Comments on: How Do You Keep December Beautiful and Simple? http://www.teapartygirl.com/how-do-you-keep-december-beautiful-and-simple Teaching the Beautiful and Simple Afternoon Tea Mon, 15 Mar 2010 00:54:15 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.1 By: Mary Jane http://www.teapartygirl.com/how-do-you-keep-december-beautiful-and-simple#comment-1267 Mary Jane Fri, 09 Nov 2007 14:10:15 +0000 http://www.teapartygirl.com/how-do-you-keep-december-beautiful-and-simple#comment-1267 Because I cherish and appreciate the wonderful people in my life all year long and honor them throughout the year, I do not have that feeling of having to go overboard at Christmas. For me Christmas is every day of the year. I only do what I would do any other day of the year and they know that I am there for them when they need me. Hosting a Simple Open House for friends is the only gathering that I plan. I often have it after Christmas when all the excitement of the holiday is over. They seem to appreciate the idea that it is a time to relax after all the holiday plans are a thing of the past. Happy Simple Holidays to All! Mary Jane Because I cherish and appreciate the wonderful people in my life all year long and honor them throughout the year, I do not have that feeling of having to go overboard at Christmas.

For me Christmas is every day of the year.

I only do what I would do any other day of the year and they know that I am there for them when they need me.

Hosting a Simple Open House for friends is the only gathering that I plan. I often have it after Christmas when all the excitement of the holiday is over. They seem to appreciate the idea that it is a time to relax after all the holiday plans are a thing of the past.

Happy Simple Holidays to All!

Mary Jane

]]> By: Steph W http://www.teapartygirl.com/how-do-you-keep-december-beautiful-and-simple#comment-1260 Steph W Thu, 08 Nov 2007 21:40:06 +0000 http://www.teapartygirl.com/how-do-you-keep-december-beautiful-and-simple#comment-1260 PS - I love all of these ideas - it's encouraging to hear that other people are striving for the simple life! PS - I love all of these ideas - it’s encouraging to hear that other people are striving for the simple life!

]]> By: Steph W http://www.teapartygirl.com/how-do-you-keep-december-beautiful-and-simple#comment-1259 Steph W Thu, 08 Nov 2007 21:36:58 +0000 http://www.teapartygirl.com/how-do-you-keep-december-beautiful-and-simple#comment-1259 I told all of my friends that I was making a donation in their name to a charity, instead of giving one more "thing". I pooled all of my money and gave a nice chunk of money to one charity. My friends seemed really touched, I didn't contribute to consumerism, and we all helped out an organization in need. I told all of my friends that I was making a donation in their name to a charity, instead of giving one more “thing”. I pooled all of my money and gave a nice chunk of money to one charity. My friends seemed really touched, I didn’t contribute to consumerism, and we all helped out an organization in need.

]]> By: Sue Crocker http://www.teapartygirl.com/how-do-you-keep-december-beautiful-and-simple#comment-1255 Sue Crocker Thu, 08 Nov 2007 11:04:49 +0000 http://www.teapartygirl.com/how-do-you-keep-december-beautiful-and-simple#comment-1255 We've also scaled back on Christmas -- I haven't sent "real" Christmas cards in several years. However, this year I'm going to have an Advent blog instead. This way there's a new post every day, and I can preload them up before posting. 99% of our family has Internet access, so this will work out just fine. I did buy a few $1 props to use for photos a few years ago. As far as gifts for out of state relatives, Amazon gift cards work. We’ve also scaled back on Christmas — I haven’t sent “real” Christmas cards in several years.

However, this year I’m going to have an Advent blog instead. This way there’s a new post every day, and I can preload them up before posting.

99% of our family has Internet access, so this will work out just fine. I did buy a few $1 props to use for photos a few years ago.

As far as gifts for out of state relatives, Amazon gift cards work.

]]> By: Liz C http://www.teapartygirl.com/how-do-you-keep-december-beautiful-and-simple#comment-1250 Liz C Wed, 07 Nov 2007 23:02:08 +0000 http://www.teapartygirl.com/how-do-you-keep-december-beautiful-and-simple#comment-1250 Our Christmas is very low-key. We don't shop, but choose to do homemade gifts. I don't generally send out cards, but we'll often write letters to special people. We do catch one community concert, and last year we spent Christmas Eve afternoon baking and decorating cookies, then taking them to neighbor's homes, and that was fun. We use evenings for snuggling on the couch and reading aloud. And since we don't "do" Santa, the older kids have a good time choosing bulk granola and dried fruits/nuts to put in stockings--that's Christmas morning breakfast for everyone. Completely checking out of the commercial push has been the biggest, best thing we've ever done! Our Christmas is very low-key. We don’t shop, but choose to do homemade gifts. I don’t generally send out cards, but we’ll often write letters to special people. We do catch one community concert, and last year we spent Christmas Eve afternoon baking and decorating cookies, then taking them to neighbor’s homes, and that was fun. We use evenings for snuggling on the couch and reading aloud. And since we don’t “do” Santa, the older kids have a good time choosing bulk granola and dried fruits/nuts to put in stockings–that’s Christmas morning breakfast for everyone.

