Is anyone else feeling behind on all the holiday stuff? Presents, decor, tree, wreaths, outdoor lights, cards, family pictures, BREATHE! But really, all we have to prepare for this Christmas is our hearts. Daily advent readings are such a cure for all the distressing about to-does! You can find readings for your simplified advent here.

When I begin to feel the overwhelm, I try to see it all thought the eyes of a child. When our hearts are full of wonder, it’s easier to delight in the small things – we enjoy what we already have and are more ready to share it with the loved ones that surround us! When we celebrate the simple things, we can find rest and even recharge during the holiday hullabaloo. Since I’m a list-maker extraordinaire, I’m sharing today our Christmas bucket list! We plan to enjoy these favorite activities during the school/work break of the holidays. Most of these we do every year and anticipate them for weeks, but some activities are new additions which may well become a special tradition. Here it goes… our holiday bucket list:

1. playing board games with a mug of hot chocolate

2. sleeping “under” the tree

3. baking wheels of brie

4. making bread loaves for all the neighbors on our road

5. going to Panera for coffee and bagels

6. making chocolate bread pudding

7. trying our hand at a lattice apple pie

8. eating croissants and chocolate for breakfast

9. watching special Christmas movies

10. baking and frosting cut-out sugar cookies (recipe in an upcoming post!)

11. Cracker Barrel brunch and sitting by the fire to play checkers with Dad

12. making monkey bread

13. Christmas caroling at neighbors’

14. making cream puffs

15. taking the kids treasure hunting at a nearby antique mall

16. enjoying huge cinnamon rolls on Christmas morning

There you have it! It’s the most wonderful time of the year!

with love. Damaris