Making a List & Checking it Twice: 2016 Holiday Planning Tips

Every year when Christmas time rolls around, my first thought is always, "Ugh, our families are SO BIG." Being one of 7 girls is a blessing but it also makes the holiday planning more complicated. There has been at least one new niece, nephew or brother-in-law every year for the past decade or so...and this doesn't even include Tuan's side of the family! The biggest challenges we face are keeping track of gift purchases for the twenty-something odd kids we shop for and planning all the various holiday parties. I'm sure many of you face the same challenges so I am sharing my tried and true tips on how to stay organized and keep yourself holly and jolly this holiday season.

1. Get a Christmas planner. These 20-30 page planners will help you track gift purchases, budget, grocery lists, activities, party menus and so much more. I started using a Christmas planner 2 years ago and have never looked back. Below are some of my favorite designs from Etsy. If you are going to be looking at this planner for the next month, you might as well pick a pretty design. Cost varies from $5-$10 and they are worth every penny. 

[PaperMousePlanners $6.00]

[Yellow Bliss Road $7.99]

[GrafikaStudio $7.86]

[missdesigngirl $6.50]

2. Use an online invitation system to invite guests and track your party RSVPs. Since I am an event coordinator by trade, I always find myself volunteering or being volunteered to organize holiday parties. I've come to embrace this duty but I do try to make my life easier by sending online invitations. Whether you are planning a cookie swap, white elephant, holiday movie viewing or ugly sweater party, there is an e-card for every occasion. Luckily for us, Paperless Post and Minted now offer beautifully designed cards that are available for free. Both sites offer guest management options that will be sure to simplify your hostess duties. 

Paperless Post 
(25 free coins when you sign up for an account)

Minted Online Cards 
(free during beta preiod)

Parker's First Visit to Disneyland

Last Saturday we took Parker to Disneyland for the first time and it was so much fun. In preparation for the trip, I planned our itinerary using Minitime.com, read a bunch of blogs with advice on how to survive Disneyland with a toddler and did research on all the rides he could go on. We tried to stick as close to his normal feeding and napping schedule as we could so he wouldn't be too out of wack. The result? A happy day at Disneyland for us and Parker. Success!

 

What I learned:

1. Take advantage of the baby center. We were there at least 4 times during our visit to heat bottles, nurse and change diapers/outfits. They even carry nursing pads and have tiny potties for kids who are potty training.

2. Be patient. We took things nice and slow as to not overwhelm Parker with rushing around. Don't feel like you have to go on every ride.

3. Make sure to pack a lot of snacks and water. Snacks are a great distraction while you are waiting in ride lines.

4. Get cash before going to the park. The balloon vendors only take cash. We totally failed at this.  

5. Plan ahead and make sure you know which rides your little one can go on.

6. Ride in the first or last car of the tram that takes you to the park so you don't have to collapse your stroller.

7. A lot of the kiddie rides are still kind of scary i.e Pinocchio, Mr. Toads. We skipped those.

8. Bring PJs so you can change your little one before they get to the car. I guarantee that they will fall asleep pretty quickly after a fun filled day. We also brought along Parker's current favorite book Brown Bear, Brown Bear.

 

[Enjoying some of the scenery. It's not all about the rides.]

 

 

[How cute are his Mickey ears? I love it!]

 

[A family photo with Jessie! Also, I need to stop wearing clothes that are too big for me.]

[We had lunch at the Big Thunder Ranch BBQ. For about $25/person we ate all the ribs and bbq chicken we could fit in our bellies. It was a really satisfying lunch and we were so full we skipped dinner.]

[Messing around in Toon Town]

 

 

[The highlight of Tuan's day: seeing all the Iron Man suits on display at Innoventions]

 

[Waiting in line for Astroblasters. Parker is really tired.]

 

[The highlight of Parker's day: following this duck around for 30 mins.]

 

[We had to buy him a new shirt because the other one was totally soiled after lunch.]

 

[2nd highlight of Parker's day: eating a Disney churro for the first time while we waited for the parade.]

 

[Mamas tired feet.]

 

[I really wanted to get him a balloon but we failed to pull out cash before we got to the park. DOH!]

[He loved the parade.]

 

 

[A baby carrier is a MUST. He was getting squirmy in his stroller because he didn't want to miss any of the action.]

 

[Love]

 

[I know this is blurry but this is one of my favorite moments of the day. Parker discovered that he could mimic the steamboat noise and was cracking up.]

 

[Don't mess with these guns!!]

 

[In his pajamas and reading while we wait for the fireworks.]