Monday, December 21, 2009

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

13 comments:

Mari said...

What a great list! I'm glad to know you too. Merry Christmas!

My Vintage Treasures said...

Love your list!!!
Merry Christmas :)

Lisa@Pickles and Cheese said...

Yes it is a great list with great ideas! Merry Christmas Leigh to you and your family!

Tricia said...

Hi Leigh.
Hard to believe that the year is almost over, isn't it?!
I wish your family the most blessed and merriest of Christmases.
Thank you for being my friend. For encouraging me, and for making me smile. ;)

XO*Tricia

Unknown said...

Great list!!

Glenda/MidSouth said...

Lots of great ideas - thanks for sharing.
Merry Christmas to you and your family!

Kristin - The Goat said...

Merry Christmas, Leigh! It was so much fun seeing the new additions to my Christmas Card list this year. So many bloggers. What fun!

What a delightful list. You're kids are growing up with some lovely traditions.

Kristin - The Goat

Anita@Theycallmejammi said...

Great list and fantastic sentiments...Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family.

Patti @ Pandoras Box said...

It's been fun getting to know you through your blog!! Enjoy Christmas with your friends and family and have a happy and healthy holiday season!

Love your ideas...we have many traditions in our family, also and even though some are a bit "hokey", we still follow thru!

Maya @ Completely Coastal said...

The Christmas season for me and my husband is definitely a time to just hang out and enjoy!

Thanks so much Leigh for the button exchange (I thought you wanted it with my main site Completely Coastal -but any site of course is fine!!)

I wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

4thelove! said...

I just love you! I look forward to another 365 days of fun post and pictures! "LOVE"! ~High Mae

Fifi Flowers said...

Merry Christmas.. ENJOY!
Fifi

Sandy said...

That was a great list! Have a Merry Christmas...and I do enjoy your music play list.