after-Christmas sales

I hope you've been having a great Christmastime, I know I have. Now is the best time to replenish your Christmas wares-wrapping paper, tags, ribbon, boxes, bags, tissue paper-and to get a few more decorations you've been eyeing. So take a look at the Christmas merchandise as you go about your normal shopping chores. If you're not a regular you might still go to a handicrafts store, I find they often have the best deals.

I'm off to see a play tonight and still deciding what I'm going to do for New Year's Eve. See you next week for the new year.

Twelve Days of Christmas: the song

Ah yes, that charming song, that goes on forever (and ever) The Twelve Days of Christmas was first printed in Mirth without Mischief in 1780 London. As with just about anything else related to the holidays someone has tried to put a religious spin on things, if you hear (or read) about the song being sung as a sort of code-of-beliefs for Catholics don't believe it. There is no truth in it.

However, the so-called meanings can be added to your festivities if you'd like. Just as much as adding that the wreath stands for the eternal round of things, and the candles (or lights) on the Christmas tree represent Christ or "the light of the world." For a very thorough explanation go to to the article by Dennis Bratcher. (And yes, he is of the opposite opinion of me as to the "truth" of the symbolic meanings.)

try this: stockings by the bedpost

Traditionally stockings are found by the chimney. Hung with great care-to protect the mantle-and then just as the sun's early rays illuminate the morning the joyful squeals of a child pierce through dreams of sugarplums to arouse the adults, and so begins a Merry Christmas morning.

To assuage children with a few more joys and the adults with a few more logs to saw why not allow Santa to place the stockings by the bedpost of each child? This may be difficult if you have some serious night owls among the young fry. In this instance a few well-chosen hints can convey the information that if said child just happens to ever-so-quietly investigate in the night and if it just so happens that his stocking is full he just might take it back with him to bed . . . well, I don't know of a single child who would pass up such an opportunity; a reconnaissance mission with treasure at the end has unmistakable charm.

Unless of course you prefer being awakened, in the which case, a very Merry early Christmas morning to you!

the advent of an anthropologie christmas

I looked through this beauty, Christmas Sweets . . . and it is a fabulous beauty!! There's even a recipe for Turkish Delight (yes from The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis)

The pictures are gorgeous too. Take a look:

sinful bars

You may recall from a previous post that I said I was going to make Sinful Bars as part of the festivities, well I have, twice now.

They are super simple to make. We could have them any time of year, however, by keeping them relegated to Christmas-time only they become as much a part of the season as decorating the Christmas tree or Santa Claus.

I have two recipes here, the first is it's original incarnation, which children love because it is so super sweet. The second is a grown-up version, with a gourmet option, still delicious just not quite as sweet. Each recipe will fill a large cookie sheet pan.

Sinful Bars - Original (very sweet)

• 28 graham crackers (honey/original)
• 2 cups unsalted butter
• 2 cups (16 oz) favorite peanut butter (I use crunchy)
• 4 - 6 cups of powdered sugar
• 1/2 bag semi-sweet chocolate chips and 1 bag milk chocolate chips
  

1. To mix this by hand take the butter out beforehand so that it comes to room temperature-and is soft-otherwise use a mixer. Do not melt the butter as this will make the bars gooey.
   
2. Break up the graham crackers into child-size fingernail sizes to powder size. I roughly break them and put them into a gallon size plastic bag, squeeze all the air out and use a rolling pin to break them up. Then set aside.
3. Put the cookie sheet on the counter/table.
4. Use a double boiler (or a metal bowl set over a stove) to melt the chocolate. Place water in the pan/bottom portion of the boiler. Set the top of the boiler/metal bowl inside the lower portion, the water should not touch the top piece. Place the chocolate in the bowl/top of the boiler. Bring the water to a boil and then lower to a simmer.
   
5. Place the room temperature butter and the peanut butter in a large bowl. Pour on the broken crackers, and 4 cups of the powdered sugar. Make sure you have clean hands (or your kids) and then begin mixing with your hands. Add more sugar as needed, but be sure that it is still sticky, otherwise it'll dry out and crumble.
   
