Getting Ready for Christmas

Every year after Christmas I vow to start making and buying gifts for Christmas right away. Somehow it's already December and let's just say I haven't quite checked off my gift list. Thankfully I did make a lot of gifts last month so I am almost there. But there is always someone I totally forget about until the last minute and things that I think won't take that long often keep me up into the wee hours of the night before Christmas.

I honestly love Christmas and really don't stress myself out too much about it. I love making and buying gifts so it's usually fun for me. I buy all the kids and relatives who live far away online. We don't put up lights or decorate every inch of our home, we usually give homemade gifts and buy one nice gift for our children; keeping spending at a minimum.

The best part to me is the expectancy. I am sure I have shared before how I love looking forward to special occasions. Really, sometimes it's the best part. I love seeing my kids excited and making their own little calendars to count down the days until the big day.

Ellie and I sat down last month and wrote all the things that we want and need to do this month. I want to make the most of every day, because December always flies by. Here is our list:

*Finish making and buying gifts-done!
*Make Countdown Calendar-check
*Get Christmas Card/Photos made and sent out- check!
*Make sugar cut out cookies and decorate-check
*Make hot chocolate(as soon as it gets below 70;)- hasn't happened yet:( as it's still in the 80s!
*Make and decorate gingerbread house- check
*Make cinnamon and clay ornaments-
*Buy and decorate Christmas Tree- check
*Set up Nativity
*Make and decorate door wreath-check
*Listen to Christmas music- check
*Watch Christmas Movies-i.e. -Elf-Charlie Brown Christmas-It's a Wonderful Life-Shop Around the Corner-The Christmas Story- Ernest Saves Christmas
*Wrap Christmas presents- check
*Put together gift baskets-check
*Make treats to give and eat- check
*Go look at Christmas lights
*Watch the kids Aunt at the Nutcracker Ballet-check
*Listen to Adventures in Odyssey Advent Series- started

I really think that we need 2 months for Christmas celebrating. There is just not enough time to enjoy all the festivities. Of course here in Florida it can be kind of hard to get into the Christmas spirit when it's still in the 70's. I'm not complaining I am very thankful for our beautiful weather; I wish it would just cool down for a little bit so I can wear my cool boots and scarves.

Of course we will read the Christmas Story and Christmas always makes me think a little deeper about the reality of Jesus coming to earth as a baby in a dirty, undignified stable so that he could one day die for our  filthy sins. But I truly want to celebrate Jesus and be mindful of what he has done for us every season.

I feel like it can be a fad during Christmas to all of a sudden be Christ centered and make a big fuss when unbelievers aren't. Christ was born, lived and died for everyone whether they believe in him or not. Let's enjoy this time when songs of Christ's birth are everywhere and make the most of every opportunity to live as witnesses for him during what can be a stressful and hard time for many.

I still have a lot of things to do but sometimes getting ready and expectant is the best part!

Are you excited about Christmas?

What are you looking forward to the most?

Are you all ready or getting there?

Linking up here!