The Doing and Not Doing Lists of Christmas

I have recently decided that December is not long enough. I believe that it should be at least 6 weeks long. Would anyone really miss it if January and March were a little shorter? I know that I wouldn't. But as it stands I am not capable of doing all of the Christmasy things that I would like to do. As much as I would love it, the "perfect Christmas" is not going to happen. I concede, I can't get it all done and I don't want to drive myself crazy trying. So I made a list of things that I am doing and things that I have decided not to worry about.  I just have to remember that it's OK if I don't get these things done. If I magically have more time, maybe I may do a few from the "not do list".

The December Do List

1. Read Christmas stories to my kids every night
2. Put up the tree
3. Make cookies for my brother-in-law serving in the Phillipines.
4. Take the kids to see Christmas lights in ours and surrounding neighborhoods
5. Take the kids to see Christmas lights at the temple.
6. Team up with some friends to take dinner and gifts to a friend in need
7. Visiting teaching. I think this is the first time ever that I am done before the 15th of the month.
8. Maintain a semi-state of order in my home. Much easier said than done.
9. Healthy meals between the sweets.
10. Birthday stuff for Thing 2
11. Read the Christmas story from the Bible
12. Spend time playing with my kids
13. Shoe gifts for the 12 days of Christmas
14. Online Christmas shopping including gifts for siblings and in-laws, stocking stuffers and probably more toys than my kids actually need (but it's just so much fun to snag a deal on something fun for them).
15. Visit friends and family that live several counties away.
16. Movie/Game night with extended family.
17. Teach my children to serve someone in need. Still trying to think of the perfect idea.
18. Pressing Home and Car Repairs
19. At least one date with the love of my life.
20. Oh yeah, and did I mention I'm working Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, along with many other 12 hour shifts throughout the month?

The Not Do List

1. Christmas cards- not that we didn't have pictures taken, just the actual designing, stamping and mailing of Christmas cards is not going to happen. Sorry friends if you had your hopes up. If I am really on top of thing you may get an email. Save a tree.
2. Making cookies for my neighbors. My neighbors are awesome. I am really lucky, and I feel kind of bad that we aren't doing things for them at the moment, but we're probably going make cookies in January. Maybe I'm really doing them a favor. Sweets in Moderation.
3. Have perfectly wrapped gifts under the tree. Do you know what is under my Christmas tree? 3 nativity playsets (not set up mind you, but jumbled into several piles) and a few dozen Christmas books. No actual presents yet. We go for function here.
4. Gifts for my coworkers. Again I love each of them and think they are awesome, but I can only do so much.
5. Paper chains and other various crafts with the kids. Just not happening.
6. Put up the outdoor Christmas lights.
7. Put up the greater part of my Christmas decorations.
8. Make my own Christmas ornaments. When there are too many other things to get done, say no to craft!
9. Attend more than half of the parties we've been invited to.
10. Host our own Christmas party. I guess we're just party poopers.
11. Attend local festivals, concerts and programs.
12. Decorate my blog for Christmas 
13. Christmas caroling.
14. Ice-skating
15. Vast quantities of baking.
16. Build a snowman, unless there is some very drastic change in the St. George weather.
17. Gingerbread houses
18. Put money into savings this month. Oops.
19. Make gifts for my own kids. Thought about it, but no.
20. Have an elaborate Christmas dinner (see #20 above) Today I am going to make enchiladas and freeze them. So on Christmas Eve we'll have those with Cafe Rio Style Rice which is also in the freezer. Not fancy, but it will work. And it's not like my kids ever eat elaborate meals when I fix them anyway.
21. All of those other things that I wanted to do this season that I can't even think of right now.
22. Save the world.

Christmas Ornament Giveaway #3- Nativity Story Set

All right, it's time for our last nativity ornament giveaway. This week's giveaway is provided by Cedar View Christian Gifts.

This four piece ornament set features Mary and Joseph's trip to Judea, the three wise men traveling to see the new born King, Shepherds in the field enveloped by the glory of the Lord, and the Holy family upon the birth of Jesus and the corresponding scriptures. Cedar View Gifts was so gracious as to send me a set for myself and I have to say that they look even better in real life than they do in the photograph. I really, really love that each ornament has the corresponding scripture on it and that the set illustrates more of the story than the average nativity ornament. Plus check out the detail. It totally made my day to get these in the mail and hang them on my tree. I hope you guys are as excited at the chance to have this beautiful ornament set in your home as I was. Here's how to win it: 1. Tell me about your favorite Christmas story. 2. Check out Cedar View Gifts and tell me about your favorite item from their shop. 3. Become a follower of Secrets of Mom through GFC and leave a comment. (Or if you are already a follower, just leave a comment.) 4. Share this giveaway on Facebook. The giveaway runs through December 17, 2010 at 7 pm, and the winner will be selected from the comments using a random number generator.

