Oh yes indeed, I have.
Christmas is always such a beautiful time of year to me, but I can also relate to those who have a tough time around the holidays. The days are shorter, the nighttime arrives sooner; memories of those that aren't with us any longer, tug at my heart... Deep sigh for the tugging and missing part... I stumble through the holidays at times, easing my way into finding my balance, without those who helped me grow. I take many of the days in December to reflect; attract stillness and to visit those who don't get out much.
Simple and beautiful rings in my heart for December.
Gift idea for the person who has everything* a donation in their name to St. Judes Children's Hospital. That's what's up!
The weather has been especially glorious, in these parts. I can't tell you when the last time, we went christmas shopping in small jackets, with the sun shinning. We shopped at the sweetest of street fairs and bought gifts of canned jams, pickles, bricks of cheeses and smoked meats. I love that the farmers brought their goods to the city.
Yes mam!
I found some lovely books from the indie bookshop sellers. I dig that.
Gift idea for the cook/someone you adore* In a box I will place, a beautiful cookbook, a container of honeycombs, and a glorious wedge of stilton cheese. Swoon!
I stood in the tree farm and allowed the sun to warm me. Sure did. I must have gotten too relaxed because, (once again this year ) the boys picked out a Charlie Brown Christmas tree. That's okay, we will love it immensely. And decorate the hell out of all four branches. Kidding~ not really. : ) Eh naw!
Gift idea for a family* fill a gift bag with a pizza pan, pizza dough, a jar of simple pizza sauce and a good classic movie or book.
Gift idea for the fashionista* Shh... my teenage fashion queen, will get "The Satorialist" book, by Scott Schuman~ (Double Bliss!) and a funky but fashionable scarf. Bliss!
Okay, hold your two fingers up (in the peace sign way) and repeat after me. I will not stress myself out~ i will find simple beauty in the season. : ) xo
So the last of my loved filled boxes, will go out Saturday. I found the most adorable little gift on Saturday (for you) and I would love to send it your way. Please leave a comment on this post, and one of the teenagers over here, will draw a name tomorrow.Okay, hold your two fingers up (in the peace sign way) and repeat after me. I will not stress myself out~ i will find simple beauty in the season. : ) xo
Peace~
52 ladlefuls of love:
I am holding my two fingers up! Breath and promise! LOL
Christina, each time I don't think it can get more beautiful here it does.
I have lurked for a while and sigh I love it here.
More gift ideas please. May I ask what cookbook you put in that box? I am thinking got give my mom this very gift. That's heaven in a box.
Oh, Christina, I love your gift ideas! (I *have* to use that honeycomb and stilton plus cookbook idea.) But more than the gift ideas, I appreciate your gentle acceptance of what is, Charlie Brown tree and all, and your down-to-earth kindness and humor.
I will not stress myself out. I will find simple beauty in the season :)
PS: Sorry about my english and because I won something on Susans blog. Please pass my chance to another lucky one.
Absolutely great gift ideas! (Beautiful blog, as well:) )
Love the gift ideas, the family gift is just perfect for my terrific neighbors. I am glad to see someone else ends up with the standard charlie brown tree. LOL everyone always has a chuckle at ours, and every year I say "this is the best tree yet"!!!@ be well.
Ps. simple and beautiful is our theme this year. My oldest son is calling it the imaginary Christmas. Gifts only for the youngest, and we are going to spend more time with each other, with delicious food, drinks and hopefully lots of laughs.
The pizza and sauce idea!!!!!! OMG! That is what I am going to give to my neighbors across the street!
Christina you should make a holiday gift list for your blog! Oh my! Great ideas!!
Thank you!
I will not stress myself out. I will find simple beauty in the season.
Beautiful post today. I love the simple header too...so gorgeous. Your blog is a beautiful break in my day. Thank you :)
Lovely post! Many of my gifts are homemade, some are gift donations and the rest from small stores or Etsy.
I do not stress at Christmas. I have always enjoyed it with child-like awe and a sense of humor. Now I am a grandmother but it still has the same wonder for me. Today we visited an alpaca farm with a shop and found some treasures.
But, you are so right about the missing part. The older you get...the more loved ones there are to miss.
I like the way you shop, too!
Christina--you are the second person today who said they got a Charlie Brown Christmas tree this year. I had one for years!! (A 4 ft tall Austrian Pine in a pot with a lot of space between the branches--we loaded that baby up!!) It never grew! We loved that tree for about 6 years...
This year we are continuing the tradition of decking our ficus benjamina (it actually still has a few ornaments from last year---hahaha)
Can you please hold up two fingers with me and say "she will not stress her ass out this year?) I'm ramping it up something good....deeep breath.
and btw--your gift ideas are awesome!!
i thought of you as i was listening to martha stewart radio over the weekend. so many people were calling in and saying a collection of family recipes is the best gift ever for a cook. it can be as simple as taking your recipes and photocopying them and placing them into a photoalbum (easy bought at the dollar store). i think yours would be wonderful.
for a photographer? a basket with a new lenscloth (who doesn't need a new one), maybe a cute book of some sort related to it, and survival gear (a pocket knife, spare batteries for the flash, a camera rain bag, a cute strap - are several ideas)
Oh thank you! I'm passing your link on to some of those who aren't quite in the Spirit of the season yet--they feel it is too commercial. You are a gem!
ChristineRHP* LOL You cracking me up! : ) I'm holding my fingers up!
