“It’s the most wonderful time of the year” and I will die on that hill with Andy Williams!
Christmas season is full of wonder, cookies, presents, and cheer. If I can get my shopping done early enough, Christmas season is pure JOY!
Read moreHere’s Why Christmas Season is the Best
“It’s the most wonderful time of the year” and I will die on that hill with Andy Williams!
Christmas season is full of wonder, cookies, presents, and cheer. If I can get my shopping done early enough, Christmas season is pure JOY!
I delight in baking cookies to Christmas music with my TV fireplace on in the background. My Christmas season begins in early November and I love every second of it.
Christmas season is the best, and here’s why!
Decorations
Who doesn’t love a simple color scheme and bright, shiny lights? The actual act of decorating is a fun way to bring in in the holiday season. I love adding to my “collection” each year and having specific decor for specific places. The next item I have on my list to get is lighted outdoor reindeer. We have a big yard and I’d love to look out my window and see a herd of reindeer lit up in the night!
Christmas Music
Who doesn’t love Christmas music? I start listening in late October/early November because who’s going to stop me? They key to Christmas music is having playlists that reflect the mood – somber Christmas, joyful Christmas, religious Christmas, background Christmas, rowdy Christmas, etc. Check out my post on Christmas Compilations to Listen to this Year for some inspiration!
Food
There’s not much to say here – holiday food is it’s own animal. Sugar, sugar, and more sugar is always on the menu. I love letting loose and going to town on candy canes, Christmas cookies, and pie!
Gift Giving
One positive to getting older is starting to enjoy gift giving! I love getting people exactly what they need or ask for, or finding something unexpected they didn’t even know they wanted.
Holiday Cheer
Something changes in people once the jingle bells start ringing and the lights go up. They just become nicer, myself included. Despite how stressful the Christmas season can be, it feels like people have a little more grace with each other, at least her on Long Island.
Presents
We never want to admit, but presents are one of the best parts of the holiday season! Now that I’m a stay at home mom, I really look forward to having some gifts for myself, since I don’t get to do as much shopping as I used to. Now that I’m an adult I’m perfectly content with socks, books, and a warm scarf!
Seeing Things Through My Child’s Eyes
Ah, I saved the best for last. I saw this cheesy quote on Instagram today, “As a grown-up I’ve learned that all the “Christmas magic” I felt as a kid was really a mom who loved me so damn much” and oof I felt that! Both of my parents worked so hard to make Christmas the most special day of the year. They were so cautious about keeping us grounded in reality and gratitude but on Christmas we were spoiled rotten (or at least it felt that way).
Now, as a parent, I love recreating those enchanted moments for my daughter. I want it to be the most relaxing, magical, exceptional day for her. I want her to compare everything in her life to the excitement of Christmas morning.
This will only be her second Christmas, but I can already sense her joy and excitement when she sees the lights and decorations. She remains very confused about trees coming indoors, though.
Seeing her light up over the simplest things is the greatest gift I could ever receive. Now, if only we could figure out how to get her to sing Jingle Bells…
Agree or disagree? What’s your favorite part of Christmas? Do you think it’s overrated or are you obsessed, like me? Let me know below!
O.
Stocking Stuffers for Babies
Christmas is almost here! Maybe you’ve already started your shopping or maybe you’re already done!
If you’re like me, you always forget one crucial component of gift giving – stockings!
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We have needlepoint stockings from Land’s End and they are decorative and functional. I love that my family will have heirloom quality Christmas decorations for the rest of their lives. They each have their name embroidered into the stocking, too.
Growing up, our stockings were filled with “little” wrapped gifts that we would open around the Christmas breakfast table (waffles and bacon, always). I remember being unenthused as a small child, because after all it takes some growing up to realize that the best things really do come in the smallest packages!
How did stockings become a part of Christmas?
Well, it’s complicated. There are many stories floating around the internet. Here is the most common one, as explained on Bustle:
While there is no known written record of the Christmas stocking’s origins, in many folk tales, the stocking is linked to the idea of Saint Nicholas (or Santa Claus, as he is colloquially known) as a gift giver. The poem “A Visit From St. Nicholas,” published nearly 200 years ago in 1823, clearly describes the importance of stockings: “The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,/In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.”
– see more on Bustle.com
Do I Need to Do Christmas Stockings?
Nope! You can always skip stockings for kids and they won’t know any different. Especially with little, little kids, these aren’t necessities. We plan on putting things we already need to buy for our baby wrapped in her stocking, like socks. There is no need to break the bank for babies who are going to be more excited for tissue paper.
