Are you getting into the Christmas spirit yet? Oh, I love Christmas! Here is a new and improved list of things you can do to be Merry and Bright and ponder the real meaning of Christmas this year… like no other!
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Sometimes we get so busy with all the preparation and bustle of Christmas we forget our Ho Ho Ho! It’s more like Ho Ho Humbug! Christmas can be a stressful time and that’s such a shame!
I’m sharing 10 ways to put a little jingle back into your step and Christmas joy in your heart! Even if you are the happiest of Christmas elves these ideas will help you celebrate this special season!
This year will be so different for many of us and it is the perfect time to shift our focus on others! And isn’t LOVE the real truth of the season?
I’m sure these suggestions will get you singing Christmas carols in no time!
LISTEN TO CHRISTMAS MUSIC
Listen to your favorite Christmas music! When I ‘m cleaning or decorating a room or a tree I like to listen to peppy, fun Christmas music. When I cook I listen to Michael Buble or Christmas standards and when I’m working and need to concentrate without a whole lot of foot tapping I listen to my Pandora station: Peaceful Christmas Music!
PANDORA has the most wonderful Christmas stations!
Christmas music is such a special treat and most of us only listen to it this time of year! Get in as much Christmas music listening as you can! It’s a real mood lifter!
FILL YOUR HOME WITH THE SCENTS OF CHRISTMAS
Oh, joy!!!! Aromas create and trigger strong memories. Fill your home with scents of peppermint, cinnamon and cloves, evergreen, vanilla and other delicious Christmas scents.
My favorite way to do this is diffusing essential oils.
If you are an “oily” girl or guy you might like my favorite Christmas combination from Young Living.
Mix 6 drops of Thieves, 3 cinnamon, 2 cloves, and 2 orange or tangerine. I am a young living consultant. Use my member number to order 3098375.
You can also see my original recipe for CHRISTMAS IS IN THE AIR SIMMERING POTPOURRI. I’ve been simmering this during Christmas for decades. My son says, “Mom this smells like Christmas”!
There are also so many beautifully scented candles that can create a luscious Christmas scent in your home!
One of my favorite ways to a heavenly aroma to my home is to scent my own pinecones.
It’s so easy and they can be refreshed as needed!
See HOW TO MAKE SCENTED PINECONES HERE.
CUT DOWN YOUR TO-DO LIST
Okay, just do it!!!! You know you should!
Even in this unusual time most of us have a pretty busy holiday schedule!
If you are like me, you tend to keep piling those chores, parties, responsibilities, etc on! Don’t do it!
The object of getting to Christmas day is to have a prepared heart not a prepared everything else in the universe!
That leaves our spiritual and emotional tanks empty and our bodies exhausted with hot glued fingertips, glitter in our hair, and bags under our eyes!
I took a serious look at all I did a few years back and cut it down!!!!
Did I really need to make 15 different kinds of Christmas cookies? NO! So if I make them I only make a few of our very favorites. This is so so freeing!
Do I really need three Christmas trees decking the halls at the Tanglewood house?
It’s much better to have one that is carefully and joyfully decorated! Please hear me… Do what is important to you and your family. That’s it! You will be so much happier and your family will love you for it too!
Christmas can be Christmas without all the extras. Charlie Brown was right!
GET INTO THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT BY ASKING FOR HELP
This is huge!
My grandmother lived with her mother-in-law, my great aunt lived down the street and Nani’s next-door neighbors felt like family. They worked together! “Many hands make light work”. The old adage is true!
We can learn a lot about working together from our grandmothers.
This year it may be harder to share the responsibility of Christmas preparations with others outside our family but we can spread the work around with people in our “bubble”.
If you love cookie baking barter to do it for a Christmas chore you don’t like as much! If you are a decorating elf but cleaning/organizing is just not your gift let it be known that you are ready to trade jobs!
Because of my busy job I have help. My friend also works for me and will help me put away my Christmas decorations this year. I can’t even begin to tell you the giant Christmas-tree-size weight that will be lifted off of me!
I usually move into January’s blogging schedule and won’t have time to de-decorate… except between the hours of 1:00 AM to 3:00 AM the week right after New Year. And that is already scheduled for much-needed sleep!
Delegate. You should not do all the Christmas work. If another person lives in your home share the work and enjoy the fun together!
Do things that make your life and the Christmas season easier and more enjoyable! Ask for help!
Seriously, do it!
DECORATE SOMETHING FOR 20 MINUTES
Decorating our homes at Christmastime can be daunting!
How fun would it be to pour yourself into a Christmas decoration that only took 20 minutes to do?
Most of us can find 20 minutes in our day to make something beautiful. And making an effort to only concentrate on that one thing for 20 minutes will give our minds a much needed time-out and get us into the Christmas spirit.
There are so many easy to do Christmas arrangements on the blog that take less than 20 minutes to create.
