 |
| Christmas 2020 with my high school sweetheart |
I know. It's early. You probably have a hundred things going through your mind right now. Will the children continue to go to school? Thoughts of your or your spouse's job security, to mask or not to mask, will we have shortages again, how to keep your family safe, and don't forget the never ending thoughts of what's for dinner?! BUT. Christmas is coming.
For most families in America, Australia, New Zealand, and Europe, Christmas is a big celebration. For some, like me and many of you, it is a celebration of Jesus' birth and our love for others. For others, the meaning may be different. Still, it's a day and season that we have, historically, celebrated in peace time and in war time, in years of plenty and in years of want. This year may be different than others, but we've had different years before. Our privilege, as wives and mothers, is to make Christmas a special, loving, Jesus focused time for our families.
I remember a number of years ago that we sold our house at the beginning of November. We had to be out by the middle of November and couldn't get into our new house for two weeks. So, nearly everything that we owned went into storage. Did I mention that we had four children? Ten, six, four, and newborn. We were supposed to stay in a hotel for two weeks. But after the two weeks, the previous owners of our new house refused to move out for thirty more days! We moved to a motel, and spent Thanksgiving and Christmas season in the motel room... watching as HGTV decorated and and Food Network baked up a feast for our eyes. So... rather than mope... Momma made Christmas. That's what you need to do whether you're mom, wife, or single. Make Christmas.
Before you begin, determine what is your focus for your family's Christmas? If you're married, you will want to discuss this with your husband. But single or married, it usually comes down to the lady of the house to actually make the plans and implement them.
For most families in America, Australia, New Zealand, and Europe, Christmas is a big celebration. For some, like me and many of you, it is a celebration of Jesus' birth and our love for others. For others, the meaning may be different. Still, it's a day and season that we have, historically, celebrated in peace time and in war time, in years of plenty and in years of want. This year may be different than others, but we've had different years before. Our privilege, as wives and mothers, is to make Christmas a special, loving, Jesus focused time for our families.
I remember a number of years ago that we sold our house at the beginning of November. We had to be out by the middle of November and couldn't get into our new house for two weeks. So, nearly everything that we owned went into storage. Did I mention that we had four children? Ten, six, four, and newborn. We were supposed to stay in a hotel for two weeks. But after the two weeks, the previous owners of our new house refused to move out for thirty more days! We moved to a motel, and spent Thanksgiving and Christmas season in the motel room... watching as HGTV decorated and and Food Network baked up a feast for our eyes. So... rather than mope... Momma made Christmas. That's what you need to do whether you're mom, wife, or single. Make Christmas.
Before you begin, determine what is your focus for your family's Christmas? If you're married, you will want to discuss this with your husband. But single or married, it usually comes down to the lady of the house to actually make the plans and implement them.
10 Things you can do right now to prepare for a calm and peaceful Christmas.
Save your change
For gifts - It adds up!
For significant years - Save coins minted in special years.
Birth
Anniversary
Graduation
Set a Budget
Save your change
For gifts - It adds up!
For significant years - Save coins minted in special years.
Birth
Anniversary
Graduation
Set a Budget
What can you reasonably spend without debt?
Consider food, decorations, gifts, and anything else your family needs.
Plan your Menus
Tree Trimming
Holiday Parties
Caroling
Tree Trimming
Holiday Parties
Caroling
Christmas Eve
Christmas Day
Plan Gifts ~ If you're a maker, you'll want to begin early!
Plan Gifts ~ If you're a maker, you'll want to begin early!
Family
Extended Family
Friends
Gift exchanges
Thank you gifts to community workers
Extended Family
Friends
Gift exchanges
Thank you gifts to community workers
Police
Mail carrier
Firemen
Ambulance drivers
Sheriff's deputies
Bus drivers
Teachers
You get the idea
Choose activities
Church
Home
Friends
Community
Choose activities
Church
Home
Friends
Community
Don't put planning off just because it's early. We cannot know what's going to happen in the future, but we can do our best to be prepared for it. Now and then, I'll be checking back with you to see how you're doing.
What we do early can make later much more relaxing, enjoyable, calm and peaceful.
God bless!
Laura
Thankful for my Jesus
