Not Nice Spice
Trying not to go overboard at Christmas is no small feat, especially when you see so many things in stores that your kids would truly love. But I look around the house each night and realize that my kids have given more attention to the Amazon boxes than their actual 'things.' There can easily be a hundred and one distractions, but they tend to get lost in the mix instead of creating lasting memories. We've decided to make the holidays special for our family by keeping things simple. Activities Each season I love forcing my family into activities. I just love them that much. In the summer we did day trips, the fall we did hiking, and this winter there’s loads to choose from:
Advent By far one of my favorite childhood Christmas traditions was decorating our felt advent Christmas tree. We each took turns adding an ornament each day, until midnight on Christmas Eve when we’d race to add the star after a late church service. I was searching around at craft stores and whatnot for something we could make our own little family tradition. I’m never in Hobby Lobby or Joann’s Fabric Store, but I knew they’d already have all their Christmas décor marked down. With one toddler in tow, I finagled the cart as far away from trinkets as I could (good Lord, they pack the aisles!), and circled around like a hawk. I managed to find this wooden tree at Joann’s, which was intended to hang pictures or Christmas cards, and then grabbed miniature ornaments at Target. I found multi-packs of bells, angels, bobbles and a few funky pieces. Of course Target had miniature lights to boot! Now when I’m doing endless dishes, I have this cute little tree sitting in the window. Decorating Decorating might not be the best word choice. Two years ago we didn’t even have a tree. We did a “Christmas garland.” Chickadee was such a stinker that there was no point in having the stress of a tree, so I hung all the ornaments on a garland in the living room. It was so sad. Last year we tried to do a tree with no breakables and it was only knocked over twice. But tragic is the only word to describe the state of my “minimalist” tree this year! I thought a 3yr and 18mo old could manage a tree with lights and a little tinsel- HA! This poor tree makes a Charlie Brown tree look like gold. With little pesky hands getting onto everything we’ve decide to stick with a tree, wreath, two garlands and stockings. Everything else has stayed in the box and went right back to the attic! I literally can’t find high enough spots to keep decorations safe from my little spider babes. I did try to childproof a table centerpiece—Target silver trees, tinsel, pinecones, wooden house and battery votive candles. Sadly, that lasted about… well, it didn’t. Now it’s taking up valuable kitchen counter space. I’ll take Christmas joy however I can get it, at this point! Gifts
First year with Chickadee I don’t think we got her anything. Relax, we’re not the Grinch— she was only a few months old! The next year we did oversized Legos and Little People toys. This year we agreed on sticking to these basic guidelines until the kids are a bit older:
I’ve even decided to stick to simple wrapping. But this is more to manage my stress levels (can I get an AMEN?!). I used white tissue paper and color coordinated the ribbon for each person, so that I didn’t even have to deal with tags. I went big with wrapping a few gifts for family and added cute tags and an ornament. Simplifying even a few things has made the holidays more enjoyable. I actually had all of my gifts purchased and wrapped before December first!!! Considering that I still have Christmas thank you cards from last year that I never mailed, I’d say that’s a lotto mega millions jackpot.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Kate FrancesWhen you don't know what else to do, then it's time to write. Then write a little while longer for good measure. Archives
February 2020
Categories |