Final Christmas Prep - what you really NEED

I wrote this post three years ago and never got around to publishing it. But it rings just as true today.

Guys. It's four days until Christmas. It's the epitome of crunch time when we all run ourselves ragged getting everything just perfect for the big day. Right? In and out of stores, more presents, more food, more decorating!

But this year we're after a different Christmas. This year we're after peace. And I just want you to know, it's okay to chill. To let go of grand plans and take hold of the simple alternatives. To wait with eager expectation and just let things be.

Check out my SIMPLE Christmas projects and tutorials here.

Don't get me wrong, there are a lot of things I'd still like to get done. But it turns out there are very few things I actually need to get done. That's the key, friends.

Things I still need to do are the simple and basic things. The things that, if I don't finish them, will actually cause problems or hinder our Christmas celebration. And I can only think of four things:

• finish wrapping gifts (although even this one is iffy. I could leave things in their amazon boxes and we would survive)
• pack for our holiday travels
• prep our (simple) Christmas meals 
• read the Christmas story

Now, I can think of a whole list of things I would still like to get done. But they are all extra. I can recognize that if I don't do them... it's not actually going to hinder us in anyway. We can still have a beautiful, meaningful, peaceful Christmas. Probably even more-so, because when we're not distracted by our own need to impress with the "perfect" Christmas, we have more time to focus on the things that are actually important and meaningful this season. So here are the things I've eliminated from my list already:

• making Christmas cookies
• putting up exterior lights
• fancy gift wrapping
• cooking an elaborate feast
• sending Christmas cards

All that to say: don't be afraid to chill, friends. Don't be afraid to take an honest look at what NEEDS to be done - what truly matters for your family - and then let go of whatever doesn't fit the bill.  Don't let striving for a "perfect" Christmas steal the joy and peace from your home this season.

Let's have a peaceful Christmas, friends.

And above all, remember this: no matter how much we chase it this season, true peace and joy only come with the Savior we are celebrating. Who came because of his great love for us and died so our sins could be forgiven. He took the punishment that should be ours. This Christmas, don't forget what's truly most important, and don't let your kids forget it either. 

"For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:11

But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. Titus 3:4-5

Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. 1 Timothy 1:15-16

And in despair I bowed my head;

"There is no peace on earth," I said;

    "For hate is strong,

    And mocks the song

Of peace on earth, good-will to men!"

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:

"God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;

    The Wrong shall fail,

    The Right prevail,

With peace on earth, good-will to men."

Have a merry Christmas, and I'll see you in 2024!

Custom Keepsake Ornament Hack

Every Christmas we love to give each of our kids a new Christmas ornament to commemorate something from the year - a favorite toy, favorite activity, funny memory, etc. It's so fun to pull them out every year to reminisce! I know a lot of families enjoy a similar tradition, but today I wanted to share a simple little twist that can save time and money as you hunt down your own special ornaments.

So what's the twist? It's just this: you can make your own one-of-a-kind ornaments for next to nothing! Rather than trying to hunt down a mass-produced, overpriced keepsake, let me show you a few shortcuts to try first. You'll probably need a few simple supplies like eye hooks, ribbon, and glue depending on the ornament you are making. 

DIY Wooden Stocking Tags

I know, I know. I'm changing up the stockings again. Turns out I have a have a restless spirit when it comes to stockings - which you've probably noticed if you've followed me for more than one Christmas (you can read all about it and see my long stocking history here, if you're curious). But I would like to say, for the record, that this year I only added tags to the new stockings I made last year. So. That's something. 

Cream Cheese Pinwheels (only 3 ingredients!)

Cream cheese pinwheels are one of our classic go-to treats. Whether it's the Superbowl, a birthday, Christmas, or anything in between - if there is something special going on, this sweet, creamy goodness is on the menu. Pinwheels hold a lot of nostalgia for me because I remember my mom making them, and now my kids love them just as much as I do! You won't believe how simple they are with just three ingredients.

Foraged Stick Stars

This Christmas project is almost too easy to post. But it's a fun one that's super simple and cheap, plus collecting the sticks can be a lot of fun with the kids!

Vintage Inspired Yarn Doll Ornaments

This is easily my very favorite Christmas project this year. These little yarn dolls are the sweetest, and are a great way to share memories that will last a lifetime. And I love that they are ornaments the kids can actually touch and play with without hurting them. Anyone with small children knows the value of an unbreakable ornament!

