Tag: Christmas list

My Christmas List is Almost Complete

Today, I have one item left to do on my Christmas List. Today, the other gifts arrived for my grandchildren. They are wrapped and under the tree, ready for delivery.

I finished decorating the gingerbread houses. I am pleased with their appearance. This year I used fondant on the roofs. I used fondant frosting for the first time this summer, when I made a birthday cake for my granddaughter, with the help of my grandson. I enjoyed the look and working with fondant this summer. So, I used what was left over to decorate the roofs of the gingerbread houses. I also used fondant to make a snowman. Did you see him? I will definately be experimenting with fondant next year and next Christmas.

I have a few other ideas on decorating next year’s gingerbread houses. Yes, my creative mind is thinking a whole year ahead. This summer, when my grandson was visiting, as per his request, we watched baking shows and baking challenges. These baking shows inspired us on making a birthday cake. He is still fond of baking shows, only his brothers do not like to watch them. It was nice talking about my ideas for next year’s gingerbread houses with him.

The Christmas cookies are baked. I made M&M cookies using red and green M&M for the season. My base recipe is from Nestle’s Toll House Chocolate Cookies, I substitute the M&M for the chocolate chips.

There is only one item left, the Church Windows. Another name is no-bake stained glass window candies, if someone wanted to search the internet. I have a few different substitutions and ingredients than the recipes I found on the internet. But I am sure which every recipe is used, they will taste delicious. Tomorrow the Church Windows, then we are ready for Christmas.

This year, our plans have changed. My husband and I will be celebrating as a couple. My daughter and her husband are sick, and they requested we stay home. It is nothing for my husband and I to celebrate as a couple. We have been doing so for most of our married life. We will deliver the Christmas gifts on or after the New Year. Most years we have had the family gathering after New Year’s Day, when others were able to come.

For Christmas Eve, I will be making a pot of green chilli. We will have frito pies, nachos or just a bowl of chilli. There will be other items such as some finger foods, a relish tray and deviled eggs. We will snack and watch Christmas movies, until my husband is too tired and we retire to be about 9:00 pm.

Christmas Day, I will fix cornish game hens, stuffing, green beans and crescents. Dessert will be butternut squash pie, cookies, or whatever. Maybe a bowl of ice cream.

amtolle

Made a List, Checking it Twice

I am a list person. I get more things done by making a list of things to do the night before. The list keeps me focused on what I prioritized to be done the next day. I am a person, I will be working on something, then go to get a tool or put an item away and see another things that needs to be done, and start working on that task and not finish the one I was working on first. A list keeps me from starting a lot of projects and finishing none. I also make a list when it comes to celebrating a holiday or preparing for a visit. My list for Christmas is almost complete.

Decorate tree – done

Decorate inside of house – done

Send Christmas Cards – done

Bake cinnamon rolls – done

Bake cookies – on the to do list

Make Church Windows – on the to do list

Buy Christmas Presents – done

Wrap Christmas Presents – almost done, waiting for one more delivery.

Decorate gingerbread houses – half done.

My list for Christmas 2022 is almost done. All that is left to do is the fun things, cooking and decorating cookies and gingerbread houses. One of my favorite interests is cooking, baking and decorating cookies and cakes. I get joy out of the presentation of the food I prepare and cook, as well as the taste.

This year, I made a conscious effort to enjoy each task on my list. I want to savor the moments of this Christmas. A couple of months back, I did some reflection on Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations and realized I was busy doing the decorating and preparing for the holidays, but not savoring the individual moments. This year I decorated slower, took my time and enjoyed each part of the process. Tonight I wrapped all the gifts for my husband and my daughter’s family. I took special time and creative effort with this year’s wrapping and presentation of each gift.

It is so very easy to fall into being so busy, working at a fast pace to get everything done and go to every Christmas event – we forget to enjoy and savor each activity. Slow down, breathe and savor the moments that make Christmas 2022. There will be only one Christmas 2022. Next year we will celebrate Christmas 2023.

This year I made a smaller list of tasks to complete for Christmas 2023. I did not decorate the outside of the house, as I did not have time due to working on some other projects with my husband. There is still time to adjust your list of tasks you want to complete to allow you time to enjoy the moments of celebrating the holiday, instead of hurrying through the holiday season.

amtolle