I think Christmas (If you don't celebrate, please substitute for holiday!) Spirit is actually sneaking up on me!! Despite me even being in 85 degree weather, and with no christmas decor to be seen--isn't it funny how it works sometimes?
If you haven't really got into the Christmas mood yet, I've compiled a little list to help you out. Try one or all of these to make yourself feel good and merry!
If you haven't really got into the Christmas mood yet, I've compiled a little list to help you out. Try one or all of these to make yourself feel good and merry!
1. Remember why/what you loved about the holidays. Think back to your happiest Christmas/Holiday memory. What made this time of year special for you? Write it down. Also, notice what creates that little warm, stirring feeling inside you. Is it the neighbors lit up house? A cozy wintery throw you cuddle into when you read? Is it a nightly cup of cocoa with nutmeg and LOTS of marshmellows? Keep an ongoing account of what you love or enjoy most about this month and the festivities.
2. Create the scene. Decorate your home with fresh evergreen branches if you'd rather not deal with a whole tree, that way you still get the great smell with less mess. You can always add a few ornaments into martini glasses or glass bowls for a untraditional but just as beautiful setting. And don't forget the lighting! Candles are romantic and can create the smell of home baking, minus the smoke alarm. Or if you'd rather not chance the whole "fire" aspect at all, you can get the flameless ones, alot of them look amazingly real nowadays! Or go with Twinkly lights! These come in sooo many varieties. My husband loves the light ropes and i prefer the more traditional but eco friendly LED twinkle lights. Wrap them around the bottom of your glass dining table, hang them from the boring light fixture, tuck them in the bookshelf or put them around your bed!
3. Bake! Give it a try, even if you burn toast, you can buy the pillsbury cutout cookies, just place them on the baking sheet, set the timer and your all set. You can't beat the warmth and smell of fresh baking. If there is no way your going to bake, go into a local bakery and buy your very own piece of homemade heaven.
4. GIVE BACK. This is my absolute favorite holiday tradition. NOT one of my husbands but I'm hoping he'll learn with time. I like to give some of myself to a local non-profit, charity or I find people that I know I can help out either with my talents, my time or money. One year we arranged christmas dinner for 23 families and another year we provided presents for 15 families and their children. Helping others or RAK makes this world seem a little kinder to those that are feeling stomped upon, and makes our individualized society a more community minded.
5. 'Christmas up' your every day! Drink your coffee with some holiday flavored creamer or some egg nog in it (Did you know Silk makes soy milk egg nog??). Use christmas or red/green napkins. Write your office memo's with red/green pen. Add a holiday message to your email signature.
6. Enjoy those things you can ONLY do this time of year. Ok, granted this doesn't work for either of the two places I've lived lately, BUT you get the idea. Go snowboarding, skiing or ice skating. Make snowmen and snow angels. Wear sweaters, scarves and cute cozy caps. Pile into the car in PJ's with cocoa and cruise for christmas lights.
Alot of having JOY is appreciating what we have RIGHT NOW. Go out and 'Make Merry'!
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Here's what I've been up to!!
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I went to the Stampin Up regional here in Maui and spent a full day noshing, chatting and STAMPING! No kitty or baby to interfere! I spoke to a few women who all had children, and one of which that had FIVE!!! Ages from 4 to 17. The phone calls she recieved while we were stamping (for example, they LOST the 4yr old--apparently it happens all the time!!) I couldn't imagine five children, Jadyn himself drives me up a wall.At least i got some cards and little paper gifties done, plus many new ideas for tons of projects.. Yay!! I'm really thinking I might get into this as a home buisness for some extra $$. Not much mind you, but getting a little kick back to hang out, stamp and have fun! Heck yes!! Plus, I could use the money off of my ever growing supply.
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I'm still figuring out what to do for everyone for christmas, I found this victorian addage which will definitely help for when Jadyn gets older to combat that unending materialism, "Something you want, Something you need, Something to wear, And something to read." I could see this being especially helpful for if you had more then one child. I really want to raise Jadyn to be more into the traditions then the gifts anyways! Me and Jade finished our christmas cards (such a good hubby! He glued together the snowmen!), so now just to send them out!
