10 Ways To be Intentional Not Tense During the Christmas Holiday

Friday I had the privilege of speaking to a group of  moms at MOPS.  MOPS stands for Mother's of Preschoolers.  When I first moved to NC I became a member of MOPS at our church and it was by far the best things I could have done for myself as a new mom.  I made so many friends and was able to bond with other moms that were experiencing the same challenges and joys that come with being an inexperienced mother.  For me, yesterday was like returning to my sorority!  I was asked to speak about being intentional during the Christmas holiday with your family, so I came up with 10 Ways to be Intentional not Tense During the Christmas Holiday.

I started out my talk with this cute little picture that pretty much sums up how I am feeling right not about the fast pace at which Christmas and every other holiday over the past 3 months has come and gone.  I could tell by the nods of approval that many of the ladies felt the same way.

1. Keep Christ as the Focus 

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• Display a Nativity, and read the birth story of Christ.  I love to share with my children the "man" side of Christ with things that are similar to their own lives.  I share with them how just like they were carried in my womb, Christ was carried in his earthly mothers Mary's womb.  Everyone has a birth story, even Jesus.  It still brings me great joy when I see  my children, even at 11 and 9 using the pieces to "retell" this miraculous story to their younger siblings.  Here is an activity that you can do with your child using any nativity that you have at your home.   

  

  Courtesy of No Time For Flashcards

  

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• Stand up for Christ, by saying "Merry Christmas"  When someone says "Happy Holidays" to me I simply reply, "Thank you and Merry Christmas to you".  Simple and easy and with a big smile.  There is nothing worst than an angry Christian!

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2. Make a List and check it Twice

• Get organized.  Create a Christmas planner. All of the printables to make one are available here.  

  

  courtesy of eighteen25

  eighteen25 christmas planner printables
• Don't overspending.  Set a budget before going to the store and know what you are getting!

3. Don't Give Into the Excess

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courtesy of Made By Me Millie Rae



• 3 or 4 gift Christmas Wish List : Since our children were little we have used the 3 gift rule. Something they want, something to wear, something to read. We figured that if 3 gifts were sufficient for Jesus, then three gifts was certainly good enough for our children.  This year I am also incorporating a 4th gift, a personal gift from me to help my children in an area that I feel they need to improve in.  
• Gift exchange : Draw names and keep it a secret until Christmas.  You don't have the financial stress of trying to buy for everyone.

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• Shop online to avoid the stress of the malls. This saves time, gas, and money!    

4. Create Anticipation



Advent Activity Cards



• Put on Christmas music and decorate.
• Advent Activity list 

• Advent calendar.  I have used this simple advent activity for several years.  It incorporates items you probably have around your home.  If you would like a copy of my egg carton advent that I have used with my children.  Click on the link below, then scroll down to the bottom of the page for the advent calendar.
  Advent Calendar

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• Attend church together and a Christmas musical.  

5. It is Better to Give than to Receive

• Create a Mommy Christmas Shop: Buy inexpensive items from Five Below or the Dollar Stores/Dollar Spots and make a store for your children to "shop" for their siblings.  They will use their own money to buy the items.  This teaches them to give to someone else.  Also, the leftover items can be used for stocking stuffers.
• Participate in Backpack Buddies. 
• Operation Christmas Child. Fill a shoe box with toys for a needy child. 

6.Weed Out Traditions

• Go back to the simple things that you remember as a child that made Christmas meaningful and special
• Get rid of those traditions that add unnecessary stress or pressure. (travel, presents for everyone)
• Create your own identity and traditions with the people under your roof. If you are honest and tell family members your desire for a quite Christmas, they should understand.

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7. Be Merry… Have fun with your family and laugh!

• Play games with your family 
• Go on a Christmas Lights scavenger hunt
• Watch Christmas movies together
• Put Christmas music on, sing and dance
• Visit with friends

8. Add a little "spice" to your marriage…Make Time for your Husband

• The 12 Days of Christmas, Blessing Your Husband          
  
• 12 Dates of Christmas  The Dating Divas have a lot of ideas to "date" your spouse throughout the entire year!

9. Reach Out and Touch Someone

• R.A.C.K : Random Acts of Christmas Kindness   
• Send Christmas Cards or Family Letter
• Make a phone call to a family member or friend you haven't spoken to in a while.
• Neighbor gifts, a good neighbor is a treasure!
• Surprise the mailman and garbage man by leaving them a present
• Extend an invitation to someone who will be alone

10. Relax…and settle down for a long Winter’s nap

Take a mommy break and go do something just for you. Bubble bath, night out with friends, a dessert from your favorite place. Surround yourself with scents that are calming.  Find activities that relax your heart, soul, body and mind.  Getting crafty is the way I like to relax.   

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     Remember that even in the craziness that can often surround Christmas, Jesus offers calm in the midst of the chaos.  Knowing Christ as your Savior is the greatest peace, and when our hearts are at peace, our Christmas can be to.  


Resources
http://stayinginmylane-sharmin.blogspot.com/search/label/Christmas

http://www.eighteen25.blogspot.com/2013/11/2013-christmas-planners.html 
http://kidsactivitiesblog.com/21325/christmas-coloring-pages 
http://happyhourprojects.com/mulling-spices/ 
http://www.playpartypin.com/2013/11/3-fun-and-unique-gift-exchange-game.html 
http://tipjunkie.com/post/cheap-gifts-to-make/ 
http://allourdays.com/2011/12/12-days-of-christmas-update-on-blessing-my-husband.html 
http://www.thedatingdivas.com/you-me/show-him-the-love/the-12-daytz-of-christmas/ 

http://www.parties4me.com/2010/12/christmas-minute-to-win-it-games.html 

The Little Pilgrim Girl

L was a little pilgrim girl in her Kindergarten class play. She did such a wonderful job memorizing her lines and saying them nice and loud. It was such a fun time and I thought all of the boys and girls looked adorable in the costumes I made.

"I am a Little Pilgrim girl, I like to grind the corn.
I'll follow the Native American girl, on Thanksgiving morn."

Italian Sausage Cabbage Patch Soup

I was feeling a little under the weather last week, so I was craving soup! I had a head of cabbabge and other fresh veggies that I wanted to use up, so off to Pinterest I went to find a soup recipe that uses cabbage. I came across this delicious recipe from The Crockin Girls that they affectionately called "Cabbage Patch" soup. I loved my cabbage patch doll and so the name drew me in! The recipe calls for ground beef, but I wanted to use Italian sausage to add a little more of a rustic taste to my soup.



Ingredients:

1 pound ground beef, or Italian Sausage browned and drained
4 ribs celery, coarsely chopped
1 bell pepper, chopped
1 yellow onion, chopped
1 cup baby carrots, cut in 1/2
2 (15-ounce) cans Ranch Style Beans (with juice) I used Bush's Grillin Beans
2 (16-ounce) cans diced tomatoes (with juice)
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt 1/2 teaspoon onion salt dash of cayenne pepper
1 to 2 cups water
1/2 head of cabbage, shredded

Directions:

Step One: Place first three ingredients in a skillet and brown until it crumbles (meat doesn't have to be cooked all the way through), drain, and place in slow cooker.

Step Two: Add rest of the ingredients, except for cabbage and mix well.

Step Three: Place shredded cabbage on top leaving it as a layer on top (do not mix).

Step Four: Cook on LOW for 8 to 10 hours or HIGH for 6 hours.

Step Five: Two hours before the end of your chosen cooking time, stir cabbage into soup.

Serve with cornbread or crusty French bread and enjoy.

This recipe was delicious and my kids loved it!