Question of the Day: What Would You Do Differently?

by Mandi on December 22, 2009

Making Christmas Cookies

Making Christmas Cookies

If you’re feeling stressed out at this moment, take just one moment to step back and think about what you’d do differently if you could. It’s better to think about it now, while you’re in the middle of it, than it is to wait until next year rolls around and inevitably find yourself in the same position once again!

What do you wish you’d done differently this Christmas?

Do you wish you’d started earlier? Taken on less projects?

Is there a tradition you wish you had included?

Do you regret any of your purchases already?

What new traditions did you start that you want to remember?

What are you glad you did this year?


  • http://perfectsentiment.blogspot.com/ PS~Erin

    Good things to think about. I’m writing this down. Great stuff. Thanks.
    .-= PS~Erin´s last blog ..Last Minute Gifts =-.

  • http://perfectsentiment.blogspot.com/ PS~Erin

    Good things to think about. I’m writing this down. Great stuff. Thanks.
    .-= PS~Erin´s last blog ..Last Minute Gifts =-.

  • Lori

    I’m really glad that I started early. I pretty much finished everything on Friday except for a couple of gifts my husband is picking up. I’m really thankful I did because my son got sick with pneumonia so I’ve been taking care of him all week and won’t really be able to focus on a lot more. I’m glad that I’m not stressed about finishing up stuff. I still have to wrap but that’s easy to fit in, and I can enlist help with that without stressing about it!

    I definitely will start early again next year, but if I decide to make handmand gifts like I did this year I won’t be making such a variety. It took more money and time than anticipated. If I make a lot of one or two things I know it will be cheaper and quicker!

    Great thought joggers!

  • Lori

    I’m really glad that I started early. I pretty much finished everything on Friday except for a couple of gifts my husband is picking up. I’m really thankful I did because my son got sick with pneumonia so I’ve been taking care of him all week and won’t really be able to focus on a lot more. I’m glad that I’m not stressed about finishing up stuff. I still have to wrap but that’s easy to fit in, and I can enlist help with that without stressing about it!

    I definitely will start early again next year, but if I decide to make handmand gifts like I did this year I won’t be making such a variety. It took more money and time than anticipated. If I make a lot of one or two things I know it will be cheaper and quicker!

    Great thought joggers!

  • http://www.overcomingbusy.com Marci@OvercomingBusy

    This morning, I looked around to find what Christmas project needs to be finished and there were only a couple presents that needed to be wrapped. We had a wonderful month full of cookie bakes, friends, art projects, Christmas stories…. I did not feel rushed at all, but it’s all because I had a plan going in!
    .-= Marci@OvercomingBusy´s last blog ..Sister Wisdom Is Back!! =-.

  • http://www.overcomingbusy.com Marci@OvercomingBusy

    This morning, I looked around to find what Christmas project needs to be finished and there were only a couple presents that needed to be wrapped. We had a wonderful month full of cookie bakes, friends, art projects, Christmas stories…. I did not feel rushed at all, but it’s all because I had a plan going in!
    .-= Marci@OvercomingBusy´s last blog ..Sister Wisdom Is Back!! =-.

  • http://www.thegirlinthemiddle.com/blog Molly

    This year has worked out really well. I didn’t pull out the big tree and all the ornaments, we are never home.

    In the past I have busted my rear to get everything “perfect” because of some unwritten family decorating rule. I did put up a really small tree with lights (that I can pull straight out of the box) so at least to my neighbors I don’t look like a scrooge!

    I am a little blue that I didn’t make my spiced nuts…But, there is still time to whip some up.

  • http://www.thegirlinthemiddle.com/blog Molly

    This year has worked out really well. I didn’t pull out the big tree and all the ornaments, we are never home.

    In the past I have busted my rear to get everything “perfect” because of some unwritten family decorating rule. I did put up a really small tree with lights (that I can pull straight out of the box) so at least to my neighbors I don’t look like a scrooge!

    I am a little blue that I didn’t make my spiced nuts…But, there is still time to whip some up.

  • http://aneelee.wordpress.com aneelee

    we really scaled back this year because we didn’t want to be stressed and overcommitted and running around like chickens with our heads cut off. its been a relatively stress-free month, but my daughter and i got sick for almost two full weeks and that meant that a lot of our cooking projects and food gifts fell to the way side. would really like to figure out a more strategic back-up plan should that happen again.

    also, we may actually start giving out our food gifts the first week of december. it seems that the extra treats, mixes and granolas that we gift would be most USEFUL during the busy month as opposed to after.

  • http://aneelee.wordpress.com aneelee

    we really scaled back this year because we didn’t want to be stressed and overcommitted and running around like chickens with our heads cut off. its been a relatively stress-free month, but my daughter and i got sick for almost two full weeks and that meant that a lot of our cooking projects and food gifts fell to the way side. would really like to figure out a more strategic back-up plan should that happen again.

    also, we may actually start giving out our food gifts the first week of december. it seems that the extra treats, mixes and granolas that we gift would be most USEFUL during the busy month as opposed to after.

  • http://ordinaryinspirations.wordpress.com Thea

    This year everything I did was…simple…simple…simple! I loved it! Just wish my hubs had more Christmas cheer, ( he has been without a job for 2 1/2 yrs.)..tough times. I am just keeping focused on the REAL meaning of this time of year! Merry Christmas!
    .-= Thea´s last blog ..In the midst of… =-.

  • http://ordinaryinspirations.wordpress.com Thea

    This year everything I did was…simple…simple…simple! I loved it! Just wish my hubs had more Christmas cheer, ( he has been without a job for 2 1/2 yrs.)..tough times. I am just keeping focused on the REAL meaning of this time of year! Merry Christmas!
    .-= Thea´s last blog ..In the midst of… =-.