Here are just a few…
- Christmas Box
- Stacking Bowl Arrangement
- Create A Beautiful Christmas Arrangement From A Faux Houseplant
- Modern Advent Wreath
READ THE TRUE CHRISTMAS STORY
If you are not feeling very Christmassy, give yourself a break! It’s okay.
To tell you the truth, how we celebrate Christmas is a far cry from the real-deal first Christmas! If you want to really get the true meaning of Christmas read about it in the Bible… Luke 2:1-20. Or read about it HERE.
Christmas is really not about the decorating and tinsel. It’s about how God came to us with His plan of salvation! Oh, now that is something to celebrate, my friend!
Even if you are the jolliest of Christmas lovers or the grumpiest Grinch you should make time to read the true Christmas story! It’s so good for your soul.
Christmas Spirit is real and should be cherished!
READ A CHRISTMAS BOOK
Take time to read a few Christmas books! The ones on the list below are simple and yet so poignant!
- THE GIFT OF THE MAGI
- UNWRAPPING THE GREATEST GIFT
- THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER (I read this every year)
- THE LITTLEST ANGEL (this one too and cry buckets)
- THE CHRISTMAS WISH
WATCH A CHRISTMAS MOVIE
Grab a bowl of popcorn (and maybe some candy canes) and the family and watch a Christmas movie together!
We had a family tradition that continues to this day. Every Friday night is movie night. Now my children who have young families do the same.
DRIVE AROUND AND LOOK AT CHRISTMAS LIGHTS
This is a big favorite of mine!
Last night on the way home from a family birthday dinner Bobby and I were making a mental note of what homes we want to visit on our “Christmas lights” tour. The good, the bad and the oh,-what-were-you-thinking! I must admit I LOVE a train wreck of a display as much as I love a one-of-a-kind Christmas beauty!
There is something magical about Christmas lights! Make sure to turn on the Christmas tunes and take a thermos or traveler of hot chocolate and maybe a cookie or two!
Make it a family event!
PAINT YOUR NAIL RED
Get a manicure and paint your nails Christmas red! And if you are daring, add sparkles! Enough said!
GO FOR A WALK
Don’t forget to exercise during the holidays. We tend to drop our exercise routines when we get busy. But exercise will help your mental outlook and we will feel better too! I swim and it’s such good medicine!
Spend time in the fresh air. Get outside! Even if it is cold!
Opps! I think that was 11 ways to get into the Christmas spirit! Here are a few other things that might put a little jingle bell in your step!
- stay away from the mall (Only go to see Santa. The rest can be life-sucking at Christmas!) and unsafe this year
- order online
- visit local shops
- buy a small real evergreen tree (If you have a big artificial tree get a small tree or at least a bunch of real greens right before Christmas)
- send Christmas cards, we all need a little extra cheer this year
- drink hot chocolate ( Here’s an easy slow cooker peppermint hot chocolate I love)
- give to your favorite charity- many more people need a helping hand this year
- go to church
- volunteer if you can do it safely
- find out what local events are happening in your area and go if they are outside
- wrap gifts as you get them
- eat lots of cookies (and make sure you follow the last tip- get those walking shoes on!)
- make gifts/cookies for friends and drop them off at their front door
- hang a wreath on your front door with a big bow
Here’s hoping you have the merriest Christmas ever!
How do you get in the Christmas spirit! Please share!
Great Ideas!
Any idea where I can find that beautiful white planter/vase in the very top picture?
Love receiving and reading your blog. Thank you for sharing such thoughtful suggestions and comments. The pictures are beautiful. There is a Tanglewood neighborhood near my church in Houston. Are you in Houston?
Hi Sherry, Thank you! I’m in Lancaster Co. Pa.
I just love you, and your amazing posts. I for sure will be given a try the items on your list that I do not do. Thank you for these excellent tips/ideas. We hope you and your family have a safe and Happy Holidays, as well.
Ivory, thanks for such sweet comments you leave on StoneGable! Merry Christmas to you and yours too!
Great post!
Love the list, maybe sometime you will be able to treat Yvonne to something on the list, lol. Just wanted to thank you for all the ideas during this past year. Even copied the door wreath, but didn’t have stars, so I made them from a plastic milk jug and sprayed them white, lol looks amazing, teehee Stay Safe
You are I amazing!!!! And yes, to do fun Christmas things all day long!
Thank you, I needed this.
Give us a daily on planning our wardrobe for the season. I know you must do this, please share.
Church, party, hanging at home, company coming, caroling to name a few. Help!
So enjoy seeing your new home.
You are the best!
Hi Ethel, wardrobe is not in my wheelhouse. Sorry!I would love someone to do that for me!
Yvonne, thanks for your post! You are always thinking of us and bringing us such great suggestions that help us. Your posts always have something that each one of us can take away. You are appreciated so much! Bless you for being so special!
Good morning!
Enjoyed this post very much, thank you.
I will try to follow your suggestions for a merrier holiday season and thru out the years.
Happy Thanksgiving🦃
Another good read is A Cup of Christmas Tea by Tom Hegg, illustrated by Warren Hanson.
