Perfectly Practical #141 - Christmas Paperwork Tips

Technology has moved us into a near paperless world but I'll let you in on my personal rebellion:
I like paper.

I like the smell of paper and the feel of paper.  Though, I'm not so keen on the clutter that comes with paper.

It was all because I believed there was a better way to keep up with my Christmas gifts & cards that I came up with a Christmas folder to corral all of the Christmas paperwork.

"What Christmas paperwork?" I hear you ask.  I'll tell you:

• Master gift list - I keep a master gift list since I buy gifts all year round.  Many times I will buy multiples of gifts if they are interesting items at great prices.  Since I don't want to give someone the same thing I gave them last year, I keep a log of what I have given in years past so I can easily see to whom what was given.
• Thank you note list - As we get presents, I write them down and can check off their names as the thank you notes are sent. 
• Christmas card list - I have all the names and addresses of our recipients on a list.  I check off that I have sent them a card and if we get one in return.  I also make a note if any cards get returned or have different names on them (deaths, births, divorces, marriages, etc.)

• Exceptional cards - For the past three years, we have received a card from a non-existent family along with an outrageous newsletter.  We have no idea which of our friends send this to us each year.  The return address and postmark change from year to year as does the family in the picture.  We now look forward to "The Bergstroms'" Christmas card.  They are always hilarious and I have the last two in the folder.

• Christmas recipes and magazine clippings - I pull ideas for gifts, recipes, or decorations from magazines and put them in the folder. 

Last week, I mentioned some organization tips for the Christmas stuff and said that I keep it all put together in one spot in the attic.  This folder is the one item that does not get put away with the other Christmas accoutrements.  It stays in a drawer with my address book so that I can start my Christmas prep before I bring everything down from the attic.

This is part of Works for Me Wednesday.

This is Day 18 of the Bloggy Moms Blog Dare.

Day 1 - My Holiday Wish

Day 2 - When Snow Begins to Fall

Day 3 - What We Tell (or Don't Tell) Our Children About Christmas

Day 4 - Acts of Kindness

Day 5 - What I Had Hoped to Accomplish With My Blog in 2012

Day 6 - I Don't Think You Understand

Day 7 - I Finally Gave In And...

Day 8 - The Look On Their Face Made It All Worth It

Day 9 - I Was Certain That I Would Disappoint

Day 10 - The Old Item of Clothing That I Just Can't Part With

Day 11 - I Seem to Collect

Day 12 - What I'd Like New Moms to Know

Day 13 - And the Flight Attendant Said
Day 14 - If I Could Have Chosen My First Name
Day 15 - Her Frantic Motions
Day 16 - I Could Never Live In a Home That Was
Day 17 - Why I Never