I can hardly believe Christmas is over already.  It seems like just yesterday that it was Halloween and here we are putting away our Christmas decorations and getting ready for a new year.

Here are ten things I want to remember for Christmas next year:

1 – Start shopping early.  Will someone remind me to start shopping early next year?  I would love to be one of those people who is totally on the ball and done before Thanksgiving and not shopping two weeks before Christmas.

2- Have Minted address our Christmas cards.  Did you know if you buy your Christmas cards from Minted they will address your Christmas cards free of charge? (true as of this writing)  It’s pretty awesome and after I ruined more envelopes than I care to admit, I decided I’d go ahead and let Minted take care of this task for me next year; assuming they still offer this service.  I’ve already uploaded our Christmas card list to my account so all that I need to do next fall is update new addresses or make any additions and deletions.

3- Elf on the Shelf.  We bought an Elf on the Shelf two years ago and our kids were not into it at all, or quite possibly they were just too young.  We were also horrible at moving him.  He stayed in the same place most of the time and we didn’t even get him out this year.  I’m sure our kids will love having the elf visit now that they are older, but it also means we need to up our elf game.  I should probably start planning his 30 day visit now for next year.  I’d love for you to share your favorite elf on the shelf ideas in the comments.  If you see me pinning Elf on the Shelf ideas year round, you know why.

4- The Polar Express.  We’ve taken the kids to The Polar Express the last two years and it’s easily one of my favorite holiday events.  If you ever get the chance to go, I highly recommend it.  It’s so magical for kids and such a fun family experience.  Book your tickets early, like over the summer early, because it always sells out.

5- Plan family pajamas.  See number 4.  Yup, we will be in matching pajamas next year.  I debated too long this year and won’t make that mistake again next year.

6- Santa gift wrap, tags, etc.  Gone are the days when I can cruise the aisles of Target picking up a roll or two of gift wrap with the kids in tow.  I made that mistake this year and didn’t realize that they might (ok, totally would) recognize the paper and had to go back solo for more paper for Santa gifts.  As I was wrapping gifts, it dawned on me that I need to have different tags too next year.

7- Make a gingerbread house or two. Okay, maybe a whole village. On a whim I picked up a gingerbread house kit at Target a couple of weeks before Christmas and Dylan had so much fun decorating it with me.  Lex was’t really into it because she had to be patient while the house was constructed.  Next year I want to remember to pick up a couple of kits because I think by then she will be all about decorating one too and build the houses after the kids go to sleep so they are ready for decorating the next day.

8- Bake more cookies and treats with the kids.  They both really like cutting out cookies and decorating them.  Next year we will probably make at least two kinds of cookies, some candy and another treat or two.  I love baking with them. Baking with my mom are some of my favorite childhood memories, especially around the holidays.

9- Decorate early.  Since Lex’s Birthday is the first week in December I always thought I wanted to wait to decorate for Christmas after her birthday but the kids are so excited for all things Christmas that I think we will decorate early next year.

10- Decorate the kids rooms for Christmas.  See number 9.  They’ve both tried claiming decorations for their room next year and Dylan has a request in for his own Christmas tree so I think brining a few decorations, bedding and maybe that tree he’s after into their rooms next year will be on the agenda.

Do you have anything you want to remember to do next Christmas?