Simple is in for the holidays this year. Just a few family gifts, some home made gifts for a few friends, simple comfort food, and activities that warm my soul.
I realized, when I wasn't feeling the big push to celebrate the holidays in a huge way, that I could do it easier. I put up our lovely little tree, am cleaning the rest of the house, but not adding any other decorations other than a little stuffed Santa and mason jars filled with candy canes.
Shopping got a whole lot simpler. I decided that I didn't have to spend gobs of money on my family, I could choose small things that they would enjoy, I made a few things, and I sent our daughter out to do a little of the shopping for her dad. He had her do a little shopping for me too. It brought it all down to a level that was simpler.
I will be doing quite a bit of cooking, but this year we chose to do a roast which I will actually do in the crock pot, and you can't get easier than that. Some baking, some orange rolls... easy peasy.
We do a lot of fun things during the holidays that make it last for days. We do a puzzle, drive around and look at our towns Christmas lights, walk through the Christmas forest, drink hot chocolate, bake cookies, watch movies, sew, and just hang out together.
Granted, our daughter is in her 20's so we aren't pressured to get the latest toy and those that she wants (iPad and Kitchen Aid Mixer) just weren't in the budget this year. So our festivities are smaller, just like our little house in the woods and our family. Small, but happy.
