Monday, December 17, 2012

All Things Christmas

I love this time of year. I know it's busy and crazy and there's never enough time but I love it.  Here are some of the things I love about Christmas.



Okay truthfully I don't love getting the tree but I like the result. Our trees are overgrown, unpruned Christmas trees.  If you think those trees look really big they are. We use the tops. This year we had to carry the tree down parts of this road as it was MUDDY!  Not snowy like last year, muddy.  We didn't have to let it thaw in the basement like we usually do, it went from outdoors right into the stand. Then it got decorated and now I have my all blue lights tree which is both a tradition and peaceful.


I like getting out the Christmas decorations that are not beautiful but have real meaning. The first picture is a sleigh and reindeer Jameson made me when he was a little boy. It is my favorite decoration to get out.  The next Santa and sleigh are from when I was a little girl and I can remember playing with them.  

I LOVE Christmas cards. We have made our own cards for years now.  I do find it a stressor and always threaten not to make it.  A couple years Emily made them for us.  Now I wait for everyone to send me the pictures that are acceptable to use.  Then I take it to my friend who is a printer and he works his magic.  
We used to be more creative such as the one below where we spelled out the word NOEL with our bodies. That is my all time favorite.


I love getting Christmas cards which is why I entered not one but two Blogger Christmas card exchanges.
I'm even one of those people who love Christmas letters. I love getting them and sending them.  I try to do something different every year but this year I was going to throw in the towel and just write it.  Then I searched on line for suggestions - there were hundreds of ideas and I found this idea.  It didn't require much writing, I didn't use a template just the old fashioned return and space bars. I love it!  Plus I couldn't write much.

I would like to thank whomever invented these little treat bags.  It made packing the treats for my students so much easier!  So so so much easier and they look festive too.

I hope everyone is able to enjoy this season in a way that works for them. 

 I had already started this post when Friday happened. My heart breaks for all the families in Newtown, CT. I cannot imagine the horror of the parents who sent their kids off to school expecting a "regular" day.  Tonight at our school program I purposely focused on each and every student enjoying them for their uniqueness they bring to each school day.  





12 comments:

Anonymous said...

I too cannot really think about anything else beside this tragic happening...so unbelievable..
your spirit of Christmas is a beautiful thing....

Amy said...

Beautiful post, Andrea, and the terrible tragedy of the shooting should make us all appreciate the things we have in our lives all the more.

Fran said...

As a school teacher, the tragedy in Newtown must have hit you extra hard Andrea. It's terrible what happened.

I love all your Christmas things.
I haven't send Christmas cards this year, I think 99% of them are unpersonal (just a name on it). I rather send someone a card for her/his birthday. And besides, the people we love the most, we will all be seeing around Christmas so we can wish them a merry Christmas in person.

christa said...

I too love all things Christmas. I love the ornaments/decorations at my parents that we've made. She's given us a few of them, Like the picture of me from 3rd grade, standing against the wall at school.

Kate Geisen said...

I'm so not ready for Christmas. Even worse this year than most. I kind of want to curl up in a ball when I think about how many people I still need to buy for. BUT...our house is well-decorated, inside and out (thanks to my husband), and our tree is up. I do love putting on the ornaments from whenthe kids and I were little. :)

Yesterday I definitely made an effort to step back from the craziness (bc there's definitely some major stress accompanying my newest student's behavior) and APPRECIATE my kiddos and just remember how truly precious each of them is.

Darlene said...

I love getting cards too. Thanks for yours (though I had already addressed yours before I got you in the exchange.) The stickers were PERFECT!! I collect boxes & have some of the same ones as you.

middleagedrunner said...

Your tree.... Your TREE!!! IS HUGE!!!

Char said...

The part I love most about Christmas is spending special time with friends and family and having a chance to let them know just how much they mean to you.

Unknown said...

Nice post! My favorite Christmas decoration is an ornament my son made in first grade from a toilet paper roll. It's priceless, and hangs on the tree each year.
Love the Christmas letter idea!

Teamarcia said...

The body-formed NOEL card is classic!

Giorgio said...

What a beautiful Christmas decorations! At Christmas we always made the crèche too.
I love the place where you got the Christmas tree.
Enjoy the Christmas shopping!

Lindsay said...

i love getting and sending christmas cards too. don't do a letter though (i feel like "we worked and ran" isn't really worthy of a letter! haha).

hope you and your family had a very merry christmas!