I'm back with this week's installment of Holiday Bliss!
When you are done please stop by and visit all the other contributor's blogs as well. They are delightful!
As the frenziness of the season quickly approaches we must remember to look after ourselves. The days are getting shorter and it may seem that our already too short days are getting even shorter. But our agendas and calendars are brimming and we often have so much written we have to carry it over to another day. (Yes I have an iPhone and yes there is plenty of room for all my To-Dos, but I prefer my old fashioned paper agenda!)
In addition to our already hectic schedules, especially those of us who have children, we have to factor in parties for us, parties for them. Class parties which require home baked good and party favors are certain to crop up at the very last moment. "But, Mo-o-o-o-m, I needed this yesterday!" The Party store will be out of everything you need. For example, yesterday at 3pm I suddenly remember I needed little goody bag trinkets. I had to be at school at 3:30, of course. So I ran off to Party City and I swear I saw no Halloween goodies, but red and green everywhere!
Do not wait for sales over the Holiday Season. Oftentimes you will across a great bargain, especially now as our economy is in the crapper, but wait for what you want to be further reduced and you'll be sorely disappointed because the verylastone of what you wanted will have walked out with that person in the beige coat, that person right there! So you'll end up driving across three states (which is not so terrible in Connecticut or Rhode Island) only to still come up empty-handed. Not worth it!
Start shopping early. The same can be said for wrapping. My husband is a notorious last-minute shopper. And while shopping on Christmas Eve really is exciting, staying up until 4:00am and then realizing that there is not quite enough paper to quite cover this one present is not fun at all!
Start your lists now. Make lists of people who need gifts, people who need tips, and any volunteer work you will be doing. This will help with organizing your time and finances. If you plan on baking a lot start locating your recipes now. There are fabulous sales on all sorts of baking ingredients. Stock up now!
Prep-Work. If you are a big baker as I am and plan on giving lots of home made goodies to friends, teachers, co-workers and want to try that fabulous new recipe, try it out ahead of time so that when the time comes you are not making 12 Caramel Spice Cakes that all taste Godawful!
Make sure you and your family eat healthy. We often tend to eat and run as we get busy. Often the foods we serve to accommodate this busier lifestyle are not as healthy. (It's easier to scarf down a slice of pizza than it is a nice salad.) And do make sure you can eat as a family a few nights a week as well. It's important to stay connected. Often we live together but our schedules are so varied that we don't have time to be together.
Make some time every day to relax. This is the most crucial. Whether it is getting to the gym, taking a long bath or shower, enjoying a nice glass of wine or crawling into bed a few minutes earlier with a good book. (And your wine!) Do it. It makes all the difference.
Don't Sweat the Small Stuff. It's been said over and over and over again. I'm just learning how to do it. But sometimes we need to focus on the bigger picture at hand. If the sink is full at night, or crumbs are on the kitchen floor just let it go. You can tackle it in the morning when you are not so exhausted. And if you are lucky enough to have a Roomba, turn it on as you walk out of the house!
Imperfections are Okay. As perfectionists we sometimes waste valuable energy trying to perfect our craft. But sometimes those little imperfections can make something you've created even better. I know on a few occasions some of my mistakes have turned into my greatest hits!
Take care of your health. Get plenty of exercise. Join a gym. Now's a much better time than in January! Exercise will help keep you relaxed and healthy and fight off all those annoying winter illnesses. It's marvelous for toning the body and clearing the head. Get some friends and join a spinning, Zumba, yoga or pilates class. Eat plenty of fruit and veggies. Drink lots of water. Take those vitamins you've been shirking and get plenty of rest. Do not use lack of time as an exercise excuse. We can all squeeze a few extra minutes into our day a few times a week. Perhaps we'll hit the gym instead of the restaurant!
Take time to enjoy the seasons! As you are rushing around try to pay notice to the all the wonderful and joyous sights and sounds around you. You'll be amazed at how good this makes you feel!
And from time to time treat yourself to something nice. If Peppermint Mocha Lattes in Red Cups are your thing, then by all means have a cup and enjoy it!
When you are done please stop by and visit all the other contributor's blogs as well. They are delightful!
 |
| Photo, Courtesy Martha Stewart |
As the frenziness of the season quickly approaches we must remember to look after ourselves. The days are getting shorter and it may seem that our already too short days are getting even shorter. But our agendas and calendars are brimming and we often have so much written we have to carry it over to another day. (Yes I have an iPhone and yes there is plenty of room for all my To-Dos, but I prefer my old fashioned paper agenda!)