Christina your new seasonal header is gorgeous, I love those red, red berries. Great gift ideas I always love making up a basket of goodies for someone so much fun to get all these little things that go together. Last year we were in London for Christmas and it was minus 3 most days, this year at home we will probably be in the 100's oohh I love the cold so much better. Enjoy the season and remember the reason.
Such wonderful gift ideas. I love the donation.
You're so sweet.
What lovely, thoughtful gift ideas. I will try to keep the holiday stress free, a job difficult to do.
I'm not here for the giveaway, although I wouldn't turn it down if I won.
I'm here via a comment left on my blog and I wanted to tell you that your ideas here are wonderful!
It made me happy just to read them all.
ohh I love your gift ideas!! Now I am incredibly anxious for the holidays...
Hope all is well!
Love your new banner. Love it. As for the tree, I am a bit partial to those Charlie Browns myself - the better to show off my lovely old ornaments. And I am always listening for the angels.
:) Debi
"I will find simple beauty in the season." And I will just keep repeating that to myself. :) Love all your gift ideas -- they sound wonderful!
I love your holiday header and I love your Christmas spirit, sweet one. xoxo
I love this. Yes it is about enjoying the season, and not being stressed.
Oooohhh, please show us a picture of your Charlie Brown Tree! PLEEEASE!
I love your new header, too.
Ah, the season of peace...I do promise to enjoy and NOT stress.
♥
S
Christine, these are beautiful gift ideas. I am loving the season even more after reading your post.
Your gift ideas are wonderful and that doesn't surprise me one bit! Such fun, and so much love
Christina, what wonderful gift ideas, and I love putting together special combinations from the heart! This time of year is so filled with warmth and emotion I love it all!
Christina, what a lovely post! I have been missing people too this year, so I know what you mean. I love the ideas and peace to you too. I keep checking my mailbox, maybe the postman ran into a polar bear, lol. Take care, enjoy the season.Oh I love the new header, very nice.
Love your gift ideas! I have already promised myself, no stress..just joy. No more racing to the holidays.
I'm having a give-away, too. Please stop by for a chance to win one of my watercolor prints. I'm drawing a name on Friday.
Double bliss to you for a wonderful week!
I love your new header! So pretty. Since I was a kid I've always loved Christmas. But over the past couple of years, the economy has kicked it to me good, so I'm trying to appreciate the simple things. But I'm still doing a bit of daydreaming too. ; )
I read this just in time. As I type, I'm up to my elbows in Christmas cards I'm trying to get written and posted off. Okay Jane, breathe and reboot. Happy Holidays, remember?
Thanks Christina!
My two fingers are up - promising not to stress.
Two fingers on my other hand are crossed - wishing to win your goodies. Take care, sweet friend.
"I will not stress myself out~ i will find simple beauty in the season"
thank you ♥
You smart Jamaican chick. Love dat.
Great gift ideas too....!!! xoxo
Two fingers up indeed, I will find my way through this season peacefully with good souls like yours to guide me!
I also have a little post-Christmas trip to look forward to, with my brother and J ;)
I'm doing fine, thank you! Reading your posts is like a little oasis in the day. They help me breathe a bit deeper and settle down for the evening--kind of like putting on a pair of nice, cozy, warm socks. Mmnn...
Our Christmas tree has been a skinny, artificial, little woodland tree for the past couple of years. Simply a question of economics these days, but we love it anyway.
I love your family gift idea!
Dear Christina,
Your post is a breath of fresh air. Little did you know...I am in need of this breath right now. Thank you.
Denise
this Christmas is about being simple and loving it! thank you for inspiring me to be my best(in my soul). lots of love!
you just shine with joy and magic. your blog looks so beautiful....thinking of you~
you are a blessed beautiful soul, my friend.
Lots of good advice here . . .
Christmas has an undertow of sadness for a lot of people, I think, but we all replenished by simple, thoughtful gifts.
Making the Christmas peace sign; and I'm off to make my wreath!
LOVE the news, simple banner, Christina... and your keep it simple, keep it beautiful advice. Just this morning I was doing a little meditation/mantra...all will be well for Christmas. A little pep-talk to myself that the to-list will get done and with grace. Thank you for these lovely ideas. Enjoy as you make ready for the holidays. :o) ((HUGS))
Chrstiana, I would love to win...and I'm definitely stealing your fashionista idea :)
Thanks for putting me in the spirit of the season. Bless
i have loved the sartorialist for a long time. i often dream over his fashion photos thinking about my own style.
Love it and love you for all your great gift ideas !
i join you in the merriness of Christmas coming soon...
a big hug to you, sweet Christina..
xoxo
ps : ok, i'll try not to stress out but..but..i always find million of things to do !
So nice of your to share your gift ideas with us - hope those who will receive them do not read this post!
it is good to have voices who encourage us to find the beauty in the season and to be...thank you
Thank you for this, so perfect....peace to you as well.
What I wouldnt do for a smidge of your grace...
stay at peace, Lady
Wonderful ideas Christina...as always!
Blessings to you!
Oh, did I miss this giveaway? Wonderful gift ideas--really must think about some of these.
This year is all about simplicity for the season. It's a mixed bad this year missing my friend who has passed on.
Oh how I absolutely adore your gift ideas. Have you got any ideas for babies? I have two sweet little girl babies to buy for and I want to give them something simple but very special.
I LOVE the idea of a box with a cookbook and honeycombs (where can I find those, I wonder? That sounds so wonderful!) and cheese.
You are so very lovely Christina.
xo
Post a Comment