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.