This past Christmas Season I knew that I would have to slow down what I usually try to do. It just isn't as possible to make every dessert and participate in all the holiday events with a baby. I am happy to announce that I bought nearly all our gifts online, and had everything purchased, wrapped and mailed before Thanksgiving. It made the month much nicer and easier to remember the meaning of Christmas.
Every night that we were home in the evenings, we sang songs around the Christmas tree. This is what always helps me to feel the Spirit of Christ in the season. In the past I enforced the tradition that I had growing up, but I now have created my own jailers. The kids insist that we sing, and Brandon often proclaims it his favorite tradition. Nathan even made up a new song: "Randolph the red-nosed Beagle." It seemed a little less blasphemous to sing that than, "Hark, the Herald Beagle Barks," or "O Come, All Ye Beagles."
We went caroling a couple of nights, saw a play, celebrated Andrew's birthday as a family, visited our friends for a few days and spent several evenings reading Christmas stories. I baked in a new order this year. I made something new every few days. We all had a taste of each treat, and then wrapped up the rest to give away. No one got the variety plate, but they got something. I never felt overwhelmed, and we still enjoyed most of our holiday treats....just one at a time.
We kicked off the month with our traditional holiday fondue shared with some friends and ended it with a Christmas Eve day at Hooper Pool.
The weather was glorious, and the water felt perfect.
This year, I planned my school so that we could have a three week break. It helped me to feel less rushed. Instead of trying to cram all our traditions into one day, we watched a movie near the beginning of the month, made our seafood dinner a few days before Christmas and went out to pizza on the Eve of Christmas Eve. It was a nice pace, and kept our household from becoming quite as chaotic.
Christmas Day itself was nearly perfect. We had the right balance of gifts, we had the missionaries and a lady in our ward to dinner. We ate something we've never made before: Cornish Game Hens, played games and watched a devotional by President Monson. I wouldn't change a thing.
My favorite present was from Nathan. He made my first year blog into a book.
It was the perfect gift for me and is so pretty.
And I love it.
This past Christmas Season I knew that I would have to slow down what I usually try to do. It just isn't as possible to make every dessert and participate in all the holiday events with a baby. I am happy to announce that I bought nearly all our gifts online, and had everything purchased, wrapped and mailed before Thanksgiving. It made the month much nicer and easier to remember the meaning of Christmas.
Every night that we were home in the evenings, we sang songs around the Christmas tree. This is what always helps me to feel the Spirit of Christ in the season. In the past I enforced the tradition that I had growing up, but I now have created my own jailers. The kids insist that we sing, and Brandon often proclaims it his favorite tradition. Nathan even made up a new song: "Randolph the red-nosed Beagle." It seemed a little less blasphemous to sing that than, "Hark, the Herald Beagle Barks," or "O Come, All Ye Beagles."
We went caroling a couple of nights, saw a play, celebrated Andrew's birthday as a family, visited our friends for a few days and spent several evenings reading Christmas stories. I baked in a new order this year. I made something new every few days. We all had a taste of each treat, and then wrapped up the rest to give away. No one got the variety plate, but they got something. I never felt overwhelmed, and we still enjoyed most of our holiday treats....just one at a time.
We kicked off the month with our traditional holiday fondue shared with some friends and ended it with a Christmas Eve day at Hooper Pool.
The weather was glorious, and the water felt perfect. 
This year, I planned my school so that we could have a three week break. It helped me to feel less rushed. Instead of trying to cram all our traditions into one day, we watched a movie near the beginning of the month, made our seafood dinner a few days before Christmas and went out to pizza on the Eve of Christmas Eve. It was a nice pace, and kept our household from becoming quite as chaotic.
Christmas Day itself was nearly perfect. We had the right balance of gifts, we had the missionaries and a lady in our ward to dinner. We ate something we've never made before: Cornish Game Hens, played games and watched a devotional by President Monson. I wouldn't change a thing.
My favorite present was from Nathan. He made my first year blog into a book.
It was the perfect gift for me and is so pretty.
And I love it.
Way to go, Nathan!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great Christmas! Ours was great, too; not stressful, and we were able to focus on the reason for the season.