Yesterday I posted about not losing your joy during the holiday season.
Check it out, if you haven’t already. Then come back and tell me how you plan to reignite your joy this holiday season?
We all know the real reason we are celebrating … and it’s so important to keep that focus.
In the meantime, The Hip Hostess is generously giving away ANOTHER beautiful red Sheath Style apron here on RE! From her Merri Mixer Collection! (gasp! are those my new wood floors?)
COMMENT
How do you plan to remain joyous in the next couple of weeks?
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Do one of the above and get 2 chances to win (let me know).
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You’ll find out who wins on Friday, 12/18!
GILDA’S CLUB
Every time a Merri Mixers apron is purchased a donation will be made to Gilda’s Club Metro Detroit. And Debbie informed me that the actual Sheath Style apron that I’m wearing in the photos was the first donation The Hip Hostess made to this cause (very dear to her heart, and for those of you who know me, very dear to my heart – losing my mom to ovarian cancer!)
Here’s a bit about Gilda’s Club: Gilda’s Club is a network of affiliate clubhouses where men, women and children living with cancer, as well as their friends and families, meet to learn how to live with cancer, whatever the outcome.
Thank you, Debbie! I can’t wait to read the comments. And I hope for the discouraged person out there, you will gain some encouragement from the comments of this giveaway!
Good Luck, Ladies! And you’ll get this just in time for Christmas!
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I try to keep myself upbeat and positive by decorating the house and tree, burning peppermint or pine candles, baking Christmas treats, sending cards to friends and family, singing Jingle Bells at the top of my lungs with my daughter (pity the neighbors lol) and watching Christmas themed movies!
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tweeted http://twitter.com/micaela6955/status/6713641781
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I have found a great deal of joy for the holidays this year. We have a new life up here in the North Country of Michigan and we love every bit of it. I have limited myself to only buying local and handmade for gift giving this year and I must say I think they are the best gifts ever! My family is healthy and happy, we are so truly blessed. Now would it be too much to ask for a Grand baby for 2010? Just saying.
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I read your post earlier today, and I have thought about it a number of different times. Here are my answers:
I limited my decorating this year – used less!
Simplified my baking – only made 2 different cookies. (In fact I made the cookie dough a while ago, then froze it in ball sized cookies for easier baking.)
I also have my “to do” list for this week. I’m trying to spread out my tasks.
With all this said, I still find myself saying, “I need to start earlier next year.”
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I plan on eating lots of cookies to remain joyous!
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I will take deep breaths – enjoy my childern.
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About to go follow you on Facebook!! Love your site
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Wow, that floor is amazing! The apron’s okay I guess…
I will remain joyous by making time for my favorite hobby : scrapbooking.
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Keeping it simple…making a list…taking one day at a time!
merry Christmas my dear bloggy friend!
Sandy Toe
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Keeping it so simple, not focusing on the gift buying but instead the time we spend together. And I would be really joyful in that apron!
It’s almost as beautiful as your wood floors!
Merry Christmas Sandy
Love, Peggy
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What a perfect time to read this…I’m sitting here with paper and my calendar trying to make lists for the next few weeks! Parties, company, Christmas shopping and grocery shopping, and we just returned from vacation. It can quickly sap the joy, but I have decided to keep things simple and not worry. To keep in mind and in sight the real reason we celebrate.
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Mostly by being organised so there’s no last minute running to the shops and stressing out over where things are and if there’s enough food and all the presents are bought.
Secondly by listening to lots of loud Christmas music and dancing around the house!
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This year, I am cutting back on my Christmas baking – it will save me time, money and calories! I have realized that we are overwhelmed with “goodies” at this time of year and they are appreciated more at other times of the year.
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Just trying to Keep Calm and Carry On!
LOL! I love that saying but that is what I’m trying to do. I tell myself I’m going to have a great day no matter what. (that’s hard since I tend to get easily depressed)
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I’m going to keep the list of day-to-day stuff simpler this year: write them down in case I forget. Then, discover the “cheer” throughout the day in music, scents, and lots of picture taking. When the evening draws near, reflect with family on all the joys we have found in our day.
