A Slower & More Meaningful December....
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
This morning my mother left to go back to her home in Washington State after the Thanksgiving holiday. She has been here a week & it has been a wonderful visit all around!.....however, it's always nice to get back to our normal schedule for at least a few weeks..... For some reason, I am finding myself not running out to the garage to drag out all the Christmas decorations quite yet....This year I am taking it a bit slower,.....& trying to approach this year's holiday season in a far simpler way than ever before. We are making most of our gifts, we are decorating with what we have collected over the years & skipping purchasing new.... & I am planning a Christmas Eve dinner of delicious pasta dishes, instead of an expensive prime rib. A Christmas of far "less spending" & far "more meaning" is what I am after......So instead of December being a month of running through malls, & hurried stressful days....this family is going to step back a bit, breathe, enjoy being with our family & thank God for all our blessings.......Heidi XO
32 comments:
Heidi- You are an inspiration to us all, Sweetie! Thanks for the words of wisdom. I will take them- gladly- and try my best to do the same.:) Lori
Hi Heidi! So glad you had a terrific time with your mom there for Thanksgiving. And your Christmas of simplicity, ease, meaning and contentment is the ideal holiday way! :o) Since we'll be away for Christmas this year, we're not even putting up a tree...and we don't mind! Some treats to eat, a few decorations, candles...that's all...very happy! Enjoy the weeks ahead as you make ready at your pace and have fun doing so! ((HUGS))
I am sure that you will enjoy the season so much more with the different approach. The best part is the family time, isn't it. Becky
Your attitude must be contagious. That's exactly what I've been doing - along with most of my friends. Not only am I not adding to the Christmas decorations, I'm sharing some of what I own and, therefore, eliminating much of the stress of my usual over-the-top decorating. (Because remember: what goes up, must come down...and repacked and stored...)
But I haven't eliminated one bit of Christmas spirit. In fact I think I have more because what I do have up or out, my grandbabies are welcome to touch and play with and enjoy.
Hi Heidi,
I just found you blog, and I love that cozy photo, but more than that the message of keeping things simpler. I am right with you!
Come visit me...
Carol
Heidi, our family will be spending less this year also. I think everyone could benefit from this. I am trying for the stress free or less stress Christmas also. Enjoy!
great post, heidi!
we are planning on spending less and doing more this holiday season.
christmas dinner is going to be italian, aka "pasta" dishes. lol we have decided to do it potluck at my dad's- everyone bring a covered dish.
i am going to print up invitations to the dinner to make it a little more festive.
i am volunteering at a local thrift store as part of my "doing more" attitude.
we are also taking advantage of local holiday events that are free or very low cost. this past weekend we attended a christmas tour and it was wonderful!!
i imagine everyone has events happening close to home.:)
I agree with you there sister! I think we should all slow down and appreciate the season. I love the new blog header!
Nice to see others trying to slow down and follow the less is more attitude. Inspiring and it allows the rest of us to realize that it is okay to slow down and also think less is more. Thanks for your observation.
My setiment exactly. My mother and I were just talking about this on the phone this morning. We're reclaiming the holidays to mean something.
Heidi, wonderful idea! Such words of wisdom...I might be trying to do this myself.
Hugz,
Michele
Heidi,
I love this post, and I am right there with you on it. Because of my surgery it forced me to take things much much slower this Holiday and I am starting to think that is ok : ) My decorations are much simplier, I can not do all I normally do when I cant stand. I have been making some gifts, ordering a few online, and telling family that it is just going to be a much simplier time this year. And I am counting my blessings that I am healing and after a very rough year with our Son, that he is doing better. Sending you a big hug.
Kathy
I plan to enjoy the holidays the same way, Heidi. Slowing down, spending less, and more time with family.
Love the photo.
Donna
Hello,,,I'm out visiting new blogs myself and wanting to say Hello!
I'm Dawn from Wisconsin. I think this season most of us are doing exactly what you are...we are being forced to but in the end..its really the best thing. Christmas has become to much of a madhouse.
I like the idea of various pasta dishes..but I doubt my family is ready for it yet..that Prime Rib just calls out to them and we only do it once a year. perhaps I can have pasta on the side!
Heidi, What a great idea! With the economy the way it is, we should all be doing what you are doing! Is that your Christmas tree? It's beautiful! Have a peaceful and blessed Christmas!
xxxooo
Marilyn
Heidi,
Great ideas as usual.
I'm just concentrating on making the house magical for the grandchildren. Two of them are coming on Saturday to help decorate the tree and then we'll go look at Christmas lights.
We're buying for the kids but mostly gift cards for the adults.
I still have about a hundred cards to send out with the "dreaded" letter.
Hugs,
Gretchen
That is such a wonderful idea.....we'll try do the same this year.....after the poinsettias are all out of the greenhouse :)
Great Idea this stepping back. We did buy new lights for outside this year but I am with you on the enjoy what we have! We all have soooooooooo much. Love your blog.
Hi Heidi, I just discovered you..I'm so glad I did.. what a wonderful home you have. I love your idea of using what we have..Thanks for the words of wisdom.. hugs ~lynne~
I couldn't agree more! Enjoy this wonderful season Heidi!!
Amen to that Heidi :)
With everything going on, I agree it's time to reflect on beauty of the season and take time to enjoy it. Instead of buying a lot of new things, I'm using what we have and making things by hand. The best part about that is spending precious time with my daughter because she loves to be creative.
xo,
rue
It sounds perfect to me, Heidi. I have not been to a mall yet, and I don't intend to be found anywhere near one.
Enjoy every minute, dear friend.
Such a wonderful post. I embrace your wisdom and plan to do the same. My Christmas this year will be very simple and meaningful. Enjoy this time in your life and embrace it. Life passes us far to fast.
Sounds like a great plan to me!
This is what we're aiming for this season too. I actually wore my sewing machine out with all my sewing and it's in being repaired! It got tired I guess and started skipping stitches. It's 30 years old so I wonder how many years that is in human years? LOL! Glad the visit with your mom was so nice.
Right there with ya!! I loved my swap partner, thank you!!
I love your take on your December!! Love that picture too!!
Elise
It sounds like your family is on the same page as my family! I too have made most of the gifts we're giving (I planned early, too, for once!). It should be a lovely Christmas! ::Jill
It sounds like a wonderful, gentle Christmas!
Stop by my blog when you have a few minutes. I have a couple of awards for you.
Merry Christmas!
Kathy
AMEN---this is exactly what we are doing and not just because of the economic conditions right now. I have grown over the past couple of years to kind-of dread Christmas. We are going to make this idea a regular thing. I know everyone will enjoy it more.
I have been approaching this Christmas season the exact same way Heidi!!! I hope you have an absolutely wonderful Christmas! xoxo
That farm kitchen is just awesome!
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