In addition to our already hectic schedules, especially those of us who have children, we have to factor in parties for us, parties for them. Class parties which require home baked good and party favors are certain to crop up at the very last moment. "But, Mo-o-o-o-m, I needed this yesterday!" The Party store will be out of everything you need. For example, yesterday at 3pm I suddenly remember I needed little goody bag trinkets. I had to be at school at 3:30, of course. So I ran off to Party City and I swear I saw no Halloween goodies, but red and green everywhere!
Do not wait for sales over the Holiday Season. Oftentimes you will across a great bargain, especially now as our economy is in the crapper, but wait for what you want to be further reduced and you'll be sorely disappointed because the verylastone of what you wanted will have walked out with that person in the beige coat, that person right there! So you'll end up driving across three states (which is not so terrible in Connecticut or Rhode Island) only to still come up empty-handed. Not worth it!
Start shopping early. The same can be said for wrapping. My husband is a notorious last-minute shopper. And while shopping on Christmas Eve really is exciting, staying up until 4:00am and then realizing that there is not quite enough paper to quite cover this one present is not fun at all!
Start your lists now. Make lists of people who need gifts, people who need tips, and any volunteer work you will be doing. This will help with organizing your time and finances. If you plan on baking a lot start locating your recipes now. There are fabulous sales on all sorts of baking ingredients. Stock up now!
Prep-Work. If you are a big baker as I am and plan on giving lots of home made goodies to friends, teachers, co-workers and want to try that fabulous new recipe, try it out ahead of time so that when the time comes you are not making 12 Caramel Spice Cakes that all taste Godawful!
Make sure you and your family eat healthy. We often tend to eat and run as we get busy. Often the foods we serve to accommodate this busier lifestyle are not as healthy. (It's easier to scarf down a slice of pizza than it is a nice salad.) And do make sure you can eat as a family a few nights a week as well. It's important to stay connected. Often we live together but our schedules are so varied that we don't have time to be together.
Make some time every day to relax. This is the most crucial. Whether it is getting to the gym, taking a long bath or shower, enjoying a nice glass of wine or crawling into bed a few minutes earlier with a good book. (And your wine!) Do it. It makes all the difference.
Don't Sweat the Small Stuff. It's been said over and over and over again. I'm just learning how to do it. But sometimes we need to focus on the bigger picture at hand. If the sink is full at night, or crumbs are on the kitchen floor just let it go. You can tackle it in the morning when you are not so exhausted. And if you are lucky enough to have a Roomba, turn it on as you walk out of the house!
Imperfections are Okay. As perfectionists we sometimes waste valuable energy trying to perfect our craft. But sometimes those little imperfections can make something you've created even better. I know on a few occasions some of my mistakes have turned into my greatest hits!
Take care of your health. Get plenty of exercise. Join a gym. Now's a much better time than in January! Exercise will help keep you relaxed and healthy and fight off all those annoying winter illnesses. It's marvelous for toning the body and clearing the head. Get some friends and join a spinning, Zumba, yoga or pilates class. Eat plenty of fruit and veggies. Drink lots of water. Take those vitamins you've been shirking and get plenty of rest. Do not use lack of time as an exercise excuse. We can all squeeze a few extra minutes into our day a few times a week. Perhaps we'll hit the gym instead of the restaurant!
Take time to enjoy the seasons! As you are rushing around try to pay notice to the all the wonderful and joyous sights and sounds around you. You'll be amazed at how good this makes you feel!
And from time to time treat yourself to something nice. If Peppermint Mocha Lattes in Red Cups are your thing, then by all means have a cup and enjoy it!
****
Housewife Bliss How to prepare for unexpected guests
Mindy Lockard Trick or Treat Etiquettes.
Pemberley Collections Hosting an Open-house
The Entertaining House A surprise awaits
The Entertaining House A surprise awaits
Lily Lemon Tree Holiday Style: Defining Modern Festive-Raindeer Sweaters and Jingle Bell Earrings Need Not Apply!
Ab home Interiors Festive Tablescapes: A guide to true Southern style
Tatertots and Jello A Holiday Table Setting Craft
Lucky Life Parties Creative and Inexpensive Party Favors
The Daily Basics Beautiful Gift Wrapping ideas
Tatertots and Jello A Holiday Table Setting Craft
Lucky Life Parties Creative and Inexpensive Party Favors
The Daily Basics Beautiful Gift Wrapping ideas