Holiday

When I envision getting a Christmas tree, I think about the time we cut down our own at my Grandpa’s cabin in Michigan, snow covering the ground, dragging the gorgeous tree back home and warming up by the cozy fire with hot chocolate as we decorated the boughs. Here in Louisiana, tree getting usually involves a trip to Lowe’s in seventy degree weather, not quite as magical, but still fun. This year we leaned to the extreme opposite of my Michigan dreams and decided on a fake tree from Dirt Cheap since we’ll be out of town for Christmas. The result? Not-so-picture-perfect.  You do this, right? You envision the perfectly magical moment in your head, you stage it with all the...

I have a confession to make. Gird your loins, y’all, because this is going to be unpopular. I hate Christmas. Despise, abhor, LOATHE. I am, essentially, THE Grinch. I’m not sure when the holiday season became a burden, but in the last few years it became abundantly clear to me that Christmastime was less than a holly, jolly season of joy for my three-sizes-too-small heart. I assume it has something to do with the fact that I am, and HAVE, SAD- seasonal affective disorder. At this time of year, my regular anxiety and depression is replaced by my “fancy Christmas anxiety” and depression. The time change is NOT my friend. The pressure to have a picture perfect, magazine worthy Christmas only compounds...

Disclosure :: This post is sponsored by the East Baton Rouge Parish School System.  How to Embrace the Holiday Season this Year Just because the way we celebrate the holidays may be different this year doesn’t mean we have to minimize the most wonderful time of year. As we continue to maintain our distance from others, the East Baton Rouge Parish School System wants to help you keep the holidays full of glee and excitement! From activities to keep spirits up to innovative ways for hosting festivities, EBR Schools has all the tips to keep the holiday celebrations fun—and safe—for everyone. ● Keep Kids Merry Our children may not be able to sit on Santa's lap this year, but you can help manage these...

Teaching kids to be thankful for their many blessings is important year-round, but especially during the month of November when we celebrate Thanksgiving. As my kids are getting older, I hope to teach them the importance of practicing gratitude. This cute turkey craft is a great way to help kids think about and express things they are thankful for. Older kids will love completing this on their own, and younger kids will have just as much fun putting it together will a little assistance from an adult. To make a thankful turkey, you need the following supplies: Free thankful turkey printable Construction paper Wobbly eyes glue scissors To make the thankful turkey follow these steps: Download and print this thankful turkey template....

I already have a holiday hangover. Every year it never fails: once the holidays are over, I am overcome with a sense of "holiday hangover." It's always so much going on in such a short period of time. Even if we travel for the holidays, I feel like I need a vacation afterward! However, it brings me (and our families) so much joy. 2020 - The Year of Indecision With everything being up in the air this year, I am already feeling that "holiday hangover." Just when we think we'll be able to finalize plans or make a call as to what we will do...something else pops up like whack-a-mole and we're back to square one. I so badly want to be able...