We’re a few days out from Christmas and it’s snowing this morning and cozy inside. It smells like a mix of OnGuard and frankincense that are diffusing, and a spicy candle. I’m thinking about the last minute things (always the stocking stuffers), and the food we’ll eat on Christmas. I’ve got to make some grocery lists. The food planning anchors me. I remembered to say happy anniversary to Steve (it’s today! And we never remember. One year–true story–my friend Ahnika texted me at the end of the day to say happy anniversary and it’s the only reason we remembered at all. Note to all future brides + grooms: getting married right before Christmas may be anti-climactic for celebrating in the years ahead! Also, throwback. It’s one of my most read posts and perhaps the least romantic anniversary post ever, but a good one nevertheless. And also–chapter 4 of our story!) Whether we make a thing of it or not, I love the man so much and he’s my best friend in the world. That’s the truth.
I hung mistletoe this year–a fun addition to my typical garlands. By the way, don’t look too closely at them. They are crispy. If you so much as brush them as you walk past, they crumble to the floor. The vacuum will be getting a work out in a few days’ time.
This is a gift Parker made us in school. It was all wrapped up and tied up with twine and he was so excited to give it to us and couldn’t wait till Christmas. I absolutely love it. 
Some of our Christmas cards. I love seeing these faces. Please, if you’re ever considering bagging the Christmas-cards-in-the-mail tradition, don’t! It’s the best. Both the sending and receiving is one of my favorite things of this time of year.
Our elf had some seriously creative endeavors earlier this month (fishing for goldfish in the sink was probably the best and not my original idea by any means). Since then, he’s been fairly lazy. Look at the bind he’s gotten himself in this time. (And here is my request: send ideas!)
Christmas is almost here! Let’s get wrapping!
Yes! Christmas cards – writing and receiving – are THE BEST part of Christmas 😉
Happy holidays to you and your family!
1. we got married on NYE – partially so we’d always have a reason to remember (and celebrate) our anniversary.
2. please, our mistletoe is plastic and from like 1968, at least you gave the real stuff a go…
3. handmade kid gifts – thebestthingever –
4. i’m impressed with the elf. i was lucky if ours moved every night (and one night it didn’t! gah!)
A friend of mine’s husband was on elf duty last night. She woke up to find the elf sitting, propped up by an open stick of deodorant propped underneath one of its arms. Never too young to learn a good lesson on hygiene? lol
Merry Christmas! Thank you for giving us the gift of your blog all year long!
Love some fresh greens at Christmas time! The smell of pine is the house is so festive! I made a border around the inside of our front door this year so guests can smell fresh pine as they walk in the house and I just love how it looks! Also recycling all the greens that survive the holiday for Joaquim’s 2nd bday party since we are doing a Lumberjack Breakfast theme 🙂 That Santa and snow globe! So cute! Is the snow globe homemade? Parker’s gift is adorable. What a cute idea, I may steal it for a wintertime activity. Yay for Christmas cards…although I am on the naughty list as mine are ready to go minus stamps for about a week now lol. Elf on the shelf ideas: Mini tea party with some toy animals, mini marshmallow bubble bath in a coffee mug, “Elf swing” made of a toilet paper roll and some butchers twine, glitter or sprinkle snow angels, and minion drawings on bananas with the elf holding the sharpie. ok this ends my super long comment. Happy Holidays to you and your family and happy anniversary to you and the husband!
Sending & receiving cards is one of my favorites too! Also, OnGuard & Frank for the win!!!
Ten years?? Happy anniversary!!!
I am going to steal your idea of throwing cards up on the wall with washi tape. I’ve been wondering what to do with mine.
I once had my daughter’s elf let all the “elf” cookies (the elf-shaped Keebler ones) “escape from the cookie jar. They stand up, so I had them walking across the kitchen island. Super easy and quick.
Some of my favorite elf tricks this year:
Changing the weekly menu to all sugary ideas like donuts and cookies;
Yoga, elf posed on a scrape of paper;
Looking responsible for the. Christmas cactus new blooms;
Lifting weights, q tips!;
And because my kids are older our elf also shook his booty in the entry window and set up a ‘snowball’ fight with whoppers near the cat little box. Gross but funny.