Toronto SAM
life and love in the City of Toronto
Friday, October 11, 2024
Friday Favourites
Thursday, October 10, 2024
Thankful
Reflecting on all of the blessings in our lives as we celebrate Thanksgiving this weekend.
Wednesday, October 9, 2024
Let's Look - How we prepare for the holiday season
At our house, we celebrate Thanksgiving (in Canada it's in October), Halloween, and then Christmas. Although the first two are important, they are really just one day events, so I don't consider the "holiday season" to start until late November, when we really start diving into Christmas.
If you've been reading for awhile, then you know my preferred method of making plans is by Google Doc, it's how I plan meals, trips, and birthday parties. Since Christmas is relatively the same each year, I can reuse my Google Doc.
The first thing that gets planned is the party we host each year, we invite neighbours, friends, and family, and I send out the invites right after Halloween. The format is roughly the same each year, so there isn't a lot of party specific preparations until the week before.
The next thing to plan is Christmas cards. We usually just take a photo ourselves and then I design the card on Shutterfly. This has to be done at the beginning of November to make sure they are returned in time for me to send out.
Our outdoor decorations usually get put up near the end of November. We always get a real tree so it can't go up for too long but it definitely needs to be up before our party.
After decorating, it is baking time. I usually do a lot of the baking for the party myself, with our moms making contributions as well.
Gifts are purchased throughout November and into December, and I usually have to mail a few out, so I need to plan the time for that. And then my goal is to get everything wrapped before Christmas Eve.
Other than a few set events, like Santa Brunch at the golf club, and the church nativity play, we just take things as they come - fitting in Christmas movies, more baking, and puzzle time in when we can.
I also should say I always spend a bit of time reflecting on the true meaning of Christmas. As Advent gets underway I will examine how I am feeling about the holidays that year - sometimes I am really excited, sometimes I am sad (remember 2020!), too rushed (last year when we were finishing up our renovation), and sometimes I'm just meh. I remind myself that no matter what I am feeling, Christmas will come even if all of the things aren't done. As much as we plan all of the parties, events, traditions, meals, etc. the real meaning of Christmas is much simpler than that.
Linking up with Shay and Erika.
Tuesday, October 8, 2024
Weekend Recap
Monday, October 7, 2024
Recent Amazon Buys
Friday, October 4, 2024
Friday Favourites