What’s on your list?

Seven Figures – oil on canvas – 24”x48” – Gabriel Mark Lipper

“Life beats down and crushes the soul and art reminds you that you have one.” – Stella Adler

Not sure what’s on your list for the Holidays but I imagine it could look something like this:

1. Decorating the Christmas tree.
2. Hanging outdoor lights.
3. Shopping for gifts.
4. Wrapping presents.
5. Writing and sending Christmas cards.
6. Preparing a Holiday meal plan.
7. Baking cookies.
8. Cleaning the house for guests.
9. Dragging out the holiday decorations.
10. Cooking dinner.
11. Hosting a Holiday party.
12. Attending Holiday parties.
13. Making a music playlist.
14. Doing craft projects with the kids.
15. Checking in on the budget.
16. Volunteering for your charities.
17. Buying or hunting down a Christmas tree.
18. Trimming the Christmas tree.
19. Back to the store for more lights that actually work.
20. Cooking Dinner.
21. Why not make some homemade Christmas ornaments?
22. Classic Christmas movie night.
23. Reading Children’s Christmas stories.
24. Organizing a Secret Santa exchange.
25. Buying Christmas pajamas.
26. Going to a Christmas Eve service or mass.
27. Cooking Dinner
28. Taking a family photo.
29. Sending out a family Holiday letter.
30. Planning a Christmas breakfast.
31. Making a Christmas wreath.
32. Shopping for dinner ingredients.
33. Christmas puzzle so that your table is permanently unavailable.
34. Attending the Christmas concert or play.
35. Making hot chocolate and marshmallows.
36. Preparing Christmas stockings.
37. Late night grocery shopping for candy canes, oranges and chocolate.
38. Throw in some poinsettias, they’re on sale.
39. Making a holiday punch.
40. Cooking Dinner
41. Spiking the punch
42. Wrapping presents to send out in time.
43. Forgetting them in the back of the car.
44. Making a holiday calendar.
45. Assembling a nativity scene.
46. Creating a holiday playlist that isn’t so sad.
47. Crafting a Christmas centerpiece.
48. Arranging the mistletoe.
49. Taking kids to see Santa.
50. Going ice skating.
51. Taking Advil. Swearing off ice skating.
51. Knitting or crafting holiday gifts. Why not?
52. Making a Christmas Eve box. (I don’t even know what that is but here it is!)
53. Lighting Advent candles.
54. Organizing the back of the car.
55. Planning a holiday potluck with the neighbors.
56. Thrift shopping for Christmas sweaters.
57. Making a holiday scrapbook or album.
58. Freezing through the Christmas parade.
59. Making a snowman that’s more like a snow sculpture.
60. Organizing holiday-themed games for kids.
61. Visiting a Christmas market.
62. Attending a tree lighting ceremony.
63. Crafting homemade gift tags.
64. Cruising the neighborhood Christmas lights tour.
64. Making mulled wine or cider.
65. Skipping Dinner
66. Hosting an impromptu Christmas brunch.
67. Organizing a holiday bake-off.
68. Making Christmas fudge.
69. Crafting a holiday-themed door wreath.
70. Buying tickets to a New Year’s Eve party.
71. Leaving the Christmas tree out for the Boy Scouts.
72. Returning the gifts that were in last year’s size.
73. Writing thank you notes for gifts received.
74. Cleaning up after Christmas parties.
75. Storing holiday decorations.
76. Cooking Dinner.
77. Planning activities for kids during Christmas break.
78. Preparing a Christmas ham.
79. Roasting chestnuts for the vegetarians.
80. Organizing a Christmas cookie exchange.
81. Crafting a Santa’s workshop scene.
82. Planning a sled ride.
83. Taking a quick trip to the Emergency Room.
84. Setting up a hot cocoa bar.
85. Buying batteries for toys and gadgets.
86. Preparing and freezing make-ahead dishes.
87. Organizing a Christmas caroling group.
88. Talking to the officers about the noise complaints
89. Setting a festive table for Christmas dinner.
90. Arranging a Secret Santa for coworkers.
91. Remembering that you work alone.
92. Crafting a holiday-themed mantle display.
93. Cooking Dinner
94. Organizing a Christmas-themed scavenger hunt.
95. Making a holiday-themed floral arrangement.
96. Looking for clothes that still fit.
97. Making a trip to the liquor store.
98. Shopping for new clothes
99. Forgetting all of the gift certificates
100. Setting New Year’s resolutions.
101.  … oh, and painting.

It’s easy to get overwhelmed and feel like there is not enough time to fit it all in. And if your list is anything like the one above, you’re probably right about that. As the winter closes in around us ( at least for the northern hemisphere folk ) let’s not forget the most important thing on the list! Naps.

There will be time to paint in January. Fill your season with creativity and love. And try to sneak in a few sketches.

I always try to keep a sketchbook handy. #21aweek

How do you stay creative during the Holidays?

What’s on your list?