I am trying so hard this year to make the holidays enjoyable while keeping it simple. I’ve been pretty good so far. Some events were combined into one, serving double-duty, and that has helped a lot. Usually I have a small list of things I’d like to have for myself, but this year I really don’t want anything besides time to do the things I love.
That being said, this year’s list is a little different:
- Time to sip lattes and look at Christmas lights. Maybe I should make it hot apple cider after that last blood pressure reading.
- Time to read at least a couple of books from my review copy stash. I have so many.
- Time to watch the following movies (
Jingle All The Way(watched!), Christmas Vacation, Christmas with the Kranks, Deck the Halls, It’s a Wonderful Life, The Family Stone, Elf, Love Actually, A Christmas Story, White Christmas, all the old claymation faves like Rudolph and Frosty and I’d like to add at least one more holiday classic that I haven’t seen like Holiday Inn. Oh, and Die Hard and Lethal Weapon somehow end up in the mix when the Hub and Teen show up. - Time to enjoy the Christmas meal like a normal person. I just made reservations for Christmas so I am really looking forward to a day without cooking. I plan to savor every bite.
- Time to listen to some music, whether it be holiday music or just music in general. I don’t listen to music enough and I really enjoy classical pieces.
What’s on your Christmas list this year? Also, (here’s where I get a little serious) if you are struggling this year and just need some positive thoughts or prayers, let me know. I don’t mention it enough but the daily interactions with all of you matter a lot to me and I would be more than happy to pray or think happy thoughts for you.
Book Chatter 
I am looking forward to a few days off, sleeping in, reading and enjoying general summer sloth ☺️
That’s a great list. I really only want a new cleaning tool — not sure which because we have hard wood and tile in the main floor and those rarely get cleaned with the mop because its so time consuming. I was thinking the Shark Steamer. But I really don’t know. Other than that, I just want to spend time with family and not feel rushed or under pressure — I want to relax, converse, and enjoy. That’s pretty much it. It’s been a tough year off and on, and I just hope 2015 is better.
I owned a Shark steamer thingy once and it didn’t last all that long and it didn’t clean all that well. It was good for picking up dust but not much else. I guess it sanitizes with the steam but I had a hard time believing it got hot enough to do that. It literally lasted for less than 4 uses and the heat element went kaput.
________________________________
That all looks similar to my list: books, movies, music, food, and drink. Check, check, check, check, and check.
The only other thing on my list right now, and this is before Christmas (hopefully 😉 ) is that our borough would plow the snow off our street. Got the driveway shoveled, now I think it’s their turn. Normally not too frustrating when have to go to work later in the day, but this morning need to pick up wife from work (midnight shift).
I hope your street gets plowed. We are bracing for ‘weather’ and the news agencies are making it sound like the apocalypse! Tornado warnings, even. What messes us up is flooding since our hillsides have no ground cover due to the drought this past year.
________________________________
Our street did get plowed. I haven’t been on social media. How has the weather been out your way? Hopefully not as bad as predicted and hope you and your family are safe.
We’re trying to keep things simple this year too. I wish I could give you (and myself) some extra time to do things we love. Hey, we could always use prayers and/or happy thoughts around here! I’ll send them back your way.
You got it. Prayers going out to ya.
________________________________
You hit the nail on the head…Just TIME to read and TIME to relax…have been working a lot of overtime and it seems like free time is laundry cooking and cleaning. I need to watch a Charlie brown christmas. Hope you get your movies in and merry christmas!
Exactly!! Free time should not be spent doing laundry!! I know lots of people that have messy houses, piles of laundry and not a lick of food in the house and yet, they seem pretty happy. I don’t want to live in a pit but I wish I could be a little less uptight in that area.
________________________________
Die Hard is also a Christmas classic at our house, along with Home Alone and any of the 104.524 adaptations of A Christmas Carol.
I do enjoy the first Home Alone but my kids are sort of over it. I like to read A Christmas Carol before Christmas. I own a beautiful copy but does it ever get read? Nooooo.
