When it is too early to decorate????

 Discussion happening over here on the blog.  A few of us, one in particular, loves to decorate for the seasons. We are not talking just Christmas holidays but also for fall.  You know pumpkins, leaves, scented candles, comfy throws, all in those fall colors. 

To enjoy the season when is it acceptable to put your fall décor up?  Remember there is also Christmas décor to go up. Once we flip the calendar to September it is four months to squeeze it all in. Should fall decorating start in fall - September 21st?  Or September 1st? 

If the decision is to decorate on the official date of September 21st that gives just over a week for September, all of October, and what? Mid-November?  We are consistent on not putting holiday decorations up until after Remembrance Day. That is a given.

So fall decorations until we switch out for Christmas. That discussion point is yes, after November 11 for sure, but when? Not until December? That seems a shame as one month to enjoy the Christmas decorations. We realize a few items like snowmen can stay up into the new year.  Christmas seems cheated.

The consensus was to put the fall decorations up after Labour Day. You get the majority of September to enjoy them. Add your Halloween themed ones in October.  Start the switch over to Christmas décor after November 11 so maybe mid-November. That way your place is fully decorated for Christmas for the entire month of December to enjoy.    

What are your thoughts on seasonal decorating? When should we start? What might be too early?

Taking own advice and being gentle

 Happy Holidays!  

December is such a busy month.  The holidays (lots of them to celebrate), school concerts, shopping, events both at work and home. Oh lets toss family into the mix.  Deep breath.

Looking back at this year we see hardly any posts. It was our worst year posting. That said we decided to take our advice and NOT beat ourselves up.  Life happens. Period. So we didn't post a lot this year. It is neither good or bad. It just is. There is nothing to apologize for or beat ourselves up over.

Taking our own advice of being gentle. It is okay to have off days. It is okay to not get everything done on the to do list. It is okay to, well, not post as much as we wanted. It is okay to let life happen. 

Our time and energy are not limitless. Acknowledge that. We don't want to take a limit resource, which is what time and energy are, and use it to rant about not being good bloggers. To take our energy and rant over something we no longer have control over. 

We would rather take that energy and yes time and enjoy the holiday season. To be gentle and let go of expectations not met. We're all human. Be gentle. Take a breath. Let it go. We start over and that is okay. So happy holidays. Enjoy the season. Let go of negativity and regrets. Waste of energy.  Remember we only have so much so spend your time and energy on things that bring you joy.

Happy Holidays

Enjoy the season

Take care.

How we are pulling the holidays together (sort of)

 Divide and conquer is part of how we are tackling this. November is here and calendars are filling up. Are you free XX? No? What about XX?  You know the drill. It has started.

We have a cookie exchange party planned. It is a way to get some yummies in our cabinet. Plus a get together before the rush. Some of us are not "bakers" but there are enough easy cookie recipes out there that it shouldn't be too stressful. 

Christmas stuff is in the shops NOW. We saw some out before Halloween. If you see if pick it up - don't think "oh too early" Grab it.  Start your stocking stuffers now when you are picking up Advil. Which you should have on hand for the upcoming holiday season.

Decide how much you want to decorate. Just a tree? Not a tree but a mantle. We don't have to impress other people. We get to decided what is enough. Put a wreath on your door and be done with it. Some people all out. A neighbor has five trees he puts up. Lovely but not for everyone. Don't let others tell you what is enough. You decide.  Less is more.

Have a budget and don't go over. Kids don't need everything on their list. Don't create a monster who has unreal expectations later in life. Maybe go out for a meal with friends each paying their own. You are enjoying each other company and that is what it is about. Create a holiday now that is NOT stress come January.

Start going through your holiday stash when you have a free evening now. Toss out what isn't working (or no longer you).  Jot down what you need. Cards? Pick up next time when out. Don't forget stamps before the rush.

If you exchange names and it is not already happened. Do it ASAP.  Try and get anything in the mail as early as possible. 

It is okay to say no if you feel overextended. We can't be in two places. Or say no if you need an evening at home to make magic happen. 

Holidays should be about family and friends. Not keeping up appearances, stressing out, getting in debt. Keep it simple.  

The time between the holidays

 Happy holidays.  It is the time between Christmas and New Year. Where some of us are breathing again and some of us are re-ramping up.  New Year's parties anyone?

Family gatherings. Packing and leaving the house or making space for incoming.  Trying not to stress over sleeping arrangements, flights arriving/leaving on time, enough food, family dynamics (who to sit next to who) and spending too much. Most of all expectations that might be met or not met. We put so much on ourselves over making the perfect holiday. It is even possible?

