fairdare
  • blog
  • Fairdare
  • ethical brands
  • zero-waste
  • zero-waste meals
  • about

this simple christmas

12/21/2015

2 Comments

 
Picture
i would not say that i fall into the category of dreading the holiday season…but i have noticed a tightening in my chest that comes with this time of year.  two out of four of our tribe's birthdays fall in these weeks between thanksgiving and christmas, and i feel pressure to make each of these days + the entire season spectacular. 

at the same time, this tribe has come to a point of truly feeling we do not need more.  we do not want extra clutter.  we've done the work of clearing out, and we like simple.  and yet, i feel like i am left to wonder how to fill these weeks with the feelings i think should come in this season.  we don't have big school or church productions to participate in or attend.  it's up to me to bring christmas to life.

i realize that i am still trying to figure out, after all this time, how to give my tribe a wonderful christmas that does not come from a store.  i also realize that maybe i'm still expecting to create something that elicits the same reactions and feeling my girls had when they were younger...but toys have been replaced with a cello, a ukelele, art supplies, and library books.  

it is amazing and satisfying.  we don't need more stuff.  

so we have conversations about it.  we are ready for christmas simplicity.  i know we want this, and i want to figure out what exactly this looks like...so i can just have fun with what we choose to do (which is not nothing!).

i want to come up with some guidelines for myself that feel right in this season of life (although, i think these would be right in any season-for us)…something to help me not to have to wonder about this next year.  no second guessing, no comparison, no guilt.  

i want christmas to be special. it want it to be cozy and happy.  most of all, i want it to be jesus.  i want the glow to come from the manger.  i don't think it has to be spectacular every day, and i need to let that sink in.  so this is just to remind myself.  :)

our decorations are:
-twinkle lights
-vintage-y tinsel
-candles
-pinecones gathered on autumn walks
-paper snowflakes
-small tree + stars
-nativity set  
-advent calendar we made together

activities: (because we like an activity or two to look forward to)
-making for others + volunteering too
-giving an extra gift to our compassion kids' families
-a ride or three to see christmas lights with hot cocoa in hand  
-christmas tunes
-a few silly movies
-dickens' christmas carol audiobook from the library  
-the christmas story read by linus and us too  
-a special event or two (they make great gifts)
-a christmas day walk to spread some seeds and give the animals a day of easy eating

gifts:
-3 small stocking gifts  
-3 gifts under the tree for the girls (including experience gift) 
​-(note to self:  these don't have to make their year.  they are just little lovelies to give smiles and warm feelings.)

food:
-
homemade cookie/treat of the week
-our traditional shepherd's pie + cranberry fluff + birthday cake on christmas day

i hesitate to post this, because it is so personal.  i mostly want to convey the idea that we each get to decide what is right for us...what is simple...what is enough...what is meaningful.  

these are just some of the things that i can make happen...not a to do list that must happen. expectation is what gets me every time.  and i mean my expectations, really.  my girls never seem disappointed.  it's more than just gifts…or perhaps they are all gifts...especially the one in the manger!

love,
jane

p.s.  what are your plans/have you done this year?  i would truly love to hear!!
2 Comments
litterless link
12/23/2015 08:05:45 pm

hear hear. contentment is such a good way to think about it, and just using small traditions, crafts, activities, gifts to enhance that. this year we've been watching holiday movies in the evenings, taking lots of walks, thinking about what simple homemade gifts might bring a smile to someone. and it's been lovely. xoxo and merry christmas to you three.

Reply
jane link
12/24/2015 10:27:44 am

love, love, love this! thank you so much for sharing! hope you have a wonderful christmas too!! :)

p.s. you guys should check out her blog!! i love it! :)

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Picture
    on a journey toward zero-waste, simplicity, + compassion :: daring to choose fair one choice at a time
    Picture
    Picture


    categories

    All
    Fair Brands
    Fairdare
    Garden
    Made
    Reads
    Simple Budget
    Simple Holidays
    Simple Home
    Simple Wardrobe
    Simply Said
    Sustainable Self
    Wanderings
    Yum
    Zero Waste

    archives

    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014

    all images by jane unless otherwise noted. copyright 2023.
    subscribe via email

    RSS Feed

    Follow