Do One Thing

Back when I started this blog a few weeks ago I mentioned the importance of just doing one thing. If you follow Pinterest or craft and homemaking blogs, you've seen they are flooded with elaborate decorations, gifts, food and crafts to make for the holidays. What I figure is that the people who have time to do all that either run full speed night and day, have no life or just aren't human. 

For me, if I can't buy it at the dollar store, I don't need it. Okay, not really. But close. The best part of holidays is shared memories and time together. If those two things involve making crafts, decorating or cooking and baking, fine. But if it's not fun, then why do it? If every project turns into a family feud, you probably need to re evaluate those projects.

Don't try to do it all. You don't really need to make wrapping paper when you can get it at the dollar store. The packages don't have to look professionally wrapped. Use a gift bag (dollar store again) and save stress. 

If you want to bake cookies from scratch, help yourself. But it's easier to buy the ready-to-bake cookies and let the kids decorate them.

Don't try to do it all. Do one thing and have fun at it.

Which one can you do this week?

• Bake cookies and decorate them. Give half to someone else.
• Read a Thanksgiving or Christmas picture book--even if your kids are older.
• Build a nativity scene from graham crackers. (On my list to do)
• Make turkeys from cupcakes for place settings for Thanksgiving (see my girls blog HERE)

• Visit one elderly church or family member.
• Take one tag from one tree from the many places that have them each year--Walmart, Salvation army, churches, Angel Tree OR pack one shoe box.
• Attend one concert,  play or Christmas program (unless you have children in more than one).
• Drive around the community and see who has Christmas lights up already.
• Take a long walk in the crisp air or play outside. Last year we had Thanksgiving dinner on Thanksgiving Eve. So on Thanksgiving Day we grilled on the beach and played catch.

• Give everyone five slips of paper and have them write one thing they are thankful for on each one. Read them at Thanksgiving.
• Play a game.

• Light sparklers after dark and talk about how Jesus is the light of the world and how your family can share that light.

Starting and maintaining holiday traditions and having holiday spirit is good. But only when it draws you closer together as a family and benefits others.

What traditions do you have? What ones do you want to start?