Simplifying Christmas

This time of year, aka "the holidays", always pops up on me unexpectedly. But this year, it seems I am just getting over the stress last Christmas and it's already Christmas again! And the stress isn't our finances I am talking about.

This year, I really want to make Christmas more Simple and building happy Memories.

Sweetie's most important wish for me is to make her homemade cinnamon rolls to eat for her Christmas breakfast.

Sure she wants presents, but it isn't her focus. It's the whole process of Christmas that she wants to experience.

Another Pet Peeve of mine is "the keeping up with the Jones'" or that "certain lady who's name starts with an "M", that does everything perfectly, because it's her career" mentality of Christmas. Maybe it's just my imagination, or my perception of the whole thing.

But it just feels that way. From presents, to decorations, to Christmas activities. It seems to be done up REALLY big. And I always feel guilty that I didn't do more than I did. Especially buying everyone that "perfect, unique and personal gift".

I am just exhausted thinking about it! Maybe I am Scroogie about this whole thing. But I just want to stop the crazy expectations, and enjoy my family. Build happy memories. Not expectations of how things should be around this time of year. And in turn get upset, stressed, or maybe even a bit bitter over the whole thing.

And it's so easy to get caught up in all the hoop lah!

I think back the the "Little House" series I read when I was little girl. Christmas was a big deal to them. But very simple. I remember reading about how Laura and Mary each received a tin cup, an Orange, a peppermint stick, and a brand new shiny penny. They felt like it was the *richest* Christmas ever. Especially when Mr. Edwards brought out the Sweet Potatoes from his pocket for the Christmas meal!

Why can't it be like that now? Why do we do the things that we do? Is it because we are expected to? Or guilted into it? Or.... are we too spoiled?

So, starting December 1st...I am going to start a "meme" called "Simplifying Christmas" throughout the whole month of December right up to Christmas Eve. My goal is to encourage and be encouraged to keep Christmas Simple. Hope you will join me!

My plan is to have a post everyday about our Christmas preparations, and how we are keeping things simple. Then have a McLinky up so you can post your related "Simplifying Christmas" topic in the McLinky, and we can all get encouraged!♥

I have googled this subject of simplifying Christmas, and have only come across articles that just leave me with a discouraged feeling. So let's pull together!

I think I want to make the first "topic" of discussion of Simplifying Christmas about our Christmas gift list and budget. How should we simplify our gift list? And how should we simplify our budget? I hope to have my post up late November 30th, early December 1st morning. Be thinking about this topic.

Please Sign up join me December 1st!

1. To those who sign up before December 1st, will win a Christmas Goodie package. Something that will be crafted by me and maybe a few other little things. Not sure what as of yet. ;-D

2. Also, if you blog about this meme on your blog, and give a link back to here, and tell me about it the comments you will receive two entries into the giveaway.

3.Share about this on your facebook, and let me know in the comments, and that will earn you another entry.

4.Tweet about it, you will earn another entry. ♥

5. Grab the button up top, or on the sidebar of my blog, post it on your blog somewhere, and comment about it in my comments, and you have gotten yourself another entry. :-D

6.Every time you write a "Simplifying Christmas" post and sign the MckLinky during the meme, that will also count as an entry; giving you the possibility of 24 entries

Don't forget to sign the MckLinky!

Here are a few rules and guidelines to this meme:

1. Publish your Simplifying Christmas post on your blog.
~Please post a link back to the main page of my blog. This is a courtesy to me, as well as your readers--they will know where to join in the fun, too. Feel welcome to use the Simplifying Christmas graphic button.
2. Copy the "permalink" from from your Simplifying Christmas post, not the link to the front page of your blog.
~People may be looking through these links all week long. It you link to your main page, it will be harder to find your Simplifying Christmas post. For instructions on how to do this, go HERE.
3. Add your permalink to MckLinky.
~Do not sign MckLinky until you have your Simplifying Christmas post published on your blog. This is only fair to the other participants. Links that I feel are inappropriate will be removed.