Is your season feeling magical? We have just over a week to go. Woah. Because we started so early, we’ve really been able to soak up a lot of the Christmas fun. The decorations make home feel festive (Eliot is endlessly entertained under the tree and only occasionally gets pine needles in his eyes…) and we’ve eaten our fill of wonderful Holiday treats and comfort meals. I have loved trying to keep up with our advent calendar, and adding a little something special to every day.
This week Milo met Santa Clause! He was sitting in his workshop at the National Christmas Tree (which was cool and a little meh) and both boys took a turn on his lap. Milo was not so sure about him (although he is a wonderful Santa with a very darling authentic outfit, and really piercing blue eyes.) but once he was outside the workshop, he was curious and wanted to watch through the window for a little while. Get to know him from afar, I guess. We haven’t had a lot of Santa experience, so I’m not sure what he understands about him. Staying home for Christmas this year made me realize that I have very few Christmas stories here-my mom has a million. I need to start collecting!
The homemade side of Christmas is also in full swing in my little sewing closet. Last night I finished these fun Bow Dresses ( I love the chocolate brown with the red!) and Bow Ties for a friend who lives pretty close. She’s a cosmetologist, and I am so very excited to take them to her this week and trade for a real hair cut and color. I mean, doing it myself is great, but this will be awesome. I’ll feel so pampered!
Also yesterday, I printed, packaged, and sent off a pile of custom designed letterpress cards for my sister Chelsea (who just hosted the most DARLING elf birthday party.) Printing them was an all-day feat, but they turned out awesome. I’ll show you the fun details after she sends them off-so as not to spoil her fun.
What I’ve yet to finish are all of the family gifts from gift exchanges. I am so happy that we draw names, because I wouldn’t have a prayer of a hand-made Christmas if I were making something for everyone! I began this needlepoint pillow for Dave’s sister in September. Man, needlepoint takes forever. But, I’m almost done. I’m also making princess dresses for the nieces, a surprise (that she is going to adore) for Chelsea, and a car table-topper for Milo and Eliot. I’ve got all of the materials for everything, just need to make the time. C’est la vie, right? I also need to finish up buying gifts for Dave, stocking stuffers for the boys, and print our own Holiday Greetings. Pretty under control. At this point, I feel like I did the week before my wedding: everything that gets done is great, and whatever does not we can do without. Just as long as the stress stays low and the Christmas spirit stays high. Can I get an amen?
This weekend we’re celebrating at the church Christmas Party, visiting Christmas at Mount Vernon, heading to a fun restaurant with friends, and hosting our Advent Sunday. What are your plans? Are your Christmas preparations coming along? I wish you a festive weekend filled with fancy hot cocoa and ice skates.