We had a talk before the holidays about expectations and lowering them. We can't make it perfect for everyone as we don't know what people expect or even how they will react. Some people love drama. Others detest. So we tried (emphasis that word) to not expect things to be perfect. We did our best and worked at letting it go. 

Okay place not as clean as I would want. Didn't get all my cards sent out. Can't control flights so not taking that on or apologizing like my fault. Saying yes if people offer to clean up or bring something. Leaving dishes in sink to talk to people now. Lowering what I expect - like behavior I have no control over especially adults. Big thing don't apologize for other adults' behaviour. That is on them not us. Learn to walk away if starting to feel stressed. That is what bathrooms and bedroom are for.

To start the year with lessons learned. Lower expectations for holidays and people. Enjoy them where they are coming from. Don't expect to fix them or fix everything around you. Learn to let stuff go. Don't take stuff on that doesn't concern us. Put ourselves higher on the priority list. This is what we want to head into the new year with. Lessons learned and put in place.

Wrapping things up

 It is hard to wrap our head around but in a week and a half Christmas is here.  No idea where December went let alone the rest of the year.  It will soon be time to take stock of the year and start a fresh one with possibilities and plans.

This year was different.  I'm going to use that word as parts were hard and parts weren't.  We are still in a pandemic but things opened up.  We got to go to restaurants, sit on patios, take in a few shows and be with family and friends.  Oh yeah and get vaccinated!  

The hard parts were still not travelling outside of province, numbers rising and still restrictions. Thinking of we were clearing this only to be into another wave. Things are again tightening up before the holidays with numbers rising.  

This year was making the best out of what was available. Sitting on those patios, BBQs, cottages, the beach, family and friends.  Grabbing our wins when we could and shifting what was important. Supporting our community buying local.  One of us purchased artisans gift boxes all year as they are struggling with less craft shows and less people coming to the ones that were open.

So we are heading into another year in a pandemic. Another holiday season.  There is no point in being bitter of what we can't do. Everyone is in the same boat - word-wide.  If family can't get to you shift your thinking - Zoom.   Opening presents together via Zoom.  Decide to make the most of what we can do and what we have. What about making a care packages as a family for the homeless?  Check in on neighbours or people with no family near. 

We have some control over how we spend our holidays - our attitude is a major one. Decide now no matter what restrictions are in place to be positive. What ever plans you have to change, you are going to take a breath and make the most of it.  What we can do? What can we do differently?  Maybe you will find out differently is the new way to go!

Keep it local. Keep it close

 It is almost that time of year again.  Someone said today 10 more Saturdays until Christmas.  WHAT! I'm not counting and confirming but thinking yeah likely right.  Also we have been hearing about delays and shortages.  Mail early to get there on time - you know the drill.

Part of this can easily be taken care of if we shop local. If we support our local boutiques and artisans.  Search in Instagram for local pottery.  What about checking out small local shops.  Decide among family and friend to only buy and support local.  Seriously most of us have enough stuff and Amazon will be okay if we shop local. I don't want to hear local costs more blah blah blah.  Maybe it costs more because it is better quality and not mass produced. 

What about not purchasing something that has to come through the mail hence delays. Yes know family/friends away we have to mail items but come on there are enough people near us to purchase items locally that don't have to be shipped.

 Set a limit for gifts so less or no debt in January.  Purchase gift certificates for local restaurants or spas. A lot of artisans are not doing craft shows as anxious. Still a pandemic people.  Why not support people in our community.  Feel good about supporting local and being part of a solution.

So keep it local. Keep it close.  Check out artisans boxes in your area. Maybe start supporting a particular artist if you like their pottery.  How cool would that be to start collecting pieces!  We can make a difference in our community.  Keep it local.  Keep it close.