3. Bake! Give it a try, even if you burn toast, you can buy the pillsbury cutout cookies, just place them on the baking sheet, set the timer and your all set. You can't beat the warmth and smell of fresh baking. If there is no way your going to bake, go into a local bakery and buy your very own piece of homemade heaven.
4. GIVE BACK. This is my absolute favorite holiday tradition. NOT one of my husbands but I'm hoping he'll learn with time. I like to give some of myself to a local non-profit, charity or I find people that I know I can help out either with my talents, my time or money. One year we arranged christmas dinner for 23 families and another year we provided presents for 15 families and their children. Helping others or RAK makes this world seem a little kinder to those that are feeling stomped upon, and makes our individualized society a more community minded.
5. 'Christmas up' your every day! Drink your coffee with some holiday flavored creamer or some egg nog in it (Did you know Silk makes soy milk egg nog??). Use christmas or red/green napkins. Write your office memo's with red/green pen. Add a holiday message to your email signature.
6. Enjoy those things you can ONLY do this time of year. Ok, granted this doesn't work for either of the two places I've lived lately, BUT you get the idea. Go snowboarding, skiing or ice skating. Make snowmen and snow angels. Wear sweaters, scarves and cute cozy caps. Pile into the car in PJ's with cocoa and cruise for christmas lights.
Alot of having JOY is appreciating what we have RIGHT NOW. Go out and 'Make Merry'!
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Here's what I've been up to!!
*
*
I went to the Stampin Up regional here in Maui and spent a full day noshing, chatting and STAMPING! No kitty or baby to interfere! I spoke to a few women who all had children, and one of which that had FIVE!!! Ages from 4 to 17. The phone calls she recieved while we were stamping (for example, they LOST the 4yr old--apparently it happens all the time!!) I couldn't imagine five children, Jadyn himself drives me up a wall.At least i got some cards and little paper gifties done, plus many new ideas for tons of projects.. Yay!! I'm really thinking I might get into this as a home buisness for some extra $$. Not much mind you, but getting a little kick back to hang out, stamp and have fun! Heck yes!! Plus, I could use the money off of my ever growing supply.
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I'm still figuring out what to do for everyone for christmas, I found this victorian addage which will definitely help for when Jadyn gets older to combat that unending materialism, "Something you want, Something you need, Something to wear, And something to read." I could see this being especially helpful for if you had more then one child. I really want to raise Jadyn to be more into the traditions then the gifts anyways! Me and Jade finished our christmas cards (such a good hubby! He glued together the snowmen!), so now just to send them out!
So you can see, we took Jadyn to see Santa while we were still in Hawaii. So funny! Santa and Jadyn in their aloha wear, shorts and tshirts! Jadyn was such a good sport. He wasn't exactly happy with being put on Santa's lap but he barely fussed and not a tear! A welcome sight from last years Santa fiasco!Plus, this year he got a stuffed snow owl from Santa (as part of our picture package) and loves that little guy so! He carries him around saying, "Owl, owl" which sounds like he's in pain, OW! I'm so glad he's attached to it, we were trying to find a replacement for his DVD case obssession. I swear, he's addicted to them! He doesn't even get a 1/2 hour every day but let him see a case, its over. Hopefully his "OW" can fulfill him.
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Are you planning on doing any cooking/baking for the holidays?? One of the ladies at the Regional had the cutest little set up with toothpick labels and signs for her dips and the cutest tiny spoons! Really made everything else look like leftovers in comparison!
Presentation really is EVERYTHING.
I adore this website and can't wait to order like mad for this holiday baking/giving season! They have the BEST ideas!! So cute.
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What does your christmas planning look like?? Mine thus far, is a scribbled note with crosses, checks and question marks.. Here's a great little DIY to make yours a bit more manageable!
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Also, this lovely print your own wrapping paper set.. Now i just need some recycled paper!
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Did you make your advent calendar yet? If not here's some last minute cute ideas.. Here and Here
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Thats all my lovelies!
XOXO
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What a lot of neat ideas! You go girl! And the pic of Jadyn is adorable! I love Stampin' Up stuff.
ReplyDeleteGlad you're getting into the Christmas spirit- better a wee bittle late than NEVER *winks* Happy Holidays!
~A~