But first, let me explain what I mean by memories that last a lifetime. Beyond the memories you will make with your kids that they will get to enjoy year after year. I remember visiting an older woman in a nursing home when I was very young, and when we visited she would give my sister and me yarn doll ornaments just like these. I don't know when it was or who she was, but that memory has stuck with me my whole life. In a similar way, I have an older, very dear friend who makes little angel ornaments that are crochet instead of yarn. She gave me one when I was younger, then surprised me with a second one when my oldest son was born. They are some of my most treasured ornaments. 

I say all of that to help us remember - little gestures can make a huge impact. And in this busy season it's good to remember to look out and see how we can be a blessing to others (it's so easy to forget that in all the holiday hustle and bustle). The smallest thing can make someone feel remembered and loved. Last year I asked my friend for a copy of her crochet pattern. Then I did a little digging to figure out how to make these yarn dolls. I hope to be the next generation ornament giver. To continue the traditions those ladies started. To give a tangible reminder to friends and family that they are loved and thought of. And I hope to bring my kids along with me. 

From Shopping to Wrapping - The Best Christmas Gift Tips From My Family of 8!

Today's post might be a little all over the place, but I just wanted to take a minute to share a few details about how we're doing gifts this year:

1. Our gift-planning system and how we do our best to minimize clutter and excess
2. The boys' secret Santa swap
3. My favorite way to save big $$ on gifts
4. A fun (and cheap!) wrapping tradition
5. What we actually bought for the boys last year

If you're still looking for gift ideas, I'm not planning to put together any gift guides this year but you can check out my minimalist gift guide for kids that's full of our tried and true favorites, plus some of my top picks for guys and for the ladies (and my full shopping guide archive is here).

Tiny Sleeping Bag Tutorial (great stocking stuffer!)

Need a quick handmade gift that only takes a few scraps of fabric? I've got you covered! You can whip up a whole campground worth of these tiny sleeping bags in no time. And the small size = perfect stocking stuffer!

Easy Christmas Crafts for the Advent Season

Happy Advent season, friends! 

I’m always looking for ways to savor this season with my kids, strengthen family bonds, and ultimately point our children toward Christ. But for all the well-intentioned family advent plans out there, I can't for the life of me make it through one of them. Because here's the thing: I can't deal with anything complicated right now. Like, at all. I can't follow an extra advent schedule with projects and crafts and recipes every day. I can't spend time hunting down special ingredients or searching for unique craft pieces.  

But guess what? We don't need a fancy, fully scheduled plan to make the most of this season. We can fly by the seat of our pants and make the season magical and memorable for our kids in ways that work with our unique schedules and lifestyles, using simple items and ingredients we probably already have at home. And that's my goal with this little series. It's not a fully guided advent plan by any stretch, but it is a collection of projects and recipes that are simple, low commitment, and fun, that can be enjoyed with your family. Feel free to use them as you see fit - whenever you find a pocket of time and want to fit in a little Christmas magic. 

As you complete these projects with your family, please don't overlook the most important part of any advent celebration: Christ. There is no project on this list that is more important than teaching your children (or grandchildren) the true meaning of the season, the gospel, and all Christ has done for us. If you have time for only one advent "project," make it reading the Bible with your children. There are all kinds of advent reading plans out there, but, again, it doesn't have to be complicated. A great option is just reading the book of Luke. It has 24 chapters so it works out perfectly to read a chapter per day throughout December leading up to Christmas. Or, if you have younger kids, you can grab a reliable Children's bible and start reading through the New Testament passages with them (but don't ever discount the importance of reading from the actual Bible or be afraid to do it with younger kids - they understand far more than we give them credit for). 

With that said, many of these projects can work really well hand-in-hand with your scripture reading to make a pretty complete (but very chill and super flexible) advent "plan." I recommend starting with the playdough because you'll be able to use it all season! It's great for keeping little hands busy while you read, and older kids might enjoy sculpting what you are reading about. The recipes can be used in a similar way - enjoy making them with the kids, then sit down and read to them while they enjoy the treat. (It's so much easier for them to sit and listen when they have cookies to nibble or cocoa to sip! A warm cup of tea works in a pinch, too!). If you have bigger kids, they can work on the crafts or recipes while you read to them. And the yarn doll ornaments can be especially fun - they can double as, well, yarn dolls that the kids can actually play with while you read. Have fun with it, and remember that nothing will go perfectly and it's ok!

Gingerbread Playdough

3 Ingredient Shortbread Cookie

Vintage Style Yarn Doll Ornaments

Best Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix

Easy No-Sew Felt Garland

Giant Paper Sack Stars

3 Ingredient Cream Cheese Pinwheels

Easy Foraged Stick Stars

Check back soon - I'll add more projects as I get them posted!

