Monthly goals for December 2019

Holidays are coming, holidays are coming…. It’s December already and the month (and 2019 generally) has whizzed by in the blink of an eye. It’s time for me to set my monthly goals for December.

I found it really helpful to set and publicly state my goals last month. It helps to focus the brain and prioritise. Having said that, if you set too many goals and can’t do them it can be demoralising. I need to be realistic about what I can achieve.

I have monthly goals for December that are Christmas related so just have to be done. Nevertheless, I am going to include them in the list.

I published my review of November last week and was embarrassed to admit that I didn’t achieve one of my goals in particular. So I will be carrying it over. It makes my heart sink when I think about starting it, and I am busy enough, but it needs to be done!

My monthly goals for December

1# Clean, declutter and repaint the cupboards

I am going to start this early – this week! If I do the decluttering a bit at a time first, then think about painting it will be easier to manage. I had thought about dragging it all out, painting, then decluttering as I put everything back. However, that will create a massive mess.

The cupboards are dark, dirty and disgusting! It’s easy to ignore this because we can close the doors on them, but it’s embarrassing when someone comes to read the meter.

One of the cupboards is jam packed with tools, including little screws, nails, gadgets and so forth. It will be so helpful to see what we actually have. I swear Mr S keeps buying more things like this because we have forgotten what’s in there.

Some of this can move to the shed – it really doesn’t all need to be in the house. Since I did the table top sale last month there is actually space and shelves in the largest shed.

2# Cutting the wrap

I am going to start wrapping up all of my presents in the fabric and scarves I have been collecting during November. This is because I have joined the #cutthewrap campaign and pledged not to use single use wrapping paper this year.

My goal is to start this early to make sure I have enough. I picked up a whole load of scarves in the charity shop last week, at only 50p each. the recipient will have the option to keep and wear the scarf, to use it to wrap some of their gifts in the future, or to give it back to me so that I can.

The Santa duvet cover I bought, again in a charity shop, might actually be used to cover the cupboard we plan to put all of our Christmas drinks on when the family come over rather than to wrap presents. However, the pillow cases will make great gift bags.

We do also have loads of paper gift bags that we have received in the past so we can use those as well if necessary.

If you want to join the #cutthewrap campaign, check out Eco Thrifty. Zoe has loads of ideas for alternatives to wrapping paper and has written a series of blog posts.

3# Christmas meal planning

I have already started writing my ideas for our Christmas meals on my Christmas spreadsheet (yes, I am one of those people!).

The trouble is that I keep changing my mind about what we are going to eat! I have Christmas dinner and tea to consider, then I have all of my family coming for Boxing Day for a buffet.

I have lots of nibbles and treats, as I have been buying those for a few months, but I need to firm up exactly what we are going to be eating and get as much of it purchased as possible. Last minute Christmas shopping is not for me! I really dislike crowds so I like to avoid the rush as much as I can.

Regular readers will know that I always plan our meals weekly anyway and publish them each Saturday. This is just looking ahead a little more.

4# Deep cleaning

I want to have a good, deep clean of the house before the decorations go up. It is so hard to do it properly once they are all in the way. However, I think I need to achieve goal 1 first as this is bound to create mess.

Love a good deep clean – it makes me feel in control of life! I try to keep it plastic free, as you can read in this post.

That’s it. I am keeping my monthly goals for December to just four. It is always a busy time and I want to keep it as calm and relaxed as possible.

Do you like to write down your objectives for the month? If so, what are yours? I would love to know in the comments below.

Enter our giveaway!

Don’t forget, if you haven’t already, to enter the UK Money Bloggers Christmas giveaway here. I have edited it slightly as the Rafflecopter widget seemed a bit vague as to how you can unlock some bonus entries. If you leave a comment and tick the box to say you have done so you get further options. Good luck! Closing date is midnight on 14th December.