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hmmm … to be completely honest the only way I can muster up even an ounce of joy when spending Christmas with my in-laws is otherwise-known-as liquid courage, but for this instance I will just call it liquid joy! I indulge in champagne, wine, vodka … normally I almost never drink, but it is much easier to have a smile on my face with a drink in my hand. Makes that family holiday party with my Mother-in-law and her 9 sisters, 3 brothers and a hoard of cousins tolerable.
But when my Husband and I spend Christmas alone here in Brooklyn nothing is more joyous then cuddling together on the sofa Christmas Eve watching National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation & eating fancy popcorn!
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I am planning on taking vacation time between Christmas and New Years, then I will be able to “relax” and enjoy my family and friends.
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I was feeling rather blue this holiday (partially because my brother has been laid off for a few months now and my sister was laid off on the 10th) so to bring back the joy for the holiday, my daughter and I picked up Josh Groban’s Christmas album. There is nothing like listening to his voice singing O Holy Night to put it in perspective. Happy holidays to you and your family!! Oh and I am not a Twitter follower!!!
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My family listens to a lot of holiday music…even thru our satellite TV provider. It is much eaiser to have a smile on your face when you have a song in your heart. We keep decorating simple…definitely not stressful. We focus on the giving and THE Giver, not on the presents we receive. Thank you!
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My husband and I are excited about participating in our church’s version of The Advent Conspiracy. http://www.adventconspiracy.org It’s a campaign to “restore the scandal of Christmas by substituting compassion for consumption.” It encourages Christians to buy less and give more. Specifically the program builds wells to provide clean water to millions around the world.
We did however let a little bit o’ crazy sneak in while making baked goods for family and friends. So…we’ve reduced our list, sending cards instead of candy, and we’ve rediscovered our peace. (and joy!)
Love the apron and your blog is a sweet source of inspiration.
xoxo
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I’m going to try to slow down and just do the next thing until it gets done….
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I just try to enjoy my kiddos. Bake cookies with them, decorate with them, watch them reenact all the Christmas stories they know. They find such joy all the time, especially this time of year. I just try to look through their eyes every once in a while to see the world all bright and shiny and new.
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I just keep looking at the pictures of the children in my life.
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I am trying to remain joyous by letting the kids play and make my holidays festive…I have let them decorate the tree, help decorate the house, make the cookies, etc. I am trying to make it all about their experience, because when they are happy, I am happy too! I am also trying to appreciate the time and sit down (which I never do) and enjoy the moments….and that includes listening to The Chipmunks Holiday CD over and over and over!
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I plan on remaining joyous by choosing happiness in each moment! There are so many opportunities this season where it would be easy to fall into overwhelm, or not good enough, or just plain worn out… I’m choosing to breathe in all the scents, stay in my exercise practice because I know that it is the key to maintaining grace in my body, and take the time to really connect with those close to me. I’m taking a trip with my kids to the beach… fairly non-traditional, but a great opportunity to just BE with each other… Something in the course of everyday life that sometimes can be elusive. The bottom line for me is that Christmas time is a great opportunity to focus on the light and on the love that God gives us every single day. I wish you all many wonderful and peaceful moments and a new year that is filled with wonder.
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Keeping it so simple, not focusing on the gift buying but instead the time we spend together. Winning that beautiful apron would bring true joy! Thank you for the chance to win.
Merry Christmas
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I am going to remain joyous because I am done! I have finished all of the shopping, wrapping, etc and we are headed to Oklahoma on SAturday. Then, we get to surprise our kids with a ski trip the day after Christmas. I have much to be joyous about!
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Staying joyous by remembering reason for the season. Past Christmases I have felt overwhelmed by trying to do it all. This year, I will try to do less and enjoy more.
