{"id":5606,"date":"2024-12-03T04:36:00","date_gmt":"2024-12-03T11:36:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/?p=5606"},"modified":"2024-10-11T14:13:11","modified_gmt":"2024-10-11T21:13:11","slug":"all-is-calm-all-is-bright-making-christmas-enjoyable-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/2024\/12\/03\/all-is-calm-all-is-bright-making-christmas-enjoyable-2\/","title":{"rendered":"All is Calm &amp; All is Bright &#8211; Making Christmas Enjoyable"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Set the tone for a joyful holiday season by embracing calm, creating space, and preparing with these practical tips for navigating the busy Christmas season.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Christmas is always a time of \u201cextra things\u201d. It is a level of busyness that is unmatched in any other part of the year.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Multiple family gatherings, performances, school events, finals, and major tests, decorating the house (inside and outside), making special meals, baking goodies, church events, a tree making a mess of the living room, work Christmas parties, gifts to purchase and wrap, potlucks and luncheons, an elf that creates mischief each night, and lots of sweets.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>Just thinking of all that goes into the space between Thanksgiving and New Year\u2019s is exhausting.&nbsp;<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As the mom, homemaker, and master of holiday vibes, I know I set the tone for the season. If I&#8217;m rushed and grumpy, it spreads faster than glitter on a Christmas craft. But when I embrace the season with joy, preparation (and maybe a few deep breaths), the whole atmosphere in our home shifts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I feel compelled to capture what has worked for me and share it with anyone who might need it. <strong>This month <em>can<\/em> feel different from the rest of the year.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I hope something here sparks a little inspiration for you to celebrate in your own fun, unique, and beautiful way\u2014without losing your sanity!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">making room for margin<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">My first step is to clear off the calendar. I remove anything that does not urgently need to be there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>For me this looks like:<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><em>letting go of some household projects, to-do<\/em> list items,<em> and deep cleaning tasks. \u00a0<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>No regular doctor checkups or dental appointments<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>refusing to add extra homeschool projects or planning<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>opting out of extracurricular activities for the month<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>saying \u201cno\u201d to some Christmas events and parties<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>condensing errands and shopping trips<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>blocking out space on the calendar for time at home<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F761d235f-3f14-4cab-bd29-31bd40eae99a_1080x1052.jpeg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F761d235f-3f14-4cab-bd29-31bd40eae99a_1080x1052.jpeg\" alt=\"Happy Christmas gift card\" title=\"Happy Christmas gift card\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Photo by <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"true\">Annie Spratt<\/a> on <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\">Unsplash<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">preparing my heart<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For this category, I have two areas of inspiration:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>#1 &#8211; books read while snuggled on the couch with a coffee or hot tea<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.meikwiking.com\/books\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The Little Book of Hygge<\/a><em>\u00a0\u2013 a must-read introduction to\u00a0hygge, written by Meik Wiking, CEO of the Happiness Research Institute in Copenhagen.<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/annvoskamp.com\/thegreatestchristmas\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The Greatest Gift \u2013 Unwrapping the Full Love Story of Christmas by Ann Voscamp<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/katherine-may.co.uk\/wintering\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Wintering<\/a> by Katherine May<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/bethkempton.com\/my-books\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Calm Christmas<\/a> by Beth Kempton<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Christmas-themed novels from the library \u2013 each year I try to read a different one<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Devotionals in the<a href=\"https:\/\/blog.youversion.com\/2011\/11\/get-ready-for-christmas-with-advent-reading-plans-from-youversion\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> free Bible App<\/a> \u2013 there is a long list with all kinds of themes and time lengths (6 days, 2 weeks, etc.)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>#2 &#8211; audio inputs that make any chore more enjoyable&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I listen to an audio devotional or podcast while doing the many hours of preparation that Christmas calls for.&nbsp; Washing dishes and wrapping gifts is way better with a digital friend in my ears.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Listening to podcasts reminds me what I care about this season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Podcast Episodes that have impacted me:<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Schole Sisters \u2013\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.scholesisters.com\/ss16\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">SS #16: Don\u2019t Be the White Witch<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/readaloudrevival.com\/podcasts\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Read Aloud Revival<\/a> #36, #117 &#8211; and so many more..<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/ultimateradioshow.com\/hshsp-ep-141-handling-difficult-people-during-the-holidays\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Homeschool Highschool #141 <\/a>\u201cHandling Difficult People During the Holidays\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/emilypfreeman.com\/podcast\/62\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The Next Right Thing #62 <\/a>\u201cSit Down on the Inside\u201d<a href=\"https:\/\/images.unsplash.com\/photo-1480930700499-dc44aa7cb2cf?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wzMDAzMzh8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHw0fHxjaHJpc3RtYXN8ZW58MHx8fHwxNzI4NjgwNDI4fDA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.0.3&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a>Photo by <a href=\"true\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Erwan Hesry<\/a> on <a href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Unsplash<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">scheduling key preparation days<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To make room for the holidays, I start by scheduling key preparation days\u2014like decorating, putting up lights, and cleaning\u2014rather than trying to squeeze them into random moments. I&#8217;ve set aside specific times to clean the house, put away fall decor, and bring out the Christmas decorations. We usually set up lights as a family, marking the day on the calendar so it&#8217;s not a rush.