 

Making the most of staying home

 2020 has been hard on everyone.  Even introverts (we have a few here) are finding it hard.  Over a Zoom call we discussed ways we are making isolation easier.  We wanted to share some of our ways:

• On-line paint night.  On of us is addicted to this. There are Facebook groups and YouTube videos galore out there.  Everything from The Grinch, snowmen to winter nights. The supplies are available.  Dollar Stores have canvasses and paint making it pretty reasonable. It is fun when you get the whole family involved as it can take an evening and definitely a change from screen time.
• We are starting our book club again via Zoom. 
• If you won't be home for the holidays we're sure Zoom or Skype is on your list.  A friend is going to Zoom her family members and wear an outfit that relates to them for individual calls. A few shirts were gifts. Maybe dress-up for the parents. It is a way to make your calls more personal and a laugh if everyone remembers the shirt and the reason it was gifted to begin with.
• Baking - we have the time why not?
• Go through pictures on your phone.  Deleted doubles and out of focus shots. File ones you want to print later or send individuals.
• Holiday movies anyone! Get everyone in your house to pick their favoriate. Plan a movie night with popcorn, hot chocolate and other treats.
• Write a letter.  Yes, you read that right. Write a hand written letter to someone who would appreciate it (if not need it). Not two lines in a card, but an actual letter. People are in isolation and receiving mail is special. All you need to do is write about what is going on in family life. Even books or shows you are currently watching. People are interested.
• If in doubt pick up the phone and call someone.  Or better yet schedule it in your calendar to call X many people a week. Make sure people know you are thinking of them. Just because you can't see them face-to-face don't write the holidays off.  This is going to be hard on a lot of people. As a community we have to do our part.

Happy Holidays   

Holiday entry ways - few ideas ! !

 

Happy Holidays!  Hope it is okay to say that before December!  We enjoyed our post of holiday front doors we were crushing on so much that we wanted to do it for entry ways.  We limited ourselves to our top two to show each other and then pick the top five from that assortment. It was hard but fun to discuss as a few similar.  Hope you enjoy!

Doing the holidays a little differently

 I'm sure we have all seen the ads on Facebook - support local.  They were there for you when your softball, school fair or whatever fundraiser you were doing wanted an item to raffle off.  Apparently we have no problem asking for free stuff but bulk when local businesses have to charge us more for an item we can order on-line for a soul-less big business.

We appreciate money is tight but maybe people can purchase less stuff - do your kids need ten items from Santa? What about taking the opportunity to create a lesson in giving back as part of a holiday tradition?  Local businesses need our help.  If we don't support and at least do a small part when things get back to normal they won't be around for you to ask for free stuff.  It works both ways.

This is about community.  Amazon and other on-line businesses are not part of our community.  Have they every given you something for a raffle?  Sponsored you? Your child?  Yet we are so fast handing them money because it is a deal.  You are lining big business pockets. Support community. Support local.  Be there for businesses and individuals that were there for you.  Be a good person not a materialistic consumer.

A different holiday gift

We are coming up to the holiday season – well for some people it has already started.  Hint one of us has her tree and home decorated already.  Over happy hour at our new favorite place the topic of experiences came up.  The majority of us have what we need or can purchase it.  A few of us are trying to scale down so new knick-knack no matter how lovely are not wanted nor appreciated.  We decided to do what we would appreciate for Christmas and hope it gives you a few ideas.

• Your favorite bottle of wine – give it to a friend
• Arrange meeting for brunch earlier on a Saturday so that people have time for errands afterwards
• Take in a holiday event or fundraiser.  Note Facebook has events posted check them out.
• Purchase movie passes or better yet open day passes to local Art Gallery or Historic place in your city
• A basket of goodies (cookies, loaf, napkins, hummus) you get the idea
• Volunteer as a group at the food bank or wrapping Christmas presents at the mall for a fundraiser (you might have to do a little research but that could be part of the fun)
• If an organization is looking for gifts for children in need pick a name and go for it. Get the family involved in shopping for that special gift
• Have your children make Christmas cards or art for their special people
• Have a cookie exchange
• Bring unused winter items (mitts, jackets, scarves) to goodwill
• What about having an extra pair of gloves in your bag to give to the homeless
• Go to a carol sing or any place having Christmas music or music period during the holiday season
• Have friends over to watch holiday movies
• Make a Christmas and/or everyday playlist for friends
• Put your thinking cap on and be creative!!!

Not yet! Seriously.....

We were talking the other day that it seems like every year they put holiday items out earlier and earlier.  This year one large store had snowsuits out in August.  Hmm..... a little premature. 

Halloween and Christmas are now out at the same time! I mean really it is October.  No scratch that it started in September. Can we not celebrate Halloween first.  Remembrance Day next (still no Christmas items out yet) and then WHAM be all done up on November 15th if that is your preference.

What is the rush? Money and profit. There it is out there. That is the rush. Get people spending sooner and longer - cash some can't afford and the majority of on items we don't need or want.

What do you think of Christmas items or any items out months before the actual holiday or event?