Simple Christmas Countdown {day 18}
Simplify 101 is a professional organizing business that specializes in online organizing workshops and I’m thrilled to welcome founder & co-author of The Organized + Inspired Scrapbooker Aby Garvey to the blog today! Simplify 101’s mission is to make getting organized fun! Get a taste of simplify 101—and the organized life—with their FREE, simple-to-follow guide How to Create a Command Central Binder. You’ll put together a home reference binder that will help you get organized, save time, and minimize paper clutter and the stress that comes along with it! Join us today as Aby discusses some useful strategies for keeping things simple this holiday season.
I was so excited when Rebecca asked me to contribute to the Simple Christmas Countdown because I’m all about keeping it simple—especially during the holidays. The holidays are a time of year when it’s easy to make things complicated. And yet, when we step back and think about what really matters at Christmas, it’s the simple stuff that makes it to the top of the list. Things like spending time with loved ones, enjoying a cup of hot cocoa with whipped cream on top, doing a simple craft project with the kiddos, making Christmas cookies (and not worrying that the kitchen is a huge mess), or just relaxing in front of a hot crackling fire, these are the things that make the holiday season special.
So how do you keep it simple and focus on what matters, when there’s that mile long holiday to-do list vying for your attention? Well, one thing I do is to create an inspiration statement for the season—something that reminds me what is most important. Here’s this year’s inspiration statement:
If you are filled with joy and peace this holiday season, it will affect everyone around you in a positive way. On the other hand, if you feel stressed and grouchy this season, it will affect everyone around you, too, but not in the way you’d like. If you make things overly complicated, or try to do too much, or try to do things perfectly, that’s when you get stressed out and maybe even grouchy. Right? But, if you focus on joy, it’s much easier to keep things simple and create a memorable and joyful holiday season for yourself and your loved ones.
Here’s how to put this thought process into action.
1. Decide to focus on your own joy first. Let it be okay to be happy, because it really is okay. I know you want your family to be happy, and you feel as if that should be your priority. But, remember this: You can’t giveaway what you don’t have. So to give your family joy you must first feel joyful yourself. Make “the best gift you can give your loved ones is your own joy and happiness” your mantra for the holiday season, and then, take a step back and readjust when you start to feel the stress sneak in. Refocus on keeping it simple and joyful, and just see what happens.
2. Create some simple reminders that will keep your decision to focus on joy top of mind, and then display these items around your home. This is a great time to pull out your craft supplies and make a little project or two. Here are some of the simple ways I remind myself to make joy my priority…so I can share this feeling with my family, friends and loved ones.
Cover wooden letters with favorite craft paper using decoupage medium.
Wrap up and display a small gift box to remind you to give your family the gift of your own joy this holiday season.
Alter an existing holiday item with the word joy. I added joy to this holiday plate using rub-on letters I already had at home. This is a super simple project that serves to remind me of what’s most important—during the holidays and all year long.
Thank you for these wonderful ideas Aby and the reminder to focus on the things that really matter this Christmas! For more useful tips and organizing strategies be sure to visit Aby’s blog!
Rebecca Cooper is a 42-year-old wife and mother of four from Alberta, Canada. As a photographer, crafter, author, and blogger, she finds joy and fulfillment in celebrating everyday moments. She loves to read and eat chocolate, and is a firm believer in afternoon naps. Rebecca shares her family’s adventures, photo tips, simple craft projects + more right here at Simple as That.
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Fabulous ideas and sentiments! Thank you for sharing! Happy holidays!
I love these ideas and to remind myself have put different forms of the word JOY in all the rooms. It really has helped to focus on the joy of the season and not the “perfect” holiday. I love that plate, where is it from? Thank you for sharing.
Thanks for the ideas.
Been feeling bogged down with scheduling problems and not being able to fully get the Christmas decorations up and here it is a little over a week away from Christmas. Decided last night that what is done is done and we don’t need it all up for us to share in and have the Christmas joy. xx