Mommies Coffee Break

While I would LOOOOOOVE to deck my house out in every nook and cranny with holiday decorations (and I can admit I have the decorations to do so) – I have learned that it is far better to put out a few special decorations – unbreakable at this point for my kids’ sake – and spend more time talking about the holiday.

K.I.S.S.  – Keep it Simple, Silly

Tis the season of kissing under the mistletoe – but do yourself a favor and K.I.S.S. yourself!  Putting out a few pretties that are special can add a festive feeling without making a lot of work both in putting them on display, and then putting them away again.  Trim the tree with fewer decorations or opt for a smaller pre-lit tree especially if you have little ones who can’t stay away from the lights.  (We’ve done this for 2 years now and it really helps to have the pretty lights without the stress of a 6 ft tree falling over on our curious 18 month old!)

Get the kids involved

Last year, we hosted some coloring times with my 2 girls and their cousins who live next door.   They colored holiday themed pictures, and then we put them on display on our front door.  They were SO proud of their artwork and because we used some crayons, colored pencils, glitter glue and stick-on jewels – they were also very pretty!  Not only that, but we’ve had an annual cookie decorating day for 2 years in a row that has been a LOT of fun.  I learned to bake all the cookies before hand after the first year, and offer 4 different colored frostings along with sprinkles, glitter and other appropriate decorations.  The kids L-O-V-E it – and we get a lot of enjoyment out of the day.

Make traditions

Like the cookie baking with the kids, annual traditions can actually help you keep things simple.  Knowing that you need a Saturday to plan your cookie decorating, or that you want to put the tree up on a certain day every year, or that you will always attend New Years Eve service at church – builds some stability in your holiday season and also builds memories with your family in the process.  Prepare that special pie for your family get together that everybody raves over – make that cookie recipe your grandmother always made every year – spend Christmas morning reflecting on the birth of Jesus and singing “Happy Birthday” to Him before you open your gifts.

This time of year can come on and bring a lot of hectic activity and stressful situations.  DON’T go to every party you’re invited to.  DON’T buy gifts for every single person you know.  DON’T wear yourself out trying to be the perfect hostess and impressing everyone you meet.

Stay real.  Stay focused.  Stay in the moment.  It only comes once!

© 2009, Debbie Taylor. All rights reserved.