6. When everything has been mixed transfer in a long blob to the cookie sheet (you can grease it if you want, but it shouldn't need it) Using a rolling pin, or your hands, spread the mixture evenly.
7. Once the chocolate has melted (it may take a few stirrings) pour it directly onto the butter mixture. Use a spatula to spread.
8. Leave on the counter or set in the fridge until the chocolate is just set. Use a butter knife to cut into bars and enjoy.

Sinful Bars - (less sweet version)

• 36 (or three packages of) graham crackers
• 1 1/2 cups unsalted butter
• 2 cups (16 oz) unsweetened peanut butter (the ingredients list ought to just say peanuts)
• 2 - 4 cups powdered sugar
• 1/2 bag semi-sweet chocolate chips and 1 bag bittersweet (or unsweetened) chocolate chips

1. To mix this by hand take the butter out beforehand so that it comes to room temperature-and is soft-otherwise use a mixer. Do not melt the butter as this will make the bars gooey.
2. Break up the graham crackers into child-size fingernail sizes to powder size. I roughly break them and put them into a gallon size plastic bag, squeeze all the air out and use a rolling pin to break them up. Then set aside.
3. Put the cookie sheet on the counter/table.
4. Use a double boiler (or a metal bowl set over a stove) to melt the chocolate. Place water in the pan/bottom portion of the boiler. Set the top of the boiler/metal bowl inside the lower portion, the water should not touch the top piece. Place the chocolate in the bowl/top of the boiler. Bring the water to a boil and then lower to a simmer.
   
5. Place the room temperature butter and the peanut butter in a large bowl. Pour on the broken crackers, and 2 cups of the powdered sugar. Make sure you have clean hands (or your kids) and then begin mixing with your hands.Add more sugar as needed, but be sure that it is still sticky, otherwise it'll dry out and crumble.
6. When everything has been mixed transfer in a long blob to the cookie sheet (you can grease it if you want, but it shouldn't need it) Using a rolling pin, or your hands, spread the mixture evenly.
7. Once the chocolate has melted (it may take a few stirrings) pour it directly onto the butter mixture. Use a spatula to spread.
8. Leave on the counter or set in the fridge until the chocolate is just set. Use a butter knife to cut into bars and enjoy.

Gourmet version: Use some other nut butter such as walnut or hazelnut.

Note: I use Ghirardelli chocolate, as it's the highest quality in the supermarket around here.

Twelve Days of Christmas

Oh no! I forgot all about the twelve days of Christmas! Actually, no, you did not.

I don't know who started the fetish for practicing the twelve days of Christmas before Christmas, but it isn't historically accurate--and it just adds stress.

The Twelve Days of Christmas are actually the period of the evening before Christmas (Christmas Eve or December 24) to the morning of the Feast of Epiphany (January 6.) The period during that time is traditionally known as Christmastide. During the Middle Ages in Europe (and other highly Christian countries) this entire period was one of continuous feasting and merrymaking, climaxing on Twelfth Night-the traditional end of the Christmas season (and thus the day all decorations and toys are put away.) The revelry generally combined "pagan" customs with religious roots. Beginning in the late 1500's and solidified in the early 1600's this time period was known as a "peasants festival" and considered base and vulgar. This opinion led to a general discouragement of celebrating Christmas in England and almost a complete cessation in Puritan America. Not until Charles Dickens' famed novel A Christmas Carol was the opinion reversed. (See it's not just in modern life that Christmas has been considered crass, the current fashion being commercialism.)

What of the modern family then? Well, there are now lots of "accepted" ways to celebrate the Twelve Days, the main point being that it is a celebration. There ought to be games and songs and special foods. There can be gifts and dressy outings. Some traditional activities are:

• Light a yule log on Christmas Eve and let it burn some each night. On January 5 let the log burn out to the morning.
• Eat a King's Cake on January 6-this is The Feast of Epiphany (lights), or King's Day, or Three King's Day, in every case recognizing the Wise Men of the East who came later to pay homage to Jesus. A good luck trinket is placed in the Cake, whomever finds it either receives "luck" or is crowned "king" (or queen) for the evening and presides over the festivities.
• Take down/put away all (or any remaining) Christmas decorations on January 6th.
• Focus on the "devotional meanings" of each symbol in The Twelve Days of Christmas (the practice of making Twelve Days quilts, as above, comes from this)
  
• Have fun!

