What I Am Loving Lately in December

There isn't much that I'm not loving lately, to be honest. I love Christmas and everything that comes with it. I love that, in our family, we don't go overboard with presents, so then we can just focus on getting a present for one person and our nieces and nephews. I love that when you turn on the TV, there are Christmas specials galore.

I love the Christmas music playing in the stores (especially now that I don't work in retail). I love that the Gospel is played over the speakers, in places where people normally hate to have any mention of Christ in their presence.

I love getting together with family and friends that I haven't seen in a while and just catching up on life. I love lighting my apples and cinnamon candle and letting the comforting smell seep into our home. 

I love the baking that comes with Christmas (especially when I don't have to bake it!). I love the little Christmas crafts that can be done with Gavin. I love the twinkling lights that are hung up around our home. I love the wonderful smell of our Christmas tree.

So, if you are still reading this gushy list of things that I love during the month of December, here are some links that might help you create your own gushy list of things to love. :)

I made these cookies this past Sunday to take to Bible study and they were delicious...and easy...and did I mention, delicious!

Fudge Crinkle Cookies, via Six Sisters Stuff

These gold DIY mugs are gorgeous. They would make a perfect gift for your sister, mom, or friend! 

via Garland of Grace Blog

I am actually starting wrapping some gifts (this year I am not a procrastinator! It feels amazing!) and I love these free, printable chalkboard Christmas tags. 

via WorldLabel Blog, designed by LiaGriffith.com

This one is the DIY Nativity scene that I made last year. When I pulled them out at the beginning of December and set them up for the boys to play with, I found I was still so happy with them! Gavin loves playing and setting them up more this year too. 

via It's Our Pinteresting Life

Lastly, is something so simple (and dangerous to my waistline because it's in plain view): hot chocolate mix and marshmallows in jars, ready for an evening curled up on the couch reading a book or watching a Christmas movie.

Via Life Made Lovely

What are you loving lately? 

Advent // Truth in the Tinsel //

How the Grinch Stole Christmas has a line that I love: "Maybe Christmas doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas...perhaps...means a little bit more!" In the book and movie, they are talking about goodwill towards mankind, but it goes farther than that. Christmas is more than special cookies, decorating the tree, and opening presents. I love all those things, but Christmas, for us, is all about focusing on the birth of the Saviour of the world. Advent is about waiting. Waiting and anticipating the arrival of the baby who didn't stay in the manger, but grew up and saved the world with His death and life. 

Last year I started doing Advent with Gavin, and although he was only 18 months, I was able to start teaching him why we celebrate Christmas and who we celebrate. I used a great resource called Truth in the Tinsel.

Each day, leading up to the 25th, there is a craft that you can do with your child and a short devotional and Scripture reading. Last year was the first year that printable ornaments were offered and I am using them again this year. I love that option if you are using it for really young children; all you have to do is grab the crayons and let them colour as you talk about the ornament and the 

devotional for the day. 

This year we are also adding a little bit of something to each ornament. For example, Gavin put rhinestone stickers on the crown and googly eyes on Zechariah. 

He loves doing the craft and has been really into the devotional part...as long as I keep it short and sweet. He is two after all. :) 

If you haven't started Advent yet with your young children and are looking for something to do, even if it is six days in, check out Truth in the Tinsel!

'Tis the Season! Or...Christmas Mantle 2013

It's Christmas mantle time! I think this is my favourite mantle that I have put together as of yet. Gold, silver, glitter, pinecones, fake trees, and mini deer. I carried the barn board into this display, because well...I didn't want it to disappear yet. I love how the rustic wood and glitter look together.

I placed gold and silver Christmas balls into the apothecary jar and leaned a glittery deer silhouette canvas that I made one afternoon, against the chalkboard.

This little snowy scene in the jar is definitely one of my favourite parts of the mantle. Epsom salts and mini trees is all it took to put this cuteness together.

I wrote a line from one of my most well-played Christmas albums on the chalkboard. "Rejoice o world, your Saviour has come!"

And so Christmas begins in my house!