________________________________
I’m actually in better shape than I thought I’d be in at this moment. Most of the shopping is done, decorating done. The cooking is always a THING, but I don’t think my family would abide by going out. They want their Polish meal on Xmas eve and regular feast on Xmas. I have minor things on my list, but I’m getting a puppy in six weeks and that is all I need.
You are dong well this season. Really on the ball. Not me! I have to do some stuff this weekend since the last day of school is 12/19. I don’t have that much to get really and I made reservations to eat out so that part is taken care of.
The puppy! Are you going to NC to get the little guy or what? How does that work?
________________________________
Thank you, Ti. I truly enjoy all the sides that make you a compassionate and caring person. I just want Den home…later tonight…and I want to enjoy Christmas walks and traditions and music and maybe a few trinkets…but I really just want peaceful times…we are so far from family that it will be just us…in our house with the babies we love.
As always, I am thinking of you. I hope you have a wonderful and peaceful holiday spent with your fur babies and Den. I know Lucy is having a rough time right now but I am praying for her. She is just so delicate, that Lucy. She needs a lot of TLC which I know you shower upon her daily.
________________________________
Love your list! I’m so looking forward to some vacation time between Christmas and New Year’s. My must-watch movie is The Snowman, a wordless one based on a picture book, that my kids can’t stand and that puts my husband to sleep, but I just love the simple animation and the music!
I remember that picture book and I do recall seeing some of the movie and it being very simple and relaxing. My husband reminded me to start watching the movies now because last year, I was trying to cram them all in in just a couple of days and it was a little much.
________________________________
Time to do the things I love is what I want, too. I’ve had too many years where Christmas has just slipped by in the rush of both work and holiday busyness. I’m actually sitting in a coffee shop right now, sipping an iced decaf Americano, taking a moment to myself after having braved the mall. So I’m learning to make time for myself!
Good for you!! I need to be better at doing that myself. I give great advice to others on how to take care of themselves but somehow, the rules don’t seem to apply to me.
________________________________
Gah! I forgot about The Family Stone! I love that one!
I finally bought a copy of The Family Stone because I’d always miss it when it came on TV. It’s funny, sweet, sad, and touching. Good stuff.
________________________________
I am trying to keep it stress free as well 🙂
Good list. You deserve time for yourself in a quiet and enjoyable respite from the hectic festivities. 😉
Yes! I sure hope I can relax after this final week of work. Hope you are hanging in there, as well.
________________________________
That is a great list. I’ll admit work has me so frantic right now that I am really struggling to take in the season and make a list of ways I want to relax over the next few weeks. I will definitely have to sit down and make my own list.
I like the idea of keeping it simple this holiday. I look gorward to time with family, holiday movies, a few flicks at the thestre (Unbroken) and some good books over my 2 week break.
enjoy your time Ti
I may have to run to the bookstore tonight while The Girl is at reheardal, to finish stuff off but I can deal with that kind of shopping.
________________________________
oh sweet Tina! I hope you’re able to do all of these things and more. I haven’t been sleeping because of ALL the things but maybe I just need to make a list and let the rest go. If you enjoy piano music, let me recommend Peter Kater For Christmas. It’s beautiful.
That is a totally nice list. I am the proverbial curmudgeon when it comes to the holidays and it’s nice & non-stressful that way.
The few gifts that I am doing are natural body/health stuff that I’m whipping up at home. (hard lotion bars, soap, pain salves, and tea) My hope is that if I get any gifts they are practical and long lasting…like Prime or school books or an aromatherapy class.
What your whipping up sounds much better than the crud they sell in the stores. As soon as Christmas hits the shelves, all I see are scarves and mittens and hatts and socks. The same old stuff everywhere. Handmade soap sounds so much nicer.
________________________________
I’ve been trying to get the hubby to turn off the tv more this month and turn on more music. Or, god forbid, even leave it quiet! Hope you got all of the things on your list!