For more Christmas tips, check out the post below with all the info about how our family of 8 does Christmas gifts: how we plan, sibling gifts, a fun wrapping hack, what we actually bought for the boys last year, and more!

I'd love to hear your favorite advent crafts, recipes, or traditions!

3 Ingredient Shortbread Cookies

Do cookies count as crafts? I'll let you decide. But either way, these shortbread cookies are so good and so easy to make! They only take three ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen. They are perfect to make in a hurry for last minute guests, a cookie swap, or a movie night with the kids! Don't let the Christmas season go by without giving them a try!

Low-Waste Gift Wrapping Tips

There's nothing like watching the kids open presents on Christmas. I love to see their excitement as they discover the treasures hidden inside each package. But.. have you ever thought about the trash bags full of wrapping paper when Christmas morning is over? It's something that's been in the back of my mind the last few years... but I've never actually done anything about it. In fact, I've already wrapped most of this years presents in traditional wrapping paper. But... I'm ready to do better. To waste less and teach my boys not to waste. It seems like a natural next step after simplifying our Christmas decor and simplifying our gift-buying this year. And now is actually the perfect time to start preparing! 

I just learned that Burtsbrisplease, one of my insta-favorites, saves back little bits and pieces all year to use for her Christmas wrapping. Look at the beautiful gifts she creates with them!

I 100% plan to start my own thrifty gift-hoard immediately. To build-up my stash for next year. Here are a few items I'll be keeping an eye out for:

DIY Fresh Minimalist Wreaths

I've been on team faux-greenery my whole life. It's easy and affordable (even more so since most of mine was handed-down or bought second-hand). But this year, I'm branching out.

We have an abundance of pine trees in our backyard and I guess I just realized I should be taking advantage of that beautiful and free foliage! So this year I ditched the faux wreathes in our upstairs hallway (cheap though they were) and went foraging in my backyard to freshen things up with these simple and beautiful wreaths!

Felt Pirate Map + DIY Stocking Stuffers for Kids

There is something special about giving handmade gifts to our kids. Even when we don't have larger handmade gifts on the Christmas list, I love tucking a little surprise in my boys' stockings. Today I'm going to show you how to make this sweet little pirate map, and then I'll link a few more of our favorite handmade stocking stuffers down at the bottom of the post!  

Supplies:

• felt - for this map you'll need two full sheets of sand-color, a sheet of blue for water, and any other colors you want (I used greens, brown, grays, red, and yellow)
• thread (I used a sewing machine, but you can also stitch by hand)
• 22" long ribbon

You can customize this tutorial to make any design you want! You can make pine trees for a forest map, add a castle for a knight's map, or make an outer-space map for an astronaut! 

For this pirate map, I started by drawing up a basic idea of what I wanted my map to look like:

5 Tips to Simplify Your Christmas Decor

Minimal + Christmas. Two words that may not naturally go together. And while I wouldn't call myself a  true Christmas minimalist, I am finding ways to embrace a style of Christmas decorating that means less clutter, less to store, and less to pack up when the season is over. It's all about making careful decor choices that can make a big impact with minimal effort!

I might just call myself a simple and uncluttered Christmas decorator. In fact, this year I had an entire tote of decor left over from years past that we didn't even put out. And it feels like a huge step toward my Christmas decor goals of less fuss and less clutter. I've always struggled this time of year to strike a happy balance, because I want my home to be warm and festive, and I want to create lifetime memories with my boys. But I also know that I get stressed out when my home feels like chaos. This year, I'm here to find the best of both worlds.

Check out all my Christmas projects and tutorials here.

So today I'm sharing a few of my favorite Christmas decor tips that bring a punch of festive style without totally smothering any already overwhelmed folks like myself. Here's what we'll cover:

1. Greenery
2. Lighting
3. The Color Red
4. Beads
5. Using Your Space Well 

No-Sew Felt Garland

There's something about Christmas that brings up nostalgia in all of us. We look to our traditions and savor the memories of each Christmas treasure as we pull them from their boxes. And there's something even more special about the handmade Christmas things! So today I'm sharing a project that will bring out the very best parts of Christmas . You'll be making your own Christmas treasure that your family will treasure year after year. It's a cozy handmade felt garland, and it's so easy you can even make with the kids!

My sister taught me to make these garlands last summer on our family vacation and now I can't-stop-won't-stop. They are so easy easy to make because they require absolutely no sewing!

Here's all you need to get started on your own:

• felt
• yarn
• fabric scissors

Seriously, that's it. I used mostly reds and whites to make Christmas garland, but you can use any colors you like! Ready for the super easy steps?