Hi Yvonne,
I am new to your posts and must say they fill my soul with energy, simplicity, and abundance. Thank you so very much. I trust you’ll have a blessed Thanksgiving Day.
Be sure to watch the old Christmas Chronicles movie, and the new one comes out to Netflix on Wednesday.
Welcome to the StoneGable family, Lisa!
Hi Yvonne , Great advice , as always .
I bought myself a new tree back in September as we have spent much of this year in one of the worst lockdowns in the world . Thinking of Christmas and all of what it meant , lifted my outlook . This weekend I decorated the house , but pared back because I wanted the simplicity of what we needed in our life to shine through , along with the simple truth of Christ that kept us going during this year . The Prince of Peace will be truly honoured this Christmas . I took your advice on lots of greenery and I love it , a very different look for me .
Angie, I love anything that lets Christ shine!
Thank you, thank you . I truly needed these things. Working hard, and coming home dead to the world and my family, I needed this pick me up, get into the spirit of the holiday’s. Also looking at your beautiful decorative home, always put me in a good mood. You Rock!
Ivory, I know that this time of year can add a lot of added stress on us to “get it all done”! But the real reason for the season is the celebration of a tiny babe! Family and fellowship is the most important thing, right?
The movie CHRISTMAS VACATION needs to be on the list Yvonne!! =-)
Thanks for your list of all the things you can do to get in the Christmas spirit. You helped me to remember things I used to do and forgot or stopped because of all of the other things I thought I had to do. I am ready for Christmas this year and looking forward for all of the fun things I have not done for years!!
Thank-you,
Tanya S
I’m so glad to reintroduce these fun things to you again, friend!
Yvonne,
This post is my favorite in a while! I love the list of Christmas movies, books, and music. You’ve inspired me! I haven’t thought much about Christmas yet – Thanksgiving first! But now I’m really looking forward to this special season!
And another favorite movie that is so funny – National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation!
(Also, there were fewer pop up ads which is such a relief.) Your blog is always informative and inspiring, but this post is exceptionally so.
???????⛪️❤️
just reading your list is getting me in the Christmas spirit! I agree with focusing on the traditions that the family all enjoys and not putting effort into the things we have always done just because we’ve always done them.
Thank you for taking the time to write your blog your ideas are amazing ..my xmas decor is simple…picked up a few idea from your blog..
Great! And you are so smart to keep things simple
Great post! Last Christmas was our most trouble free, casual affair that we all voted it a wonderful Christmas. My family were dashing off overseas for a hastily planned vacation. They were going a few days before Christmas and the adults were working right up until they left. It has been decided to have a celebration when they returned but at the last minute decided to have a family before they left giving us little time to prepare. I made my world famous in a family garlic bread, made up a platter and my daughter grabbed some sausages, threw a salad together and put some new potatoes on to cook. We live in the southern hemisphere and the weather was lovely. The barbecue cooked the meat and we sat under the grapevine and had the most wonderful carefree Christmas ever!
It wouldn’t be Christmas in our home without Amy Grant’s “A Christmas Album”!!!
I agree!
Great post, thanks for the movie suggestions and the comment about loving a train wreck cracked me up. We live in a teeny tiny rural town in North East GA and there are lots of “train wreck” lawn decorations year round !
I love all of your favorites. Thank you also for you breakfast casserole. I have a similar one. I’m going to try it with the crossiants. Thank YOU for your blog. Merry Christmas. Thank YOU for keeping Christ in Christmas.
Yvonne,
Thanks for keeping us aware of what Christmas should be about. We make ourselves sick trying to bake everything , home being perfect, loosing sleep and by the time Christmas comes, we’re out of it!!! I learned long time ago not to do as much decorating as I used to, just enjoy what the true meaning of Christmas is and slack off from all the rest. As always, I enjoy your blog so much and looking forward to the week ahead. I hope you get some rest and relaxation wjeanith your family this Christmas season and I’m so glad I found you and your blog site!!!!
jean
ALL good ideas and watch lots and lots of Christmas movies (and keep the Christmas tunes on) !
I wish you were my neighbor. We have loads in common and I’m sure we’d have a great time trading talents. I’d bake your cookies and you could make my centerpieces. Love your decorating style. Thank YOU for sharing! I also love that you share about the Lord and what is truly important.
Yvonne, this is a wonderful list of things to do to get in the Christmas spirit. I like to do a lot of these things. I also love to go to church each Sunday to worship the Lord Jesus Christ. Worshiping is the best thing I can do to get into the Christmas spirit.
Love your suggestions for a wonderful Christmas. No one has an excuse for being bored after reading your suggestions. Thanks as I always enjoy your blog.
Hello Yvonne,
I want to share a heart warming Christmas read with you. It’s THE CHRISTMAS TREE by Julie Salamon. I know you will enjoy it. It’s short and sweet, just right for a busy lady like you!
