Making a List and Checking It Twice

Written by: Angela Esnouf
December 2, 2007

Taking Santa’s leadTake Santa’s lead. Make a list. Check it twice.

If ever there was a season for lists, this is it. Whenever time is tight and there’s lots to do, lists can cut through to the nitty gritty and help you focus on getting things done. Learn from Santa and make the most out of your lists.

Christmas card lists, updated year after year, can grow to epic proportions. Consider each person on the list, and whether it’s still relevant to keep in touch. Perhaps you’ve been promising for years to “catch up”. Well, if you really want to, this year set a date. Does the card-writing fall to you alone? Sit down with a partner before writing cards to divide up the list. Perhaps it would be helpful to delegate the addressing of envelopes. Or keep your list on the computer and print off address labels. Santa has helpers too.

A gift list makes shopping easier. Include everyone you’re buying for, their measurements, likes & dislikes, interests and past gifts. Keep it with you so you’re always prepared. How else would Santa get it so right each year?

Develop a list of “maximum impact, minimum effort” dishes for entertaining and impressing that will leave you time and energy for enjoying the occasion, rather than slaving in the kitchen. Let those dishes become known as your signature and never give away your secrets. After all, Santa never tells how he gets so much done in one night.

And then there’s the classic grocery shopping list. It pays to make your grocery list early on, and buy as much of it as you can before the shopping centres swarm with crowds. Place your order with the local butcher early. Once you have the staples and dry goods in your pantry, you’ll only need to collect your meat order, and visit your local greengrocer for the fresh fruit and vegetables. Parking will be easier and the quality superior. Santa always plans ahead.

There are more things we can learn from Santa too. He’s always laughing, he enjoys his work and he always has a good rest after his busy time.

All the best for the festive season, Angela Esnouf

Angela Esnouf - Helping you become more organised, find more time and be more productive | http://www.thecalmspace.com/about#angela

Comments

6 Responses to “Making a List and Checking It Twice”

  1. karenNo Gravatar on December 2nd, 2007 2:46 pm

    Angela, I love love love this list of the lessons we can learn from Santa! He’s such a jolly, generous, organised and speedy person, isn’t he?

    Do you have any of those ‘maximum impact, minimum effort’ recipes you’d like to share quietly with the rest of us? Promise we won’t tell anyone… shhh.

  2. ChrisNo Gravatar on December 2nd, 2007 8:34 pm

    yeah! let’s have those recipes!!

  3. AngelaNo Gravatar on December 3rd, 2007 6:59 am

    Ok. I’ll show you mine if you show me yours!

    Choc-dipped Strawberries look and taste great, and are so quick and easy to prepare. Just melt some dark chocolate and dip clean strawberries with stalks attached into the chocolate. You may choose to then dip some into shredded coconut or crushed nuts. White chocolate works well too. Lay them on waxed or greaseproof paper to set. Or poke a long bamboo skewer into the stalk end of the strawberry and stand the skewer in a glass. The effect is like a bunch of flowers.

    To impress at a 21st birthday party you can’t go past good old fairy bread. There’s nothing like reliving your childhood.

    Now it’s over to you. Any other “maximum effect, minimum effort” ideas?

  4. leahNo Gravatar on December 3rd, 2007 7:26 am

    Lists are the the only way I get by at Christmas Angela. As for maximum-impact, minimum-effort receipes …. I have one for Christmas drinks with fizz (and its a good way to use up any of the cheaper champagne you might get as gifts).

    Add some frozen mixed berries and a little orange juice to a blender and whiz it all up then add some champage to the mix and just make sure its all combined. Pour into chilled champagne glasses and there you have my merry berry champage cocktail. (You can also change the champagne to soda for those not imbibing).

  5. ChrisNo Gravatar on December 6th, 2007 4:58 pm

    oooo Leah the Champers Cocktail might see the light of day at Casa Pink Apple

  6. leahNo Gravatar on December 7th, 2007 1:19 pm

    Now who would think that Champagn cocktails might make a showing at the Owen Christmas
    ;-)

    I know that you will love them and they will make a big impression. Enjoy!

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