Note: If you want to go further back in history than the Middle Ages, by all means go ahead, though I warn you that you are likely to run into confusion. Between mixtures of The Festival of Lights from the Romans, Early Christian Legends on lighting candles for Christ, European Winter Solstice Festivals, and The Feast of Epiphany added unto by the Catholic Church, you are going to have a hard time of it saying which came first.

the advent of an anthropologie christmas

(flickr anthrostocking)

stockings hung all in a row

gift-wrapping party

the gift-wrapping party is a bit odd because you must invite to the party those whom you will not be wrapping presents for or you have to do some pre-boxing.

This is how it works: you invite your neighbor/co-worker/board member friend(s) to come over for refreshments and gift-wrapping. They are to bring from the following options:

Option 1:

• 1-2 rolls of wrapping paper (if you are going with a theme let them know such as: red & green paper, metallic paper, plain white paper)
• tape
• scissors
• the presents to be wrapped
• any other doodads that they would like to have

Option 2:

• refreshments
• scissors
• tape
• presents to be wrapped

Option 3:

• potluck wrapping (so one-three people bring wrapping paper, one brings tape, one brings tags, one brings ribbon, etc.)
• scissors

Everyone arrives after dinnertime. All children under 12 are in pajamas and corralled into one room with Christmas movies, hot chocolate, popcorn and strict instructions to not come into the wrapping area. (Or onto a bed with their teddy bears and blankets.)

Wrap, chat, and eat!

Sometimes people want to include their children or other individuals that they will be wrapping for. In that case either you "pre-wrap" items by placing them in plain gift boxes or tubes with a post-it saying who "to" and who "from," or there are two wrapping groups and the gifts are divided accordingly so that group 1 is only wrapping items for group 2 and vice-versa.

Then . . . wrap, chat and eat!

No matter what sort of party you have you will want plenty of:

• wrapping paper
• boxes
• tape
• scissors
• tags
• writing utensils
  

Extras:

• ribbons
• bows
• stamps and stamp pads
• decorative bags
  
• tissue paper
• glue
• glitter
• cut-outs
• stickers
• etc.

If you are also shipping gifts:

• boxes to put presents in
• packing tape
• envelopes (for gift cards and/or greeting cards)
• postage
  
• address book

At the end of the party the presents are loaded into vehicles to be put in a hiding place at home or under the tree. The items needing to be shipped left in the car so that they may be taken to the post office the following day.

Happy Wrapping!!

the advent of an anthropologie christmas

cheeky fishies

fuzzy orbs

nordic doll

fairy doll

little fat birds

charming ornaments
toys for grown-ups

obscure animated Christmas movies

A Family Circus Christmas

A heart-warming story of family life. Christmas is threatened to be ruined because the special decorations can't be found . . . that is until Billy gets a special visit.







Yogi Bear's All-Star Comedy Christmas Caper

Yogi Bear is at it again, getting into "predicaments" he's escaped (again) from Jellystone National Park and he's posing as Santa at the local department store, as you may guess, hilarity ensues and he's got a whole cast of Hanna Barber characters with him.







Care Bears The Nutcracker

In search of special Christmas ornaments the twins, Hugs 'n' Tugs, have stowed-away on a special cheer-up mission. Anna's best friend has just moved away-but wait, could there be a new friend in Toyland? Watch and see.

11 days to Christmas

I know, dear Readers, you can not possibly handle another item on your Christmas to-do list today. I know this and yet I am prompted to give you one anyway . . .

relax.

It is usually about now that the facial twitch begins, and I don't mean suppressed laughter. There are still 10 days of  memory-making ahead either pleasant - joyful activities, pleasant smells, singing voices - unpleasant - harried activities, unpleasant smells and screaming voices.

Take another look at your to-do list, for a less stress Christmas it ought to look something like this:

• go to three stores/parking lots (maximum) for gifts left to get
• have a gift-wrapping party, either with family or with friends
• clear out home to create room for added guests and stuff
• purchase foods for Christmas feast
• relax, breathe deeply, and let go of the guilt
• attend the office Christmas party (or whichever annual party you have to go to)
• ship last-minute presents:
• unless they are foodstuffs (perishable) send them ground service, it's always fun to receive another present after the big day.
  
