I want to do things for the boys to create memories...simple things. A tree. A few strings of lights outside in the front trees. Decorate gingerbread houses*. Make cookies. Advent calendar (he loves the stories!). Greetings cards.
I gave up trying to be perfect. In fact, any time I try to create something beautiful, special, amazing, WOW!... inevitably, at some point, I get annoyed that there are two little ones under my feet. I am frustrated when something 'important' gets broken. Or I feel put out that I have the shortest window of time to accomplish it on the weekend. Or exasperated when the baby only takes a 30 minute nap. Or I stay up late to finish, and then I am tired the next day. Forget it!
Why take the holidays and turn them into a huge stress-ball? What's all the fuss about?
Today, my sons** and I hung up all the non-breakable ornaments (about 25% of my stash!) No garland, no star on top, no orbs, no bows, and, I think, they couldn't be happier!
The non-breakables never seemed to fit in with the rest of the shiny pretty things, but they look perfect on their own! Well, maybe not perfect, but, you know, just right!
ps. my three year old dug through the box of ornaments while my one year old napped for 1.5hrs!...this gave me a chance to hack away at the tree. I pruned away at the branches to really open it up. I used the extra branches to make a wreath, and decorate the mantle.
pss. This was the fastest tree trimming ever! My three year old was a huge help! It was so funny to see him hang 18 ornaments all in the exact same spot...I encouraged him to try and give each piece its own special branch. We had fun!
*We decorated a mini gingerbread house village, you can see it on the mantel!
*The little one taste tested them