Completely checking out of the commercial push has been the biggest, best thing we’ve ever done!

]]> By: Sara http://www.teapartygirl.com/how-do-you-keep-december-beautiful-and-simple#comment-1248 Sara Wed, 07 Nov 2007 20:39:20 +0000 http://www.teapartygirl.com/how-do-you-keep-december-beautiful-and-simple#comment-1248 I would say there are 2 major things we do that I think helps me enjoy the season more. One, I plan/shop as much as possible in months beforehand so I can catch great sales and also have time to think of good ideas. Right now, I have 80% of my shopping done, including all wrapping items. Two, my mom's family has had a tradition for years which is to have Christmas "dinner" on a day besides Christmas, so on Christmas morning we all wake up and have a small but really nice brunch and just hang out in our pjs and open presents and play games and listen to music. It is so relaxing to not have to cook a big meal on Christmas! I have lots of other things I do, but some have been mentioned in the other posts so I'll leave it to those 2 main ideas. Have a wonderful Christmas! I would say there are 2 major things we do that I think helps me enjoy the season more. One, I plan/shop as much as possible in months beforehand so I can catch great sales and also have time to think of good ideas. Right now, I have 80% of my shopping done, including all wrapping items. Two, my mom’s family has had a tradition for years which is to have Christmas “dinner” on a day besides Christmas, so on Christmas morning we all wake up and have a small but really nice brunch and just hang out in our pjs and open presents and play games and listen to music. It is so relaxing to not have to cook a big meal on Christmas!
I have lots of other things I do, but some have been mentioned in the other posts so I’ll leave it to those 2 main ideas. Have a wonderful Christmas!

]]> By: Molly http://www.teapartygirl.com/how-do-you-keep-december-beautiful-and-simple#comment-1247 Molly Wed, 07 Nov 2007 20:11:08 +0000 http://www.teapartygirl.com/how-do-you-keep-december-beautiful-and-simple#comment-1247 Like someone above, we also give our children only 3 gifts around the theme of "J.O.Y."...one to help you be more like Jesus, one to share with Others (usually a board game or dvd), and one just for You. They love it! We draw names with extended family members and always do a carry-in style for the meal with the extended family, that way one person is not doing it all. The host usually cooks the meat, whether turkey, ham, etc. We have switched from Christmas cards to a letter format, which this year will be a New Year's version, since we are expecting a baby around Christmas...ha ha, now THERE'S a way to simplify things! Ha! You can't commit to much b/c you might be in the hospital! :) We also try to focus on giving to others and not getting. Some of our family traditions include fixing a gift basket of staples and treats for a needy family and delivering it together, buying something needed for our church nursery or Sunday school classes, and participating in our church's name/gift exchange for children whose parents don't come to church with them. Our children LOVE this and I think they get more excited thinking about what these other children would like than they do about what they "want" for Christmas! Another thing, we are not a big t.v. watching family (we stick mainly to dvd's/videos and special programs that we choose as a family), so that also helps to cut down on the commercials our kids see...helping a bit with the "Oh, I want that and that and that!" One thing I have learned in the recent years, it's okay to say no! :) I used to feel pressured to participate in all the special stuff, but realized it was taking a toll on our family! Now, we are more selective and choose things that fit in with the way we want our family to celebrate Christmas. Hope that helps some. Like someone above, we also give our children only 3 gifts around the theme of “J.O.Y.”…one to help you be more like Jesus, one to share with Others (usually a board game or dvd), and one just for You. They love it! We draw names with extended family members and always do a carry-in style for the meal with the extended family, that way one person is not doing it all. The host usually cooks the meat, whether turkey, ham, etc. We have switched from Christmas cards to a letter format, which this year will be a New Year’s version, since we are expecting a baby around Christmas…ha ha, now THERE’S a way to simplify things! Ha! You can’t commit to much b/c you might be in the hospital! :) We also try to focus on giving to others and not getting. Some of our family traditions include fixing a gift basket of staples and treats for a needy family and delivering it together, buying something needed for our church nursery or Sunday school classes, and participating in our church’s name/gift exchange for children whose parents don’t come to church with them. Our children LOVE this and I think they get more excited thinking about what these other children would like than they do about what they “want” for Christmas! Another thing, we are not a big t.v. watching family (we stick mainly to dvd’s/videos and special programs that we choose as a family), so that also helps to cut down on the commercials our kids see…helping a bit with the “Oh, I want that and that and that!” One thing I have learned in the recent years, it’s okay to say no! :) I used to feel pressured to participate in all the special stuff, but realized it was taking a toll on our family! Now, we are more selective and choose things that fit in with the way we want our family to celebrate Christmas. Hope that helps some.

