Saying NO in December

Well Hello December! I swear just yesterday was November and I blinked and December is here.  Are you ready for the whirlwind of a month?  Have you started decorating yet?  What about shopping? 

Like so many others December is probably my very favorite time of the year........the gift of Jesus, the lights, the cheer, the memories to be had, the sweets treats to make, bake and share, the perfect gift to buy, that amazing wrapping paper and trying to make that department store bow, the carols to sing, the parties and get togethers, the Christmas cards to send, pictures to be taken, the crafts (darn Pinterest!) and more crafts, the days of decorating inside and out, the Christmas movies, the anticipation of the countdown and SO MUCH MORE!!!!!!  ALL while life continues to go on......school, cleaning the house, grocery shopping, washing, drying and put away clothes and SO MUCH MORE!

Oh I could just go on and on about the JOYS this month can bring!!!!!  BUT, did you sense a but coming, I am taking a different approach this December.

After reading a recent post on The Nester's blog I felt like she was speaking to me!  It was just what I had been thinking.  And pretty much feel every December, but usually give in.

Are you one who over commits to things in December?  And then you find yourself tired, run down, wanting to throw a fit like a child to give up and then eventually end up mad at yourself?  Or maybe you are the one who sees all the cute crafts on Pinterest and must make each and every one?  And let's not forget all the recipes!! 

Yep, that is me!  And I usually feel guilty because I made SO many plans and we barely even accomplish half?! 

Well NOT this year.  I am making a decision right now to do things differently.  I am NOT saying I will be a Scrooge this year by any means.  Nope, no way!  What I am saying is all those fun things will happen, just a little differently.  And maybe not quite as much.

This year I am saying NO in December and will NOT feel guilty.  I am making a "to do list" as well as a "NOT to do list".

Many will come as the month goes on.  Many I am sure will be spur of the moment.  BUT here are a few I will intentionally give my all to.

NOTS:
-we will not have a big tree this year.  Although we did last year we now realize this house is way too small for a big tree and all our furniture.  We have already decorated and it feels so much like Christmas!  Even without a big honking tree.  And nothing say Christmas more to me than LIGHTS!!!  Our LR and DR is covered in lights this year.  The question popped in my head a few weeks back...a tree or furniture?  I personally prefer being comfortable with furniture thank you very much :)
-I will not over commit to things in December.  The boys start Upward Basketball practice this week so that in itself will make our week different.  Our family does better sticking to our schedule as much as possible.  And we all LOVE our bedtime.
-I will not send out Christmas cards to every Mary, Suzie and Tom this year.  I didn't last year either.  And if I do give any cards out they will NOT be a picture card!!!
-I will not go Christmas cRaFt CrAzY this year. Nope, not gonna do it.  As I type I only have one craft in mind to share with you.  And really it is not a craft now that I think about it.  SIMPLE is my other key word for this December.  SIMPLE and NO.
-I will not feel guilty saying NO to things in December.  Doing something that you truly do not want to do and then holding those feelings inside is much worse than just saying NO.

*** Christmas Jar is up in the air.  I am NOT saying we will NOT make it a part of our December, but I am saying I'll let the boys give me the cue.***

To DO:
-Use PAPER NAPKINS!  I told you SIMPLE was a key word.  This December I have decided this somewhat paperless family WILL use paper napkins on the weekends.  Good grief all the months we have not used paper we have already saved a zillion trees!  (I might even go so far as to buy paper plates and make it the whole month!!!)
-I will allow the boys to help more.  I will give them the pleasure of wrapping gifts and doing more of the baking in the kitchen.
-We will make memories.  Baking cookies, playing football in the yard or driving around looking at Christmas lights in our PJs......it's all about the memories. 
-Daily I want to remind my family of what this Christmas season is truly about.   

Most importantly I want this December to be as stress-free as I can possibly make it.  I realize things will come up and totally mess up my plans.  And that is OK.  Life happens.  I'll go with the flow.  But because I am saying NO to so much this December it will make it that much easier to deal with the heat.  At least that is what I am hoping......think positive!

How does your December look so far?