There is only one way for this working mom to get through the holidays…well any day for that matter…LISTS!! I’m the queen of lists. I have lists for lists that need to be made. I have lists broken down into flow-charts. With the holidays now in full swing I’m checking my lists twice. Yeah, I’m at that point already. I started my Christmas shopping lists in October.

First list – Who I have to buy for.

This breaks down further to the Second list – what I think I want to get them.

Then to the Third list, which involves research. Where I can get each product the cheapest and with free shipping.

The major key here is to STICK TO THE LIST. Once you veer from the list you end up in a snowball of confusion, things you didn’t want, and over-spending. I set a spending limit for each person and try my best to keep it simple. After list three is established I let the shopping begin, usually doing most of my shopping online so I don’t feel the urge to grab a Nerf sword from the aisle and attack someone viciously. In a season that is supposed to be joyous, people can be just rude and utterly miserable. Then the Forth list of what has been gotten for the boys by family members and myself. Now these are just the lists for the Christmas shopping.

Then there is the annual Christmas Eve party. There is the menu list, then the shopping list, the things left to do list, the cleaning list. The lists are never-ending, but I have no idea how I would get through the season without them. I don’t have the time or the brain capacity. So my  tip to everyone…LISTS. And check them twice.