Christmas is by far my favorite time of the year. All of November I let it brew inside my head, waiting with anticipation for the First Of Advent to arrive, the start of the big Christmas countdown. And still, every year, I feel like once it all starts I just don't have enough time... Anyone who can agree with that? Four weeks of preparation is just not enough. Because there are so many things I want to do and make, see and enjoy. Maybe, just maybe, the First Of Advent is a little teeny weeny bit too late...So far I have brought down all my Christmas boxes from the attic and this year it is so much easier for me to decorate as I made a great effort to Organize My Christmas Clean Up from last year. I highly recommend you do the same when the time comes. It will save you some tantrums and headaches, exciting kids ripping all boxes open and spreading EVERYTHING around in a chaotic mess. Saying that, I still got three boxes to go. But I'm not fussed.
The Christmas countdown is about enjoying being together, not stress around like a headless chicken and beating myself up for not making it all happen at once. Although that has taken me many years of practice to realize and I'm still working on it.
So part from my occasional stressing around (!!! Yes I'm still doing it... I'm sooo NOT perfect...) this week I had moments of joy, love and laughter. Like when making saffron buns with Emmy. Having Christmas dinner with some girlfriends and laughing myself tickled pink. Peeping through lit windows when the dark falls. Listening to the school choir by the Christmas tree in the village. Making some handmade Christmas gifts on a quiet afternoon before kids rumbles in through the door. Watching the movie Elf and having tea and ginger cookies. Opening the first of many doors in the advent calendar. And lighting two candles in the advents chandelier for the Second Of Advent of course. That is almost the best part.
What was your best part of the week?
Kärlek
Annette
Annette
FOLLOW My Rose Valley HERE:
We've already been driving around and enjoying all of the Christmas lights! Our tree was up the Saturday night before the beginning of Advent and all of my pressies are wrapped and on shelves (we don't put them under the tree) I've downsized all of the Xmas deccies to our absolute favorites and they fill one tote! Roll on Christmas!
ReplyDeleteWow! You are on top of it girl! I'm far behind. Not a single pressie bought yet. But a few handmade items are finished at least. I'll get there. Christmas will be a bit different this year, not so much focus on gifts. More about being with loved ones. It feels good. Happy Second Advent and keep Christmas spirit flowing. :)
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Your home is decorated beautifully. I am going to try to downsize our Christmas decoarations this year, and your box system looks great and I definitley want to try that. Thanks for the post with so many lovely photos. :-)
ReplyDeleteHi Jennifer
DeleteThank you for visiting! Yep, cutting back on decorations a bit here too... Every year I add new things and I just don;t have space for it all. I just can't resist all the pretty things... Happy Christmas.
Xxx
Good morning! I'd say the best part of my week was spending the afternoon with my friend Shelley. We went to a marvelous craft fair hosted by our local fibre arts guild. All the beautiful spun, woven, knitted & crocheted items...a very happy place to be. Instead of buying gifts for the people on my list, I ended up buying two pairs of mittens for myself. What a treat...as a knitter, I never even knit for myself, let alone buying knitted items! And I met & chatted with the makers. After, my friend & I went for coffee and a biscuit. It was a great day. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Nita
DeleteThat sounds like a lovely day spent! And what a treat to purchase something for yourself. I'm just as bad. Making for everyone else but myself. I guess that is a part of the joy of crafting. To give what you have made with love. And for sure that is the greatest gift of all.
Thanks for popping in and have a lovely evening.
Xxx
Wonderful, how pretty everything is looking with you. I agree about the time thing - by the time I get started there never seems to be enough time to do everything I'd like to. CJ xx
ReplyDeleteNever enough time. I don't think even a few extra hours in the day would help. I'm always behind and I guess I just have to deal with it... Catch the moment and just enjoy. What will be done will be done and the rest can wait, right? Thanks for popping in CJ.
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Opening my crate with decorations to realise that YESSSSS I sorted and packed so neatly last year!!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy this second week of Advent.
BRAVO! I'm so impressed. Enjoy your evening too.
DeleteXxx
A cozy post.. Loved it.
ReplyDeleteSo lovely! I too organized all my decorations last year (too many). We like to pick a color theme each year so I sort mine by color, this year it's silver and gold and of course it wouldn't be Christmas without some handmade ornaments. Our advent is a small house shaped box with tiny doors for each day that I add chocolates and tiny gifts like handmade holiday earrings and such. With still more to do, I always have last minute things to do! lol
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