Savoring the Season

I look forward to the Christmas season all year. Not only is it a fun and bustling season at Homebody, but I love the cozy and nostalgic feelings that Christmas brings at home.

I ended last year feeling a little disappointed about how Christmas felt. It was my first Christmas season as a Mom and I thought that would make it all even more magical. While watching my little 8 month old "open" presents on Christmas morning was something I'll never forget, having a baby made the Christmas season even more busy. I remember last minute shopping, panic wrapping, and completely forgetting to put labels on the wrapped gifts (oops!) 

Now with another year of being a mom under my belt, I'm ready to approach this season differently. I'm shopping early, staying organized with a checklist, and definitely remembering to label my gifts! 

Now that Charlotte is settled into a sleep routine, I've been going to bed earlier and waking up an hour before she does. I know this might sound crazy to the already sleep deprived parents out there, so I will admit that I'm naturally a morning person. But I've come to love having the house to myself for that first quiet hour. I make a cup of tea and check a few things off my list before the day even starts. Now I'm just dreaming of mornings with the Christmas tree lights twinkling in the background...

I've already used these mornings to order my Christmas cards, work on my menu for hosting Christmas Eve, and order some fun personalized gifts. 

TIP: If you decide to give the early morning a try, promise yourself that you'll try it for a week before giving up.  The first couple days may feel hard but it gets easier. You just might start to crave it!