Have to have Josh Grobban Noel
Thanks for reminding us all to take the time to enjoy this very special season.
First reading of the morning while enjoying my coffee. Yes Christmas is my favorite time of the year. So much so, that We were married on the 22nd of December 44 yrs ago this year.
So enjoyed your blog about decorating for fall and got some good ideas from you. I just completed my 7th chinoiserie decorated pumpkins. It was heart stopping for the first one, got a tad bit easier but still are not perfect. I couldn’t see any wrinkles in your lovelies however mine do have wrinkles. I posted photos of them on my FB page and received lots of sweet comments. Thank you again!
Smooth your finger over the wrinkles with a little bit of Mod Podge.That will help.
absolutely beautiful! I like the ideas and you make it all doable!!
This is not my vase. I’m not sure where it was from. Sorry!
Great ideas! Christmas music really gets me in the spirit of the season. I normally don’t wear red nail polish, but this year I’m going to take your advice and go red for Christmas.
I appreciate and adore your design sense!! You have made my Christmas decorating something I can have fun with!! Thank you kindly!!!
Thank you Yvonne. Just what is needed….as I prepare my home for Thanksgiving. My mother is scheduled for surgery next week (out of town), so I need to have as much as possible in order at home before we leave. I did some deep cleaning last weekend, that gave me a big start to purging as well! Because my mother is 90, I have to be prepared for whatever may happen, hoping for the best.
Hi Yvonne,
I’m new to your site and started to follow your site because my grandmother’s name was Yvonne. I miss female companionship, no sisters, no daughter, still missing my mom after 17 years. I always had a houseful at the holidays and spent hours decorating even putting a full size Christmas tree in our master bedroom. Looking at your posts soothes my inner longing for those times as my husband and I look forward to Christmas just the two of us. Enjoy these times and the busyness of the season; they go by so quickly. And thank you for keeping the real reason of Christmas in your posts!
Hi Margo, you will always have a sisterhood with your StoneGable community!
This list is great. Thanks for sharing!
Uh oh, I think you’re getting me in the Christmas spirit! That’s wonderful!
Thanks for the refocus… I just finished directing 3 performances of our children’s drama/musical in our church. that plus 2 jobs and it’s easy to forget to prepare my heart for Christmas. One week to go and I have all my wrapping and baking to do before my family arrives. Thank you for your words.
I hope to finish wrapping tonight. Shopping is finished! Money is gone! Cards go out tomorrow ( late this year :(,but done!).
All I have left is cleaning and cooking. Will possibly help son get finished once he gets paid this week. Poor guy– new job, paid once a month– so last minute for him with exception of his son’s gifts. Put him first and hoping to get paid on Friday to get the rest.
I drive my group crazy with Christmas music playing in the house and watching Hallmark movies for two months! Lol!!
This week hopefully I can focus on the grandchildren since we won’t be having our days chopped up with transporting duties. Purchased some gingerbread houses today to work on, plan to read Christmas books, and watch movies all week with them, and maybe a few Christmas crafts. Tough with 5,2,3 year olds!!
Church service Friday night, and I will do a quick clean on Saturday after annual family breakfast and then set up for Christmas Day.
We have gone to look at lights a couple of times, and if we are out in the evening will typically have a random drive home to see more.
It will be here, and over, before we know it!!
I’m definitely into giving to others, whether it’s a service or something material. This makes me feel more like I am living the life that God wants me to lead; a way to honor his legacy. It is more beautiful to give….at least to my spirit. I still do not have my tree up, but there is a wreath on the door, as of today. I’m trying to make it look more like Christmas in my home, but it’s been Christmas in my heart all year. Merry Christmas to you and thank you for all the lovely inspiration!
Great selection of movies for gift giving.
Thank you for the ideas! I truly love all of the black & white, & buffalo checks in your decor!
This Christmas is rather sad for me, with some personal issues going on. But I am trying not to let the enemy steal my joy! For I know that the joy of the Lord is my strength, and He who is in me is greater than he who is in the world!
Merry Christmas!
That’s the attitude Nita!
I forget to do all the little touches but they sure do make a difference! Thanks for sharing!
I love the suggestions
Great post you touched it all with great info! Was making a list of items for our Christmas gift box donation to our local women’s safe house when my hubby walked by and and said don’t forget “Red” polish…I didn’t!
Love these ideas…one of my favorite things at Christmas time is to host a dinner party for a group of old friends. We all met at church 20 something years ago…we have seen one another through joyful and painful times and have cherished friendships. We don’t all see each other as much as we used to, so this annual get together is even more special. We gathered last night and had such a wonderful time. Yvonne, I took some of your advice and delegated the appetizers and desserts to others focusing on the main meal and the atmosphere of my home….so much more enjoyable as the hostess to not do all of the work….Thanks for a wonderful blog!
Love listening to Christmas music while I bake for neighbors gifts. Turn it up LOUD and Praise the Lord!