• arrange activities to keep children out of hair
• if there is anything else on your to-do list then you have too much, there will be other Christmas seasons - unless you have a stroke this one.

May I be of assistance to complete the above to-do list? I will give you a day-by-day.

Friday, the 14th:

1. Call up friends you want to have a wrapping party with, and ask if they can come over next week Wed./Thurs./Fri. (only one, but I don't know when your Christmas party is).
2. Clean out the refrigerator (freezer included) throw out outdated foods. Edible leftovers are to be eaten tonight for dinner or tomorrow for lunch, or they are to be thrown away.
3. While you're at it take a quick look (set the timer for 45 min) at the pantry and the cleaning supplies and throw out anything outdated. Any foods you won't be eating place in a bag/box to go to the local food drive. When the timer dings set it again for 15 min, this is the time you have to put back all the stuff; now is not the time for a deep clean, it will only make things worse.
4. Go to the video store and rent some Christmas movies (or check the local events page for a family-friendly activity for tomorrow night that you won't be stressed more to go to). Drop off the food-drive items if it's close-by. Otherwise leave it in the car.
   
5. Eat leftovers or take-out. Take some deep breaths.

Saturday, the 15th

1. Designate a box or area as the Christmas area, everything that has been taken out of storage or purchased for Christmas goes here.
2. Give each child a box. Tell them that they must fill it with things they no longer use or need that will be donated. Give them another box, or a trash bag, and instruct them to fill it with trash. Also let them know that if the home is tidied up before 4 pm then you'll all be having a Christmas party/outing. Supply yourself with the same box and bag and go to your room. If you have really young children put on a new or favorite movie and shut them in the room with it, this will let you clean up their room. In either case, move quickly in 30 min - 1 hr spurts. Note that this works best if these really are things you don't have a sentimental attachment to. However, in an effort to clean you may want to remove things even though you don't want to get rid of them. Get another box or bin (not bag) for these. When full put on the lids, write the date and room it came from. Stack them in the attic/basement/garage.
   
3. Move on to the living room/library. If there aren't more things to get rid of then the time is to be spent generally tidying. This means that everything goes to its place. If there is no place for something I suggest you throw it out or pick a spot.
4. Clean all surfaces of the bathroom and kitchen. This includes the floors.
5. Do a quick dust-no more than 15 min-and then vacuum every room.
6. Put all the boxes of donations in the car.
   
7. Sit down. You deserve it.
8. Have a Christmas outing/party-even just eating popcorn, drinking hot cocoa, and watching Christmas movies will count if it's a treat. Unless your children didn't clean things up by 4pm, in which case ground them to their rooms for the evening. Don't take it further than that. Just tonight so that you can breathe deeply.
   
9. Sleep the sleep of the just.

Sunday, the 16th,

This is the day to make your lists and check them twice. These include:

1. gift-lists. who is left? where are you going to get the gift?
1. There ought to be no more than 3 parking lots you go to. And no more than 10 stores. If it's that specialized order it on-line or get it another year.
2. Children's activity list, things such as:
1. caroling to the neighbors
2. decorate sugar cookies (at this point you want to just get store-bought cookie dough)
   
3. make a garland
4. watch Christmas movies while eating finger foods
5. sledding or ice-skating
   
6. help with the gift-wrapping party (this is better for older children)
7. what you need to go get for each activity
   
3. Christmas food list, this includes:
   
1. what you are going to eat for the rest of the week.
2. what you are going to eat for Christmas Eve/Christmas Day
3. what you need for the children's activities that you can get at a grocery store
   
4. gift-wrapping party list,
   
1. you need sufficient amounts of:
   
1. wrapping paper
1. if you are stamping plain paper then you need to have stamps and stamp pads
1. bows/ribbons
2. tags
3. writing utensils
4. tape
5. boxes/bags
6. tissue paper
7. christmas cards
   
8. other fun items:
1. glue
2. cut-outs
3. glitter
4. stickers, etc.boxes/envelopes, stamps, addresses for those gifts being shipped out
1. put everything you need on your shopping list with the places to get them
   
5. as the errands related to these lists will be completed tomorrow arrange to have the children go to a neighbors' home (or their friends homes) after school tomorrow. They will be there until dinner time. This will save your sanity!
   

