The Countdown's Begun...

Happy December 1st!

I think turning the page on this last month of the year is always exciting, because December has so much going on.  Years ago, when the boys were young, I had a "Countdown to Christmas" calendar with 24 pockets-one for each day of the month through Christmas Eve.  It had a little mouse that you moved from pocket to pocket to count down the days until Santa came.

Every year in late November Hubby Tony and I would collaborate and figure out what things we wanted to do as a family in December.  I wrote them on strips of paper, then stuffed each pocket with an activity of the day that would help us get ready for Christmas.  Some things were crafty, some involved cooking, and some were special activities.  Each year we'd revisit our favorites, get rid of the ones that hadn't worked, and add a few new ones to the mix.  When the boys were young,  they took turns getting out the day's slip of paper. Woe to him who did it out of turn!  However, as they got older they lost interest.  It's been quite a few years since I've hung the calendar on the wall in the kitchen.

But I still like the concept of spreading out the holiday activities.  I started the month today by getting out my bag of Christmas clothes and jewelry.  I don't get carried away with the stuff, but I enjoy spicing my everyday wardrobe up with holiday touches.  I hung the two sweatshirts (one red with gingerbread houses and one green with a big stocking on the front) and a green tee shirt with beaded snowflakes in the closet, put several pairs of socks in the drawer, and put the jewelry where it will be easy to get to.  I'll need it soon; I have my first holiday engagement over the weekend!