Easiest DIY Pillow Covers

Today we're going to look at a super quick and easy way to refresh a space... that also happens to be a great way to increase your holiday cheer factor. I'm talking about swapping out your pillow covers! And today I'll even show you the easiest way to make your own.

Pillow covers are one of my favorite ways to refresh a room, but did you know they're also one of the best secret weapons in seasonal decor?

• They take minimal effort to switch out, but make a huge impact.
• They take almost no space to store in the off-season.
• They are easy and affordable to make!

Winter Bucket List 2019

Hey peeps! There's a chill in the air and I wanted to go ahead and get you this printable bucket list so you're ready to go whenever winter actually hits your area. Just print it out, hang it on the fridge, and make the most of this cozy holiday season! And let me know in the comments - what's your favorite winter tradition?

Click here to download the Winter Bucket List PDF

You can find the rest of my 2019 Holiday posts here, and check out my full holiday archive here!

2018 Christmas Tour

Or should I call it the 2018 Christmas EVE tour? I know. Every year I have these big plans for Christmas projects and Christmas posts to share, but then the season comes and we just... do Christmas instead. I highly recommend this method.

But I do have a few super easy and budget friendly decor tips that are too good to miss for another year! So here we are with a quick Christmas Eve tour!

We'll cut right to the chase with our cheery kitchen window. Easily one of the most cheerful little corners of our home, and it also happens to be one of the easiest and cheapest to decorate! That merry Christmas sign above the sink? It's our sneaky reversible "farmer's market" sign. It only costs a few dollars to make (get the tutorial here) and when Christmas comes you just flip it around to the Christmas side. The window wreathes are from Dollar Tree (so just $1 each!) and I hung them with scraps of red ribbon. Most of our house has the original wood windows, but these ones were updated to double-hung windows which make hanging wreaths so easy. Just loop ribbon through a wreath, slide the top of the window open a crack, and pinch the ends of the ribbon in the window. No nails, no hooks, just easy peasy wreaths.

$5 Christmas Stocking Hack

Our mantle decor got a major upgrade this Christmas with a beautiful new set of stockings! (we also updated the actual mantle earlier this year when we wrapped it with wood and added shiplap) But this big upgrade didn't have a big price tag. Believe it or not, these beautiful, classic stockings started with a set of plain red Amazon stockings that were only $5 each. They just needed a little MLH farmhouse flair!

I like to think I know a thing or two about stockings. I've spent a good amount of time looking at them over the last ten years, because every. single. year. I search again for our perfect fit.

I've found plenty of beautiful stockings over the years, but all the ones I loved failed to fit one important requirement. Budget. As much as I dreamed of perfect stockings, I just didn't feel like I found the right ones for a price I was willing (or able) to pay. I began my stocking saga after baby #2 joined the family. Our budget was strapped pretty tight, so I made handmade stockings with leftover flannel (you can see how I made them here). They were totally free, but I didn't love the fabric (I wont' totally knock that idea, though. I seriously considered making a matching plaid set this year before I found these red ones, and I think that would feel wonderfully cozy!).

A couple years later when we needed to add a fifth stocking, I decided to scrap those guys and start fresh. But wouldn't you know it, I was pregnant and tired and just needed something before the baby got here... so I just got the best Hobby Lobby had to offer for $5 each (you can see them in this post). It did feel like an improvement, but it also felt like a wasted opportunity because deep down I knew I didn't love those moosey stockings. They weren't my style, and for the next couple Christmases I cringed with regret every time I pulled them out. But I couldn't justify replacing them - they were brand new!

Then, earlier this year, we added baby #4. Even last Christmas before he was born I knew - we would need a sixth stocking. I knew this was my chance to get a new set, and this time I was ready. This time I knew what I wanted, and this time I was ready to hunt. it. down.

DIY Wooden Stocking Tags

Christmas decorating is in full swing at the big blue house, and today I wanted to share one of my favorite projects for adding a cute and personal touch to any stockings. And the best part? It's sooo easy and super cheap!

Update: Check out how sweet these tags look with our new stockings (and my $5 stocking hack)!

I love DIY Christmas decor, and a project that's just as useful as it is beautiful? Well that just takes the Christmas cake! These little wooden stocking tags are a perfect way to differentiate matching stockings, add a personal touch without springing for embroidery, or just add a cute wooden accent to your Christmas decor.

Ever since we bought these off-the-shelf stockings a few years ago, I've been craving a personal touch. A way for all the little fellas to know which one is theirs and run right to it Christmas morning. Something to make them unique and ours. And these simple little tags have been the perfect touch!

Here's all you need to make your own: