Do you get excited or overwhelmed about more Christmas decorating ideas?

To be honest, I can go either way about more Christmas decorating ideas depending on when you ask me the question.

If you ask me in the morning when I feel like I can conquer the world, then yes……I’m all for more Christmas decorating ideas.

If you ask me at 9:00 p.m. when my kids are still running around the house because they “accidentally” fell asleep on our way to dinner and slept through the entire meal (which was enjoyable) but now I want to change my name and move to the moon……then no…….I am not excited for more Christmas decorating ideas.

Can you relate?

Since we are half way through the month of December, I thought that I would check in and see where you were in decorating for Christmas.  Is your tree up, lights hung, presents wrapped, and your advent calendar daily being counted down?

To be honest, left brain and I finally decided on outdoor Christmas lights that we are going to hang tonight.  I’d like to say it is because we were wise and waited for the warm weather days but it is actually sheer procrastination on my part.

I wasn’t sure if I wanted any more Christmas decorating ideas; however, the top 5 advent calendars really did inspire me to make room for one more Christmas decorating idea.

Here is why!

My boys needed a tangible way to get ready for Christmas.  Our family counts all big events by how many sleeps there are remaining until the event happens.  A visual reminder of a simple and easy Christmas countdown was certainly something worth adding to our list of holiday activities.

We also wanted a tradition that would help both boys get excited about reading the Biblical account of Christmas plus have an activity to look forward to everyday until December 25.

I wanted to take my boys shopping separately.  My purpose was to teach them about giving each other a toy that they knew the other would like.

This concept was completely lost on my three year old.   But hey, you have to start sometime!  We never even went to the store.  We had shopped for Operation Christmas Child Shoe Box Gifts and he kept asking if he could keep every items.  He was not a happy camper!

The six year was excited about the idea and tried to pick a toy that he thought his brother would like.  He also thought it would be fun to be like a “secret agent” and hide the gift until Christmas.  Hey, whatever it takes!

My hope, like most moms,  is that my kids will want to serve others and give gifts just as much as they  “want” everything that they see on commercials or in the store.  This concept is laughable some days because there are days that  I battle my own “I wants”.  Anyone else know what I’m talking about?

 

How are we doing with our Advent Calendar Countdown?

As I look down our advent calendar, we have missed a few days here and there.

We have had to read two cards or do two activities on one day but hey…… that’s life!  I laugh and move on.

I’m excited about the special memories that we are making with our kids.  I have been purposeful in creating moments that our family will treasure each year.

I hope that you are able to create special times with your family with more Christmas decorating ideas not to put more on your busy schedule, but to be purposeful in setting the pace for your special holiday memories.