]]> By: Kristen http://www.teapartygirl.com/how-do-you-keep-december-beautiful-and-simple#comment-1246 Kristen Wed, 07 Nov 2007 18:54:42 +0000 http://www.teapartygirl.com/how-do-you-keep-december-beautiful-and-simple#comment-1246 We scale back the gifts. The kids only get three gifts and we don't feel guilty because they will recieve more gifts from other extended family members. Also, we exchange extended family gifts with the cousins but not aunts and uncles. The most helpful thing for me is not to fall into the retail trap. I spend as much time as possible out of the stores (and not reading magazines) that will try to make me feel like I have to have something. It is also good not to bring my kids shopping...they are most vulnerable to the christmas marketing. We want Christmas to be about Christ, not about ourselves. We scale back the gifts. The kids only get three gifts and we don’t feel guilty because they will recieve more gifts from other extended family members. Also, we exchange extended family gifts with the cousins but not aunts and uncles. The most helpful thing for me is not to fall into the retail trap. I spend as much time as possible out of the stores (and not reading magazines) that will try to make me feel like I have to have something. It is also good not to bring my kids shopping…they are most vulnerable to the christmas marketing. We want Christmas to be about Christ, not about ourselves.

]]> By: ames http://www.teapartygirl.com/how-do-you-keep-december-beautiful-and-simple#comment-1245 ames Wed, 07 Nov 2007 18:14:11 +0000 http://www.teapartygirl.com/how-do-you-keep-december-beautiful-and-simple#comment-1245 My biggest tip for a simple holiday season would be avoid travelling, since this is my number one stressor. However, that's not really an option a lot of the time. Christmas is bar-none my favorite holiday but it always seems like *something* doesn't turn out right. So my next best tip is to *relax,* even if the tree falls over (that one was my fault), even if all the cookies get eaten by the dog (hey, she had a *great* holiday that year), even if you're sitting in an airport Christmas morning or you had your wisdom teeth out Christmas Eve (thanks mom and dad), even if it's not the perfect holiday you dreamed of, you'll still have memories you can smile about. My biggest tip for a simple holiday season would be avoid travelling, since this is my number one stressor. However, that’s not really an option a lot of the time.

Christmas is bar-none my favorite holiday but it always seems like *something* doesn’t turn out right. So my next best tip is to *relax,* even if the tree falls over (that one was my fault), even if all the cookies get eaten by the dog (hey, she had a *great* holiday that year), even if you’re sitting in an airport Christmas morning or you had your wisdom teeth out Christmas Eve (thanks mom and dad), even if it’s not the perfect holiday you dreamed of, you’ll still have memories you can smile about.

]]> By: christy russell http://www.teapartygirl.com/how-do-you-keep-december-beautiful-and-simple#comment-1244 christy russell Wed, 07 Nov 2007 18:11:39 +0000 http://www.teapartygirl.com/how-do-you-keep-december-beautiful-and-simple#comment-1244 You are right! Christmas is so very magical and I believe it is important to keep the essence of its meaning alive, rather than losing it to worry. I have found that it is especially helpful to throw a small christmas tea gathering and allow that time for friends and children to help decorate the house. You can use the time to bring out each persons creative side and make your own garlands from popcorn and dried cranberries, or your own scented candles by placing dried spices around the candle. It is such a blast and by the end of the night everything is decorated and reminds you of each person that helped make it! Christmas is about connecting and nurturing each other, remembering the kindness and love in each other. Instead of buying presents for everyone, sit down and write a letter to each person that you love dearly; expressing to them why they mean so much to you! You can even go as far as to frame it and place some art work around it, you will be surprised how much this letter gets cherished! One Christmas, there was no money to buy gifts at our house so we gathered around the tree on Christmas Eve and gathered all the magazines we had around the house. For the next couple of hours we cut out pictures in magazines that we would buy for each other if we could! We then wrapped the pictures up in wrapping paper and placed them under the tree for Christmas morning. That was the best Christmas I can remember because you got to see what your family would get you if they could, and the day never once became about money. I really felt the meaning of true giving that day! We all cried together and from that Christmas forward we only give money gifts to the children but we give pure love to the rest of our family and friends! Try it...it's purely magical! You are right! Christmas is so very magical and I believe it is important to keep the essence of its meaning alive, rather than losing it to worry. I have found that it is especially helpful to throw a small christmas tea gathering and allow that time for friends and children to help decorate the house. You can use the time to bring out each persons creative side and make your own garlands from popcorn and dried cranberries, or your own scented candles by placing dried spices around the candle. It is such a blast and by the end of the night everything is decorated and reminds you of each person that helped make it! Christmas is about connecting and nurturing each other, remembering the kindness and love in each other.
Instead of buying presents for everyone, sit down and write a letter to each person that you love dearly; expressing to them why they mean so much to you! You can even go as far as to frame it and place some art work around it, you will be surprised how much this letter gets cherished!
One Christmas, there was no money to buy gifts at our house so we gathered around the tree on Christmas Eve and gathered all the magazines we had around the house. For the next couple of hours we cut out pictures in magazines that we would buy for each other if we could! We then wrapped the pictures up in wrapping paper and placed them under the tree for Christmas morning. That was the best Christmas I can remember because you got to see what your family would get you if they could, and the day never once became about money. I really felt the meaning of true giving that day! We all cried together and from that Christmas forward we only give money gifts to the children but we give pure love to the rest of our family and friends! Try it…it’s purely magical!

]]>