1. Do you struggle with the commercialization of the holidays? What helps you keep your focus when the season's busyness and commercialism start to take over? For years I struggled with this very thing, but I really don't anymore. I know that no matter whether gifts are given/received or not, that the gift itself isn't at all what the holiday is about. To me, Christmas means celebrating the birth of my Savior, Jesus. I celebrate His birth by gathering with the people I love, and while we do exchange gifts, that is second to me. The real gift is Jesus, and a time of gathering with my family and friends. I love the season itself, not the day necessarily. The season is wonderful because people are a little more kind than at any other time of year. It really is a magical time of year, not because of tangible things, but because the spirit of Christmas is everywhere.
When I do start to lose focus, I remember that I need to focus on my loved ones and friends, not the stuff that I buy for them. I don't expect perfection and I've learned to be content whatever the circumstance. I need to remember this more, but I give it my best shot.
2. What's one small thing you want to savor before the year ends? I want to savor this season of everything feeling festive. I want to embrace the joy and beauty that I see all around me! I know I will also want to savor each and every moment I get with my sons while they're all in the same city. I can't wait for this, actually.
Please enjoy the adorable photo I got from Noah this week of Santa with his new pup Rocket. He'll be coming home with Noah in a couple weeks! I can't wait for them to get here.
3. December 9th is National Christmas Card day. Do you still send Christmas cards? How do you feel about this tradition? I'm not including the whole question, because this is something I've never done. I love receiving them, though! I've already gotten two in the mail, and I will usually display them somewhere in my home.
I love these sweet pictures above; I'll always remember the year Dad made nametags for our Christmas eve meal at their house.
4. What's your least favorite holiday related task? What's your favorite? My least favorite is dealing with the leftovers I always seem to have an abundance of. My favorite is definitely making my home appealing when people come over. I clean, I light candles, I put on Christmas music in the background.
5. Let's do a little holiday "this or that". My answers are in the red ink.
shopping or wrapping
baking or decorating
eggnog or wassail
real tree or artificial (I prefer real, but I have an artificial one)
turkey or ham
white lights or colored
ugly sweaters or matching pajamas
peppermint or cinnamon
presents on Christmas eve or presents on Christmas day
5. Insert your own random thought here. I recently discovered the Christmas album by Maverick City Music and love this version of Oh Holy Night. Enjoy!
I can't wait to read your answers to these! Thanks for being here to read my blog today, friends. Love to all!
Jenn ❤️💚
I will listen to the song when the house isn´t so quiet. I love almost any rendition of O Holy Night so I´m sure I will like this one! I agree with you on question one a lot. It´s somewhat what I tried to articulate. That picture of Noah´s dog with Santa is so good! Girl, you don´t like leftovers? A fridge full of leftovers makes my heart happy. All I see is one or two less meals to have to cook!! Have a great day!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you'll love it as much as I did! I love that song, too. Isn't that such a great pic of his dog? He's such a pretty boy. I do like leftovers! I just don't like finding containers and then dealing with what I don't get around to eating. Also, I kind of meant more of the sweet treats here. I like those too, but there comes a day between Christmas and New Years that I have to throw away a lot that I know will never get eaten. But not cooking during the holidays?? Yes, please! Merry Wednesday!
DeleteRocket has Eddie Otis eyes! That is the cutest that he got his picture taken with Santa! We did that once with Ernie at a pet supply store. I will have to find it.
ReplyDeleteThe name tags are so sweet. Who is the elf?
He does! I love that he did this with Rocket. The elf was a random man that my mom and I ran into and met one Saturday a few years ago. He likes to dress up like this during the season to make people smile. We ended up talking for about ten minutes, and I asked to take his picture. We just talked about this Sunday! I had to include his pic to show Mom.
DeleteOh that picture of your boys is the SWEETEST! I agree on leftovers too- no thank you- hope you have the warmest and joyful holiday season friend XO
ReplyDeleteI love old pictures like that! I like the leftovers, I just dislike dealing with them later. Ha! Thank you, friend! I hope the same for you and yours.
DeleteO Holy Night is my favorite! I will have to listen to this version. Aw, look at Noah's dog! Can't wait to hear how that goes with the other two :).
ReplyDeleteI love that song, too. I love this Christmas album! Rocket is so cute, and plays really well with other dogs. I know he'll be fine here and can't wait to see them both! He's a polite boy, though talkative...he sometimes sounds like he's saying, "I love you." It's so precious!
DeleteThank you for sharing the album...so very touching as I listened early this morning. Sweet Christmas photos... Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome! Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment on my blog today! I love that whole album, actually. I hope you have a Merry Christmas!
DeleteYes, I keep saying to my girls it's all about spending time with loved one's instead of the presents, they are just a bonus. How great that all your sons will be in the same city, I hope you get to spend lots of time with them and the new pup!
ReplyDeleteThe leftovers are my favourite part of Christmas, I always cook far too much and eat them in the following days which means no cooking for me.
Thank you! I really cannot wait for us all to be together. And you're right about not cooking...how wonderful to not have to worry about a meal!
DeleteWell we did have a couple of answers the same so we can definitely still be friends : ) The dog with Santa is so cute! Does he live up to his name? My younger daughter is coming just before Christmas and they're bringing their new pup we have yet to meet. He seems to be a good dog, they sent him off for two weeks of training and she said it helped so much. Our pup is old so we'll see how they mix. I will listen to the song in a bit...I like Maverick City and am not sure I've heard their version yet. Have a great day!
ReplyDeleteWhew! I'm so glad! Isn't that a great pic of Noah's pup? He's such a pretty boy. Hopefully your dog won't mind the one coming to visit! I hope your week has been good, my friend!
DeleteYes—to the fact that everyone is a little kinder during the Christmas season ! And such a fun time to be part of all the energy in the schools to see the magic of the holiday through the eyes of children.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely! I was saying that yesterday to my co-worker, about how kindness is more prevalent at this time of year. It really is fun to work at an elementary school during the holidays!
DeleteYou've got to buy some of the cheaper/disposable food containers ahead of time and send leftovers home with those that come to the house! They get free food and you have less leftovers to deal with. Win/win. I definitely remember starting to make and pass out Christmas cards when I was in high school! It's a tradition I haven't been able to stop yet-- though it has changed greatly through the years and I really wish I had known back them how much it would change from year to year and had kept just 1 each year just for me to look back on and see.
ReplyDeleteI do need to do that! I love your Christmas card tradition. I love the ones you've sent me recently; thank you so much! You are such a thoughtful person!
DeleteI love this version of O Holy Night - thanks for posting. Rocket looks so cute and how fun that he'll be bringing him home.
ReplyDeleteI love it too! I'm always looking for new Christmas worship music. I can't wait! I think it'll be so much fun to have him here.
DeleteLoved your answers this week! Looking after leftovers is not a fun holiday task at all, I agree. O Holy Night is my favorite Christmas song so I always enjoy finding another version to add to my playlist. Happy Holidays!
ReplyDeleteThank you! It's more or less all the sweets, but I need to learn to share it all like Joanne suggested. It's always so much! I'm glad you liked the song! Merry Christmas to you, my friend.
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