Holiday Moments, Memories and Magic
December 2, 2009 By 5 Comments
Let me set the stage for you….the lights are dim, you can smell gingerbread (as if I am baking – though I am not) and you hear:
“Juuuuuust hear those sleigh bells jingling….ring-ting-tingling too…..” If this was my childhood, the voices would be those of The Carpenters – and it would be on a record. Instead it it satellite radio and the voices change from Natalie Cole to Beyonce to Carrie Underwood.
We are decorating for Christmas. I love all things to do with this holiday. It is a sensory experience – I love the sight of holiday lights, the smells of gingerbread, cinnamon and evergreen, the music and laughter that highlights my memories and whips me swiftly down memory lane. It is those same memories that provide the soundtrack path for the moments I want to create with my family.
I have come full circle. I used to tuck under my dad’s arm on Christmas Eve while he read Twas the Night Before Christmas. I now watch my husband intone the deep, ‘Ho, Ho, Ho’ that accompanies the story. I used to wake at 4am, only to stare mournfully at the clock, counting as the minutes ticked by to the time I was allowed to wake my parents – 7am. Now, I am jostled awake (at 6am, mind you) by the small people as the Christmas twinkle in their eyes lights my darkened room.
And I love it.
I love my home at Christmas time. I love the joy of counting down the days. I love that we have committed to a Christmas Change this year – spending less and giving more. I love knowing that my kids, like my brother and I, will fight over who gets to put Baby Jesus in the Manger on Christmas Morning.
I love that I will lock eyes with my husband at the end of the day – knowing we have given our children the most amazing Christmas gifts – ones that they will remember long after the wrapping paper is tossed – moments, memories and magic.
Create Beautiful Holiday Memories
November 26, 2009 By 1 Comment
There are exactly thirty-three days left until Christmas….
That is thirty-three days to bake, shop, and decorate.
Thirty-three days left to create memories and even less time to capture some of those beautiful memories and turn them into better-than-chocolate gifts.
Every year, I ask my parents and my in-laws, “What do you want for Christmas?” and while they always give me a few small ideas – I know what they are REALLY thinking – anything memorable that focuses on their grandchildren. They want pictures and calendars, ornaments and hand-made gifts.
The gifts that always get the most ‘oooohhhs’ and ‘aaahhhhs’ are the most creative.
But, maybe – just maybe, you don’t consider yourself creative? Or maybe you are looking for additional inspiration.
I have found the Creative Memories Project Center can snap me out of a Creative Brain Freeze in absolutely no time at all. There are ideas for holiday cards, ornaments, and wonderful, memorable gifts. You can even find suggestions for ways to spice up holiday parties with snazzy place cards.
There are two separate design teams at Creative Memories – one working on Traditional Project ideas and the other focuses on Digital creativity.
Every single day there is a new idea on the Creative Memories site. And what I love most? You don’t have to be a professional at scrap booking to find inspiration. (Not to mention – there is an entire section dedicated to down-loadable ‘freebies’ that can easily motivate you to create the most memorable gift yet!)
And even better – enter to win a Creative Memories Prize Pack!
This post is a part of the Creative Memories–Blissful Media campaign. This post is sponsored but as always my opinions are not.