Monday, the 17th,

1. after sending the children off to school pack yourself a delicious and nutritious lunch. today is the ultimate in errand days.
   
2. if you have the stuff put dinner in a crock-pot
   
3. drop off the donation boxes and food drive items
4. go gift shopping
5. go gift-wrapping shopping
6. go children activities shopping
7. remember to eat your lunch
8. go grocery shopping
   
9. end up at home and take a break to breathe deeply
10. put everything away
11. take a shower/bubble bath/nap or both
    
12. pick up your children/welcome them home and eat the crock-pot dinner (or soup and sandwiches)
13. turn on some refreshing Christmas music, give children supplies for a quiet activity (such as garland, home-made cards, or potpourii making), sit quietly resting while they have a good time
    
14. sleep the sleep of the just

Tuesday, the 18th,

1. pack a lunch and finish any errands that weren't finished yesterday
2. relax, all you've got left is to enjoy the season.

Wednesday, the 19th - Sunday, the 23rd,

1. have the gift-wrapping party
2. let the children decorate sugar cookies/make some other gift for the neighbors (if you're doing that)
3. send the children to the neighbors a-caroling. drink hot chocolate with them when they get back home and listen to their tales of caroling adventures
4. eat lunch with a friend
5. vacuum the house one more time
6. do the laundry
7. send out the last-minute christmas gifts. just send ground service, even if it means they'll be late
8. listen to christmas songs while you sip cider
9. go to a christmas concert
10. go to the christmas party
11. wonder why you didn't do this a long time ago.
    

I believe in Santa . . . how 'bout you?

I just finished my annual ritual of watching Miracle on 34th Street and writing my letter to Santa. As you may guess, I have no qualms about Santa, yet he makes others downright queasy-and not because they ate his cookies and milk (shame on you.) No, it's the annual question, "Is there or isn't there a Santa Claus?"

Shall we refer to Virginia O'Hanlon? When eight years old she wrote a letter to the editor of The Sun, a newspaper in her hometown of New York. The response was printed as an unsigned editorial Sept. 21 1897, titled Is there a Santa Claus? A portion of this editorial reads as follows:

"Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies. You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas Eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if you did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that’s no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world. . . there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived could tear apart. Only faith, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, Virginia, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding."

Are you familiar with The Polar Express by Chris van Allsburg? You may recall that it is Christmas Eve. The young narrator is having a crisis of faith in Santa when a mysterious train to the North Pole stops at his home. He climbs aboard and is whisked away through the night to the North Pole where he's picked by Santa to receive the first gift of Christmas. He asks for a bell from Santa's sleigh. Unfortunately it falls through the hole in his pocket, and when he awakes the next morning he's not sure it happened. Yet, lo and behold, there's a package under the tree with the bell inside it. The sound is beautiful, clear and pure. Unfortunately, his parents can't hear it and though at one time, most of his friends could hear the bell, as years passed, it fell silent for all of them. Even Sarah, his sister, found one Christmas that she could no longer hear its sweet sound. What about the narrator? In his own words, "Though I've grown old, the bell still rings for me, as it does for all who truly believe."

I do hope you've followed me this far, what I propose in answer to this tricky question is similar to these approaches and yet also radically different.

Teach that Santa is a symbol of the Spirit of Christmas.

Not in a ghostlike, scary way, instead, as another intangible like belief, love, romance which is recognized when personally experienced and otherwise difficult to quantify. This concept of Santa Claus not only maintains childhood trust in parents, it allows for children to grasp the concept of other children believing in different beings, no less real than "jolly ol' saint nick." Then as children age they can grow gracefully from external symbols, like Santa Claus, to realizing that this Spirit of Christmas is in themselves and others.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a Good Night!

christmas wish list

• pajamas: anthropologie catalina scoopneck and columbus sleep pants
• bubble bath
  
• bits of ribbon & lace
• magazine subscriptions
• martha stewart living
• domino
• blueprint
  
• bike w/a basket and a bell
• some yummy chocolates
• clutch purse, anthropologie or gold
• thick, brightly colored, ankle socks-to keep my tootsies warm and cozy
• scarf, sleek
• a "dress-up" jacket, anthropologie, rocky shore jacket
• a Christmas movie
• A Family Circus Christmas
• How the Grinch Stole Christmas
• Mickey's A Christmas Carol
• Yogi Bear Christmas (Hanna Barbara)
• The Christmas Bear
• Miracle on 34th Street-old b&w
• book recommendations, particularly a novel
• an every occasion dress, anthropologie, crepe shift dress
• single pearl "choker", 13 1/2"-15"
  
