thinking about them as well. Now is a great time to add it into your business talk at shows. "Who would like to have a debt-free holiday this year?" By starting your business now you would have more than enough to cover all of your expenses at holiday time. This could work from now until Oct/Nov. Just a thought.

raebates

I start all of my shows from September on with a countdown. As I'm trying to gather everyone together to get started I say, "I want you to think about the number [days until Christmas.] That's a very important number."

Once everyone's gathered together I ask for guesses as to why that number's special. I use the guesses as little sprinkles for bookings and/or recruiting.

That's how many products are in the catalog? Oh, there are lots more products than that.

That's how long PC has been in business? Nope. We started in 1980, so we've been around 29 years. That means we're very likely to be around for a long time to come.



You get the idea.

Melissa78

Rae, I love that intro for starting the show! And what a great way to talk about the company. LOVE IT!

Like you, I'm a planner (if no one can tell by now)...I'm already trying to brainstorm my first PC Holiday season.

Can anyone start to offer their best practices, tips, tricks, do's, don'ts, ideas etc for the many newbies that have joined CS & PC since last year as well as for those who wish to take a new spin on Holidays 2009????

I've been wondering if an open house helps with as many products out as I can get so they can touch and feel, play with, demonstrate etc...with snacks/goodies avail, and maybe stir up some bookings as a way for them to shop by saving (have a party get your gifts for free or discounted). Has anyone done this and with any success? When do you sugguest planning this? Any HO promotions done year to year?

Thanks again Rae! I'll be honest and I plan on using your lines... Imitation is the best form of flattery!

raebates

Never hesitate to creatively adapt any of my ideas that I share here. Chances are really good that they've been creatively adapted from someone else.

My best suggestion for you is to either do a search here or just keep an eye out as we get a little closer. I think your Open House is a good idea. I'll tell you what I tell my hosts. Pick a date that works well for you. You might even do Friday night and Saturday morning. Things could mostly just be left out, so you'd only have to refresh the food. This would allow for the most number of people to attend.

Jolie_Paradoxe

Thanks for the idea Rae. I also am loving the idea of the number of days left. I need to try and remember that tip.


Beth ~ Great idea! What an incentive for starting your own PC biz!

Thank you both.

Melissa78

Laurie - I knew I wouldn't remember the days so I just numbered my PC calendar backwards from Christmas. Since that is glued to me at all times, I can just pull it out for a refresher just before the show and know my number. HTH.