christmas cheer

I’m sad to see them go. I really love my house at Christmas time.

Oh my goodness, Christmas was just so much fun. This is the first year that Jasper really understood what was going on and could be excited. The excitement level in my house on Christmas eve was crazy high (from all of us!). We watched Charlie Brown Christmas together all snuggled on the couch. After a quick bath, we set out cookies for Santa. We also had to set out cereal (Kix) and milk for the reindeer because that is what they eat apparently.

We read Twas the Night Before Christmas down by the tree and fireplace. Jasper made sure the fireplace was off before going to bed because he was concerned about Santa coming down the chimney. We put him to bed at 8:30 and then the fun began. Every single time I would think he was asleep, he would start singing, or talking, or getting up… He had to pee, he was hungry, he needed a drink, his blanket was messed up. Josh and I mostly just laughed because you could tell he was just so incredibly excited. Finally at nearly 10:30pm he was asleep. Whew.

And then the moment Josh and I have been waiting for all month. All Jasper wanted from Santa was a “big, huge robot”. After hours of searching online I found the perfect one that of course, wasn’t easy to get anymore. I’m not usually a big fan of Ebay but this time it came through. We got an amazing deal on this guy. As we had hoped…it was an enormous hit.

We had such a good time watching Jasper open presents. I seriously could have just cried. He was so excited for everything. He yelled out after the first gift, “Thanks, Santa!”. After our presents we headed to my parents house. Jasper was so patient watching everyone open gifts and waiting for his turn. At one point he told my mom that his heart was “going fast, like boom boom boom”. His heart was racing!

Anyway, it was such an incredible experience seeing Christmas through the eyes of a three year old. I loved having the opportunity to really play up the magic of Christmas. I already can’t wait for next year. Hope you all had a magical Christmas as well!

From my family to yours, may you have a very happy Christmas. Peace and love to you all!

A few weeks ago my mom wrangled all of us kids around the Christmas tree at their house. She pulled out our box of ornaments and put us to work. Every year since my brother and I were born, we get a yearly ornament. Now my parents’ tree is filled with goofy homemade ornaments, metal kittens from 25 years ago, school picture ornaments, little wooden figurines, starched crochet snowflakes… I went through taking some pictures of them when they were all up. These make me smile.

My house two years ago at Christmas

Christmas time is coming! As soon as Halloween ends, I always start getting excited for Christmas. Fall is always such a busy time of year for my business. I look forward to the break I get in Winter and the slower days. I can hardly wait for Jasper to experience Christmas this year. We’ve been talking about Santa and that Christmas coming. It is so incredibly magical. I know some people think it’s too early. When it’s your favorite season, I don’t see the harm in rushing it a bit.

If you’re on Spotify, I made a huge playlist of some great Christmas songs. You can find it here. For more Christmas inspiration, check out my Christmas Pinterest board.

I love Christmas. It’s such a fantastic time of the year. This one was no exception. Lots of laughs, good food, time with family and friends, new toys… More to come tomorrow.

As we did last year, we’re planning a little Christmas get together with our neighbors. I love having people over and baking for it. Last year I made gingerbread houses for our mugs. This year I think besides the other cookies I’m planning I’m going to make Bakerella’s snowmen cake pops.

I’m also considering the dotty winter trees by Bake at 350, chocolate peppermint crinkle cookies, and I love the chocolate marshmallows from Good Housekeeping.

I always have a really hard time narrowing down what to make. Last year I think I made five or six different kinds of cookies. I’ll probably end up doing that again. I love Christmas and baking so the two combined is a perfect storm for me.

I had a really great childhood and some of my favorite memories are from Christmas time. My parents were always really amazing when it came to keeping the magic alive. Santa always wrapped his presents in special paper. I can still remember the year he used Pound Puppy wrapping paper. Coming downstairs to see all of the gifts wrapped in that paper…magic.

I’ve recently heard others talking about not making Santa a big deal because that’s not the point of Christmas. While I agree presents and Santa aren’t the reason for this holiday, I don’t see the harm in encouraging kids to believe in Santa Claus. There is such a short time for believing in magic. Before you know it, kids will grow up and be too old for such things. Why not let them have magic while they can? There is no reason they can’t understand the real reason for Christmas AND believe in Santa Claus!

Personally I cannot wait until Jasper is old enough to believe in Santa Claus. How amazing to live through that again through my child. I have so many fun ideas for Santa (and the tooth fairy and Easter bunny too!). I hope that we can extend his innocence and belief in things so that the magic of Christmas continues for as long as possible.

Mankind is a great, an immense family. This is proved by what we feel in our hearts at Christmas. -Pope John XXIII