The twinkling lights glowing day and night and the extra greenery brought inside fill our home with wonder. With little effort, we all can turn our homes into a snow mountain lodge overlooking the frozen lake (that’s what imaginations are for- wink!) This is the month for stringing up a little tinsel, sneaking a kiss under the mistletoe, and sampling the entire array of hot chocolates – embracing all the simple joys! yay!

Our family loves December because it’s the month we get to spend extra time together! …and Christmas! Full of advent readings and carols, we also enjoy the mood with a few fun activities. Over the years, many of these have become traditions.

Here are the activities we’ve been up to:

1. wearing our flannel plaids

2. making stock pots of soup

3. listening to Christmas music all day long

4. trekking across a tree farm for the perfect Christmas tree cutting

5. burning seasonal candles like “mulled cider” and “fresh balsam”

6. diffusing essential oils that complement our freshly-cut tree (3 drops cedarwood+3 Douglas fir or 2 wintergreen+2 rosemary+2 peppermint)

7. trimming the tree and decorating the house – the kids love it!

8. making cookies

9. advent readings

10. popping giant bowls of popcorn

11. roasting chestnuts

12. filling up our Christmas book basket

13. making homemade hot chocolate (recipe coming soon-yum!)

14. writing cards to friends near and abroad

15. taking the obligatory cheesy smile portraits

16. making a bucket list for our upcoming Christmas break (sharing it on the blog tomorrow)

What do early December days look like at your house?

with love. Damaris