Thanks Yvonne. I love the idea to put on some Christmas music to get in the spirit of Christmas. Lots of great tips. Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Very good advise Yvonne! Thanks Yvonne.
It’s a wonderful life is one of my favorite movies to watch this time of year
Thank you Yvonne. I have had trouble getting into the Christmas spirit this year and need this reminder. I don’t use Pandora a lot, but just turned on the Peaceful Christmas music channel and am now listening to some lovely Christmas music. Time to get decorating!
This hits the spot once again Yvonne! Here I am back home from taking care of my Mom for two weeks . Not A Thing is done here. There are still pumpkins everywhere! Family coming for Christmas dinner in two weekends. Yikes. Tr to find the Christmas music and the spirit!
Love all your tips, Yvonne. Thanks
Thank You so much for the Christmas inspirational ideas and tips. You truly have a great talent in decorating and most importantly knowing the real meaning of Christmas. I look forward each day to seeing your awesome posts. Here’s wishing you and your family a merry and bright Christmas!
I appreciate your tips so much this year. We are in the midst of construction at our home and don’t have decorations up yet. This has made me a bit down, but am so thankful for Christ and the true meaning of Christmas to keep me and my family grounded. ❤️
Yvonne, my favorite Christmas movie is “Meet Me in St. Louis”. It doesn’t sound like it would be a Christmas movie, but it has lots of Christmas scenes in it. Best of all, Judy Garland sings “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas”…I highly recommend this movie! Merry Christmas to you!
~Ann
A really great post, thank you‼️
Thank you, Yvonne, for a post I really needed to see today. We just buried a wonderful friend of nearly 70 years, and I haven’t been able to make myself decorate for Chritmas yet. Your post has given me the jolt I needed to get started. Merry Christmas!
As a retired Children’s librarian, there are so many Christmas and holiday inspired books! I love them! My favorite is Robert Sabuda’s pop up book “The Night Before Christmas”. The story literally pops off the page. The kids love it! I readily agree with your tips for the spirit motivating.
Love this post, as I am struggling so much to get into the Christmas spirit this year. I lost my Mom, and my husband lost his oldest brother within less than two weeks of each other, right before and after Christmas a few years ago. And this year, I seem to be missing her so much more. I am going to follow your recipe and hope to capture some of the magic that comes only once a year. Thanks and God bless.
I think your best advice is to choose the few things that mean the most to you and leave the others behind. There is no reason to stress over Christmas. It really should be a time of reflection and joy. Merry Christmas!!
Great ides!
I’m adding to your list – fix yourself a Poinsettia – kick back and relax.
I am going to take the potpourri idea and send that to some of my family as a little Christmas surprise. I can almost smell it now!
Thank you for this important reminder! God bless!
As usual great ideas and tips. Thank you for sharing
Amazing post….thank you for all the encouragement you provide. Merry Christmas ?☃❄️?
You are so right! The smallest decoration can change your mood. Enjoy!
Ho! Ho! Ho! Thanks for helping me get into the spirit of the season!
Thanks so much for the good reminders. I really appreciate. In your list of movie, you happened to name my 3 favorite Christmas movies that I watch each year during the holidays.
After Church on Christmas Eve Bobby and I watch It’s a Wonderful Life and crack open a bottle of Champagne. Now that are kids are grown it’s become a family tradition!
Good suggestions. I would add, review your menus.
Every meal doesn’t have to be a STAND OUT.
Nutrition is what counts. Give the meals your attention now and relax leading up to Christmas.
Thank you, Yvonne.
These are all great ideas! What I like to do, in addition to those you mentioned, is to read a daily Advent book in the month of November. This helps to prepare my heart for Christmas, before all of the busyness. I have found that it is a proactive way to combat the potential stress of the season.
Yes, that is a fabulous way to remember the “reason for the season”.
Thank you so much for all you do and share! You have been such an inspiration this holiday season !
I get so many great ideas from your posts!
“SERIOUSLY CLARK” No mention of NATIONAL LAMPOON’S CHRISTMAS VACATION! An all-time favorite of my families!
Along with all the others you mentioned, just pop a big bowl of popcorn to string or eat and these movies will fill any family evening.
Love all your tips. Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Sue
Yes, Nationa Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation seems to be very popular. We are sort of an old classics family!
But do you recall the most famous reindeer of all?……..Rudolph the red nosed reindeer!
lol! I knew! Who could forget Rudolph! I did, shame on me! Yes, that is a Christmas classic.
All sounds good to me. I think I love the Christmas music the most. We just had a string quartet play at our women’s club luncheon and it was beautiful.
Thanks. Not feeling the Christmas joy this year. This helped!
I’m glad it helped. Now go paint your nail red!
Aw…Christmas ?
Great post! One of our favorite Christmas movies is Christmas Vacation with Chevy Chase.
I would add that getting plenty of rest is an important way to stave off stress and maintain the special joys of the Christmas season.
