A Sweet Email

Hey, friends! Hope you are all having a wonderful joy-filled December! I received this message from an out of state friend from college. I just wanted to share it...as an encouragement to whomever started this whole December 1 group (Laurie, was it you?) Well, it is such a blessing (although I'm severely behind this year...I'm not stressin'!!) to encourage others to start early in order to enjoy the season and keep the true focus where it belongs...on the birth of our precious Lord. SO, I just want to share this sweet message. I was merely passing on what sweet friends had shared with me, so I really feel this message was sent to the wrong person! Here's what she wrote on December 3rd:

Hey Karen,
I loved your "Simplifying Christmas" post . . . and even more, I loved what you said on fb or your blog awhile back about finishing shopping, cards, etc by Dec 1. It made me realize that every year, I get to Christmas Eve, and I am stressed out, exhausted, and haven't cracked a Bible in a week or two (or three). Definitely not the way to celebrate the birth of my Savior! So, this year I decided to follow your December 1 suggestion. I am DONE shopping, DONE wrapping, and my Christmas cards were ready to go even before Thanksgiving! I am so excited to enjoy my best December in a long time. and the best part is that I've inspired at least 3 other people that I know of to do the same thing, and they love it, too. Thank you so much for the wonderful idea!
Love, M

SO....whoever started this group...this really should be written to you...I encouraged her to keep telling others and maybe even start a group in Arkansas too!

Love and Merry Christmas to you all!!

Karen

Tinyprints 20% off entire order, 1 more day

One of my favorite sources for Christmas Cards, stationary, and invitations Tiny Prints

Back To Basic Toys has $5.00 Shipping this week

If you need to get one of those great toys at Back to Basic Toys. They have a flat rate of $5.00 for shipping until Thursday!

www.backtobasictoys.com

Just checking in, not giving up

Things do not always go as planned. That is the understatement of the year. Are you where you thought you would be in your Christmas preparations? I know some of you are... I have seen the darling candy canes lining your sidewalk... but I have a feeling some of you are where I am, pretty far off track.

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10

Please do not give up! I'm not! Adjust your date, adjust your goals, but do not be dismayed! Any part of your plans that you accomplish by December 1st, or 4th, or 7th will put you and your dear family one step closer to a meaningful, worshipful, and relaxed Christmas season. Join me in choosing to do something, even if it cannot be everything and even if it cannot be perfect.

Looking for some darling handmade gift ideas? These are so so cute, easy, and quick... all for about 50 cents each!

2LoveOrphans.com

Jennifer Connelly and I have begun an organization called, 2LoveOrphans.com. This Christmas, we are giving you the opportunity to let us do some of your shopping for you! Just go to our website and click on the PRODUCT page...we have set up a program where if you make a donation thru us to Divine Grace Primary School in Uganda, Africa...we will send your gift receipient a card to notify them of your generosity and if you donate beyond $10, we will send your gift recepient a keepsake ornamant. Check out our website for more details...this will be that gift that honors one friend while saving the life of a child...
Thanks,
Tracy and Jennifer

Ribbon half off!

Ok ladies, so I went to Hobby Lobby in search of that all white sweatshirt that we are supposed to locate again this year (still searching!), and instead of running away from the holiday section like I have done in years past, I jumped in! Did you know that at the beginning of the season they actually have more than one spool of your favorite ribbon?! Who knew! So the ribbon isle is overflowing with lots of options and as an added bonus it is all 50% off! Check it out!

Free Shipping at Back To Basics Toys.....

Back to Basics Toys is a website with toys from the past. When my kids were ages 3-10, this site always had that "toy" present. My favorite present from there was a red unicycle and the swing in our tree that still gets swung! Right now there is free shipping! It doesn't happen often so look at the site for any ideas.

http://www.backtobasicstoys.com/

A Christmas Trend I LOVE!

