Do you break out in hives just thinking about the craziness and chaos that comes with Christmas? It doesn’t have to be that way. Inspirational authors Cara Putman, Sarah Sundin, and Tricia Goyer share about Christmas’ past in their new novella collection Where Treetops Glisten. Their three stories “White Christmas,” “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” will take you back to war-time 1942, 1943, and 1944. The authors have also teamed up to give tips on simplifying Christmas this year! Join us December 1-6 on Not Quite Amish Living for the Simplifying Christmas series.
9 Ways to Manage Your Schedule This Holiday
by Cara Putman
“The greatest step towards a life of simplicity is to learn to let go.” ― Steve Maraboli, Life, the Truth, and Being Free
Have you ever felt that way about the last six weeks of the year? You wake up one morning and it’s November 20th. Blink and it’s January 2. Weeks have passed and you’d had such high hopes for a season filled with peace.
Instead, the weeks are filled with events, rehearsals, recitals, parties, and more. Christmas has become a time of immense busyness. Instead of being a season of peace and enjoyment, many of us see December approach on the calendar with a sense of dread. Do you hate that as much as I do? Do you long for an approach to the season that doesn’t make you cringe?
When I asked some friends how they simplify Christmas, many talked about schedules.
Today, I wanted to share some of their ideas with you. I’d also love to hear your suggestions. Together maybe we can bring some sanity back to the holidays.
- I just simplify Christmas by doing quiet things. Just sitting under the tree, with the lights glowing, listening to “O Holy Night” and reading the story from Luke 2. Maybe eating a cookie or two as well. I think just being still and being quiet and remembering that night so long ago is the best thing to do to get away from the craziness of the season. —Kendra Whittle
- I think I’ve simplified Christmas by not getting too many things scheduled. In years past, I get so busy with so many great things to do, that I forget/don’t have time to just stop and celebrate and savor the season. Then suddenly, it’s January and I realize that I never took the time to really enjoy what is such a special time of the year. I’ve learned to downsize my schedule. —Brittany Keating
- We simplify Christmas by celebrating with my side of the family on Labor Day Weekend. There are no flu bugs to bother with. We can camp outside since we have grown a lot and need the space. We can act out the Christmas story outside with a campfire and various locations to walk to. We love it. —Randy Wigdahl
To read the rest of the tips and a free downloadable form, click here.
What would you add to these suggestions?
My publisher has created three wonderful gift baskets. Each basket contains
- Copy of Where Treetops Glisten
- Christmas DVD – Holiday Inn Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire
- Christmas CD (includes all the book title songs) – “A Jolly Christmas” Frank Sinatra
- Apron made from vintage pattern
- Recipe cards from each character
Comments 20
My favorite Christmas cookie is spritz made with almond flavoring. A close second is gingerbread.
Author
That sounds so yummy!
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Pingback: Simplifying Christmas - 9 Ways to Manage Your Schedule, by Cara Putman
They are more of a cross between a bar and a pecan pie called Chewy Noels. They are so good I made them for a church potluck once and a man stood up in the middle of the meal to loudly ask who had made them as he desperately needed the recipe. 🙂
Author
That is a great endorsement. I think I need that recipe, too 🙂
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My favorite Christmas cookie recipe is traditional sugar cookies cut into fun shapes and frosted. When I was a kid, my mom made the cookies, and my sister and I loved to decorate them with frosting and sprinkles.
My favorite Christmas cookie is decorated sugar cookies that melt in your mouth. 🙂
I love my mom’s recipe for sugar cookies, we don’t roll them we drop them & they’re pillows of softness, 1 pound of butter & lots of sugar
Favorite Chriatmas cookie is Mexic Wedding cookies! Balls of crushed walnuts, dough and icing sugar.
skor cookie
One of the ways we try to keep things simple is to make gifts when we can…we’ve had a lot of fun in this department over the years and yes, some projects that grew and became not so simple after all ;).
It’s a tie between Russian Tea Balls and Thumbprint Cookies. Yum!
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It’s a toss up between buckeyes and iced sugar cookies – YUM!
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My favorites are peanut butter blossoms or thumbprints. My grandma used to always have these homemade cookies in her freezer.
My favorites are peanut butter blossoms or thumbprints. My grandma used to keep some in her freezer all the time.