19 Comments
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Whitney Hargraves's avatar

Was literally TODAY picturing something like this magical binder as I piled all of my Christmas cookie recipe print outs that I had to look up AGAIN this year! Thank you for motivating me to actually create this wonderful resource!

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Shannon Hood's avatar

🙌 yes!! Do the work once, appreciate it every single time you get it out. I think of it as a gift to my future self. So glad you’re making one, too!

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Abbe Burkholder's avatar

I started my “holiday binder” thanks to your inspiration. Not only does it lower stress, but I also look forward to the record of sweet holiday memories for years to come.

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Shannon Hood's avatar

That is wonderful to hear! I was pretty frazzled the evening of Dec 24; I’m so glad I have a place to write down what I want to do differently next year so I don’t repeat all my errors from this one.

And yes! It becomes a precious family record that your children will cherish. What a gift.

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Leah's avatar

Thank you for this! It’s always surprising how much I forget between holidays.

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Regina DeBord's avatar

This is a wonderful idea that I plan to use, but maybe I am MOST jealous/envious that you are shopping at Central Market for pieces of it. If I could get H-E-B to come to Texas, food-buying life would be complete!

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Shannon Hood's avatar

Central market is the most heavenly shopping on earth. I’m with you! If we’re ever not close to one I will mourn indeed.

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Haley Baumeister's avatar

Here to say I lived in San Antonio for a few years, and absolutely LOVED Central Market.

(And also, thanks for these tips, Shannon! I am inspired to do this before next year.)

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Shannon Hood's avatar

When I had the idea I truly wondered—wait, does everyone already do this and I’m just the last one to figure it out? Ha. Probably not. It turns out I didn’t really need one until recently. Those early years of marriage/new motherhood are so often spent at parents’ homes that I didn’t need one til later in life. But now I can never go back!

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Regina DeBord's avatar

Oh gosh, come to Georgia, I meant. Obviously, I do need a binder if that's how frayed my mind is on Thanksgiving Eve.

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Shannon Hood's avatar

Ha!

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Amy Andrews | RiPE's avatar

Oh I’m so excited about this, Thank you!! (I started my blog 15 years ago for this motivation and it makes me happy when my adult kids use it to this day, but I think I’m a hard copy gal at heart.) You’re the best! I’ve got two new projects after reading two of your posts this morning. 😆

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Shannon Hood's avatar

Hard copy is my favorite, always.

And hooray for happy new projects! Enjoy!

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Amy Andrews | RiPE's avatar

Thank you!

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Elizabeth H. Cottrell's avatar

Love this beautiful and honest blend of spiritual, practical, and aspirational elements of the holidays. My mother says she could never have pulled off her holiday meals without her older children (that included me). She and Dad were always the place we gathered right up until they moved to a retirement community. I have rarely had my grown children close enough to have the hosting responsibilities, but oh my goodness, I remember how much work was involved. And you’re right — planning ahead — and delegating tasks and dishes as much as possible — makes a huge difference. Happy Thanksgiving!

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Shannon Hood's avatar

What a gift to have Thanksgiving at your parents’ for so many years! And your mother is so rights about needing help from those capable older children :)

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Taylor D'Amico's avatar

Of all the emails flooding my inbox, yours is the one that caught my eye and spoke to me. Thank you for sharing this!

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Shannon Hood's avatar

Thank you, Taylor! There are a lot of emails flying right now, aren’t there? So glad to have you here. I always hope my writing can speak to the heart!

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Ezra Hood's avatar

Ahem, there are never leftovers of Husband's pink fluff. Just sayin...

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