The Elf Blog

Starting the New Year Right

It's a new year.  It's a good opportunity to get yourself off to a great start:

• If you don't already have one, get a calendar. (Actually, now is a great time to buy a calendar -- they're on sale!)  Take an evening to write in birthdays and anniversaries and other things you already know about.  I also recommend making a list of each months birthdays and anniversaries on the first of each month so that you remember to buy cards.
• Set aside a place in your house to put your mail each day.  At least once a week, sort through the mail, pay the bills, file, and discard anything you don't want to keep.
• Set up files (paper and/or electronic) for 2010.  Look over the past years' files to see what you can shred and discard.
• Schedule annual appointments -- with the accountant, doctors, vets, car servicing, etc.
• Schedule a time to review your investments, insurance policies, and the like.  Take the time to do some research to make sure you are getting the best deal.
• Create a file (or box) for your 2009 taxes.  You'll want to begin gathering the documentation you'll need to file:  your W-2, real estate taxes, medical expenses, charitable contributions, interest reports, etc.  Having everything in one place will make it far easier to either fill out the forms yourself or get things to the accountant.

Resolutions for Everyone

I don't usually make didactic pronouncements (I offer suggestions and helpful hint!), but here goes.

These are the New Year's resolutions I wish everyone would make:

• Begin each day with a confirmed intention to do at least one kind thing.  It doesn't have to be huge. Let someone go ahead of you. Say thank you (and mean it) to the clerk at the post office.  Call someone who needs to hear a cheerful voice.  Give an honest compliment.
• End each day by identifying at least one thing for which you are grateful.  Beginning day focused on acting kindly and ending it focused on gratitude will help make happiness your default setting.
• Use less, give more. 
• Before you pass on that email (or tweet or blog post, etc.), check out the veracity.  (I use www.snopes.com).  I get at least one email a week that is spreading a rumor.  Isn't there enough nastiness in the world without our adding to it?
• At least once in the year ahead, open your home and your heart to another human being.
• Absent evidence to the contrary, assume the best of people --including yourself.  Yes, some people will disappoint you and you might make yourself vulnerable, but you'll also be open to wonderful opportunities. And think of the time you'll save by not beating yourself up over an honest mistake!

New Year's Resolutions

I am a huge fan of New Year's resolutions. I try to make a list every year and I encourage others to do the same.

 To me, resolution-setting isn't about promising to do things I know I won't do.  It's more like personal strategic planning.  By making something a resolution, I commit to putting my most valuable resources (time, energy, effort, money) into making it happen.

I don't let myself off with vague resolutions like, "I will be more patient" or "I will lose weight" or "I will manage money better."  I sit down and spend some quiet time thinking about where I want to be next year, what sort of person I want to become.  Then, I decide on some concrete steps that will help me get there.  You MUST write these down.  You will never hold yourself accountable if you don't write them down.

Once you have laid out your goals (I divide mine into personal, professional, and financial), decide on some timelines and put them on your calendar.  In addition, make a note at least every other month to reread your resolutions so you can make sure that you stay on track.

You don't need to share your resolutions with anyone, though you may wish to do so. 

Do I accomplish all the goals I set for myself every year?  Of course not.  But I do accomplish some.  And I have a constant reminder of where I want to be at this time next year.

Giving Back

In order to deduct them on your 2009 income taxes, charitable contributions must be made by December 31st -- that's tomorrow.

Many charities get much of their annual budget in the last two months of the year so they send out a lot of solicitations in this period.  You probably have quite a few sitting around.  This evening, look through the requests you have received and the charitable donations you have already made this year.  Decide how much more you want to give. (I strive to donate a specific percentage of my annual income to charity.  At the end of the year, I can check my pay stub to determine how much more I need to give to hit my target.) 

Once you know how much money you have to donate, log on to the Internet and check the financial records of the groups I am considering for donations.  What percentage of their funds raised actually goes to the cause?  What percentage goes to administration?  What percentage to fundraising? 

After identifying the charities you want to help, divide up the available funds and either write the checks or make online donations.  Make sure you keep a record of all of your donations for tax purposes.

Christmas Countdown - 1 Week

Christmas Eve is one week from today.  You're in the homestretch!

• Finish your baking.  Take cookies to neighbors and friends.
• Wrap your presents.
• Do your grocery shopping for your Christmas Eve and Christmas meals.
• Take a walk around your house (inside and outside) to see if decorations need to be refreshed or if something needs to be tidied.
• Prepare your guest room for any Christmas guests.
• Gather Christmas DVDs and story books to entertain on Christmas Eve and Christmas.  Create a Christmas playlist on your iPod or gather CDs.
• Finalize New Year’s Eve plans.
• Shop for a New Year's Eve outfit if needed or rent a tux.
• Update your list of the gifts you have received so that you are ready to write thank you notes after Christmas.
• Take a deep breath.  You're going to make it.

Christmas Countdown -- Two Weeks

Two weeks from tonight is Christmas Eve.  We're in the home stretch:

• Finish shipping your presents and mailing any cards.
• Finish your shopping. You don't want to be one of the frenzied shoppers on tv on Christmas Eve.
• Update your Christmas card address list as cards come in.
• Begin wrapping the presents you have bought.  (They add to the decorations!)
• Decide on your menus for Christmas Eve and Christmas.  Pick up the non-perishables next time you're at the grocery store. You'll also want to lay in refreshments for the folks who may stop by to pay a Christmas visit.
• Finalize your New Year's Eve plans.

Christmas Countdown - 3 Weeks

Christmas Eve is only 3 weeks away.  Here are this week's tasks:

• Any gifts that need to be shipped have to go this week.  If they are going outside the US, you're already pushing it.
• Finish up your cards so you can get them in the mail by December 12th. 
• Continue shopping.  To avoid rush shipping charges or unexpected back orders, complete all online shopping.
• If you want a quiet evening, especially if the weather is bad, begin wrapping the presents you've bought.
• If you are hosting a party, confirm attendance and shop, cook, and bake.
• Decorations should be up this week (unless you keep to the German tradition of putting up the tree on Christmas Eve).  You don’t have to do everything all at once.  In fact, it can be very pleasant to do a little bit each day and slowly watch the house come alive with the spirit of Christmas.
• Decide what you will wear for your Christmas party, for Christmas Day, and for New Year's Eve.  Drop off any necessary dry cleaning.  Make necessary purchases.  Even plan your accessories.  It's not a bad idea to put the accessories in plastic bags and attach it to the clothing hanger with a clothespin (this hint is especially helpful if you have small children).

Christmas Countdown -- Five Weeks

With Thanksgiving only one week away, this week will mostly be about those preparations.  You need to do the shopping, baking, cooking, and table setting -- or you need to travel.

However, you can do a few tasks to keep things moving:

• Keep working on your cards.  Ideally, by the time Thanksgiving weekend is over, you'll have them all addressed and at least a third written.
• Keep working on your crafting.
• Exchange Christmas gift lists with your loved ones.
• If you are hosting a Christmas or New Year's party, you need to get the invitations out so people can get you on the calendar.

Other than that, focus on Thanksgiving and we'll check in again next week.

Happy Samhain

To those who follow the Old Path, Happy Samhain.  May the turning of the seasons bring you light, prosperity, and peace.

Bright Blessings!

Happy New Year!

To all who celebrate, l'shana tova!  May your new year be sweet and your name s be written in the Book of Life.

May the Days of Awe be times of fellowship, reflection, and renewal.