11.10.2009

Holiday Preparations...........

I think we have gotten to know each other a bit over my last year of blogging....

Sometimes I am uncomfortable (ok, embarrassed) by the seemingly frivolous topics that I choose to blog about. Come on, feathering my nest and shopping for banged-up pieces of furniture to replace the already perfectly good banged-up pieces I already own seems a bit indulgent, unnecessary, spoiled even.

Today I will deviate from all frivolity and talk how I prepare for the holidays, and really how I wish to celebrate them. And honey, it may surprise you given what you have learned about me over this last year.



If I would be perfectly honest I would tell you that I really do not care for decorating my home for the holidays.

Really.

I feel like I like my home just the way it is and really don't like to muck it up with ornaments and such.

I refuse to have a fake tree in our home but really hate the mess of all the needles of the real one and how I have to rearrange the furniture to make room for the tree.

Really.

Now before you go thinking I am a Scrooge, let me tell you what I love about the holidays.

I love to bake, with my girls while cheesy Christmas music plays in the background and we sing along to all our favorite songs.

I love to get together with friends for a special meal and some holiday cheer. I also love when my book club does a special evening out at a restaurant instead of discussing a book at someone's house.

I love Sunday school Christmas programs where kids forget their lines and the kid standing in the front row picks their nose for all to see.

I love taking my girls to sit on Santa's lap - even though my oldest no longer believes, I like that she plays along for the benefit of her little sister.

I love watching Charlie Brown's Christmas with our family - when they sing "Hark the Hearld Angels Sing" I still get goose bumps.

I love getting Christmas cards from friends near and far.

I love taking my girls Christmas shopping to pick out a present for their daddy and for each other. At a time of year when they could be thinking of "getting" I really like to teach them about "giving".....

And in the spirit of giving, last year our family of four signed up to be Salvation Army Bell Ringers. It was a GREAT experience for all of us. We stood in front of our local grocery store for two hours and rang the bell and wished everyone a Merry Christmas. My children were so excited when someone chose to put money in the kettle! Having children decked out in their Santa hats definitely helped our cause. We made an evening out of it - taking the kids out for hot chocolate afterwards. I would encourage any of you reading this to consider making bell ringing on behalf of the Salvation Army part of you holiday preparations. Please check out your local Salvation Army website for information.

And while I would bet my kids can name only a few gifts they received last Christmas,both have asked when we will be ringing the bells again this year! You can find us at Lakewinds Natural Co-op on Black Friday!

How about you? What do you enjoy about this upcoming season?

post signature

6 comments on "Holiday Preparations..........."
  1. Jill, this is such a nice post. I am going to look into bell ringing! I think it will be a memorable time for my family as well. Thanks for the idea.
    PS i already started playing christmas music- when my husband is not around. The kids love it!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love your honest post!
    I would think about bell ringing but i don't think i would look good all bundled up in wool standing on the street corner;-)
    I dont like too much holiday either..just a touch.
    xo

    ReplyDelete
  3. What a great idea. We've baked cookies and given them to a shelter in the past. I'll have to add the bell to our list!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. What a wonderful memory for your girls. This is indeed the true meaning of the season.

    I love decorating for the holidays but hate pulling it all out and then packing it up again and putting it away. I wish I could be more simplistic ~ but I have my favorite things that bring back memories so it is all or nothing for me.

    ReplyDelete
  5. That is exactly how I feel about decorating for Christmas, so we just hang stockings on a windowsill that is usually bare, set up a small (real) tree and a wreath on the front door. But I love the music, the lights downtown, the charity & good will of the season, the Christmas movies, baking for the neighbors, advent dinners w/ family, Christmas Eve church service, making gifts, searching for small, meaningful stocking stuffers, the food, snow, the traditions...

    My boys are too little for bell ringing (19 months) but I love this idea and will definitely do it when they are old enough. Thanks for sharing!

    (I've been reading your blog for months now and I love it, but I think this is the first time I've commented:)

    ReplyDelete

I always love to hear your thoughts! Please share!

Follow this blog with bloglovin

Follow on Bloglovin
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...