The contentment and joy I have experienced in becoming familiar with my own style and loving it and owning it has been a slow but growing phenomenon in my life.
So. We are now well into the month of December.
I still love all the things that I mentioned last year when I wrote about decorating for the holidays.
The things I am going to share now are not all new for me this year, but simply a few more staples that I look forward to using in the month of December.
1. I literally did a little happy dance when I saw this drink hit the shelves of the local supermarket in December. (the store was basically empty, I promise)
It's beautiful and dazzling and festive. It's my favorite last minute add on to almost any Christmas party. And there is no mixing ingredients or forgetting that one important ingredient for the drink. It's as simple as dump and serve.
2. Printables.
I think I have mentioned these little nuggets of gold before. I especially love free printables.
I fell in love with this sketch as soon as I laid eyes on it. If I could change one thing about this print it would be only that it was an original piece of art created by a relative or friend.
This little arrangement is my favorite corner of my house this year.
Keeping Baby Jesus visibly central during this season is one way I like to keep my heart and mind focused on the incredible way our King came to us in such humility and vulnerability.
I have a tradition of wrapping this particular newborn baby in a swaddling cloth as part of our Christmas decor. He gets quite a bit of attention and tender loving care throughout the season. My heart almost bursts when I see my 2 year old rocking Baby Jesus or when I catch my 4 year old fixing his blanket just right or arranging the burlap so that he will be more comfortable.
4. This year I discovered how to glue a graham cracker gingerbread house together. It works.
It's AMAZING.
I coordinated an event in which 22 youth club girls decorated these 'gingerbread' houses.
Several ladies helped me glue them together earlier in the day.
Several ladies helped me glue them together earlier in the day.
I was so impressed with their strength and stability.
The girls loved the activity.
There was an enormous mess to clean up afterward.
The girls each carried home a charming little cottage, heavy laden with icing and candy.
And. I just have to say it again, it really did work.
This will definitely be a repeated activity at my house in the coming years.
This will definitely be a repeated activity at my house in the coming years.
I unfortunately have NO pictures of our party. However, thankfully someone did an excellent job of capturing a similar event.
I like to pretend our party was as orderly and perfectly coordinated as hers.
So.
That's my list of four simple staples that are helping to make this Christmas season simple and meaningful and festive at my house.
How are you celebrating this year?