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Baking is also a big part of our holiday season, so I plan ahead: first gathering recipes, making a grocery list, and then setting aside time to bake together. Even the cleanup becomes its own event, with a quiet kitchen and a good podcast to make it enjoyable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Finally, I plan Christmas cleanup and transition into the New Year based on what feels right for our family. This approach gives me the breathing room I need to enjoy the season instead of feeling overwhelmed by it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1468f7a3-fec7-429f-8f14-12ca6293866f_1080x1049.jpeg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1468f7a3-fec7-429f-8f14-12ca6293866f_1080x1049.jpeg\" alt=\"brown house cake\" title=\"brown house cake\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Photo by <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"true\">Diliara Garifullina<\/a> on <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\">Unsplash<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">doing the Christmas-y things with my kids<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I focus on the Christmas activities my kids and I enjoy the most and make time for those special moments together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I\u2019ve created a family bucket list that reflects our favorite traditions, making sure to include a mix of fun things to do at home, free events in the community, and activities the kids can enjoy on their own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here are some ideas for a bucket list you can create with your family:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Gingerbread houses<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Unwrapping books and reading them to the kids<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Decorating the tree and telling stories of each ornament<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>driving around to see Christmas lights in pj\u2019s<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>attending a Christmas parade, performance or play happening in your town<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>filling up a box or two for Operation Christmas Child (early November)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>making goodies from old family recipes<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>putting together a jigsaw puzzle (add in cookies and a music for the extra cozy factor)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>watching movies together snuggled on the couch with fuzzy blankets<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>hot coco on the front porch while you listen to an audio book (<a href=\"https:\/\/readaloudrevival.com\/books\/classics-of-childhood-vol-3-a-christmas-collection\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Classics of Childhood, Vol 3 by Blackstone Audio<\/a>, one of my favorites &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/readaloudrevival.com\/books\/classics-of-childhood-vol-3-a-christmas-collection\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">click here for more ideas<\/a>.)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Homemade muffins for breakfast <a href=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/album\/3CKVXhODttZebJAzjUs2un\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">while listening to Michel Bubl\u00e9<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Wrapping gifts with the kids \u2013 this needs several planned time slots through out the month<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Serving at church and attending the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sunvalleycc.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Christmas Eve candle light service<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Hiding candy canes around the house for the kids to find in the morning<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Make homemade muffins, cookies, and simmering soup. Enjoy the season with dishes that remind you of home.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/images.unsplash.com\/photo-1511525788407-c5d343e4f6db?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wzMDAzMzh8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHw4MHx8Y2hyaXN0bWFzfGVufDB8fHx8MTcyODY4MDY4Nnww&amp;ixlib=rb-4.0.3&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images.unsplash.com\/photo-1511525788407-c5d343e4f6db?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wzMDAzMzh8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHw4MHx8Y2hyaXN0bWFzfGVufDB8fHx8MTcyODY4MDY4Nnww&amp;ixlib=rb-4.0.3&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080\" alt=\"person holding white and brown card\" title=\"person holding white and brown card\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Photo by <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"true\">Annie Spratt<\/a> on <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\">Unsplash<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I want to allow this month to be different than the rest of the year. I want to slow down in some ways&nbsp;but also prepare to enjoy the season. There are no right or wrong answers for any of this. Do as much or as little as you are comfortable with.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In recent years, my Decembers have been slower and much more enjoyable. I have set the intention to make space for the extra activities and, more importantly, for the celebration of Christmas. I\u2019ve been able to relax and truly enjoy the season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I hope that with these tips you can find a way to slow down and enjoy the holidays too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\ud83c\udf84\u26c4<strong>Merry Christmas! &#8211; April<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/embracinghome.substack.com\/p\/homemade-goodies-and-savory-winter\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:27% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/w_280,h_280,c_fill,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep,g_auto\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F01686ef3-26a5-41cb-acd0-990732e4d7e4_640x960.jpeg\" alt=\"Homemade Goodies and Savory Winter Dinners\"\/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/embracinghome.substack.com\/p\/homemade-goodies-and-savory-winter\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Homemade Goodies and Savory Winter Dinners<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is one of the defining factors of the Christmas season. Baked goods, cookies, casseroles, and soups. Living in the Arizona desert makes is difficult to use the oven at other times of the year. But in the winter when the windows are open and a cold breeze is coming in, I get excited to bake and cook.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/embracinghome.substack.com\/p\/homemade-goodies-and-savory-winter\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/embracinghome.substack.com\/p\/homemade-goodies-and-savory-winter\">Read full story<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Set the tone for a joyful holiday season by embracing calm, creating space, and preparing with these practical tips for navigating the busy Christmas season. Christmas is always a time of \u201cextra things\u201d. It is a level of busyness that is unmatched in any other part of the year.&nbsp; Multiple family gatherings, performances, school events,&hellip; <\/p>\n<div class=\"readmore-wrapper\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/2024\/12\/03\/all-is-calm-all-is-bright-making-christmas-enjoyable-2\/\" class=\"more-link\">Read <\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":3540,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_stc_notifier_status":"sent","_stc_notifier_sent_time":"2024-12-03 04:46:23","_stc_notifier_request":false,"_stc_notifier_prevent":false,"_stc_subscriber_keywords":"","_stc_subscriber_search_areas":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[5,37],"tags":[602,217,222,605,220,510,18,606,227,100,604,603,185,439],"class_list":["post-5606","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-home","category-seasonal-planning","tag-advent","tag-christmas","tag-christmas-season","tag-cozy-winter","tag-december","tag-finding-rest","tag-planning","tag-restful-christmas","tag-seasonal-living","tag-seasonal-planning","tag-seasonal-plans","tag-seasonal-routines","tag-slowing-down","tag-winter"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5606","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5606"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5606\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5607,"href":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5606\/revisions\/5607"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3540"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5606"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5606"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5606"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}