Christmas Ornament Giveaway #2-Cherrywood Nativity Set

Are you ready for a chance to win more beautiful nativity ornaments from another talented artist? This week's ornaments come from Mike's Wood Crafts.

This set of three ornaments is handmade from cherry wood and features the Holy Family, the wisemen and the shepherds. I love the way the figures tell the story, although they are made of wood, they aren't "stiff". I like how the camels and shepherd seem to be caught in motion.
To enter (1) tell me about your favorite Christmas memory. For additional entries (2) you can check out Mike's Etsy shop and leave a comment mentioning something of interest there. (3) Become a follower of Secrets of Mom through GFC (or if already follow, just leave a comment). (4) Share this giveaway on Facebook. This giveaway runs through Friday December 10, 2010 at 12:00 pm MST. A winner will be chosen Friday afternoon using a random number generator. Good Luck.

Ornament Winner

And the winner of this week's ornament is Mindy. Congratulations! Check back next Monday for a chance to win another great nativity ornament.

Christmas Ornament Giveaway #1-Believe in Miracles

Hooray it's Christmas time! That means it's time to decorate. Long ago I made the decision to try to keep my Christmas decorations focused on the Savior and His birth, to help remind me it's not about the stress or the glitter, it's about a miracle. This also means that I am always on the lookout for great Christmas ornaments with a Nativity theme, especially ones that are just a little different. Although this year I have a plastic tote and a half of my collection that are staying packed because I can't replace them, they're fragile, and my darling son has the obedience of a goldfish.  Recently I found some beautiful nativity ornaments through Etsy and a few very talented and generous artists who were willing to share with my readers.

Our first week's ornament comes from riricreations (who is btw offering free shipping for Cyber Monday and some deals for her shop anniversary this week). To win it: 1. Tell me about you help your family to focus on the real meaning of Christmas. For additional entries 2. Check out riricreations and comment below on one item you like from her shop. 3. Become a follower of Secrets of Mom through GFC and leave a comment (or just leave a comment if you already are). 4. Share this giveaway on Facebook and leave a comment. The giveaway will run until Friday December 3, 2010 at 12:00 MST. The winner will be selected using a random number generator and announced Friday afternoon. Then Rita will send off the winner's ornament off in time to be enjoyed for the holidays. Good Luck!

The Christmas Tree is Up

We got our tree up. The pictures were kind of blurry, but believe me it looks better in real life. Not bad for a tree that we got at Home Depot for $2 when we were newlyweds and $7 worth of filler ornaments that I found on Amazon a few years ago. I love putting up the tree and all of the stories behind my non-filler variety ornaments. :)

You can tell that my kids were helping because we have one "very well decorated" corner.

Christmas Traditions: Christmas Books Advent

I found this idea in a magazine years ago. Assemble 24 Christmas (or winter) children's books, wrap them up and every evening from December 1st to Christmas Eve, the kids get to unwrap one book. It helps them with the "IamsoexcitedandifIdon'topenapresentrightnowIamgoingtoexplode" phenomenon. Of course over the years I've collected more than 24 books, so now we start reading books on the night after Thanksgiving. Here are some of our favorites. Most of my books I have gotten at Seagull Book or at 'after Christmas' sales. I have also gotten a few good deals through Scholastic book orders. The vast majority of my books I have bought for $4 or less.

1. A Christmas Dress For Ellen by Thomas S. Monson
2. The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey by Susan Wojciechowski
3. Christmas Day in the Morning by Pearl S. Buck
4. Snowmen at Night by Caralyn Buehner
5. I Spy Christmas by Jean Marzollo
6. Who Is Coming to Our House? by Joseph Slate
7. The Little Drummer Boy by Ezra Jack Keats
8. And Then In A Twinkling by Becky Kelly
9. The Very Smiley Snowman by Jack Tickle
10. What Santa Can't Do by Douglas Wood
11. Mary Engelbreit's A Merry Little Christmas: Celebrate from A to Z
12. Today Is Christmas! by P.K. Hallinan
13. Christmas Pea Coat by Richard H. Schneider
14. The Tale of Three Trees: A Traditional Folktale by Angela Hunt
15. The Little Drummer Mouse by Mercer Mayer
16. Fear Not, Joseph!: A Story of Christmas by Julie Stiegemeyer
17. There Was No Snow On Christmas Eve by Pam M. Ryan
18. Silent Night illustrated by Thomas Kinkade
19. The Three Snow Bears by Jan Brett
20. Bear Noel by Olivier Dunrea
21. The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
22. Christmas for a Dollar by Gale Sears
23. A Cricket's Carol by Mark K. Moulton
24. A Christmas Stocking Story by Hilary Knight
25. Merry Christmas, Mouse! by Laura Numeroff
26. The Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore
27. The Crippled Lamb by Max Lucado

My blogging friend Jocelyn also has a list of 24 favorite Christmas books plus she has a simple craft or ornament to go with each one if you're feeling ambitious. They're worth checking out.

