Monday, November 29, 2010

It's That Time of Year

Where we hustle and bustle to try and have the most wonderful Christmas of all. This year is going to be different. Yes, we are rushing a little to get things done for the kids and families that will be here in just a few days. But this year we are going simple. The decorations are up but pared down from years past. The treasure hunt prizes are ready but more simple than years past. We no longer do gifts since our family has grown so large but we do play the dirty Santa game. The kids love taking a gift from their sibling and this always makes us laugh as we watch and wait for our number to come up so we can grab someone elses gift. This year we are really cutting this game back and only allowing $5 spent on each gift. Its not the gift but the game of being able to tease someone by taking their gift only to have someone turn around and take it from you. We are having our big Christmas dinner but this year it is mostly from garden that I canned or froze. Megan is bringing the turkey and ham this year. One was a gift and the other she got free with store points so no money spent there. The hayride Christmas caroling won't happen this year but we have a fun surprise in the treasure hunt that will take its place. We will have our big ole country breakfast on Saturday and our annual red and green pancakes on Sunday. We will gather the grands around for the annual reading of the Christmas story. We will spend most of our time enjoying being all together. This year its not about rushing out, stressing over finding the perfect gift. This year its a simple homestead Christmas with our family making memories. After this weekend I can sit back, relax and enjoy watching others planning and getting ready for their Christmas. I can watch Christmas movies, sit by the fire and read. I can enjoy baking goodies for my neighbors and friends. I can spend more time talking to God and thanking him for my many blessings. I can spend more time reflecting on the reason for the season. This post gave me food for thought on how I wanted Christmas to be this year. Now on the other hand Rusty is having a problem. He is so excited all the kids are coming in a few days. He just can't decide which hat he should wear to greet them.
He is into snowmen hats this year. He didn't want to wear his santa hat. Said it made him look fat.
So how about you? What are you going to do this Christmas season? Do you have plans to make it less stress and more relaxing? Are you going to have a simple Christmas?

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

Good Morning Peggy, Your Christmas with family sounds just perfect. The important thing is the gathering of all the family for happy and healthy times together. Rusty is cute as can be! What a sweet face he has. Hope you will share pics of all the fun.

amelia said...

Amen to everything you said.

We will be alone as all our kids like to spend Christmas at their respective homes and that's fine by us. Our son and family will be up on the 17th till the 21st then it will just be us.

Rusty is so cute and he shouldn't worry! Everything makes me look fat!!

Rachel said...

Rusty is looking good in his hats!!

I went over and read the post you referred to. Certainly gives one some thoughts to dwell on for making the season more meaningful and not so rushed, and remembering what the season is all about.

Yours sounds delightful!!!

Granny said...

We're having a very simple Christmas this year also. I hope your holiday with the family is a great one. Tell Rusty that our furkid Trixie has the same problem, hats make her look fat also. :) By the way, that Rusty is adorable.

Lib said...

We always have a simple Christmas and Love it. No Stress, or trying to Impress anyone, just make sweet memories, and focus on the TRUE Meaning of Christmas!
Yours sounds perfect!
Merry Christmas!
Blessins',Lib

Denise said...

Enjoy your Christmas with your family:0)

Connie said...

Peggy,
I am so happy you will be having Christmas at home with all family members. God is good! Enjoy your day with family and the outside family in all their neat pens (which you so dutifully take care of each day/night).
Enjoy your time after your gathering.
Hugs,
Connie

Helen said...

Your Christmas sound great. Ours will be simple this year. I hope you and your family have a great time.
Helen

Jane said...

Making memories is what our Christmas will be about. I'm making a conscious effort to reduce the workload for myself so that I can savour the small things.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Sounds like a great weekend with family, Peggy... Glad you are scaling things down... In years past, we had hurried, stressful Christmases --and spent WAY too much money. We finally learned that that is not what Christmas is all about. These days, we have a peaceful, stress-free Christmas --and we don't spend the money we used to (thanks be to God)....

Can't wait to hear more about your upcoming weekend. Sounds tremendous.
Hugs,
Betsy

lunamother said...

hahaha. we'll be moving. *~*

a very good thing and very long awaited, but NOT relaxing or stress-free.

I'd usually be putting up decorations by now and I had to tell Alec that they'd go up in the new house for a month no matter when we actually move.

sure hope it's before July LOL

Anonymous said...

Good Morning peggy,
We are going to have a very simple Christmas. I am tired of all the rush rush. I am slowly putting up our decorations. Next year it will be even simplier.
Hugs,'
Elizabeth

JoyceAnn said...

Sounds like the perfect Christmas to me. Ours will be much like yours , very simple. I'll be giving canned goods for christmas gifts and buying a few gifts for the Grands.

Love the picture of the homestead covered in snow , it's beautiful. Oh yea , is the bunny about ready for it's new home ? Let me know.

~ Blessings ~

Tracy Bruring said...

Peggy I hope your days are filled with peace this season. There is so much stress swirling around us now. I hope your farm has a bubble around it so that only love and peace dwells there. I love you

Anonymous said...

Hey!!!
GREAT snow picture

Man is it cold!

The dog looks so happy in the hat!

Love you Peggy!
I hope you are going to have a fantastic Christmas!