Ten days till Christmas and I don’t think I’ve ever felt so relaxed about it (did you start to hate me a little after reading that?). We had our Christmas party very early this year, the majority of my Christmas shopping was done by the end of Cyber Monday and I’ve had fun slowly wrapping the gifts when I have a free minute or during the endless cheesy Christmas movies I make AJ watch with me after the kids go to bed.
We will be with AJ’s family in upstate New York for Christmas day so because we want to create our own Christmas traditions we are celebrating early. I’ll be making Roman Apple Cake, something my mom made growing up that I loved, with a yogurt or oatmeal “bar”.
Typically every year I’ll get AJ and the kids an ornament that reflects them and put it on their stocking. This year I decided to do something a little different and I got everyone this mug on sale and I’m going to pick up a fun hot chocolate for the kids and coffee for AJ to put into it. I have the mentality that I’d rather have 4-5 great things in my stocking than 20 “meh” things that I will just struggle to figure out where to put after Christmas is over so I’ve used that same theory with my gifts for AJ and the kids. It simplifies things to only have to shop for a few great things and I have no doubt the kids will love everything in their stockings.
Another way I’ve been attempting to simplify is by starting off the day right… You’ve heard me rave about Shauna Neiquist on Instagram and I especially love this book and her thoughts on Advent in her December entries. Another book my friend Danielle just gave to me is excellent, it talks about the three main women in the Christmas story. You can find that here… they have been great at putting me in the best frame of mind when I start the day.
Simplifying is the mentality that I used outdoors this year. I piled a messy grouping of greens into our two outdoor planters, swapped out the pillow covers with these that I used last year and put out a red vintage sled that the previous owners of our last house had left behind. It looks special but not over the top… and best of all, it took me about 30 minutes to do everything.
Our front steps were ultra simple this year.
I carried that birch log back from a walk the other day. I was pretty dirty at the end of that walk. 🙂
How are you simplifying this season?
Up Thursday: our simple Christmas entryway, our new-to-us table and how we display our Christmas cards.
Congratulations on creating a holiday season that allows you to enjoy it (complete with lovely decorations). My husband and I are doing the same. Merry Christmas, Jen, to you and your family. Cheers, Ardith
Jen, I love everything about this! Those skis are amazing, and I love how simple you kept everything. Beautiful job 🙂 I’ve been looking for vintage skis for years and haven’t scored any yet, but you’ve inspired me to keep searching! And I feel the same way about gifts at Christmas… I would so much rather give the girls a few really special gifts than a whole bunch of ‘stuff’ that just leaves all of us feeling overwhelmed. Oh, and I’m ordering that devotional you mentioned and can’t wait for it to get here!
Thank you, Laura! You will LOVE the devotional… if you read it just surface-y it’s not super deep but I think if you really try to put into practice what she’s talking about that’s where it gets much deeper and more challenging. You’ll see what I mean when you read it! 🙂
It all sounds wonderful to me. We should all enjoy Christmas and spending time with our families. Christmas is all about families and Jesus birth,hope i haven’t offended you,that’s just what i believe. Have a Merry Christmas.
Doesn’t offend me in the slightest as I completely agree. 🙂 Merry Christmas to you as well, Marlene.
So fun to be able to decorate and enjoy your outdoor space this season. I wish our weather allowed us to do just that.
Ha, that’s a pretty cool birch log, I think I would have dragged it home too!
Merry Christmas to you and your beautiful family.
Pat