Are you planning for Christmas?

Yes, it's hard to believe, friends. Christmas is just 11 weeks away!

Because we're planners, and because one of us has another baby on the way, we like to plan ahead for such things. The best deals come early, generally in November, so we're gearing up for Christmas shopping already.

I've followed the Simple Mom blog for a while, and I'd like to introduce you to the new series over there entitled 12 Weeks to a Peaceful Christmas. It's good stuff, encourages readers to tackle one thing per week, and is logically planned out. Just what we need!

I've already talked with my side of the family this year to come up with a better game plan for gift giving. Since we're growing on that side by another baby in 2010, and the last of us siblings is now married as of 2009, it's time to downsize when it comes to gift giving. Gifts for 8 adults and 4 kids on one side of the family stretched our budget last year. So we've all agreed to exchange adult names in a drawing at Thanksgiving when we're all together. Each adult will give a gift to one other adult, so 2 adults per couple instead of 8! And each couple will give gifts to all the kids. I'll report back to you after Christmas - but I'm excited about this change and think it will really help our entire family.

If you get a chance, check out Simple Mom and let us know what you think.