• lip balm
• C. O. Bigelow Rose Salve from bath & body works
• Beeswax Lip Balm from Burt's Bees
• Replenishing Lip Balm with Pomegranate Oil from Burt's Bees
• paris rubber stamps from anthropologie

things i would collect

copperware
cake stands: ceramic/porcelain with clear glass domes, also stackable ceramic/porcelain
handthrown terracotta pots
specialty baking pans: petite bread, candy molds, shortbread, tarts,
shoes: ballet slippers, heels, boots, sandals, "running" shoes, "dancing" shoes

try this: christmas garland

a common evening passtime for many poor families was the making of a garland . . . even the children of "well-to-do" parents can benefit from a garland making . . .

the paper garland: cut reams of construction paper into about 1" strips and alternate rings of color. to make rings use tape, staples, or glue depending on the expertise of your assemblers. if you have young children this can take several days to finish (or at least several hours)

the popcorn garland: using an air popper, pop up a large amount of popcorn (air poppers really aren't very expensive check out local big box stores) if you want to add some color mix up some food coloring with 1-2 Tbsp of water, sprinkle over the popcorn and toss. use needles and thread-or peppermint floss-to make garland. if your sewers are a bit young to safely handle needles use yarn needles, which have blunt ends, and yarn

the bead or cranberry garland: needle and thread (or yarn, or twine, or string,) that's all there is to it. if you want to be "fancy" tie knots between each berry or bead. Note: use smaller thread lengths to avoid tangling and simply tie a new piece of thread on when you're near the end.

hang garlands on the tree, over banisters, along curtain rods, running the length of mantlepieces, from ceiling corner to ceiling corner, or up, over and across bedframes.

gift-giving: parents to children

'tis the season to give . . . and give, and give, and give. at least that's how it can feel if you haven't a plan to reign in the giving. to make all of life easier here's a list for what's under the tree, it's enough to fulfill the children and not so much that your house or pocketbook will be broken.

• christmas eve: personally I like a bedtime gift such as pajamas, sheets, slippers, or robe. Pillows are particularly fun as you may have a pillow fight with the old ones. Any "tide 'em over" gift will do.
  
• stocking stuffers: see the post
  
• santa gift: this is a gift that wouldn't fit into the stocking.
  
• sibling or other extended family exchange: draw names, establish rules on cost, size, etc. and teach gratitude.
  
• gift from the grandparents (individual or family)
• parent gifts:
• most wanted: in answer to "if you could only have one thing what would it be?" Or it may have to be, "if you could only have one thing under $__ what would it be?"
  
• unique to them: this ought to reflect a current hobby, interest or love. If possible make it a theme of gifts; for example a child who loves to draw receives crayons, a pad of paper, colored pencils, and coloring books. Or for a child who loves fantasy novels you get them a dragon bookend, a bookcase [even just a shelf or two] and a wallet to hold their library card and a gift certificate to the local bookstore. The best part about this category is that you can buy things months in advance.
  
• practical: sure they need new pants, coat, socks, undergarments, or whatever, still, may we please at least glance at the track record. If your child is less than thrilled year after year either enlist the help of your child's friend/sibling or just go with a gift certificate. Despite contrary opinions, it is not less personal to care enough about your child's taste to allow them choice on their wardrobe. If the fear is you'll be asked again in two months for new pants because they spent the gift certificate on fourteen tee shirts just give instructions, much as you do any other time of the year, this time with options, "that money is for pants. if you decide you don't want pants that's fine, just remember you can't have any more until April," follow through for two years and you'll be amazed at the reduction in headaches.
  
• use individual wrappings as much as possible: use cheap wrapping paper (home-stamped plain, on sale, etc.) so that you may wrap virtually everything individually. No, you needn't wrap each crayon individually, just separate them from the colored pencils, the pad of paper, and the coloring books. Having lots of little things to open will do wonders for the psychology of "being less important because I got less" (especially as they become teenagers and what they want costs more.) This goes for the practical too. One box for the belt-even if it came with the pants-one for the tee shirt, one for the necklace and one for the earrings. The only exception is the undergarments, lump them together in one box, no one wants to open more of those.
  