Getting Ready for Christmas & October Giveaway

Yes, yes I know it is not even Halloween yet. However my kids' birthdays are in November and December and if I don't start planning for the holidays way in advance, the holidays aren't fun. They're busy, stressful and more expensive.
 Here are some of the things that I've been stowing away over the past few months:

• a couple Littlest Pet Shops from Target (used a B1G1 coupon combined with a sale) 
• eight books (including some activity books) gathered from various sales (I generally only spend $4 or less on children's books)
• a wooden alphabet abacus from GraveyardMall.com ($7)
• a few Tag reader books from Walmart clearance & LeapFrog.com (used my coupons and the LF.com sale is still going through the end October)
• a couple movies (great deals + coupons)
• a few Melissa and Doug puzzles from B&N.com (@ 70% off)
• a couple M&D magnifying glasses from B&N.com (same sale)
• coloring books and new crayons (at $1 each or less)
• a Toy Story Lego set from B&N.com (that sale is still going through 10/24)
• multiple small items for stocking stuffers and "shoe gifts" (In my husband's family they have a tradition that on the 12 Days of Christmas, an elf left a tiny present in one of their shoes. It's one that we continued.) 
• plus I found a really great idea to make for the extended family (I'd share here, but once in awhile my family does read my blog and that would ruin the surprise.)

And this is the one that I am really excited about.

 One day my super cute friend sent me a text asking if my daughter like Disney Princesses. Of course. She collected porcelain dolls when she was young, was getting rid of stuff and was wondering if I would be interested in taking them off her hands. There were these, plus two others that aren't in the boxes. It is going to make a fantastic set-up for Christmas morning. My husband  plans on making her a cabinet to keep them safe from her little brother. I'm so excited for how excited she's going to be! I'm done with my shopping for her and some for my son and I've spent about $120. I'm pretty happy thus far, some items they have requested, a few they wouldn't have thought of, and several 'learning toys'.

Now for the October giveaway: Beauty and the Beast Diamond Edition Blu-ray/DVD combo pack plus Disney Princess soundtrack, to take one more item off your Christmas shopping list.  (Were you as excited as I was, to hear that this one was finally coming to DVD again?)

Here's how you can win it: 1. (Required) Be a follower and leave a comment stating your interest. 2. (Extra) Share one way you get ready for the holidays without losing your sanity. Be specific, not just 'I shop early', for example 'I hit x sale at y store', or 'I make z dish and freeze it' 3. (Extra) Share a deal you have found on one of your Christmas gifts for this year. 4. (Extra) 'Like' this post on Facebook (Button at bottom of post) and leave a comment here. 5. (Extra) Read one of these these posts Be A Hero, Be the Match or Folic Acid- A Key To Healthy Babies, share the info with someone and leave a comment here. (Because these are issues I care about, and I want people to be aware of how simple actions can make a huge difference.) Giveaway runs through October 31, 2010 at 23:59. The winner will be announced on November 1, 2010. The winner be selected using a random number generator. Only residents of the United States are eligible. Good Luck.

How to Have a More Stressful Holiday Season

Here's what my holidays have been like and here are several things I don't recommend based on personal experience. (Especially doing them all in the span of one month.)
1. Travel (as in 4 hours each way) multiple times for various events with small children in a tiny car.
2. Cram in some big family events like a wedding for a close family member or LDS mission fairwell.
3. Move into a new house on Christmas Eve.
4. Pack and move with less than a week's notice. {But I'm happy that getting a new house is happening much faster than predicted. ;)}
5. Do some major home repairs.
6. Go without ALL major appliances for any amount of time.
7. Have your children get sick a few times, so you stay inside until you get cabin fever.
8. Go without exercise for the entire season (mostly because we don't want to share our germs with the other kids in the daycare.)
9. Throw some crazy family in the mix.
10. Volunteer to deliver a dessert as part of the 12 Days of Christmas for a family on Dec 17th and don't pay attention to the fact that that is the 5th Day of Christmas until the night before, which means that you really need to bake FIVE DESSERTS for them. (And no, a plate with 5 cookies wouldn't cut it for a family that big, or I might have tried to pull it.)
 On the plus side I had all my shopping done really early and went without 90% of my Christmas decorating to make things simpler. Otherwise things really would have been stressful. Even with all this craziness going on, we're doing ok. I have my family and am so grateful for every moment I have with them at this time of year. Sure this month is crazy, but I'm grateful to have a home and a job and generally healthy kids. Just having that is such a great blessing. And I love having the chance to celebrate the birth of our Savior. I didn't put a Christmas tree this year, but that's not what it's about. It's about the birth of Child who was filled with enough love and power to change the world. And that love can bless me even if I don't have a picture perfect Christmas. I hope that you and yours each have a Merry Christmas.

