Decking the Halls Simplified

Over the years I found that at the start of December I was full of cheer, ideas and spunk.  but,  mid-way through I would kind of feel like I might be a deflated Macy's balloon.

One important step I have taken is limiting my commitments and carving out special time at home for just our family. How does that play out in a real life non Instagram sort of way?
Here are some thoughts......

Keep It Simple- 
Look through the swirling mist of Christmas cards and holiday parties. This season is about so much more than that. Celebrating Jesus is the highest part of it for me.  Over the last few years I have been convicted and corrected over and over about doing a little and doing it well. That is my slogan, it'll be my first tattoo and what is on my grave stone. Let's repeat it again DO A LITTLE AND DO IT WELL. So, start with that and go from there.

Books, Baskets and Bunches of hugs- 
We home-school, so the Christmas season for us means a long Christmas break. Instead of cracking open books I set up our "Morning Meeting Basket" filled with goodies.. I pick out special read alouds, have games set inside, certain picture books, memory verses, songs and of course Mad Libs are all my top choices. It is all in the basket and we enjoy a little bit every day.

It is all in one spot so we know where it goes. I love sitting around snuggled in blankets reading out loud.

Here are my top 5 book choices-

A Boy Called Christmas
A funny, at times sad but, also hopeful read aloud

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
Hilarious but, also full of conversation starters... How should we treat others?

The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree
A beautiful picture book that will cause your eyes to fill with tears.

A Wish to Be a Christmas Tree
A tree's friends encourage him that he does indeed serve a purpose

The Gingerbread Pirates
Christmas and swashbuckling go hand in hand in this adorable tale of a Gingerbread Pirate.

Plan, Plan, Plan-
My kids and I like to explore, and after moving to a larger city we have found plenty to do. I have discovered that at Christmas I need to be even more prepared as I visit events. I figure this advice is pretty universal so I will share it on here.
BE EARLY... again in case you didn't hear my key-pad yell BE EARLY.
Time and time again we have missed crowds or gotten amazing seats by making sure we allowed time to navigate parking and finding buildings. Bring snacks and books so you can sit around.

Real life example-On Saturday I attended a free concert and I got there in my super crazy early fashion. I scored a decent seat and was happy with it. (others were early too) As time went on I felt so bad for all the people left standing in the wings or sitting on stairs. It was a PACKED house!

Free (or cheap) is fine-

Christmas is full of sharing gifts and sometimes your wallet doesn't have much stretch left in it. You can still have fun though. 
Find free things to enjoy in your city. Locally here, we have lights in a conservatory, concerts, window displays and carriage rides that are all free! 
Here in the Spokane/CDA I am working on my Facebook page to share inexpensive or free things to keep the kiddos entertained but, that can be found in any town. You just need to start googling.

Now that Christmas is almost here remember to sit down at some point, sip on a cocoa and savor the moment.