Christmas music plays in our home everyday this time of year. I too like different genres for different activities. I try to do everything on your list. The hardest was not stressing myself with too munch entertaining. We love to have people over. I was supposed to have all my girlfriends over this week but our dog is ill and I had to cancel. I hope to reschedule but its so hard to fit something in to everyone’s busy life. I miss the holidays with my little people. Being a retired preschool teacher kind of leaves a “wonder hole” in my life. With no grandchildren in sight, my nieces are a welcome help with cookie baking. My son says I overdo Christmas but I love to decorate. Red and green are my favorite colors!!!
Oh my goodness, one of our favorite old movies to watch around the holidays is “The Apartment” with Jack Lemmon. It is SO good and really sweet! However, it is more for adults. There is no bad language or nudity or anything, but it is more of an adult theme.
Another really great, and really funny, one is “Planes, Trains, and Automobiles” with John Candy, even though this one is set more around the Thanksgiving holiday. A touching, but hilarious, good movie with a great ending!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all and thanks to this site for all the awesome ideas!
We love all of the old movies but also enjoy among the newer ones, Christmas with the Kranks!
Thank you so much for the post on capturing our Christmas spirit. You have broken chores into increments that are achievable with an equal balance of rewards to encourage us along. Blessings to you.
These are very good suggestions. We all need reminders in December.:)
Just read this. I love what you said. Christmas is coming, and thank you for this post to make our lives more fulfilled.
I turn on Christmas music to get me up and moving to clean the house or bake. Music really lifts your mood even when you are tackling the most mundane chore.
You are so right Harriet!
I am having a hard time getting into the Christmas spirit this year, not sure why. I don’t feel quite as overwhelmed as I usually do at this time of year. I guess I should start playing my Christmas CD’s at home. Time Life Treasury of Christmas are my favorites for the classics. I also can’t let the season go by without watching National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, as well as White Christmas. Taking a drive to look at Christmas lights has always been one of our traditions as well.
going to make your Christmas Simmering Potpourri!! Can’t wait to smell that delicious aroma!
Each year I watch It’s a Wonderful Life – I never get tired of it!
Good reminders and all easy to,do. Thank you.
My absolute favorite Christmas nail polish is Gelish “Good Gossip”. It’s a beautiful shimmery red…reminds me of red Christmas ribbon. My favorite Christmas movies are Christmas Vacation, Love Actually and Christmas with the Kranks. My husbands favorite Christmas movie is Die Hard but then again he is a Marine. Lol. Thanks for the great tips.
Gotta find that!
Love this list! I’m baking right now with Christmas music playing. Grateful for this time of the year-God With Us!
This was GREAT to read! Thank you! Another WONDERFUL Advent series is the “Jotham’s Journey” books! My kids LOVED them! Wonderful historical fiction about the birth of Jesus told from 3 (I think there may even be 4 now) children’s perspectives (that are involved in the process!). SO FUN!
Oh boy. I love this post. We sure need to nourish ourselves, especially when the days are full and often heavy .Recently, I made a mistake at work and damaged my new car. It is so easy to allow despair to creep in. But no! Jesus is Lord and ever present. Our Emmanuel. I will follow everyone of your lovely ideas. Thanks Yvonne!
Sorry about your car, but your attitude is spot on!
Thank you! Sometimes the secret to happy is giving yourself primision to do less. I would like to add to your list a children’s holiday concert as a sure fire way to feel the joy of the season bloom in your heart. I had forgotten how wonderful they made you feel until the Grands started school. The youngest just started kindergarten so I still habe years of joy ahead.
Great suggestions! Christmas in Connecticut is going on my list. It’s such a fun, ridiculous movie that I’d forgotten about.
It was remade years ago with Dyan Cannon. But I love those old originals!
Thanks for the wonderful helpful ideas!
Thank you for these reminders ….. I’ve lost a little joy this season with all the “extras”. We own a business, so there’s the company party that I’m in charge of, and my husband’s birthday is 12/18 and he’s 60 this year!! It makes Christmas seem almost like an afterthought. I want my heart to be prepared to celebrate the coming of my Savior!! It makes it even more special that Christmas is on Sunday this year! The main thing I’m trying to remember in all the hustle is to GET OUTSIDE. Even with snow on the ground, I try to get outside to just breathe in the fresh air. Merry Christmas!!
Great reminders. Blessings to you and yours
Great tips! Thanks for sharing and for the encouragement.
My favourite music for Christmas morning is Bing. The kids groaned in their teenage years but now play it in their homes, as well. First the tree lights, then the Bing, then the coffee. Lol
Great tips, sometimes we get so caught up in trying to make everything perfect and before we know it this magical season is over and we did not take time to enjoy it. Thanks for the reminders.
Now this is the list for the fridge door–I’m checking it twice!
On the long drive home from shopping yesterday I was pondering the question, who put Thanksgiving so close to Christmas!!
Yes, my mind was wandering a bit but really why is it so close? Also, I heard this yesterday, you may have glitter and glitz all around your home but if your not truly loving your family, it’s all for nothing.
