Holding on to Christmas ~ a few tips

In the Catholic liturgical year, Christmas begins on Christmas Eve and last until the Epiphany on January 6. I've had years when I've wanted to take down all of Christmas by New Years Eve to have a clean fresh start, and I've had years when I've wanted it to last a bit longer. Usually, by the time I go back to school on January 2nd it can feel a little annoying to come home from being in my classroom all day to seeing Santa things here and there. But winter and the dark is so so long! I'm debating this year what I want to do. I do have a few things that help make that Christmassy feeling last longer... 

❤ I have a little cleaning schedule I keep and after I'm done for the day with the bathrooms or dusting, changing sheets and laundry, etc (whatever the chores I've set for that day are) I like to turn on all of the Christmas tree lights, and anything twinkly we happen to have including all of the outdoor lights and candles in the windows. It really sets the stage for a cozy, relaxing evening during this vacation week. 

❤ Each evening after dinner I take some Christmas cookies ~ a few of each kind {I made 7 different kinds} and I put them on a covered Christmas cookie plate for us to enjoy later on the couch. Being all together and relaxing in our family room is a vacation only thing ~ for us it feels decadent and wonnnnnderful! Having a cookie or two and a pot of tea makes it still feel like Christmas

❤ I planned a Christmassy outing. It was actually the gift this year to my Dad ~ tickets to a musical! My Dad, Abigail, and I went. It was magical and so Christmassy. We saw the most amazing musical - A Christmas Story. The musical is nothing like the movie. It's heartwarming, charming, cozy, funny, delightful. I didn't want it to end! We actually got to sit next to the lead's Dad (Ralphie is the character's name) and got to meet the star after the show! It was so much fun to get dressed up in our Christmas clothes and go to the theatre! 

Here is a link to the The Goodspeed Opera House. And here is a little bit about the show we saw (here too) 

❤ We went to Mass today. It was the Feast of the Holy Family. I didn't take any photos there but the church looked magnificent. The choir sang all Christmas carols. It was so lovely. 

More ideas coming soon! 

Christmas Day

Tradition 

Cousins

Grandparents

Uncles

all that we love, know, wait for...

Arrival

My brothers, my parents

Feasting 

Opening 

Anna gave my Dad a copy of her first novel. 

The happiest mess from up above. 

Dessert 

We reenacted the cousin picture from about 5 years ago... 

It sure was a merry afternoon and night! 

Lessons and Carols

Oh I have stars in my eyes still when I think about this night. 

Magical

Holy

Beautiful 

And oh so proud to be Anna's mama. 

This was wonderful but also sad because it was our last year. 

Here sophomore year is here

Her junior year is here

And here is her senior year: 

We get all dressed up ~

We marvel at the beauty of this church all dressed up for Advent ~

Watch as Anna takes her place in the viola section of the orchestra ~ 

We listen to the prelude of the organ ~ 

And whenever I can I catch a glimpse of her when she is listening to the choir a reading ~ 

And we feel so very blessed that her music has graced our lives for seventeen years ~ 

She was relaxed and happy. It filled me to the brim ~ 

Here is a copy of the livestream recording ~ 

Oh Christmas Tree

This is one very special tradition to us! 

And here are some photos of this year: 

Cookies in the car - Christmas music playing 

Cold air, getting dark, lights, and that Christmas pine smell

Walking around and finding just that right one

Picking out an ornament for their little bedroom trees

Magic, joy,

Other posts you might like

2023

The meaning behind our Christmas tree

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

 

Holiday Starting

Teaching full time ~ having a senior daughter in college  ~ having a senior daughter in high school ~ having an old house that needs a lot ~ living in Connecticut in the fall with huge trees and so many leaves...

I love it all, really I do. But it's a lot. Our calendar is full. Some weekends (thankfully not all of them) are really full. There are college visits, orchestra concerts, papers to correct, planning to do, leaves to rake and bag, lots to clean, tons to bake and cook, on an on. This 'season' Scott and I are in is not for the faint of heart. But we are doing it. And trying our best to do it with love. Some days are better than others.

So where do the holidays fit in? Well, I've learned over the years that it fits in 'here and there', 'bit by bit'. I started on Halloween night and whenever I can, I do a few things. Scott is so helpful with helping me with the garlands, the trees around the house, and decorating the outside. One thing we both love is having it all done (with the exception of our real tree) before Thanksgiving. That way we can enjoy the month of December and just do things like finish shopping, wrap, bake, and rest. 

One thing I love pulling out is our collection of Christmas books. I have so many now and I love each one of them. 

I start with sorting them into piles and wandering around the house deciding where to put each little pile. Just seeing them brings me joy... which is a good thing since I don't have time to read them for long sittings. Reading for me has also always been bit by bit. 

For each one of these 'bits' I am thankful!