Taking In & Slowing Down

Traditions
Parties
Festive Treats
Pretty lights...
These are a few of my favorite things.

"It's the most wonderful time of the year."

It's also stressful, busy, life happens and it goes by so fast.

I so value margin in this season of life. I am all about soaking up the season but also inviting in peace and presence. I don't think I am as good at the second part. Dishes pile up (ALL the time), our floors are messy, we have events every night of the week, we miscommunicate and are often disconnected form each other, there's shopping to do and so on.

So, here's a few of my favorite things to combine the festivities and some presence.

1. Tree night. Warm clothes, our favorite tree lot, Christmas cocktails, festive tunes and decorating. 
2. Walks through pretty neighborhoods + debriefing our days. We walk slow, we chat about life, we take in the pretty. What we call "Ball Street" is our favorite. This neighborhood is so unique and amazing with its' canopy of lights.
3. Gingerbread house making. Sometimes this feels like a tradition we squeeze in so I have to be intentional about presence. So we turn on festive music, make a meal together and carve out time to sit, enjoy, create. 
4. Christmas morning coffee by the tree. Cozy, slow, peaceful. 
5. Baking treats. This requires some slowness. Pick a time when you have a few hours and enjoy the process of making something fun.
6. Enjoying a cozy home. We add lights to our bedroom and little bits of decor all over. There's something about a home just lit with the warm glow of lights, a yummy candle and some comfy pajamas that make for lovely downtime. 

Tell me how you soak up the season while slowing down...