Treat this new day as a Gift and what we do with it is our gift back.
Safe travels everyone!!
Yes, Carol, while I wish we Canadians had the same great (decor and other!!!) deals your stores always seem to have, I am SO glad our Thanksgiving is early October! It must be extremely busy for you ladies planning two holiday turkey dinners back to back!!
It would be interesting to know who originally decided on these dates!! Merry Christmas from Ontario, Canada! ?
I have edited down the Christmas prep over the years too.
We like to watch the classic Christmas movies with a little
Christmas Vacation thrown in for a good laugh.
We also watch Going my way and the Bells of St Marys with Bing Crosby. I too am addicted to the spirit of Christmas and the belief that everyone is a little bit nicer this time of year.
Have a great weekend.
Those are also my favorite ones. My favorite movie is An Affair To Remember–ooh Cary Grant. I am in our church choir and sing in our special Christmas program. I love our candlelit Christmas Eve service. What a blessing.
Nice reminders. Love your blog! I wish we could meet for coffee. 🙂
Merry Christmas to a Sister-in-Christ!
Great ideas…perfect timing. My tree sits in the middle of my family room with the lights on and nothing else.
Trying to wrap myself around changes in our home…difficult.
My two sons will be home for a few days before Christmas but will return out of state to where both attend
grad school. Oldest is married now and won’t leave his bride who is a doctor and has to work Christmas
Day. Youngest won’t leave his brother.
So mom and dad start a new tradition. My sister said it perfectly and told me to re-create what the first few years
were like in our marriage before kids on Christmas.
I already do most of what is on your list…but it’s time for the magical elves to push me to get my decorations out.
Thank you for sharing, I look so forward to your visits, may you have a Merry Christmas with your loved ones.
I always enjoy your posts. These are great ideas for helping keep Christmas focused on the true meaning. Thanks for reminding us of what is truly important.
Wishing you and yours a magical Christmas!?
So love the ideas and I noticed alot we already do, watch, listen too but it’s always good to have a reminder and pick up a few new ideas! Thanks sooo much!
Thank you for all of your great suggestions. I especially like your movies and music selections. I usually get in the spirit by looking at the bloggers I subscribe to, and all of the sensational ideas they share. This starts my creative juices flowing and I’m off and running! Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Thank you for this post. Hope you and your family have a Merry Christmas!!
Merry Christmas to you to Donna!
I love listening to Christmas music during this season. It helps keep me in the Christmas spirit even when I’m doing everyday tasks.
Nothing says Christmas to me then putting up our Dickens Village. It’s like seeing an old friend
this post is just perfect! so true. i find when i get stressed if i listen to christmas music in my kitchen it really helps. i am going to try to reread this a few times this season
thanks!!!!!
This is a great post. Over the years I’ve learned to say “no”. It’s hard but I was always over-committed and began to dread the holidays. Just saying no to a couple of things was so freeing. And I now also enlist my grown children to help with the baking. In fact, Cookie Day is next weekend and we’re all looking forward to it. Makes my life so much easier and I’m able to really enjoy the holidays.
I can’t wait to have a little Christmas luncheon with just two of my girlfriends! I’ll play some music and they have no idea I plan to have them decorate cookies to take home with them. Lovely ideas as usual Yvonne. I really like the way you use black and white. The stockings on your mantel are so unusual. I especially like the “nordic” look one. Ten minute decorating works for me.
I love how you’ve put it Yvonne – Have a prepared heart……it’s so true. I read thru your tips and while i do some already (I esp. like to listen to christmas music as i decorate) there are a few others you mention that also make sense to me. This year instead of baking 8 different types of cookies it will be only 5 of our most favourite. My 2 children will each still get their preference and i will get a little more “me” time. Merry Christmas to all !
Spot on! Since I have just retired earlier this year, I am really enjoying this Christmas season. Making all kinds of goodies and wrapping presents at leisure instead of ALL on Christmas Eve! Thanks for your experience wisdom….may you and your family have a blessed Christmas…..especially with the little one this year!
Your post is Christmas spirit inspiring! Watching Christmas movies and listening to Christmas music usually does it for me! I’ll try out some of the other great tips you suggested!
Having a “little bit” of snow on the ground helps. Also, as a 57 yr.old piano student I’ve been polishing up some Christmas Carols & learning a couple new ones. I forget everything thing else & concentrate on the music.
Love Christmas music from the Pentatonix group!
I am hosting a Christmas lunch for my friends and I think the simmering potpourri is a perfect idea for a party favor.
I truly needed this today! I have been telling my sister that while I love this time of year, it can also be stressful with working full-time and trying to keep your house clean and laundry done, along with the decorating, shopping, wrapping, and doing your cards. I am at my office now, and just turned on the Pandora peaceful Christmas music station, thank you for that tip! I love to listen to instrumental music while working at my office all year, and now I can enjoy Christmas music! I am also a Young Living consultant, and enjoy diffusing oils. I also love cleaning my floors with Thieves, it makes the house smell fantastic! Using the oils also helps to relieve stress. I use Joy like perfume, and receive compliments when I have it on. Thank you for reminding us to take a deep breath, take a minute, and enjoy what this season is all about – the birth of our savior Jesus. Merry Christmas!
