It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

Decorations are appearing throughout the house, one by one. I have to admit that I jump started the Christmas decorating a little sooner than my in-laws are used to (well, except for Steve, who encountered my Christmas obsession last year). But after days of begging, the big tree is up, with most presents already wrapped and nestled underneath. I've been baking cookies on [at least] a biweekly basis since Thanksgiving, and I've bought a multitude of pine-y candles to help the the season permeate all the senses. The weather is still reminiscent of October in Pennsylvania, but the frosts have begun so it seems a little more wintry than in recent weeks.

I'm pining (pun intended) for my mother's "Merry Freakin' Christmasland," which involves a level and quantity of decorations that turns an entire home into what could easily be mistaken for Santa's workshop (she has an entire ROOM in the basement dedicated to storing Christmas decorations), but I'm also thankful for the little touches of home that I have here with me, and the promise of making new traditions and decorating our own home in the Christmases to come.

In other news, I'm actually really excited for the post-Christmas clearance sales, so that we can begin to stock up on pretty things to adorn our home with next year (you know, when we actually have our own place again). I can't believe I'm already looking forward to next year. I mean, what happened to living in the present? Speaking of presents... heading to a Christmas market today to really get festive and pick up some little last bits and stocking stuffers. I really hope the weather cooperates so that we can go ice skating!

Disappearing Gifts

Doesn't sound too appealing, does it? But hear me out.

I actually had this idea while watching Barefoot Contessa (because I have a dream that I'll someday be Ina Garten). She simply pointed out that sometimes it's difficult to buy for people who have everything (read: money) so the best gifts are disappearing ones.

What is a disappearing gift, you ask? Well, by Ina's definition, it is a gift that is used up in one sitting. Examples: movie or theater tickets, Groupons, baked goods, wine, activities - anything that is used promptly, and disappears. I love this concept because, let's face it, Christmas shopping can get really expensive. But these disappearing gifts can seem even more thoughful (and can help to avoid amassing mountains of cheap crap in your home). Clutterbugs be gone! Especially under tight budget constraints, I think that this idea works wonders, since it can be adapted in so many different ways.

As a college student, when money was obviously tight, I often made my parents a gift basket of wine and snacks and sweets that they couldn't buy where they live. It was a simple, thoughtful gift that took into consideration their love of food and wine, and my advantage of living in a big city (Thank you, Trader Joe's). My grandmother often baked enormous batches of her famous cookies, and gave each family member a tin. A favorite aunt makes homemade Bailey's and distributes mason jars to family members each year (which I will sorely miss now that I am 3000 miles away! Save me some if you're reading this!)

Anyone trying out disappearing gifts this year, or have any recommendations, post in the comments below!!

All images found on Pinterest

Chill in the Air

It officially feels like autumn is coming to a close. November seemed to be picture perfect, and we took that opportunity to enjoy the foliage and all that nature had to offer before the frost rolled in. Now we're switching to heavier bedding, bundling up to go outside, and counting down the days on Advent calendars until Christmas arrives. Where did the time go? Life is seeming more and more like a roll of toilet paper; the closer to the end you get, the faster it moves (Life lessons from unlikely source).

In all seriousness, my birthday came and went at the end of last month and I can't believe a year has passed at what seems like record speed. Hence, I have a pre-new-year resolution: my goal for the remainder of December is to take in as much of every day as I possibly can. It's just all flying by too quickly, it seems. And I'd like to stop and smell the frosty flowers before they melt away.