If in doubt, get a List out

I'm a great lover of writing lists, sometimes it can be seem as being rigid or anal retentive but I think they may life easier.

Invariably the list you're creating is relating to something fun:  from a shopping list (and who doesn't love those), your packing list for that much needed holiday and of course, the biggest list of all ... that all-important letter to Santa. 

Lists help you stick to a budget, can ensure you don't overpack your suitcase and also receive the presents you want.  It also helps buy your loved ones the presents they would like, spend money of nice things that they wouldn't normally buy or be able to consider buying when dealing with the costs of living.

This year, it seems like Christmas is fast approaching and I feel like I'm running out of time to get all my present shopping done.  It would be quite easy to panic shop and buy anything that simply has been dressed-up to look Christmassy with a much higher price tag.  I've asked all my family to write a list of things that they want for Christmas and I've still been able to get some lovely things that they both need and will enjoy. I'm halfway through my list now, and hopefully by the start of December will have bought all the gifts. There's method in this madness, I can then devote the rest of December to outfit planning and shopping for the Christmas dinner, but that's a whole other post to draft!

PS With Christmas approaching its nearly time to watch Miracle on 34th Street and consider whether you believe! So I must share with you a story about a letter to Father Christmas that my younger sister wrote.  This was years ago, when we were both very young and our dad was working in Saudi Arabia on a six month contract that meant he wouldn't be home for Christmas.   The local butchers had placed a postbox to the North Pole in their shop so that the kids could write their letters to Father Christmas and post them.  Now my sister wrote her letter and posted it.  No-one knew what was in the letter or what presents she had listed.  A few days before Christmas Day, the butcher approached my mum and told her that my sister's letter had made him cry.  All she had asked for . . . was her daddy home for Christmas. 

The day before Christmas Eve, my Aunt took us for some last minute shopping, as we drove past our house to park we noticed a man sat in our front room and didn't recognise who it was. When we unlocked the door, my dad was sat waiting for us in the front room.  For some unexplained reason, all British workers were asked to leave the country immediately and they were sent home to their families, so he was home for Christmas.  I like to think that Father Christmas had some involvement in this, so now I ask you - Do you believe?