Thank you¡ Wonderful reminders to truly honor the season!
Your new grand baby will love reading the stories with you this year!
Yvonne, I am happy to say that I pretty much live your Christmas Spirit List! I LOVE this time of year. Thanksgiving week is when I start to enjoy listening to my Christmas music, it makes me feel so good. I love the scents of the season, shopping on line and locally. We have been hosting friends for special cocktails and appetizers and then to make life easier we go to a local restaurant and let someone else do the cooking that night. Beside the wonderful list of movies (all of which I have seen) you mentioned we have a tradition of watching Chevy Chase’s Christmas Vacation. Wouldn’t be the holidays without an evening with the Griswold’s! Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas and healthy and happy New Year!
I just love reading your post each day. It is like you have visited my home & just sat down for a chat. I just decided this morning to give myself a pedicure & then I see your suggestions. Boots, or no boots all winter, I see my feet every day & this makes me happy. I have the family bible out on a table turned to the Christmas story in Luke. I learned that from my late mother in law. Lastly, I also use young living oils. Try the Chtistmas Spirit, Orange & Peppermint mixed. I think I will now bake up a batch of your Sugar Cookie recipe. MERRY CHRISTMAS to you & your family!
I have red toes too! Don’t you love them?
You do have the best ideas! I love those little bottle brush trees…thanks for ‘going the extra mile’ in your decorating advice/hints. Merry Christmas!!
I so needed this and your tips are great! We just moved and I spend most days feeling overwhelmed trying to make things perfect.
Great tips
I love all your ideas, particularly the suggestion to read a children’s book. I recommend Llama, Llama, Holiday Drama as a guaranteed stress reducer.
Thanks, I don’t know that one.
In our area a local church has an outdoor live nativity scene surrounding their church building. You simply stay in your car as you slowly drive around the church while enjoying the view.
This will get you into the real Spirit of Christmas for sure!
You are so right! I want to make a special effort to remove the stress and remember the real reason we celebrate! Our precious Lord and Savior, Jesus’ birthday!
We have a birthday cake every Christmas and sing Happy Birthday to Jesus!
You have covered all the bases! What a great post….all your experience over the years has allowed you to sort out what really matters. Thanks for a very timely post!
Your post so timely to me. 1/listening to songs reminds me of childhood when we received as gift-with-purchase LP Firestone Christmas albums from the gas station. 2/you said it sister -read the real story and “The object of getting to Christmas day is to have a prepared heart not a prepared everything else in the universe!”
Is there a better word than “awesome?”
You nailed it with these tips. Thanks, Yvonne 🙂
Yvonne, I just wrote out this sentence on several sticky notes “The object of getting to Christmas day is to have a prepared heart not a prepared everything else in the universe!”. I’m going to place the strategically around my house as a reminder for myself. I needed that reminder! I have a habit of overloading myself, especially at Christmas. And your right come Christmas Day, while I do enjoy, I am exhausted & ready to collapse into bed that night! So, today I will just stop & remember the important things of this season & try to remember that sentence above.
Good for you!
Love your great ideas.
I am saving this post and going to your links to read later. Thank you, Yvonne. We all need to bring that special spirit back. Hope you have a very Merry dat!!
That should be day. Doggone auto correct!
I am going to schedule a manicure right away, love that idea, since I all ready do most the others. Have a fabulous Friday!! Merry Christmas!
YOU GO GIRL! Get a bright, bright red!
Our must see Christmas movie is The Muppets’ Christmas Carol. We watch it every year! Thanks for the listening suggestions- both the Pandora and the CDs. We’ll be adding to our favorites.
Oh, yes! Gotta love those darling muffins.
Feels like I wrote this post as I’m often suggesting these same things to my adult children to keep them in the festive spirit!
I love this. So many things we already do but I love the to just enjoy the spirit of Christmas. People’s hearts seem more open and friendlier during this time of year.
I have to say I am going f to find Th Bishops Wife I have never seen that.
Thanks again and I hope your family have a beautiful and Merry Christmas!!
I love both The Bishop’s Wife (with Cary Grant) and The Preacher’s Wife (with Whitney and Denzel). They are the same story, but unique, too. Enjoy!
I’ve seen them both and love them both!
All great ideas Yvonne! I must admit I love our extended choir rehearsals! We are dog-tired after a busy work day, but stay at church until almost 10 PM most Tuesday nights in December-and an extra hour after Sunday services in Dec. But I know I always leave feeling better! Singing brings me the joy of the season! Blessings to you and your new little bundle of joy this Christmas!
Oh what a great way to get in the Christmas spirit!
Sure would like to win!
Great and helpful tips!
Love this post! Thank you!