I can’t even believe it’s time for this, but you guys…it’s HERE! Today, I’m going all Hobby Lobby on you again…for the second time this month! I’m skipping over a very important holiday {we love you too, Thanksgiving!} to talk Christmas.
*Shop Online*
Last year, I did 99% of my shopping online. Now, it made for a super full recycling bin, BUT it made my Christmas shopping SO EASY!
*Write it DOWN*
You guys! I take a mental inventory of all the things we like to do during the holiday season…visit Santa, look at Christmas lights, etc. I keep our December calendar SUPER DETAILED so I can add things on free nights. {This is my planner this year.}
Something else I began writing down is where I stashed gifts. I try to split them up and hide them in various locations but every once in a while I’ll find a gift I completely missed at Christmas! Now, I write them down.
*Remember the REASON*
It’s so easy to get wrapped up in all the twinkling lights and festive decor and forget the real reason we’re celebrating.
Becky Kiser and I met a few years ago through mutual friends on social media. She is such a sweet soul and truly desires for women to know and grow closer to God daily. She specializes in helping us during those holidays {when things can feel CRAZY!}. She just released a book, Sacred Holidays, where she highlights ways to have LESS CHAOS, MORE JESUS during the holidays {and not just Christmas…Easter, Halloween, and more}! This would make a GREAT gift for any woman in your life, hostess gift for Thanksgiving, teacher gift, and more! You won’t be disappointed!
I rounded up some of my favorites and at the time I’m working on this post ALL are 50% off! I always buy Christmas pajamas in November so we are SET on Thanksgiving night. I’m thinking this year-we might have to bust them out a little early.
Love this! I am so ready for all things Christmas too and this makes me want to get organized. Happy Monday!
Lauren
http://www.allaboutthatmommylife.com
Do you have a store you love to buy Adult petite PJ's? I'm 5 feet and finding cute PJ's is really hard!!
I love address labels for holiday cards but an even bigger time saver is a stamp! A few years ago I invested in a personalized return address stamp and it is awesome! On sale maybe it was 25 dollars and it still hasn't run out of ink! I'm not even sure where the ink comes from. But I love it and looks so nice on Christmas cards!
I love the book suggestions – for both adults and kids! – especially about staying present and living in the moment. Nothing is worse then getting through the holiday season and feeling like you missed some of it from being busy. Also, read The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomy ahead of time to yourself so you can get the tears out before reading it to your kiddos! It’s one of my favorites, but also a total tear jerker!
A few more things to remember:
-Our post office sends out a mail-order option for holiday stamps this month but if yours doesn’t do that then you can buy those early too!
-I meal prep a few freezer meals this month (pot roast, chili, a chicken dish) so I can throw them in my crockpot for those busier December days
-Deep clean your house! It’s so nice to get this out of the way in novemeber!
I love the book suggestions. Those pajamas are so cute. I also love address labels, what a time saver. Have a great Monday!