Welcome!

2011-05-15T09:05:00.000-07:00

Can you smell it? The pine in the air, the sweet fragrance of gingerbread cookies in the oven. Can you hear it? The favorite carols, the happy voices, the sounds of a family celebration? Can you see it? The rich tones of red, green, silver family ornaments, the stockings hung by the chimney with care? Can you create it? Yes, you can!

I think everyone who celebrates Christmas has a vision, an expectation of what they want from the holidays. Whether it's about the decorating, the food, the gifts - buying or receiving, the church services or having family close, a great Christmas doesn't just happen. And whether you live in a big house or a small apartment, whether you live alone or have generations of family and tons of friends that celebrate with you, you can make a great Christmas happen - one that creates memories you'll hold dear for a lifetime.

We've gotten lost in our busy-ness, though. Holidays come and the cooking, the shopping, the cleaning, the decorating, the parties causes immense stress as the reality of too little time collides with the expectations of making a Christmas Card Perfect Christmas. Hence, why I started this blog - as much for me as for you.

The Christmas of your dreams doesn't just happen. Well, maybe if you're really good at planning and executing in your head, or you're a laid back, take-it-as-it-comes kind of person (or someone else executes your Christmas!), it may. I'm not -- good at planning in my head. I need my lists. I find from years and years of family celebrations, I have a certain expectation about what should be accomplished for the holidays and don't like the depression and frustration that comes around if I can't pull the traditions off. The holidays that have gone smoother and met my expectations better than any others are the ones I planned and worked toward.

If you're a crafter, you know this to be true. Because craft projects just don't happen. That life-sized stuffed Santa created for your entryway was probably started in September or maybe July. Those handmade, themed ornaments for the tree maybe have been started in the spring. Fall may bring a stack of recipes that need to be tried to discover if they are good enough for the holiday table. There are reasons why hobby shops put out the Christmas decorations so early.

Maybe you aren't a crafter. Maybe you decorate one tree and call it good. Over the next few months we'll talk about themed trees, budgeting for Christmas expenses, food and craft projects, wrapping paper and stockings, cleaning and fussing. Hopefully, when December 25th comes, you'll feel better able to enjoy that special day and it'll be one for the memory books!

A Family Christmas

Welcome!