Most of the time, I see national trends that for one reason or another make me sad...many times these trends involve a lessening of one's faith in Jesus Christ or the trends support beliefs that make me realize, our family is going to have to live counter-cultural. Thankfully, there is one national trend this holiday season that I LOVE! It is being said that this Christmas, people will be giving meaningful gifts...how inspiring is that?!?!?! I know so many generous people and their stories encourage me. I hope this season, people do chose to give to charitable organizations or to families in need in honor of others. That makes the gift two-fold...the honoree feels special and the recipient of the kind gesture feels some relief from their difficult life. Bottom line, both feel loved. And let us face it, while receiving a few gifts is fun for us all, there is only so much STUFF we can have. As I grow, I am seeing that many times STUFF actually becomes a burden. A burden to clean, a burden to store, a burden to repair. If you have done the "love language" Bible study, you know we all have a love language that speaks to us the most...guess what my love language is? Giving and receiving gifts...so, just so ya know, I am all about presents! I do love the thought though, of a gift that will change the life of another...wow, that brings everyone involved joy. Also, as the one who is spending, I know I have made a financial investment with eternal returns! Jennifer Connelly and I are in the process of starting an orphan awareness organization...if you would like to give a gift to a child in need in honor of a friend, teacher, pastor, neighbor etc., just hang in there and we will present you with some wonderful opportunities that will bless your gift recipient and will change the LIFE of a child. We will be working on a project for Divine Grace Primary School in Uganda. We are fired up and we are so excited to have the opportunity to be a part of this national trend!

Great Kick Off, great tips!

Thank you Nancy for a great time this morning getting our group off and running with helpful information about how to get started in our pursuit of a peaceful and worshipful holiday season. Here is a collection of tips shared this morning and in the past. Please leave your own tips in the comments section below the post and they will be added to our Words or Wisdom column.


"When setting up your holiday planner/control journal, see the Flylady website or Organized Christmas for great tips. At least include a master gift list, envelope for receipts, pen/pencil, and recipes/grocery lists. Consider using a plain binder or notebook, nothing too cutsie or Christmasy less you spark the interest of little curious eyes! Also, you may want to leave the first few pages blank in case the wrong little (or big) person opens your planner, the first page will not have all of your Christmas secrets right up front" Nancy


"Set up a wrapping station! A clever way to do this is to gather all supplies, paper, ribbon, tape, tags, scissors, and place them in a garment bag (the small thin ones used for a single man's suit or dress from a store or for travel). Hang the bag on the back of a door and you will "always have everything to need right on hand to "wrap as you go" and to put the supplies away quickly and neatly. Want to take on a more elaborate set up? Take a look here.
Decorative holiday boxes (found at Hobby Lobby, Michael's) make great looking quick and simple wrapping and are study enough to use for storing holiday items until next year!" Nancy, Missy

" When tagging gifts wrapped for your children, give each child a secret name or number so that the card reads To: #3, or secret name From Mom and Dad or Santa, whoever! This adds to the fun of guessing whose gifts are whose and takes away any tendency to see who has the most gifts under the tree. The same code names or numbers can also be used on shopping lists in case the list gets into the wrong hands!!" Jennifer and Missy
"If you have a desire to simplify decorating for the holidays, limit your decorating efforts to five areas only: Christmas tree, front door, one mantle, one banister, and EITHER your dining room table or your kitchen table. Your house will feel festive and uncluttered through out and you will not be WORN out! Of course, if decorating is your thing and brings you joy, not stress, then decorate away!!!" Nancy
"Now it a great time to order Christmas cards, special deals abound! Some of our favorites Tiny Prints, Vistaprints, and The Write Impression on the Murfreesboro Square all have special discounts for early birds ranging from 50% off your order, to $20, $40, and $60 off depending on the size of your order, to free address printed envelopes. Getting christmas cards completed by December 1st may the the largest stress relieved of them all!"
"Order Christmas PJ's for your family now, when selection is good! Try Garnet Hill, Pajamagram, or Lands End." Rebecca and KJ
"I print a copy of my Christmas Card list from my computer with addresses and keep in in my planner. I am always surprised how often I need to refer to it for an address to mail a package, when I have a few minutes sitting in a pick up line and I can address a few cards, or to mail an invitation. I now keep this list in my planner year round". Laurie
"Instead of saving entire catalogs, I buzz thru them daily and only keep the page I like with the gift idea I like circled. I put the name of who it would be appropriate for on it and I check to make sure there is a phone # or website address at the bottom of the page. Then I store it in my Christmas notebook." Tracy
" When giving ideas for a gift for your child, such as legos, suggest that the giver include a CONTAINER for storing/organizing them. This is a good tip for any gift with small pieces such as barbies, Polly Pockets, blocks, building sets or any kind, the list is endless! Lisa
"My extended family always struggles with what to get my boys for Christmas. They don't want to get something they already have and are often just not sure what to get. I have started making a short list for each of them and emailing it by the end of October. I keep a list of this on my computer so that nothing is duplicated." Angi




