So I originally wrote this yesterday (January 1st.) However between a rambunctious 2 year old, and being totally exhausted I forgot to actually post it. So here it is. I'll be posting another later, so keep your eyes out, you get a double dose of Mason Jar Mamas Today! IT'S 2015 The first day of the new year. The decorations have been removed from the tree, the lights are shining their last time, and the garland and snowflakes hanging from the ceiling and giving off their last little glints of caught light before then go into the storage containers awaiting to be joyously strung up again next Thanksgiving (yes we start our Christmas decorating the day after Thanksgiving.), When I go into bed tonight Hallmark will be showing old sitcoms instead of Christmas movies and honestly I'm about in tears. Though I don't think there is any REAL professional diagnosis out there, I suffer from a slight depression after Christmas. I call it PCB or Post Christmas Blues. Christmas is my favorite time of year, the excitement in the air, the joy on Kids faces, patiently waiting for the night Santa makes his visit, family gathered around, and heartfelt gifts being passed along, the whole season is magical. We go from brightly colored lights, shiny tinsel, and Santa's in the yard waving hello to everyone who passes to darkened doorsteps that seem ominous to anyone who even dare look their way. Where does the Magic go? Is there a way to keep it all year round? Do you any of you suffer from the Post Christmas Blues? What are some ways you combat the depression or sadness that comes from un-decorating and the closing of the Christmas season? I'm thinking of doing some Valentines day decorating. Red Garland, White Lights & Pink Hearts may be cute! And arranging some RAK (Random Acts of Kindness) to spread some love :)
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It's that time of year again. People across the globe are gathering with friends and family to celebrate. For some it's Christmas, others it's Kwanzaa, or maybe you celebrate Hanukkah, maybe none of these apply to you and you celebrate the Winter Solstice or Yule. No matter what or how you celebrate let me be one of the first to say Happy Holiday greetings to you all! It's also that time of year when the passive aggressive arguments start. And it always seems like it's between the Christians and Atheists. The Christians claim there is a "War on Christmas" they will wear buttons and pass out petitions that claim they are trying to "keep Christ in CHRISTMAS", Mean while the Atheists are passing out petitions and claiming that religion is being shoved down their throats. Both sides are offended, it's an endless circle, and in the end no one really "wins". No matter your religion or beliefs, I want to invite you to stop the circle of offense. If someone wishes you a "Merry Christmas" you could say "Thanks, You Too!" or even "Happy Holidays to you!" instead of being cross because someone didn't wish you the right greeting, Rejoice in the fact that someone wished you well. I believe Luke 2:14 says it best "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." No matter what you celebrate, Peace on earth and good will toward all human kind can be embraced by everyone. As I sit here finishing up a bowl of oatmeal I am tempted to spend the rest of my day cleaning. Not because I enjoy cleaning, but because the Christmas decorations are calling me. Not the tree just yet (that will go up on thanksgiving), but other decor. Hubby already started decorating outside, so it's only fitting that the inside should match right? Not to mention the sheer joy it will bring my 2 1/2 year old to see "Santa stuff" all over the place. Christmas always brings good memories to mind, My grandma telling my sister and I not to look under blankets which hid unwrapped gifts that were piled in her room, decorating the tree, waking up or coming home from school to my mom always saving the best gift for last,my mom and grandma were the very spirit of Christmas while I was growing up, and I am so glad they passed it on to me to share with my family. It saddens me when I see people who look at Christmas with a negative light instead of the joyous occasion that it is. They complain about the commercialism behind it and with that throw out family traditions that could be passed on to future generations. I love gifts as much as the next person, but I think Mr.Grinch said it best when he said
“What if Christmas”, he thought, “doesn’t come from a store? What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more?” In the Mason Jar Mama family, we make a big deal about making memories, and while what we got for christmas may fade, the memories live on. There are a few things that have become a tradition, others we are just getting started on. Here are a few; 1.The tree goes up on Thanksgiving night- we decorate it as a family. This includes Christmas music, and hot chocolate. 2. We snuggle up one night before Christmas, and watch the Polar Express, Hot Chocolate is of course on the menu :) 3. Christmas Eve gift: PJ's and a Christmas book or movie with a special Christmas eve snack 4.Cookies for Santa & Carrots for the reindeer on Christmas eve. We save a few cookies and keep em for Santa! 5. Reading Twas The Night Before Christmas as a bed time story. 6. We don't have an elf on the shelf, we have a reindeer, he will be making his first apperance on Thanksgiving :) 7. Light Drives: Hop in the car and drive around looking at Christmas lights 8. Watching the Reindeer on Reindeer Cam! (Regular feedings by Santa and his elves start on the 17th!) 9. Baking a cake for Jesus and singing "Happy Birthday Jesus" - this one makes me Cry every time! 10. Reading the Christmas Story, about the Birth of Christ. What are your Holiday traditions? Comment below! Apparently Florida took the idea that it's November and used that as a signal to bring in fall. Now lets hope it stays this way. Life is so much more enjoyable when we can leave the windows and doors open, and play outside without coming back in needing a shower. I find it interesting that it's this time of year when I don't get depressed or have anxiety attacks nearly as often. It's almost life giving.
Stores are filled with scenes of turkeys and tinsel pumpkin pies and sparkling lights. There is an electricity in the air, and jingle bells play throughout the loudspeakers (my radio as tuned from 999 Happy Haunts to old time crooners like Bing Crosby singing "Frosty the Snowman.) We've pulled the Christmas decorations from the shed and placed them on the deck, so we can start the process of changing our humble home into a Christmas wonderland. I was so very lucky to marry a man who loves Christmas as much as I do, and loves to decorate as well. I am one of the people who gets excited to see the Christmas displays being put up the day after Halloween. I hear so many people complain, and it makes my heart hurt. They say Christmas is too commercial, that Christmas is not what it used to be. If you don't like it, then change it. Stop putting yourself into debt to buy the kids and grand kids all those expensive toys that they won't remember next year, and create memories. Stuck on what to do? Here is a list of things you can do this holiday season that doesn't have to cost a lot but can build memories that will last a lifetime: 1.Cook Thanksgiving dinner together. 2.Share grandmas "secret" recipe for melt in your mouth dinner rolls. 3.Take a family photo! 4.Go for a walk, collect leaves and pine cones, create art with them! 5.Go for a picnic! Pack a lunch, and go to the park, or even your own back yard. 6.Don't buy gifts, MAKE THEM! (List of DIY Gifts to make coming soon!) 7.Pick a name from the angel tree at the mall and have fun making it a great Christmas for a child who may not have had gifts under the tree. 8.Make a big pot of coffee or hot chocolate and drive around on Sunday morning, give the newspaper sellers or homeless on the street a hot drink. 9.Create Happiness Helpers: (Find out how HERE) 10.Everyone get into their pj's pack the car with hot coco and cookies, drive around looking at Christmas lights. 11.Movie night: We love The Polar Express! Bring out the pillows and blankets and cuddle up in the living room. 12.Serve at a soup kitchen. 13. Visit the library, find a out of the way corner, cuddle up and read together. 14.Visit a nursing home, give the residents a flower or other small gift, most of them love to see children and families and love to just have someone to talk to. 15.Spread the love! Bake or buy some goodies and leave them on a neighbors door without them knowing, leave a note asking them to do the same. If you've enjoyed this post pin it to your Holiday Pin Board! |
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Photos used under Creative Commons from clkohan, Dyanna Hyde, Michael's Cookie Jar, B*2, ohsarahrose, HannahWebb, rocknroll_guitar, bochalla, ccharmon, Ashley Coombs, Ava R., swambo