Countdown to Christmas

Wow! Here we are...the week of Christmas! I hope you have gotten your shopping done. Do a little cooking here and there so maybe you will not have it all on you on the day. And hopefully you can allow yourself some time to really enjoy and experience the season.
Here are some ideas to experience the season...ways that are stressfree and enjoyable.

1. It is tradition in my family, the week of Christmas, we pile into the van (many times in jammies) and check out the Christmas lights in several neighborhoods. We then come home, put in a Christmas movie and pop corn and sip hot chocolate by the fireplace. Just enjoying family togethernes (for by the end of the break when we may ready to hurt one another..what? who said that?)

2.Speaking of traditions...Start a tradition! Make special ornaments each year, prepare a holiday dish, create a way to personalize the season each year.

3.Wrap presents with friends or family. Put on some Christmas music-you know "wrap music" and get jiggy with it. (Or just turn up my blog, I have my favorite Christmas music on my playlist on the sidebar)

4.Hang mistletoe.

5.One year I hung all the greeting cards on my Christmas tree using twine and ribbon. It was gorgeous to see those smiling faces and expressions of love adorned on my tree.

6. The season is so much about our senses. Be sure to smell the season. If you are like me and have a "fake" tree, buy a room fragrance. I love one in particular from Thymes in "Frasier Fir" scent. I found mine at Three Sheets Store in Homewood Alabama. Even Big Daddy has commented on it's good scent. Another we like, though not outright "Christmas" is Fabreez's Morrocan Bizarre.

7.Give to others. Reach out to those who need it. It doesn't have to always be financially when we think of giving, it can be through your time. My children make Christmas cards for the elderly at a local nursing home. I also love the idea of doing that for soilders across seas. Send a card expressing your gratitude. Buy for your local animal shelter. Dog food and newspapers, treats from the Dollar tree go a long way if many can do it. Support a cause. My friends in the "Clematis Club" adopted a charity (Safe House for women and children)  and contributed to it together. Bake a single person something with love...the possibilites are endless.

8.Invite friends over for some indoor or outdoor caroling. Who doesnt like to sing? It just makes my heart smile.

9.Light my fire...I mean yours. Start one in the fireplace or light candles and enjoy a good book. Take some time for yourself! My mother purchased these candles for me this year and am really enjoying them and will for many years to come. Right now, it's on SALE!

10. Speaking of reading....Read Christmas stories together. I keep a basket of various Christmas books out for us to read a few times a week during the season.

11.Have your picture made with Santa. He allows big kids too (see my profile pic?). Even pets.

12.Write down your blessings. I have a journal, where I can do this daily throughout the year. But if you aren't that committed, do it this week. "Remembering those who have blessed us is to be renewed and restored in the meaning of life."

And on that note (#12) I want to say, I am so blessed for you for taking the time to visit Tales from Bloggeritaville. I count you as a friend and I look forward to your every visit. Thankyou for the encouragement, the inspiration, the comradierre, the friendship. I am so blessed to have gotten to know so many of you through your blogs and am blessed in that. Thankyou. I am so grateful for your stopping by.
I hope that your family finds itself richly blessed and I pray this blessing for you in the new year.
Merry Christmas!
Sincerely,
Leigh