Keep it SIMPLE!

The past little while I have been thinking that I need to simplify my life and do only the things that are the most important. I'm going for that feeling like when you have your email in box totally full of so many messages and then you finally get it cleared out to just one or two important messages....ya that's the feeling I'm going for, but for my life and not just my in box (although that would be nice too!) I was looking for ideas on the internet and I came across these tips. Check it out here.
I just loved it, because it seems like it's this time of year that you start thinking about all the millions of things that you have to do, places to go, things to buy and all that, and then in January, you look back while you're setting those goals and think, what the heck was I doing. So this year, maybe I will try and follow these tips for simplifying and stay sane during the Holidays this year.


7 Tips for savoring the simplicity:

1. Plan ahead: I have my gift list bought before December begins. I buy a little throughout the year for extended family members and I depend on the items I buy after Christmas every year for small gifts (teachers, friends, Sunday School teachers, etc). I also make many of my gifts. (Every Friday in November, I'll be sharing some homemade gift ideas!)

2. Create a budget: Make your list and check it twice! If you commit to buy only three gifts for your children, stick to it. Don't impulse buy and don't use your credit card.

3. Plan birthdays/anniversary parties at the beginning of the month.

4. Be the Master of the calendar, not the slave: commit to things that you will enjoy! It's okay to say No.

5. Involve your kids in the decorating, wrapping, gift-making, and cleaning up of the aftermath. If there's a "kid's table" during holiday dinners, use brown paper as a table cloth, so they can draw place settings or turkeys. Use fun holiday kid-friendly plates too!

6. If your hosting a big family meal, it's okay to ask guests to help out. Delegate side dishes and desserts to willing guests. Don't try to do it all by yourself.

7. Be reflective with your family. Before you eat Thanksgiving dinner, share why you're thankful. At Christmas, remember what the day truly celebrates.

**Please let me know if you have any tips or have seen any cool tips on Keeping things simple. I would love to have you share them. (Not just for the Holidays either)