the 12 days of [simplifying] Christmas: service

I've shared our neighborhood service project before. It's one of our family's favorite activities and in my opinion, one of the greatest ideas and ways to simplify. This year, one of the scouts in our ward, John Fluhman, is taking over the event as his Eagle Project. Isn't that a great idea? He's donating everything to the Santa's Workshop and Crisis Nursery at the Family Support and Treatment Center.

Service is a large part of our lives and a value we most definitely want to instill in our children. Our bigs got it. Our little (Ella), is struggling this year. I know a large part of it is her age. She wants everything to be "fair", and it's not fair if someone else gets something she wants. So she chooses toys she doesn't like. What a little snot you are! Not exactly the attitude I was looking for. :) But she'll get it--eventually.

So we changed things up a bit. I helped Ella choose the toys we'll donate and she can take them to FSTC to give to Eric, the Santa's Workshop Coordinator (who she adores!).

the 12 days of [simplifying] Christmas: many merry meals from one chicken marinade

Those of you who have the freezer meals thing down have a big jump on the rest of us, especially during the busy months of the holidays. I'm not there yet. But I did find boneless chicken breasts for $1.67 lb. thru Deals to Meals, and put together six packages of marinated chicken and a few containers of soup for the freezer a couple weeks ago. Even just a few meals planned ahead have made a huge difference in simplifying.

This past September, our Relief Society fall social was rained out. Half an hour before everyone was to arrive, we moved it to my friend (and our RS President) Marci's basement. (With six kids, it takes a lot to get her frazzled.) She also happens to be an amazing cook, so she had put together the main meal for all 50-60 sisters.

the 12 days of [simplifying] Christmas: simply gifted

I've had a Target gift card floating around my purse for awhile. I figured there might be a few dollars left on it, and finally remembered to use it the other day. It had still $25.00 left! Who forgets about that much? That would be me.

There was a time I thought giving gift cards for Christmas was too impersonal. Handing over a small piece of plastic--even if it did have value--seemed so...not fun. I've changed my story. Gift cards are simple, the recipient can get what they really want, and I love receiving them myself.

Packaging gift cards with a small gift makes them even more delightful. It doesn't have to be big. My brother, Steve, loves the Rocky Road fudge at Cabela's. For his birthday I got him a nice big slab to go along with a gift card. I added a simple bow and still came out ahead time-wise.

the 12 days of [simplifying] Christmas: merry me

I returned last night from the most wonderful girlfriends' weekend. It was just what I needed before heading into the holidays.

1. We stayed at my friend Marci's bro and sis-in-law's condo in St. George, Utah. 2. Road trip shot. 3. We all took sewing/quilting projects to work on. 4. My first time eating at Smashburger. I eat a burger maybe twice a year, and it will be here from now on. The olive oil, rosemary, sea salt sweet potato fries were sooooo good! 5. Shopping. 6. Breaking Dawn 2 opening weekend, so we hit the matinee. 7. More shopping. :) 8. Attended church on Sunday. 9. Listened to great music and lots of Christmas tunes.

We spent a bit of time at one of our favorite stores, Urban Renewal. It's a "must see" every time we're in St. George. Lots of new, consignment, and vintage goodies. 3. I love how the hair accessory was packaged on a vintage postcard. 4. I found a great stash--weathered pots, a vintage repro clock, some small green bowls and a nice pine topiary for my Christmas mantle. 5. Check out those glasses. Jen looks a little _____________ (fill in the blank). 6. Terra cotta pumpkins. I know I'm going to wish I'd gotten some. 7. We all walked out with big bags chock full of goodness. 8. These were so cool. Letters cut from old books. 9. Loved this owl, but wished he'd been a bit smaller .

the 12 days of [simplifying] Christmas: make good choices

My older children still roll their eyes when I tell them, "Make good choices." It's something they heard often growing up, mostly as they were headed out the door.

I think one of the hardest lessons for me to learn as a young mother, was that I couldn't do it all. I sure gave it my best shot, especially during the holidays. As wonderful as my intentions were, I realized with all my doing, I wasn't being the mom I wanted to be. In all the busy-ness and striving for perfection (yes, I am a recovering perfectionist), I realized I was missing out on far more than I was ever accomplishing. I learned I simply need to make good choices, not all the choices.

With the plethora of amazing and creative ideas on Pinterest and blogs, and in magazines, it's easy to get caught up in a whirlwind of projects and find yourself snowed in under the stress.

The golden question.
What works for me, is to make list of everything I wish I could do, and then look again and ask, "Now what can I realistically do with my time, energy and resources and still enjoy myself?" It's a simple exercise, but it works.

the 12 days of [simplifying] Christmas: wrap it up

I enjoy wrapping gifts. It's kind of "my thing." But as much as I like pretty packages, I don't want to be up all night Christmas Eve cutting and taping. I try to relax and get to bed at a decent hour because I know I'll be awakened bright and early the next day!

So what's a super simple way to avoid the stress of an all night wrapping session? Years ago, I started wrapping gifts as I purchased them. The task was spread out which resulted in less stress, and our tree looked even more beautiful with wrapped packages underneath.

WRAPPING IT UP
a few more ideas for simplifying

It's so you!
If you had to choose just one "signature" wrapping paper, what color or design, would it be? A few years ago, I started using the same paper--red with polka dots--for all my gift wrapping. It may seem boring, but I found one style feels more designer-ish and pretty. One or two large rolls of good quality paper go a long way in simplifying wrapping.

the 12 days of [simplifying] Christmas: cha-ching, it'$ a good thing.

My experience has been, the key to a memorable holiday season, is doing those things that express what we value most.

There have been years I've spent way too much on "stuff" because that's what we (and everyone else) have always done, and I really like to shop, and there were SO many great deals. Whatever the reason, more often than not, when it was all over, I had a big, empty feeling.

There's nothing sweeter than a 2-year old's "pictures." :)

I still love getting new things and seeing the look on my kids' and grandkids' faces when they get something they really wanted. But now, the bigger focus of our celebration--and our funds--is on what's most important to us. That includes spending time with our family, celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, and honestly, staying out of debt. The gift-giving has become a smaller part of our holiday celebration and we all enjoy it so much more. I'll admit, it's been a process to get there.

The 12 days of [simplifying] Christmas series

With the holidays swiftly approaching, sometimes we need a little reminder to keep things simple so we can just enjoy! On each of the twelve days, I'll share some thoughts, ideas and/or tips that I hope will inspire you (and remind me) to CELEBRATE SIMPLY.

*To find all posts in the series, go to Simple Things labels in the side bar and click on The Twelve Days of Christmas.