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I am also trying to keep our holiday activities realistic. We are cutting back on spending money but spending more time with friends and family. I would love to win that wonderful apron and wear it for my next dinner gathering.
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I can’t NOT be joyous with 2 new additions (8 mth old twins) to our house this Christmas! With their big bro and big sis, it’s pure joy to watch their faces every day. We are cooking fools (my 4 year old refers to herself as my “sous chef”) and a new apron would be awesome!!
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My grandparents just moved to a nursing home – while it’s a sad time for our family – we still rejoice that we get to spend the holidays with them.
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Oh my how I love my aprons and look at that it matches the new Candy Apple Red Mixer I just won off the Pioneer Woman site…woohoo! I’m definitely rejoicing about that!!!!
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I will continue to keeping finding joy in my family. They are healthy, we are content, we will serve and we are in love with each other! How can a girl not be joyous!
My husband would find joy in me looking sassy in the kitchen in a pretty red apron too!
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Christmas candles and a few logs glowing brightly in the fireplace seem to hit the spot after a long day at the mall or doing activities with kids! There is something about the Christmas-y smell and the warmpth of the fire that bring joy to any stressful holiday afternoon!!!
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It’s hard to get into the joy of Christmas sometimes when you’re so far away from family. I love in Okinawa, Japan and needless to say, it’s rarely cold here. Decorating for Christmas has definitely put me in the Christmas spirit when there’s no snow or even temperatures to warrant wearing scarves. I mean who can resist shiny red glass balls and glowing candles?!? We plan on sharing the cooking this year with many friends and are having progressive dinners for Christmas Eve, Christmas and the day after for my husband’s birthday. It’ll be merry, for sure.
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I’m a follower, too.
)
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JOY – I have only recently found life of “blogs” and the many wonderful ideas of so many creative people. I am trying to use some of these ideas to simplify my gift-giving by making more. I also try to put a small note in the cards I send out that is personalized to the person receiving it. I enjoy reading holiday books and watching holiday movies. One thing that really “ignites my joy” is when I bring out our ornaments for our tree. We have alot of homemade and family ornaments and when I look at them I get sentimental remembering pasts Christmases and times when I was younger and my children were younger. Another thing I like to do is look at Christmas cookbooks, magazines, and websites to see get ideas. A really good magazine I found a couple of years ago is Life Beautiful! Merry Christmas! Kim
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Sometimes it’s hard to keep the joy when I’m in the middle of 100 items on my to-do list. But, I keep the Christmas music playing…especially my old favorites. I also realize that when I’m in the midst of the crazyness and utter chaos that for the moment I’ve lost the focus on the True Reason for this Season and then I scratch things off of the to-do list that really aren’t as important. Thanks for the giveaway! The apron is adorable!
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I just started following you on Twitter too
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I’ve planned a trip just for the four of us, out of town, we need to be as a family without the stress from work and blogging
yes I know, i’m a little stressed out. Anyway, I want my family to be joyful for Christmas, celebrate the birth of Baby Jesus, spend time with family, creating new traditions and after that we are going out of town for two days! fun
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I’m a follower my friend!
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I love being in the kitchen with my girls, they are 6 and 8 years old and love to bake with me. It is so much fun to listen to Alvin and the Chipmunks Christmas cd while we make yummy Christmas goodies. I can get a little edgy during the holidays, I always remind myself that we are making memories together, not to worry about the mess. We have a little tradition of baking a special cake for baby Jesus, so we are already talking about the one we will make this year.
My girls each have personalized aprons that Grandma got for them, but I could use a new ‘hip’ apron. : ) Merry Christmas!
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Listening to Christmas songs and baking goodies helps me keep the joy in Christmas along with attending the Kids mass at our church! Would love be entered in the giveaway.
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Nothing helps keep a spirit of joy like finding ways to serve others…even putting away someone’s wet boots, picking up a backpack, helping find a toy. We are working on this with our kids and they draw a name each week of someone they “secretly” serve in our family.
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