Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas

                                                             
                                                           

  Our Family Tree

Everywhere you turn at this time of year, everything is bright red and green, gold and silver. Christmas Carols are blaring on loud speakers and there are bright lights on houses, front lawns and streets.  People are running around buying up their last minute gifts and most of the time I don't want to go anywhere near a shopping centre or mall for fear of getting trampeld.hehe

In the last few years I have noticed the increasing competitive rise of having the best decorated tree and table setting.  Not that I think that's a bad thing.  I quite like a nice tree with all the shiny baubles and trinkets.  When I was a child our table was decorated with food and lots of it so I didn't much pay attention to what plates or napkins we were using.  The tree was always something my father liked to do with us and I always remember him using cotton wool torn up to make it look like the tree had snow on it. I miss those days.

Now that I have my own children I really do want to make it memorable for them.  As well as teaching them the importance of what Christmas stands for, I also want them to enjoy everything else that comes with that.  I want them to remember these times spent with family, the times of giving and receiving and of course the wonderful foods that only come along once a year.  I really do want it to be special for them.

There are a few things I have learnt about the art of decoration for christmas that I thought I'd share.  It doesn't have to be an expensive habit although if you want to go all out, by all means the sky is the limit.    Here are some points to help you have a Christmas with a little less stress.

1. Be organized: write a list of what you need and write out your budget. Also include all the people you want to buy for and maybe a reference to what you will spend on each person. Include in your list; decorations, wrapping paper, food, table decorations and guest list.    Now with all the Ipads, Tablets and notebooks etc..you have plenty of places to keep a tab on everything and if you don't have one of those use a good old fashioned notepad and pen!

2.  Know your colour scheme.  These days you don't have to have just red and green decorations.  You can choose any colour scheme you want.  I would stick to one, two or 3 colours maximum.  This way you can have something that looks beautiful but not confusing.  There are some wonderful pieces you can pick up that don't cost you an arm and a leg.  But if you do want something special buy hand painted baubles for your tree and a gorgeous dinner set with napkin rings always stands out.

                                                      

                                         
                                        

                                       

                                      

                                      

                                           
              

3. Put up your Christmas tree early:  The best time to do this is approximately 21 days before Christmas day.  This way you have plenty of time to go shopping for presents and organize your food shopping list.  You don't have to buy the largest tree or the most expensive.  Find something that will firstly fit into your home.  No point buying an 8ft tree if your ceiling isn't more that 6ft....if you have the room then by all means go crazy.....At the moment you can find some  magnificent trees for sale and I picked up mine this year for $40 reduced from $200. Bargain! Its perfect for us and doesn't over take our whole house.  See a few ideas below:



                                                
                                                                        
                                                



                                                     





                                                
                                                         



                                                             
                                                                                              




4. Food:  Think about what you are going to serve up.  If its the same every year then still write it down so you don't forget your ingredients.  If you are having Christmas else where,  maybe make up a plate of your favourites and if you are not a cook you can always organize everything to be catered. Supermarkets and Deli stores have some really great ready made Christmas foods and puddings. There is something for everyone.

                                       

                                       

                                                                            
                                        
                                                           

5. Send out Invitations and Christmas cards:  If you like to send out cards to family, friends and business associates.  Do it at the beginning of December.  First or Second week.  Cards should arrive on time if you get in early.  Send out your invitations if your having a party, bbq or sit down dinner.  Make sure you let everyone know if you would like them to bring something or not.



                                           

                                    


                                        

                                              

                                                                       


6.  Wrap Presents :  Once you have bought everything you need for everyone, wrap them up and put them under the tree.  Its good to choose either one or two styles of wrapping papers to match your Christmas tree or go for a stark contrast.  If you have kids make sure you find a completely different type of wrapping paper so you can say the present is from Santa. Children are very perceptive and cannot be fooled. ( So I found out with my son ).  Or fill up a Christmas stocking with goodies and tell them that's where Santa put their present.  Alternatively if you have many people to buy for a Kris Kringle is always a good idea.   Set out an amount of $10 or $20 and that way you won't blow the budget.

                                                                                                            

                                                      

7. Don't Stress:  I see so many people stressing this time of year. ( Including me). Take deep breaths and don't worry.  You know that in the end it all works out.  If you plan in advance you can be assured you have plenty of time to sort things out.  If going out to the shopping centres is too hard there is always Online shopping.  Most department stores have an online component with great delivery options. Or choose one of the many gift companies that make baskets with all sorts of goodies.
                                               

                                                         



8.  Enjoy:  Make sure you take the time out to really enjoy yourself and your efforts.  Christmas isn't just about the perfect tree or the greatest food, its also a time of reflection, a time of family get togethers and a time to really appreciate what you have. Its also a time for forgiveness, a time to let go, to rest and to just be you.

And don't panic you still have time!!




                                                 

Christmas... is not an external event at all, but a piece of one's home that one carries in one's heart.

Freya Stark

Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/f/freyastark124410.html#mLcc96pygsX37P5m.99

Christmas... is not an external event at all, but a piece of one's home that one carries in one's heart.

Freya Stark

Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/f/freyastark124410.html#mLcc96pygsX37P5m.9900

Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas.”
― Calvin Coolidge