Christmas Your Way: A Cozy Celebration for Every Season

Whether you’re celebrating your first Christmas as a new family or navigating the holidays as empty nesters, this series is packed with festive ideas! I’ll share my best Christmas secrets—as a Christmas loving “Christmas minimalist” – from decorating and baking to gift-giving—tailored for every season of life.

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At the time I’m writing this, my husband has been gone for nearly a week. (He comes home today!)I decided to use this time home alone to hunker down and get some work done on my blog.

If you’re new here, you may not realize I’ve been writing here at Harbour Breeze Home off and on for over 14 years! What started out as a little hobby of writing diary style posts about the journey of fixing up the old historical home we were living in at the time, has now turned into a full time job for me. Over 1000 posts live here on this site including recipes, decorating ideas, crafts, and stories.

I still love it – and, I’m tired, too…!!;) That’s the truth of life that I’m learning lately. We often can experience two completely opposite emotions simultaneously- and that’s ok, and normal.

I wanted desperately to work ahead so I’m not scrambling each day to put together content that may be helpful to you, and my thoughts went to the upcoming Christmas season.

Every year for all these years I’ve tried to put together fun ideas and inspirations for Christmas for you – my readers. Christmas is – after all – my very favorite season of all!

But, this year it feels different. Not in a bad way – just different.

I’m in a totally different season of life than I was the first time I wrote about Christmas. Instead of a house full of 3 busy boys and furiously crafting Christmas crafts to make money for Christmas gifts, it’s now just the two of us. Every year for the past 33 years (this year will be the 34th year!), I’ve put my hands and feet to the work of creating a cozy Christmas home with memory making traditions.

But, as I was laying in bed this morning pondering Christmas, I realized something that I’d never even thought of before…

Confessions of a Christmas Minimalist

I’m a Christmas minimalist.

Not in the sense that I only like it a little bit or that I only like it in small doses – not at all! I love everything about Christmas…

But, I don’t have the patience to actually spend a lot of time on the actual Christmas decorations or cooking or baking…And, for 33 years, I’ve always limited my “Christmas decor” to 2 plastic totes. I’m convinced it’s what has kept me sane for all these years!;)

Crafting Christmas to Fit our Current Season of Life

As I get older, I find that the idea of going shopping to get more things or the latest “trendy” Christmas thing is less and less appealing to me. The truth is, I already have things I love to use and systems that work for us. Why do I feel the need to reinvent the wheel every year? And if I tried to do all the Christmas baking I used to do even 10 years ago, our blood sugar levels would not like it! (tee hee)

Which gave me the idea of a little mini series here called “Christmas through the seasons of life”.

I decided that this year, as I shared fun Christmas ideas, it would also be fun to go back and write down the things I’ve learned over the past 3 decades. Some of the lessons were hard learned from hilarious mishaps. And others were learned from studying and learning tips and tricks from others.

So stay tuned! Each day this week there will be a new post up for you in hopes that it will help you as you, too, plan for a cozy Christmas – in whatever stage of life you’re in!

How to Get the Most out of Christmas Secrets Through the Years

As you read the posts that are included in this series, I’d like you to think in terms of your current season of life and what your desires and wishes for Christmas are. Ultimately, what your Christmas traditions look like in your home this year will be based on your choices.

There is no wrong or right way! I caution against comparison and trying to do everything exactly the way others are. That can start to feel hectic and exhausting quick.

Instead, choose what sounds fun and doable for you and your family – and remember – at any given point, you can change your mind!! Simplify if you start to feel overwhelmed. Or, if you are an empty nester and are bored, maybe you need to step it up and look for some new traditions that sound fun!

More Christmas Posts

I’ll put all the posts below once they are finished, but until then here are a few more Christmas posts you might enjoy reading.

• When the Christmas budget is tight – Gift ideas and budget tips for a fabulous season of celebration even if the bank account is small.
• I created a free printable Christmas planner to help you as you ponder all the details!
• From Christmas cookies to Christmas dinner sidedishes, find the whole collection of Christmas recipes.
• Feeling crafty? Here are some DIY Christmas decorations.
• Would you rather listen than read? Here is a Christmas podcast you might enjoy.

All the Christmas Posts in this Mini Series

• Choose a Christmas Tree – Which one should I pick?
• Christmas Color Scheme Ideas – How to choose one, and some popular examples.
• Crafty Christmas Tree Decorating and Decor Ideas
• Christmas Tablescapes to help set a cozy scene.
• Christmas Cookie Traditions to do with family or friends.

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