Christmas Organizing {Printables}

First…ENTER OUR GIVEAWAY FOR A $50 HOMEGOODS/TJMAXX GIFTCARD HERE! That would be a great way to help organize Christmas and the holidays wouldn’t it?

By now everyone is in full Holiday “mode” right? Today we’re sharing some of our favorite printables to help get you organized for the season.

To start with…A printable “Gifts to Buy” list.

{click image for printable PDF}

And a holiday “Things To Do” List.

{click image for printable PDF}

And a holiday Menu Planner to help avoid a last-minute meal crisis!

{click here for printable pdf}

And last but not least…perhaps the most important of all, a printable “Letter to Santa”!

{click for printable pdf}

Enjoy!

 

XO,

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Posted in Christmas, Holidays, Organization, Projects & Printables | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Advent Calendars: Let the Countdown Begin

It’s almost December 1st do you have your Advent Calendar ready?


A couple years ago I created this advent calendar inspiration board. It was such a fun project and gave me tons of ideas for some holiday DIY projects.  Unfortunately, I created it mid-holiday season which was a bit too late to really put to any good use. This year I decided to showcase it again since December first is right around the corner.  If you don’t already have an advent calendar in place, there are some wonderful DIY ideas above.

If you don’t have time to do all 25 days why not just the last 12?

This year I actually have two advent calendars in place to help me and my family count down the day till Christmas.

I love the red and white string as well as the tiny clothespins.

Happy Birthday Gama!

The first calendar was a gift from my mother-in-law (aka: Gama). It is a simple design but I absolutely love the cardboard numbers and the clothes line design. The red and white “bakery” string reminds me of the NYC Italian cookies my cousin would bring to Christmas Eve dinner.  I have hung this advent countdown from my mantel in our family room.   I feel it is the perfect location as this is where Santa will magically sneak into our house on Christmas morn.  It keeps things in perspective for my anxious and impatient little boys.  Sitting above the advent countdown is my beloved Norman Rockwell print of Santa mapping out where all the “good boys” live on the globe.  This is another good reminder for my children that Santa is checking his naughty and nice list. The overall feel of both the advent calendar and print gives an old fashion and nostalgic vibe which I personally love.


My second advent calendar is a small wooden house that I purchased 5 years ago. At the time, it was so difficult to find an advent calendar that would last.  Most of the advent calendars were cardboard and hid little chocolates. I paid over $80 for this little house and it was money well spent.  It is hand made, each little woodland animal is hand painted and there are 25 adorable doors.  It is still one on my most treasured holiday finds.  One of the reasons why it is so dear to my heart is because my boys love this holiday decoration.  Each year, when we begin to decorate the house, it is the first thing they ask about.   They cannot wait to get their hands on it and when they do, they carefully review each animal and strategically place them behind each numbered door.  This year, my youngest son Lincoln hid his favorite animal the Bald Eagle behind the number 5 which also happens to be his age.  He is so cute!  It is those little memories that make this one of my favorite holiday things.

Check out #5!

Happy December!!

How are you counting down to the big day?

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Posted in Children's Activities, Christmas, DIY, Holidays, Inspiration Boards, Seasons, Winter | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Its a Wonderful Life…

What’s the saying, if you are lucky enough to live in a small town, you are lucky enough? (OK, maybe that’s a liberal interpretation). We really are lucky enough because we live in a small town outside of a very big city, so we get the best of both worlds. But, no time do I appreciate where I live the more then at Christmastime.

The first week of every December, our Town has an annual celebration called “Gumdrop” Square. Folks from the town and surrounding areas bundle up and parade down Main Street  trailing behind Santa’s magnificent horse-drawn carriage accompanied by local children dressed up as Elves. Santa is transported down the spectator lined street to his special seat at Gumdrop Square where children can visit him and his kid-friendly “Secret Shop” throughout the month of December.  That night, Main Street is lined vendors offering wonderful goodies like hot chocolate and baked goods, and local musical groups perform carols along the way. It’s a truly magical night, one that I hope my children remember fondly for the rest of their lives.  This year was all the more magical because it started snowing shortly after Santa’s festive arrival! A rarity in Virginia early in December.

Despite the cold, the crowds and the millions of holiday “to-do’s” on the list, it’s a night that ushers in the Christmas season like no other.  It was truly a night to for all of us to treasure.

Local Children's Choirs Perform

Santa's Elves

 

Gumdrop Square

The Town was even more beautiful this year as our store owners are participating in a Window Decorating contest, I wanted to share a few of my favorites. It’s so nice to have local retailers who not only carry lovely things, but are also so nice to shop with.

Definitely a contender to win the decorating contest!

A gorgeous and creative window

A stop in the Wine Bar would cap off the night perfectly...(if only)

Yes... I would like one of everything here please...

Hope your holidays are also off to a magical start!


 

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