"Last year I made notes about how I decorated my house (and took pictures) kept my favorite and/or easy Christmas recipes and my favorite Christmas card styles so that I would have them for a quick reference when I started this year. My notes were very helpful and reminded me of some things I forgot about last year." Jennifer
"Take advantage of your crock pot, let it work for you on busy shopping days! Check out these sites for great recipes 50friends and Allrecipes for some new ideas. Also, keep some simple staple "treats" in your pantry for spur of the moment fellowship in your home.... hot chocolate, popcorn, special salsas and chips, ingredients for simple dips. You will always be able to say "come on over" or just enjoy with your family all of the surplus time your preplanning will create! Enjoy!!"
"Put out a holiday puzzle...I bought one on sale for half price after Christmas last year and can't wait for our family to sit by the fire and the tree and work it together. Isn't that why we are doing all of this?" Tracy
"Wrap one side of your extended family with one side of your christmas paper and the other side for the other when using a 2 sided paper like Sally Foster. You could also accomplish this by using two different papers or different color ribbon with the same paper. It really helps when packing up to visit one side of the family to make sure you have not forgotten anyone's gift!." Jennifer
"Using cute ribbon, tie Christmas Cards on a Christmas tree each day they arrive. You can then pray for the families on the tree...and after taking them down...continue to pray for a few of them each day all year long by scrolling through them each morning during your quiet time. " Tracy
"As a former teacher, I always loved getting ornaments from my students. Each year when I hang them, I always think of that child. Make sure to write your child's name in permanent ink somewhere on the ornament." Angi
"Limiting number of gifts children receive is the most common bit of advice passed along. Saves money, space, and unfailingly encourages appreciation for fewer well selected items."
"Best tip from last year: Letting each of my four kids pick just one thing that is Christmas to them and then I am focused on only four special things instead of running around all Christmas trying to do all things." Tracy

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It's that time again!

Hey Friends,

Believe it or not, Christmas is just around the corner! Yea! I can say that because for the past few years, I have gotten most or all of my Christmas cards, shopping, wrapping and decorating finished before December 1! Then, I can sit back and truly enjoy the season of celebrating our Savior's birthday! My family and I can enjoy parties, each other and any celebration that comes our way, because I am relaxed and prepared.

I know that many of you have this down pat now and are enjoying the season of Christmas, too. Please come and share your successes. If you have not, you would love it! Just try - you'll be so glad you did!

I will be at Starbucks on Old Fort Parkway on Thursday, October 22 at 8:15 a.m. to kick off the early Christmas shopping season. If anyone wants to join me in the kick off and get some great tips and encouragement from others, please bring a 3 ring binder with a zippered pocket (pencil holder type) inside, and some paper. Don't stress over this - if you don't have this, just come on! You can get it later!

Please let me know if you can come. That way I can try to get enough seats together.

Blessings to you!

Nancy