I’m discovering that interesting feeling of Christmas a little elusive this season. I thought it would be different since we aren’t having difficulties financially this Christmas like we were the last few decades. I thought that with not having to fear about being able to afford for everything such like presents for everyone that it would take the stress off and make it easier to relax and enjoy the season. Instead, I feel like it is nearing so quickly and I still don’t feel like I’ve become a ‘part’ of the merriment.

I know the main culprit is long working hours, which I am realizing that I have to draw the line with that and actively take some time for some “downtime”. So this past weekend we went to visit my sister and her children and took a lot of blank cards with us for the kids to “make” our Christmas cards for us. They enjoy it and they are so naturally creative! Just this simple action and getting out to see family helped it feel more like Christmas for me.

I want to keep going with it, though! So after a shorter nap after working today, I was trying to think of ways on how to “join” in on the spirit of Christmas. Investing a longer period with loved ones is certainly as a way. And I think we lastly need to go through the bags littered throughout our living room and take out the Christmas decortaions and put them up. And you know what I’d like? Some garden decorations! We haven’t put any out the last few decades, even though we have the decorations. I think that would like be Christmas. Reminiscing when I was a kid and my dad put lights on the garden with decorations up outside. Us kids we would play around the lights for a long period hours in the chilly, Christmas-y air, and it seemed so perfect.

I also think I’m going to create some treats this season to pass out. I discovered a recipe ingredients that looks exciting, and I think I want to try my hand at making some raspberry hazelnut triangles cookie for the first time. And what about a white chocolate almond blondies? My Mom always created those when we were children (and still does sometimes)…they were always one of my favorite. I also think I should go for a walk with my dog on a freezing night time with a cup of hot chocolate with chocolate buttons on top!
Well, I got to start on enjoying the season when we used evening with my sister and her children, making the cards. I think it is high-time I purposefully create more of an attempt to be “in” the season, instead of sitting back and awaiting for it to uncover me. How do YOU like to get in the spirit of Christmas and relish the holidays?

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!