Christmas is almost here!

Wow! Can you believe Christmas is only 3 days away? I say this every year but this year especially really flew by. Believe it or not I am pretty much ready for Christmas this year. It is very surprising to me as usually I am one of those people last minute shopping or staying up until midnight Christmas Eve finishing my wrapping. So, I am feeling pretty good this year. Don't get me wrong I still have my house to clean and get
ready for the company that will be joining us on Christmas Day for dinner but for the most part (as far as shopping and wrapping go) I can officially say that I am done!

It is really a great feeling. I feel like I can enjoy these last few days before Christmas. Maybe I will bake with the kids or create a gingerbread house. Maybe just relax by the fire with some hot cocoa and watch a Christmas movie. The days prior have been so hectic with shopping, wrapping, school shows and parties. It will be nice to just sit back and relax. I hope each and everyone of you can enjoy this Christmas with your nearest and dearest family and friends. I wish you peace and joy. Spend the day with the people who mean the most! Merry Christmas!

Quote of the day

" For every minute you are angry you lose 60 seconds of happiness!"
                                ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Annual Christmas tree cutting

This past weekend we took our annual trip to our local Christmas tree farm.  The past few years there has been snow on the ground which despite trudging through the inches of the white stuff did make for a very festive event.  But no snow this year!

We bundled ourselves up and headed over.  I get such joy watching each of my three kids run from tree to tree picking out "the perfect one."  All my husband and I hear throughout the farm is, "Mom, Dad, I found it, look at this one....no wait how about this one over here?" They examine each and everyone numerous times checking the height, how wide and how soft or hard the needles are.

My son who is now 13 excitingly has taken over the role of cutting the tree down.  He feels so proud now that he has taken over his Dad's job. Taking such care to make the perfect cut.  After pictures all five of us grab a part of the tree and carry it to the truck.  We then head over to the campfire for some hot chocolate and toasted marshmallows.  What a perfect December day! Now on to decorating....

How to keep balance during the holiday season!

The holidays are here! Christmas parties are scheduled, family visits are planned, shopping excursions, cookie parties...the list goes on and on. The holidays bring such excitement!! But I need to find some balance this holiday season. I want to keep the holidays special and embrace that magic but still have energy left and time for fun!

Focus on what really matters:

Being together.....
It should not be about how exquisite your house is decorated, how many cookies you bake, or how many holiday parties you attend or throw. The focus should be on being together with the people who mean the most to you. Focus on the quality of time together with your friends and family.

Keep things simple....
Dinner/ parties do not have to be over the top celebrations.  If your stressing over how you are going to fit 25 people for a sit down dinner, have it buffet style.  You can still have a beautiful holiday dinner buffet style.  Don't stress, delegate side dishes, make simple deserts or hey, if you have the means have it catered from you local big box supermarket!

Decorating.....
I have definitely streamlined some of my holiday decorating. A house can still look festive without all of the million snowmen, Santa clauses and miniature Christmas trees.  I love a good jolly ol' snowman but this year some of them will remain in the storage box. A house can look just as decorative with some poinsettias and pots of amaryllis!

Enjoying family.....
Don't take your family for granted. Family is one of the greatest gifts. But don't feel like you have to see everyone over two days.  Spread it out if you can.  You can plan a get-together before Christmas, the week between Christmas and New Years or you can make the New Year a time to get together.  What a way to kick off the New Year with a family get-together!

Think about the reasons we celebrate Christmas, the magic it brings and the blessings that surround each and everyone of us! Enjoy your holiday season! Find balance in your celebrations and enjoy the moments!