• after-Christmas gifts:
• dec. 26 gift: this is the "final touch" to some gift, a fun trinket, or a favorite food
  
• experience gift: after all that materialism its nice to relax and enjoy the company of your family so go out to a nice dinner, watch a movie in the "real" movie theater, attend a play, a ballet or a snow-boarding tournament.
  
• jan. 6 celebration: this is the Feast of Epiphany or Twelfth Night. Have a festive dinner and give 3 gifts to each child to represent the 3 wise men who arrived to honor Jesus. The next day is the official ending of the holiday season.
• for more details on the after-Christmas gifts refer to Mrs. Sharp's Traditions by Sarah Ban Breathnach, Scribner/Simple Abundance Press 2001 pg. 238-240
  

stocking stuffers

inevitably there comes a year when someone doesn't know what they want from Santa-at least not that's under $25-or there comes a year when Santa's elves are just too tired to be creative, that's where a formula comes in, periodically it's a pleasant surprise, regularly it becomes a tradition. Either way, it works.

• something cozy: mittens, scarf, slippers, hat, fuzzy socks, stuffed animal, etc.
• something chewy/sweet: candy cane, caramel, candy bar, box of chocolates, etc.
  
• something "nutritious": nuts, orange, pomegranate, carrots & favorite salad dressing, etc.
• something practical: toothbrush, razor, watch, flashlight, comb, notepaper/thank you notes, belt, tie, etc.
• something just for fun: a cameo brooch, yo-yo, slinky, silver lighter, key chain, etc.
• something to read: picture book, novel, magazine, quote-collection, etc.
  
• hint gift: CD for a walk man, ear phones for a mp3 player, hand pads for roller blades, pick for guitar, etc. because Santa brings more than fits in a stocking.
• if necessary double up on a category
  

p.s. if you want recognition wrap it up with your name as the giver. the stocking is strictly Santa's domain.

when you hate christmas

In my experience the only time someone hates Christmas is when "should" and "ought" are the primary motivators for the season. The only way you're going to enjoy Christmas is if you eliminate the things you most detest and set at the top of your priority list the things you love. In a family situation I suggest that you gather everyone around and make a list of every holiday-related activity-yes every single one-keep the top five you enjoy. Let everyone else choose one that they like. If you really detest one that someone else loves remove yourself from the situation.

One woman I met hated doing gingerbread houses: all the time to assemble, all the supplies to buy, all the mess to clean up, however, her children loved making gingerbread homes so they started being in charge of getting them made-one year they did a gingerbread potluck at a friend's home (someone who enjoyed making them) each participant brought candies. The mother even went and enjoyed it, she got to spend time with her children without having to make the gingerbread or deal with the mess, and because it was a potluck she could buy fewer supplies. Another year they were part of a gingerbread houses for charity even -they assembled the homes, others bought them and the proceeds went to charity. That event the mother didn't go to.

So make the list, it may look something like this:

1. buy gifts for 30 people
   
2. wrap gifts
3. buy gift wrap
4. send/deliver gifts
5. send out Christmas cards
6. write Christmas cards
7. get postage for Christmas cards
   
8. make gingerbread houses
9. supply gingerbread house stuff
10. make chocolates
11. make sugar cookies
12. buy decorating candies for cookies
13. deliver cookies to neighbors
14. buy tree
15. unwrap decorations
16. decorate tree
17. decorate inside of home
18. decorate outside of home
19. drive around and look at trees
20. listen to Christmas music
21. neighborhood Christmas party
22. work Christmas party
23. extended family Christmas party
24. extended family Christmas party
    
25. prepare Christmas feast
26. buy Christmas feast food
27. church Christmas party
28. hang up stockings
29. watch Christmas movies
30. go see The Nutcracker
31. go see A Christmas Carol
32. "the Nativity" family play
33. go into debt to buy toys
34. have to find a new place for new stuff
    

and so on . . . that's a lot of things for one person, for one year. Once you've finished your list select your favorite five. If you really hate Christmas only add one or two more things. If you are only somewhat overwhelmed you can go up to ten comfortably. My Christmas list this year looks like this:

