This week’s Finish It Friday is a big one. It’s the last Friday, and the last weekend, before Christmas! I don’t know about you, but I still have quite a few things to wrap-up—literally and figuratively. I’d like to have the big-hitter holiday to-dos done by Sunday. So here is my list:
- Finish shopping. I have a few lingering gifts to buy, and I want to take the kids shopping for Jay this weekend.
- Finish wrapping. My goal is to have all gifts wrapped and ready by the end of the weekend.
- Make grocery list. I need to figure out what to bring for Christmas Eve. We’re going to do an all appetizers get together with Jay’s family, and Jay would like to cook something on the grill. Any ideas? If you have any recipes for a grilled appetizer, I would really love to hear it.
- Clean house.
- Laundry.
I think it’s all do-able, and actually this is a fun to-do list (except possibly for cleaning and laundry.) But, the best part is, if I get this done this weekend, then next week is smooth sailing. The kids are off school for the holiday break starting today, so I’m hoping to make some cookies, play some games, and just leisurely enjoy the days leading up to Christmas. So…I best get busy finishing some things up!
Before I go, remember that painted, empty picture frame from Halloween? Here’s the holiday version.
I made the bunting using Benita’s instructions on this blog post. It was such a quick and fun project. I had never sewn on paper before, and boy, it was quite a rewarding thing to do. I will definitely be making more of these for other holidays and events. So if you’re looking for a quick little holiday decorating project for your Finish It Friday list, well, now you’ve got one. 🙂
Who is joining me this week? Just post your to-do list in the comments, and post again with what you finished on Monday. Easy-peasy and fun. 🙂 And remember, if you have any appetizers to make on the grill…I’d love the recipe. Thanks! Have a great weekend.
Okay, here’s my list:
1. Finish decorating (this year is the latest ever!)
2. Finish shopping (snowstorm on the way, don’t know if I’ll manage to finish this one!)
3. Finish wrapping
4. Plan Xmas Eve AND Xmas Day – I think appetizers are a great idea for XEve, but I’m planning a ham dinner on XDay…
5. Write out thank yous (today’s my b’day and I have already gotten some great presents!)
6. Stuff the stockings with care
7. Finish Xmas cards – okay, THIS is the latest I’ve ever been!!!
You could try a chicken satay with a peanut dipping sauce. I made it for a party once and it was a big hit. Also you could grill up a flank steak and slice it onto some grilled french bread and top with goat cheese and sun-dried tomatoes.
This weekend I need to finish wrapping and cleaning. I also need to plan menus and shopping lists for later in the week.
This weekend we’ll be away with the in-laws on their long weekend Christmas gift trip… Then, I will have Finish It Friday (the rest of today) I will be packing, finishing house cleaning and wrapping the last two gifts. Tuesday I will finish the baking.
Our grilling appetizer isn’t too complicated, but it’s not like grilling meat. We do grilled chicken quesadillas http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/browse-all-recipes/grilled-chicken-spinach-quesadillas-00000000014428/index.html
Happy Holidays!
I just sat down to make out my list on paper so this post was perfect timing.
1. buy last three gifts
2. wrap, wrap, wrap.
3. hope that my christmas photo cards come today so I can get them addressed and mailed.
4. finish bringing in cushions from porch furniture (we keep forgetting about it)
5. laundry
6. clean whole house. (this is probably too ambitious–maybe just one level is more like it.)
My list is: have a snow day! We’re expecting several inches (at least) here in VA, so I’m looking forward to playing in the snow and going to a friend’s annual cookie and ornament making party on Sunday. It’s time to relax!
Hi Ladies, my list this week will make you LOL:
1. Finish cleaning up after last nights extended family dinner. My college age nephews are visiting and volunteered to cook dinner for us (10 people total) they use every single pot, pan spoon, serving plate, plate, cookie sheet, pyrex, measuring tool etc…. literally everything from my cupboards needs to be cleaned!!!
2. Returns: Hanukkah was so early this yer, that we are already returning stuff and getting store credit to use for the after christmas sale…
3. Laundry, and lots of it, did I mention 3 college kids staying with us…. I guess they brought the whole dorm over here…. Thank goodness for High Capacity washer and dryer…
This weekend is going to test my limits. Tonight, is my company Christmas party. Early tomorrow morning, we have to drive to my fiance’s mother’s side of the family (about 4 hours away) for their Christmas celebration. It is an all day affair. That night we are going to his best friend’s birthday party, which will probably be an all night affair.
