84 days and counting!

Mom used to use the phrase "A day late and a dollar short." Well, who isn't a dollar short these days? That's hardly a term to distinguish one from another in these hard times but I definitely feel like I'm running a day late ! (I actually am a day late. Notice there was no post yesterday?)

Maybe that's just a fancy way of saying I have no Working the Shows Wednesday for you this week. Blame it on vacation. I'm blaming everything on vacation lag at the moment. (I think "vacation lag" is related to jet lag.)

For all you readers who have counted on me for that Tuesday Countdown to Christmas - we're down to 84 days (That includes Christmas Eve in the count for anybody lagging behind.) I haven't done much to get ready either personally or business wise. (I'm soooo ashamed!!)

I have added a few holiday items to my shop but nowhere near the number I intended to add by now. Somewhere back in July, I made plans to add one item per day beginning August 1 and all of the items I was planning to add in that month would be holiday themed. So much for plans! Now, I'm starting to panic.

The good news is, some of my repeat customers have already contacted me to place Christmas orders. I admire them for planning ahead and shopping now. I wish I had.

Normally, we get our Christmas shopping started while we're at the beach in September (sometimes even before). There are just so many unique little gift shops there and they really do have some unique items. Add to that, we have a beach oriented family and many of our gifts feature beachy themes. We're also usually motivated by the fact that we're busy planning our Fall trek westward and it's a lot easier to load a bunch of gifts into the car than having to ship them later. So, as of today, I have one tiny little item for my man, and a few stocking stuffer sized items that I did find along the way and two package toppers that specifically cried out someone's name to me. Of course, I don't have any packages on which to attach those last two. Oh yeah, I also have two fancy gift bags that made me think of specific folks - again, nothing to put in them.

Of course, there are the gifts I want to make by hand for some members of the family, too. The plans are in my head but no work has begun yet. I feel pretty good about at least having some ideas for specific gifts but I've got to get busy making them a reality. Just as in previous years, I swear I am not staying up late Christmas Eve finishing gifts. Last year, I actually found myself testing paint to be sure it was dry before I could wrap on Christmas morning!! (I'll let you know how that oath works out in about 86 days!!)

I do have a goal for the week (besides finishing some orders that came in this past week while I was away.) I need to complete two birthday gifts that are already late. Then, I need to complete two that are due within the next two weeks. I have quite a few almost done items for the shop. It'd be great to get them done and listed, too.

Complicating this plan, of course, is the fact that it is already late Wednesday night and we have plans for Friday night and Saturday. Not much week left.

So, how is your holiday planning coming along?