Comments on: My First GTD Christmas

By: Ron

Ron — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 15:29:36 +0000

Thanks for this post. Helped a lot.

By: April Perry

April Perry — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 20:40:26 +0000

I LOVE that! I absolutely want to send a Groundhog Day card this year. Thanks for the great idea.

By: Sean Hesler

Sean Hesler — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 03:40:07 +0000

I enjoyed your post, April. Like you, I have found that using GTD is an excellent way to stay on top of all the holiday actions and projects.

Last year, my wife and I decided to not do something holiday-related, but with a twist. We always wanted to send holiday cards, but it was never a high enough priority for us, with all the other things we had or wanted to do. This inspired us to begin a new tradition, though. Instead of sending a holiday card around Christmas time, we do it for Groundhog Day. It’s unique, a lot less stressful, and people seem to like it; we’ve received a few holiday cards this year in which people comment that they’re looking forward to the Groundhog Day card.

We still get to have a tradition, but with a bit of a twist.

By: April Perry

April Perry — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 22:24:33 +0000

Great point, Lise. I’ll make a trigger for that on my August calendar. :)

My mother-in-law likes to shop throughout the year, as well. She buys things at the after-Christmas sales for the next year, and whenever she goes by a Clearance rack, she picks up great buys.

Our children LIVE for her packages–all filled with toys and games purchased for a fraction of the price. GTD really helps us avoid procrastination.

By: Lise Waring

Lise Waring — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 18:09:53 +0000

Another great contribution April! I would also point out that another reason to treat this as a project starting in August or September – you can spread the expense across several months. I did a batch of my Christmas shopping while on a trip in August.

In addition, if you know you are going to be doing a lot of crafting projects like the button bracelets on ribbon that my daughter likes to make, you need to plans these early enough so that you have time to complete your sewing/stitching.

By: April Perry

April Perry — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 08:28:00 +0000

Thanks for your comments! Danny, I am absolutely with you. This “business-like” approach makes the season so much more meaningful because it eliminates the stress. Susannah, I hope your cookies and ornaments turned out great. I think it’s wonderful that you’ve wisely managed your time and money this season. I think that enables us to enter the new year on the right foot. And Mom of 2, I totally agree. Managing next actions well makes Christmas a joy–not just a lot of work. Merry Christmas everyone!

By: Mom_Of_2

Mom_Of_2 — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 00:32:59 +0000

Enjoyed this essay. Thank you! One of the lessons I’ve learned since committing to GTD is that a large project/event like Christmas doesn’t have to seem like a lot of work, as long as I plan properly and review my sub-projects and next actions regularly.

By: Susannah Noel

Susannah Noel — Sun, 19 Dec 2010 19:55:56 +0000

Good for you! I’ve tried very hard this year myself, and I made some tough decisions – like canceling a trip to visit my sister two states away, and choosing to spend less money on gifts while sacrificing a weekend (this one) to make cookies and ornaments to give as gifts to teachers and family. Every year it’s such a balance between enjoying myself and wanting to crawl into bed and suck my thumb. :)

By: danny bader

danny bader — Sun, 19 Dec 2010 17:38:46 +0000

Great little article, thanks. Christmas is so much more enjoyable when treated like a project with next actions. Some folks have said to me that if I treat Christmas so buisness-like I’ll miss the true meaning. I respectfully disagree with them and say.”It’s quite the opposite. When I manage my Christmas stuff appropriately, it’s then that I do see/hear/feel my real reason for Christmas. Be well. Danny