I don’t think I’ll even be able to start on my list until Sunday, which is overwhelming. Here it is anyway:
1. Finish Christmas shopping, meet with my mom for this.
2. Finish wrapping gifts. Most will be handed out on the 23rd.
3. Finish scrapbook for fiance’s parents. I made a scrapbook of our recent family trip to Cancun with them. I hope she likes it.
4. Clean house
5. Do laundry
6. Go grocery shopping
7. Sleep?
I decided to show a little mercy to myself this year and will NOT put up outdoor decorations. I continually put it off and then the weather became terrible. I have a brand new box of outdoor lights that will just have to wait until next year. I don’t think my sanity could take it, and I don’t want to push it.
PS – Love the bunting in the frame! Maybe I’ll try that (next year)!
PPS – Brendy in Sunny So Cal, you are a brave woman for facing that.
I really only have one big To Do left for Christmas: baking. Normally by this time I’ve made so many cookies we don’t even want to look at another, but this year I haven’t baked even one batch. People are wondering if I’m sick!
Here’s a good recipe for Asian Beef Skewers. They are excellent served over rice if you want them as a main dish, but would also make tasty appetizers.
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Asian-Beef-Skewers/Detail.aspx
Wrap.
Clean.
Sleep.
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/bacon-wrapped-bratwurst/detail.aspx
I bet these bacon wrapped brats would be awesome grilled! We love them served with spicy mustard.
my husband loves to grill, too. he recently did some bacon-wrapped duck shish kabobs. we like to first marinate the duck in a louisiana red pepper sauce from lawry’s. those just need a few minutes on each side. they look red still, even when they’re done so really just keep it to 3 minutes on each side. or cut up bell peppers into squares, roll in olive oil, bread crumbs and parmesan cheese and grill those. or pineapple. or chunks of pork with chunks of apricot–run a sauce of melted apricot jam and a dash of cayenne pepper over those while they grill. mmm…i think it’s about time for me to go make dinner!
As I sit here and get ready to type my list it jolted me into the fact that I have a few gifts to finish. That I need tomorrow. LOL So you know where I’m going when I’m done here.
1. finish appt book gift for nail girl
2. finish coco cones for dance teachers and sunday school teachers
3. make grocery list
4. laundry
5. nail appt
6. go grocery shopping
7. cleaning
8. start wrapping gifts
9. write out cards for mail person/paper person
There is probably more, but that’s what I can think of for now.
This weekend is my son’s 7th birthday party. I am so glad the time has come for this event! So… My list is:
*Birthday Party
*Finish Laundry
*Write out Holiday Cards (little late)
*Separate old coupons for mailing to the Military Base
*If I have time I will be cleaning my son’s closet out. Moving out the clothes and shoes that are too small. I guess I should do the dresser drawers as well.
Wish me luck! Have a great weekend everyone!
Oh, lets see.
1. Plaster and sand kitchen wall and then paint it. Just sanding and painting left now.
2. Wrap gifts. All are bought so just wrapping some left.
3. Let Roomba vaccum flat after last sanding and wipe off kitchen floor.
4. Throw recycling at recycling station tomorrow or Monday.
5. Buy fuse for car and change broken one.
6. Tidy up some too.
7. Work one hour
8. And have a nice weekend 😀
well it is Saturday night … but my list is
1. Finish cards
2. print photos for gift
3. wrap remaining gifts
4. think about xmas day menu … and write shopping list.
Here is my list:
Finish Christmas cards, wrap gifts, need to buy a few little things, clean and laundry. I also have planned a little fun I am off to the Nutcracker this morning! Have a great weekend!
I just read your blog posting but, coincidentally, have been working on my LAST To-Do’s before Christmas, with the goal of being done TODAY (Sunday)! This will be the first year in my life that I will be able to just kick back in a recliner and read a book in the 4 days leading up to Christmas Eve! It’s all part of my larger goal of living more simply, more slowly, and with more happiness. Yeah!!! I follow your blog for your awesome organizing tips; keep up the good work, it has helped me tremendously!
This one really fit for a Halloween party.
Deirdre G
@Jan C.
thanks for sharing the link.