  • http://itwasbroughtonbylove.blogspot.com Southern Gal

    I had a better plan last year. This year I feel a little…hmmm. Can’t really put it into words. It’s been fine, but last year seemed to be so much more enjoyable. This week has been focused on spending quality time doing what we love. Games, lights, baking, etc.

    I think I’ll plan a little better for next year.
    .-= Southern Gal´s last blog ..REAL Family Photos =-.

  • http://itwasbroughtonbylove.blogspot.com Southern Gal

    I had a better plan last year. This year I feel a little…hmmm. Can’t really put it into words. It’s been fine, but last year seemed to be so much more enjoyable. This week has been focused on spending quality time doing what we love. Games, lights, baking, etc.

    I think I’ll plan a little better for next year.
    .-= Southern Gal´s last blog ..REAL Family Photos =-.

  • Kim

    I was done with Christmas shopping way ahead of the game so that made my life so much more enjoyable..
    I also was able to take the week before Christmas off from work so that has REALLY made a huge difference!

  • Kim

    I was done with Christmas shopping way ahead of the game so that made my life so much more enjoyable..
    I also was able to take the week before Christmas off from work so that has REALLY made a huge difference!

  • http://www.re-a-rangers.com Dawn

    Right @ this moment, for some reason, I have such peace over Christmas. Everything is done that I meant to do. I’m not stressed or chastising myself for putting anything off. I have to admit not all years have been this way. I am typically still running around with a last-minute goals sheet at this stage of the game. I’m not sure why this year is different but I’m certainly enjoying it! No regrets – not one. Not even the boats I surprised myself with yesterday, haha. :)

  • http://www.re-a-rangers.com Dawn

    Right @ this moment, for some reason, I have such peace over Christmas. Everything is done that I meant to do. I’m not stressed or chastising myself for putting anything off. I have to admit not all years have been this way. I am typically still running around with a last-minute goals sheet at this stage of the game. I’m not sure why this year is different but I’m certainly enjoying it! No regrets – not one. Not even the boats I surprised myself with yesterday, haha. :)

  • http://whatsupbird.blogspot.com/ Kim @ whatsupbird

    I would have liked to have spent more time socializing with others. Next year, I want to be sure and make time to celebrate the season with friends.
    .-= Kim @ whatsupbird´s last blog ..Is it finally here? =-.

  • http://whatsupbird.blogspot.com/ Kim @ whatsupbird

    I would have liked to have spent more time socializing with others. Next year, I want to be sure and make time to celebrate the season with friends.
    .-= Kim @ whatsupbird´s last blog ..Is it finally here? =-.

  • http://foodformyfamily.com/ Shaina

    Quit my transcription job so I have time for things I enjoy.
    .-= Shaina´s last blog ..The Monday Menu: December 21, 2009 =-.

  • http://foodformyfamily.com/ Shaina

    Quit my transcription job so I have time for things I enjoy.
    .-= Shaina´s last blog ..The Monday Menu: December 21, 2009 =-.

  • Lauren

    Do you wish you’d started earlier? Taken on less projects? Yes i wish we had started earlier

    Is there a tradition you wish you had included? i wish we would have went to one of the different places that has a ton of christmas lights

    Do you regret any of your purchases already? nope we mostly only bought gifts for our daughter

    What new traditions did you start that you want to remember? no we didnt really start any this year

    What are you glad you did this year? im glad that we did NOT put up the tree until the week before christmas. it will be a miracle if im not fed up enough to take the thing down on christmas day lol. 2 year olds and christmas trees just do not mix

  • Lauren

    Do you wish you’d started earlier? Taken on less projects? Yes i wish we had started earlier

    Is there a tradition you wish you had included? i wish we would have went to one of the different places that has a ton of christmas lights

    Do you regret any of your purchases already? nope we mostly only bought gifts for our daughter

    What new traditions did you start that you want to remember? no we didnt really start any this year

    What are you glad you did this year? im glad that we did NOT put up the tree until the week before christmas. it will be a miracle if im not fed up enough to take the thing down on christmas day lol. 2 year olds and christmas trees just do not mix

  • Pingback: –› What are Your New Year’s Resolutions?

  • Mary

    What great ideas- I love the Help Wanted board. I’ve got, a 4 1/2 (boy), almost 3 (girl), 18 month (boy) and 1 month old (boy), and keep starting and stopping things, I wonder if its just more challenging getting started because my oldest is a boy? Any suggestions? As I would LOVE a bit more help :)

    • Anonymous

      Honestly, we started and stopped quite a few times as well. I bet in another year it will be much easier for your two oldest! And I agree, it’s *really* nice now that they can really pitch in. A mom of many told me a while ago that everything gets easier when your oldest hits 6, and so far that’s definitely true for us! I know that’s still a bit away, but it’s coming!

  • Anonymous

    Hey Daria! I’d love to hear how the help wanted board works for your family. It sounds like you already have a system that works for you, and hopefully that can just add another layer to it!

  • Annie

    Great ideas…my husband and I have been talking about allowances for a while and haven’t moved forward with anything because we couldn’t agree on how to do it. I don’t know why it never occurred to us to come up with a “little of both” kind of idea! Duh! lol Thanks for the article!

  • Anonymous

    My 3 year old has been earning quarters along with her sisters for a few
    months now, but mostly only because we didn’t want her to feel left out.
    With our oldest, I think we waited until she was 4 or 4.5. You could try a
    sticker chart in the meantime, although we tried a few times and never
    really found a good rhythm for our family until the girls were older.

    Hope that helps!

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