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Thoughts and Plans for the Holidays

And all the loveliest things there be
Come simply, or so it seems to me
Edna St. Vincent Millay
This past week or so I have started thinking a lot about the upcoming holidays. I LOVE the holidays!! It's my favorite time of the year and I tend to go a little crazy about it. I drag out all of my Christmas themed books (of which there are many!) and my old December issues of Victoria magazine and peruse through them. I'm tempted to buy every new holiday issue of all my favorite magazines (this year I'm getting old Christmas issues at the library for .25). I start making menus and gathering recipes, old and new, that I want to make for the season. I begin a list of crafts/gifts I'd like to make. I start dreaming of all the *picture perfect* family gatherings that we'll have (you know I need a reality check on that one-ha!). In other words, I get a little carried away!


This year I've almost been a little bit afraid to think too much about the holidays, since we have so many uncertainties. My husband is in a job transition, our house is for sale, we could be moving soon and we aren't sure where that might be, the economy is pretty nuts and our budget is very tight.

But I'm certainly NOT skipping Christmas! It's truly the most wonderful time of the year!


So...I am starting my plans. I'm starting by thinking *simply*. This year I want to make more gifts by hand. I've read of families that agree to only exchange things they've made each other and I love that idea. However, I know everyone in our family may not want to do that and I'm certainly not imposing any "gift rules" (of course, if they want to I think that's great!). But I think I'm going to impose that "rule" on myself to give mostly handmade gifts. I love getting creative anyway. I'm already gathering some wonderful ideas for things to make!

Vince and I have already started discussing how we'd like to really scale back on the gifts we buy the kiddos and focus on just a few really great gifts instead. We want them to be more focused on giving rather than receiving. In the past we have participated with Angel Tree and last year we joined our church in purchasing gifts for the residents of a home for the mentally challenged. This year we are helping each kiddo fill a shoebox for Samaritan's Purse's Operation Christmas Child. I know as they grow older there will be more opportunities to volunteer together and help others, but I want them to start young in the small, simple acts of kindness and generosity.


So those are some of my beginning thoughts and plans for the holidays. I'll be sharing more very soon. I'd love to hear some of your thoughts and plans for this season, feel free to share them with me in the comments!

vintage ornaments from my collection

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