However, if stockings are your jam and your looking for some inexpensive, useful gifts, look no further!
Check out these simple last-minute stocking stuffers sure to surprise your little one on Christmas morning.
Munchkin 36 Bath Letters and Numbers
Bearington Baby’s 1st Christmas Plush Soft Ring Rattle, 5.5 inches
Munchkin ColorMix Fish, Color Changing Bath Toy
My First Book Of Baby Animals : First Board Book Board
Unisex Combed Cotton Ankle Sock Non-Skid for Newborn Infant or Toddler
Lenox 870946 Silver Plate Love Frame Ornament
Hudson Baby Girl Baby Boy Trapper Hat, Mitten and Bootie Set
mushie Stacking Cups Toy | Made in Denmark (Retro)
Infantino Sensory Balls Blocks & Buddies – 20 piece basics set for sensory exploration
Fisher-Price Rattle ‘n Rock Maracas, Blue/Orange
Does your family do stockings? Does you little one like opening presents?
Let me know below!
O.
5 Christmas Music Compilations to Listen to This Year
Happy Christmas season!
The official start of Christmas season starts with Christmas music!
I love hour-long compilations on YouTube to help me get into the holiday spirit. I can throw one on and don’t have to touch it while I make dinner, play with my daughter, or clean. Instead of wasting time and money buying the music on iTunes and creating a whole playlist, I just let the internet do the work for me!
There’s Christmas music for different moods. In the mornings, we like to listen to softer holiday songs, followed by peppier ones in the afternoon.
So, here are 5 of the best long Christmas music compilations! Let me know what you think below.
Are you ready for Christmas? What’s your favorite Christmas song?
Let me know below!
O.
7 Tips for Stress-Free Holiday Shopping!
Behold! Christmas season is upon us. It seems each hear this rush begins way before the sacred “day after Thanksgiving” tradition. We already found the 24 hour Christmas music radio station, ads are all over the internet and I caught a glimpse of Elf on TV last night. This is my favorite time of year because the stuck up, suburban aggression of Long Island seems to subside for the month of December. People are just more enjoyable.
One of my favorite parts of the Christmas season is enjoying these enjoyable people. I tend to go out for coffee and walks more. I just want to soak up everyones jolliness.
The only problem with the Christmas season? Parking. The line at the grocery store. Budgeting. Greed. Someone jamming the back of a shopping cart into your ankles. Politely saying that you’re fine and holding back tears. Being shoved by someone’s child. Reconsidering if you want kids to begin with. Asking yourself “what’s the point?”. Rethinking how a Christian holiday got so out of control. Rethinking religion. Rethinking your purpose. Thinking about shaving your head and moving to India to help the underprivileged. You could do that Eat, Pray, Love thing, just like Julia Roberts you tell yourself as a dad grabs the last Easy-Bake-Oven.
They all just come with the territory.
That’s why I do %99 of my shopping before Thanksgiving. Think about it – how many times do a love one mention something they want in like, June. Best suggestion? Write it down, save for it, and make the purchase when convenient. I’ve used this tactic for the past two years and it has helped my finances immensely. That way I’m not shelling out hundreds of dollars in one month. This also helps me get people what they actually want.
So, here are my seven tips.
- Do the majority of your shopping out of season – think Labor Day and President’s Day sales.
- Don’t be afraid to ask people what they want! Especially if they’re adults or living in a dorm, apartment or a traveler. Your job is easier and they get what they want. Win-win.
- Do keep a present inventory. Whether it’s a spreadsheet, phone list or simply pooling those presents together in one closet, make sure you’re keeping an eye on how much you need to get.
- Make a budget breakdown. I personally spend more money on my mom than I did on my employer. Break it down. Keep it simple.
- Donate – if you can. Using BOGO deals or picking up an extra can of soup or dog biscuits is a nice way to give to those less fortunate during the holiday season. These tips are given to those who can afford to get gifts. A lot of people out there will be more concerned with feeding their family on Christmas than that Cashmere sweater you’ve had your eye on.
- Gather extras – I always grab some extra candles, mugs and scarves from Marshalls for those last minute gifts. Buying them in non-holiday colors and themes ensures I can use the left overs all year long.
- Remember what it’s all about! Christmas and the holiday season is about spending mindful time with the people you love – whether it’s your logical or biological family.
I hope your Christmas is as magical and stress free as mine is!
I’ll be sharing a list later in the week on a couple of the cool finds I’ll be giving this year.
Stay tuned!
