December can often be full of a mixture of opposites. We are often faced with a paradox of emotions or situations within each day. We can be filled with grief over loss, but then awed by the magic in the season kept alive by those still here with us. Some days can feel heavy, overwhelming, and brimming with tasks and rush. While other times feel slow and purposeful when the only thing to do is enjoy the moment looking at lights, or watching someone unwrap a present.
Unrealistic expectations often crop up this time of year. They show up in strained relationships, greedy children, and demanding bosses. We get pulled in many directions at once and feel the pressure to take on too much. I wrote about that in this post: All is Calm & All is Bright – Making Christmas Enjoyable.
Here’s the truth: I used to dread everything packed into that stretch between Thanksgiving and New Year’s. But in the last few years with my kids getting older and also taking the time to create margin in my life, that has changed.
Now, I look forward to the quieter rhythms of the season, the small traditions we’ve grown into, and the chance to really be present.
If you are feeling the pressure and stress of the season, making some deliberate space for your personal curriculum might be the perfect solution.
My book basket has helped me anchor my days, giving me something steady and nourishing to return to when everything else feels loud.
Let’s jump in to the details of my own personal planning for this month! 🎄
But, first…
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Things I want to do just for my learning and enjoyment:
Playing lots of Christmas music and singing Christmas Hymns 🎶🎼
A favorite during our school mornings getting out these books: Then Sings My Soul Trilogy by Rob Morgan. The pages contain the hymn on one side and the story of how it was written or rediscovered on the other. I plan to put tabs on our favorite Christmas hymns to discuss.
my photo – these books are so fun to look through and enjoy!
Reading picture Christmas books with my kids. We have a basket of favorites that gets set out with the Christmas decor and even though they are older we browse through and read them to each other for fun.
Baking homemade goodies— I just got a new Christmas themed apron and I plan to put it to use! I recently found recipes for chocolate pecan pie, an oatmeal apple crisp, and gingersnap cookies. I would love to hear from you what goodies you enjoy making this time of year! 🥧
Dried oranges and old-fashioned homemade decor — we plan to make a garland with dried orange slices, some book flowers, paper chains, and paper stars.
Watching Christmas movies with Jim and our kids. 📺🎅🎄
Browsing through the collection book: Brambly Hedge by Jill Barklem with my kids and maybe do some drawing and sketching together.
I will get out my knitting project and work on that while listening to a Christmas audiobook.🎧
Don’t laugh, but here’s the full disclosure: my knitting is just making long rectangles that I don’t know what to do with. I only know the simple beginner stitch that my grandma taught me and so I just knit till the yarn is gone and then stash away my strange rectangle and then start another one. 😜 But it is so soothing and comforting that I enjoy it and I also like having a hobby that is not useful or for a specific tangible purpose.🧶
Filling out my Christmas Keepsake Planner that I found in the discount bin at Barnes and Noble last spring. Its a beautiful forest green hardbacked book with gold edges and its full of planning pages specific to Christmas. I plan to fill it out in a way that I can reuse it each year. I have a notebook I use to keep holiday notes in but it needs updating so this will be a fun fresh start!
Jigsaw puzzlesand relaxed conversation. I have some puzzles that my mom gave me last year that I am excited to get out and work on.
Holy Hygge by Jamie Erickson – This book is not specifically Christmas/winter focused, but it will be the perfect companion to helping me up my hosting game this month.
I have a few favorites that I get out this time of year. I am not usually a re-reader but skimming through these well-loved books is something I enjoy this time of year.
My favorites in the art of cozy-making and creating a season of warmth and family gatherings. Meik Wiking is the CEO of the Happiness Research Institute in Copenhagen and one of the leading experts in global happiness. His books have become international bestsellers.
Murder at Holly House by Denzil Meyrick – This is a different direction than most of the books I typically pick up, especially this time of year, but it’s been fun to read so far. I found it while Christmas shopping and ended up reading 10 chapters that evening. As I get deeper into the story, there are new layers to uncover and it’s been a delight so far. I loved mysteries as a teenager, so maybe this will be my first step back into that genre.
As we settle into December, I hope you’ll give yourself permission to choose a gentler pace and follow your curiosity wherever it leads.
Your personal curriculum doesn’t have to be big or impressive. It can just be meaningful to you.
I’d love to hear what’s working for you!
Share your tips and ideas in the comments.
🎄📒Happy December Learning! –
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