November 25, 2014 at 09:49PM

I like lists. And charts. And organization (though you wouldn't know it by my house most of the time). AND a fabulous deal on things I'd like to buy. Black Friday planning is, therefore, very fun for me. I cannot go out and join the party any more, but I have learned that I can buy the same things, at the same time, from the same places, at the same prices.... all without getting dressed or leaving the house. I love the internet. I have had my charts, lists, notebook-with-envelope-to-organize-receipts ready for a week or so now. I have created profiles with each online shop so my checkout information is saved for me. I was checking through the websites again today and discovered that two of them have already started their Black Friday sales online! Some (such as WalMart) have had a few special deals, but these stores have started their full Black Friday deals online only. SOOOoooooo between what I've already salted away and what I have now ordered I'm almost ready for Christmas. I have about 10 items left to purchase from two stores that haven't started their sales yet. Then I just need to pick up a handful of special groceries in the next month and Christmas can come whenever it wants to! It really is SUCH a relief to be able to sit back and enjoy the holidays now. Without worrying about gifts I can enjoy them instead! Also, over the next month I'll work on wrapping the presents (yes, I have the wrapping paper, scotch tape, and a pair of scissors hidden so nobody can lose it for me) a few at a time while everybody is off to work/school so I don't have to hide away while I'd rather be playing. I started doing that the last couple of years (even when I didn't always have all the presents) and it's very helpful. I'll even put on ribbon, but not bows, or they get crushed. Come Christmas Eve all I have to do is slap on bows and tuck things in stockings and under the tree. All that gleeful excitement shared, I really don't care if you are the 'buy the presents the last week before Christmas, stay up all night Christmas Eve assembling and wrapping, etc. etc. I've done it that way too. And there's nothing wrong with it. Stress is really hard on my body, though, so I do what I can to avoid stresses I can see coming. The holidays can be incredibly stressful so I'd rather save up my energy for spending time with my family rather than having to crash. via Facebook