Merry Merry

Good Morning Heartfelt Followers- some of my favorite Christmas images to start off the day!

I want to hang in my room all year long.

How much do I wish I

was here right now

you ask?

J'adore.

Sweet Christmas

Wonder.

The Thought Cliché

When you're a broke romantic who adores Christmas, shopping is 2 parts heartfelt giddiness and 1 part gut-wrenching anxiety. While each dollar flies seemingly into the abyss, I find myself having to set an active mental reminder- it's all for a wonderful cause- choosing the perfect gift conveys to those special friends and family in my life just how grateful I am for them.

If you're like me, the pressure of knowingly having a year to plan for the season, yet feeling unprepared at its arrival, is inexcusable- I simply won't stand for it. However, trying to think of the perfect cadeaux du jour for quite a few people at once can be a little overwhelming.

Running to the mall to pick up any old rag of a skirt or top just isn't my style- I prefer the thought- and while the cliché has earned it's title, I believe the thought truly is what matters most. Even if I fail, even if in that one honest moment of reaction I see a glimmer of disappointment rather than thrill, I'll know I thought hard with all my might to hope it turned out differently- and to me, that's my gift. What I take most to heart is knowing those who chose to willingly trek into shopping madness with me in mind had all the intention of coming home with something I'd love- making the end result less important.

Not all feel this way, and that's alright. Because Christmas is something different and unique for each. Some choose to celebrate with church, others with Rudolph, some with lights and cocoa, others with a tree- whatever it takes to make your smile set.

To quote my sister as of yesterday "Shopping for you is so easy because I know I can just find something weird and you'll probably love it" thanks Kicker.

I say, do what makes you happiest, and appreciate those in your life you truly should shower with gratitude each and every day.

Committing to Christmas

Each year it feels more and more difficult to get into the holiday spirit. When young, we happily fall victim to the red and green grasp of Christmas. When old(er), the realities of commercialism and excess spending strike a more honest cord.

As followers might have recognized, I generally get excited for Christmas come, oh, August. I think of it's chill, it's white magic and the smile it so whimsically places on the faces of friends of family, and it brightens my spirit immediately.

The chill....this year I experienced the chill briefly when I was fortunate enough to go home to Oregon for Thanksgiving. The immediate need for jackets, scarves and hot chocolate warmed my heart and set my passion for the season aglow.

But now it's back to reality and in the flow of work's demand, it feels as if the 23rd is both all too close and not nearly soon enough. With little bought and my brain a-stormin', I feel the stress set in. All in all, not the most inviting landing pad for santa and his sleigh.

But like many things, often the joy must be created from within in order to appreciate the time that is upon us. Creating your own happiness, triggering your own holiday spirit. So that's why I made the decision, starting this past weekend- I committed to Christmas.