1. trim a live tree [already done]
   
2. make Christmas goodies (sinful bars, homemade marshmallows, and maybe other things)
3. share goodies with neighbors
   
4. watch Christmas movies [already begun, I add to my personal collection 1-2 each season, those I don't have I check out from the library]
5. stay in the black when all shopping/entertaining is done
6. send Christmas cards/podcast greeting [my husband wants to do the podcast, even though I prefer cards I want more for it to be a joint effort than I want to send cards, we'll see how this goes]
7. Christmas Eve feast
8. presents in my stocking

other things I'd like if there's time/money:

1. see The Nutcracker
2. see downtown lights [already done]
3. put decorations up in other rooms of home [probably won't happen, as I'd have to buy all the decorations]
4. listen to Christmas music [already doing]
   
5. buy gifts for husband [only] and wrap
6. go to Utah to see family
   

and the things I could do without but will do anyway:

1. attend husband's christmas party
2. attend church christmas party
3. go shopping in December [usually my shopping is all done before Christmas 5th, this year has involved a lot of moving]

That's 11 definites, [8 I love, 3 I don't like,] and an additional 6 I love and will be happy if I don't do. It's a Merry Christmas season!

when someone you love hates christmas

Bah! Humbug! In your quest for Christmas cheer you may come across individuals who do not share your joy, who, in fact, may hate the holidays and view your enthusiasm with hostility. The first thing to remember is that pressuring someone to enjoy the holidays is not going to help. If you become annoyed or irritated because someone won't cheer up you're just yet another person adding to the pressure. The second thing to remember is that their dislike of Christmas has nothing to do with you-don't take it personally.

Sometimes it's a near and dear one who has a case of Scrooge-ness, a spouse, a child, a close friend. In this case for your own long-term enjoyment of the season you'll need to go about reforming their opinions on Christmas-here's how you do it:

• Discover their favorite Christmas traditions. You may need to prod them with questions such as: is there any Christmas you liked? why? any particular favorite foods/movies/books/activities?
• Discover the chief aspects they hated about Christmas. Again prodding may be needed: do you dislike the music? the decorations? gift-giving? gift-receiving?
• Don't judge. These are feelings, there is no "ought" or "should" to holiday cheer.
• Add the things they love and avoid the things they hate.
• Give it a few years. That's it.
  

My husband hated Christmas when we got married, I was completely shocked and grieved. However I followed the plan I've just outlined. I discovered what he loved: he loves The Christmas Story-particularly watching it later in the season-he also enjoys looking at "the lights" driving around to see decorated homes or going into the city to see courtyards decorated. The lists of things he hated was much longer: didn't like decorating, listening to Christmas music, giving gifts or receiving them, going to parties, eating Christmas goodies. He was an only child with an alcoholic step-father, and a mother trying too hard to make up for things. Basically there was a lot of forcing-to participate in extended family outings with no one his age to hang out with, having to help decorate, made to listen to Christmas songs all day long-and guilt, particularly Christmas morning when the presents he wanted weren't given and then dealing with his upset Mother.

What did I do? I got him only gifts he wanted. We watched The Christmas Story when he wanted to. I declined the invitations to extended family outings. We went on two drives to see the lights, and we went into downtown Salt Lake to see the amazing display at Temple Square. We played Christmas music only for an hour or two at a time until Christmas Eve and Christmas Day when I played it longer. No pressure for him to decorate (I did what I wanted) and made goodies which he could eat or not. Otherwise I asked him to participate with me in things I loved and if he said no I didn't take offense. Just did it without him. It took about three years before there were no more grumblings at all. Now he looks forward to Christmas and has fun with me. He doesn't love it like I do. I don't need him to.

the advent of an anthropologie christmas

flickr lifeflix

simple materials, luxurious presentation

the advent of an anthropologie christmas

flickr elena777

one of the easiest of Anthropologie scenes to re-create in your home.
use sparkle-tipped velvet instead of fake snow for easier clean-up

the advent of an anthropologie christmas

flickr sarahelisabethnigh

mason jars filled with fake snow, large christmas bulbs and shiny ornaments

the advent of an anthropologie christmas

flickr olanky1

it's a marshmallow-coated world