I admit it, I love Christmas. I"m a regular Christmas buffoon. I love the festivities, the decorations, the food, the gift giving, the whole thing. I'm one of those people that put their decorations up as soon as Halloween is over (um, yeah, they're up now). But I have simplified things quite a bit, and come next Christmas season I'm looking to simplify even more.
I have a two year old and I'm due with my second in December. Maybe it's just that I'm a bit older, or maybe it's that I didn't have a small child to run after last time, but man am I more tired this pregnancy. Also, having a small, spirited child means that large, elaborated Christmas trees and decor are kind of pointless (or asking for disaster). So no tree for us this year. And probably no tree for us for a couple years, in which time I'd like to have made/gotten personal ornaments that will hold memories and meaning when put on our tree. All my decorations went up in a couple hours, and that was with constant toddler interuptions. I have a candle with a wreath, some wall decals, I decorated our desk hutch with our Christmas movies, books, and the few decor pieces we had, and I made a little wall tree with Christmas paper plates. We have a few special ornaments, which I put on a couple ornament holders in our hallway.
I have all my Christmas shopping done, other than whatever me and dh will decide to do for each other. I shop throughout the year, but it has become a source of stress and clutter for me. I wasn't as organized this year and I had to buy more things new than I would otherwise. Thus, I've decided every family is getting a basket with homemade goodies, a christmas cd/movie/game, and maybe some small things like coloring books for the kiddoes. That's it! I feel like I have to keep up with grandparents, santa, and everyone else and it's wearing me out.
Wrapping paper-I'm letting my toddler color on some plain brown wrap, which we'll probably do this week. I'm hoping it will cut down on waste as relatives and friends will want to keep the momento of her drawings. Plus it's a fun activity for us to do that doesn't take a ton of effort.
I am sort of wanting to make some ornaments, maybe buy a kit, but it's for just us and I'm not feeling pressured by time constraints since I don't need them this year.
I hope to get the gifts wrapped up by Thanksgiving so I can sit back and watch Christmas movies until it's time to birth my new little bundle.
And as far as all the festivities-I'm only going to what I'm comfortable going to. If hubby wants to make appearances with the kiddo/kids I'm more than fine with that, as it leaves me even more time to decompress.
I have a two year old and I'm due with my second in December. Maybe it's just that I'm a bit older, or maybe it's that I didn't have a small child to run after last time, but man am I more tired this pregnancy. Also, having a small, spirited child means that large, elaborated Christmas trees and decor are kind of pointless (or asking for disaster). So no tree for us this year. And probably no tree for us for a couple years, in which time I'd like to have made/gotten personal ornaments that will hold memories and meaning when put on our tree. All my decorations went up in a couple hours, and that was with constant toddler interuptions. I have a candle with a wreath, some wall decals, I decorated our desk hutch with our Christmas movies, books, and the few decor pieces we had, and I made a little wall tree with Christmas paper plates. We have a few special ornaments, which I put on a couple ornament holders in our hallway.
I have all my Christmas shopping done, other than whatever me and dh will decide to do for each other. I shop throughout the year, but it has become a source of stress and clutter for me. I wasn't as organized this year and I had to buy more things new than I would otherwise. Thus, I've decided every family is getting a basket with homemade goodies, a christmas cd/movie/game, and maybe some small things like coloring books for the kiddoes. That's it! I feel like I have to keep up with grandparents, santa, and everyone else and it's wearing me out.
Wrapping paper-I'm letting my toddler color on some plain brown wrap, which we'll probably do this week. I'm hoping it will cut down on waste as relatives and friends will want to keep the momento of her drawings. Plus it's a fun activity for us to do that doesn't take a ton of effort.
I am sort of wanting to make some ornaments, maybe buy a kit, but it's for just us and I'm not feeling pressured by time constraints since I don't need them this year.
I hope to get the gifts wrapped up by Thanksgiving so I can sit back and watch Christmas movies until it's time to birth my new little bundle.
And as far as all the festivities-I'm only going to what I'm comfortable going to. If hubby wants to make appearances with the kiddo/kids I'm more than fine with that, as it leaves me even more time to decompress.
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