How to Have a More Worshipful Christmas

I came across this great list today and just had to share it. It was found at http://www.lds.org/topic/christmas/christmas-ideas.html Enjoy.

• Replace some holiday decorations in your home with reminders of Christ.
• Politely decline requests that will take you away from family.
• Play more Christmas music.
• Donate gently used items to a thrift store.
• Go Christmas caroling.
• Avoid “mad rush” shopping times.
• Say thank you as often as possible.
• Schedule a night to help another person or family.
• Call someone you normally wouldn't to wish him or her a Merry Christmas.

• Delegate some holiday preparations to children or other family members.
• Trim the gift list.
• Simplify a traditional activity.
• Find quiet time to pray.
• Write down great memories as they happen.
• Set and stick to a holiday budget.
• Forgive a grudge.

My Favorite Christmas Traditions

Here are some of the things I enjoy most about the holiday season, many of which you can do with your children on a low budget.
1. Baking cookies!
2. Decorating. This can get expensive, but it doesn't have to be. Some of my favorite memories as a child were making our own decorations. We made paper snowflakes and festive paper chains that we hung from the ceiling around the borders of the room. And to this day my mom's favorite Christmas tree ornaments are the ceramic mice that we painted when I was three. Decorating the tree and home and creating ornaments can lend itself to dozens of holiday activities.
3. Looking at Christmas lights. It's always fun to see the displays that your neighbors have up.
4. Reading the Christmas Story Found in Luke 2:1-20, also Matthew 1:18-25, Matthew 2:1-14, & Luke 1: 26-35
5. Reading Christmas Books One tradition that I have started with my kids is that every day starting December 1st we read a different Christmas book. I have collected several through the years from after Christmas sales, but the library also has a wide selection to supplement my own.
6. The Twelve Days of Christmas This is a favorite tradition from my husband's family, something that was passed down from his mother's family. Starting December 13th we put our shoes out and every morning "the Christmas elf" puts a tiny gift in our shoes. As a general rule I try to keep the items under a dollar. I find that the earlier I start on this the better, otherwise my kids just end up with a whole bunch of crap from the dollar store. (Don't get me wrong, there are a few good deals to be had at the dollar store, but you know what I mean.) Some shoe gift ideas: candy, coloring books, crayons (bought a few boxes at the back to school sales), lip gloss, small toys, socks, finger puppets, hats and mittens.
7. Visiting Family What would the holidays be without family? Even if they may drive you a little crazy. ;)
8. Serving Others This is the most of fun if it is done in secret. Growing up we were poor, but I didn't realize to what extent until I was older. You don't miss what you don't know. Frankly if my friends now knew they would be shocked and amazed, for that matter my friends from back then would be shocked and amazed. Despite this my mother made it a point each year we would pick someone in need to serve. Often we would find someone in our neighborhood who lived alone and drop gifts on their doorstep for The Twelve Days of Christmas. They were simple things, a 6-pack of ginger-ale, 5 cookies, 4 fresh oranges, etc., but there were times when we learned that it really made a difference to the person that we were serving. And it was such a thrill to try to deliver them without getting caught. There are many other ways to serve other this season and there are many in need. Toys for Tots, Sub for Santa and the Food and Care Coalition are just a few organizations that appreciate donations. Even if you don't have money to give you can still serve. Donate old coats, donate your time. Find someone out there who needs some cheering and share the Christmas spirit with them!
9. Christmas Shopping I love shopping for Christmas. Buying stuff for my kids is always fun. Finding a the perfect gift for a friend or family member fills me with excitement. Finding a good deal is even more thrilling, but that doesn't mean that I'm going to lose any sleep over it and risk being trampled. Not when there's Amazon.
10. Singing Christmas Carols Whether you do this with friends, family, neighbors or by yourself, it really makes the season.