The C word is back. Are you ready? I’m not. At. All. So, I thought a Christmas Prep roundup would be just the thing for us today. Let’s get inspired, started or finished with Holiday preparations. Usually by this time in December, I’ve done some shopping, wrapping and have the tree up but truth is? I haven’t done any of those things. I have put out some Christmas decor here and there in the apartment and it looks pretty pathetic. A reflection of my enthusiasm or lack thereof perhaps?
The good news is my kids will be here on the 22nd! I’m so happy they will be here for a Christmas dinner and we can all celebrate together with my Beau, Step son and my Prairie kids. The bad news is I have too much to get done before the 22nd. So, without further ado, here is our Christmas round up for December 2015;
Decorating
Check out this cute video to inspire entryway decorating
Pop over to design mom to read the post
Apartment Therapy has a great post on contemporary Christmas decorating
Baking
For baking recipes of any kind you must visit Karen at Baking In A Tornado
I have linked you to her recipe box. You’re welcome.
Oh, and I have to add my Homemade Bailey’s recipe..I stole it from Lynne over at Design The Life You Want to Live
Image source; Design The Life You Want to Live
13 oz Vodka
1 can sweetened condensed milk
2 c of half n half cream (or whipping cream)
2 tbsp chocolate syrup (I like Quick)
1/4 cup of Kahlua
Blend all ingredients and pour into pretty decanter (that seals) and refrigerate. The longer it sits the better it tastes. It will have to be drunk by the best before date on your half ‘n half cream though.
Gift Giving
Co-parenting
Co-Parenting Through the Holdiays
Christmas Tradition Switch up, Out With The Old
Holiday prep on a budget
An Inexpensive Christmas For The Single Mom
Holiday Spirit
How To Take the Ba Humbug Out of Your 1st Post Divorce Christmas
How To Get Through The Holidays When You’re Grieving
How My Kids Brought Back The Holiday Spirit
Need a laugh? Check this out; Dad IS Elf On The Shelf
So, that about does it for Christmas Prep…now we have to actually do it. Tell me, are you ready or are you barely begun?
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diedre
December 16, 2015 at 9:24 amLisa I bet your happy thoughts alone will guide you through the hectic times:-) May you enjoy the kids and have the best Christmas ever!
Great roundup, can’t wait to try the Baileys recipe 😉
lisa
December 17, 2015 at 5:14 amHi Deidre, definitely give that Bailey’s recipe a try. I made it yesterday. I will taste test it tonight but I may have put too much vodka in it. So, I might have to add more half n half.I Hope you have a lovely Christmas, Deidre!
Adrienne
December 16, 2015 at 7:49 amHey Lisa,
Don’t fret over it, it’s spending time together that’s the most important.
I have a small one bedroom condo myself so what decorating I do isn’t a lot either. It’s festive in here but I’m the only one that will see it but I enjoy it myself. I’m sure that the kids are just anxious to see you and spend time with you during the holidays.
Thanks for this roundup, everyone really goes out don’t they! I still love this time of the year.
Hope you accomplish what you want my dear and happy holidays.
~Adrienne
lisa
December 17, 2015 at 5:13 amHi Adrienne, your apartment sounds great and there’s a lot to be said for small spaces. Less is more 🙂 I’m very excited about my kids being here with us. Thanks for stopping by Adrienne!
A Look Back, 2015 At The Great Escape | The Great Escape Divorce Support
December 15, 2015 at 4:57 pm[…] had set out for 2015. Oh, well. As they say, time waits for no one. So, I began this month with my Christmas Prep Roundup (which was only last week). I hope that inspired you to get started on your Holiday preparations. […]
Charlotte
December 13, 2015 at 8:16 pmWonderful holiday roundup! That homemade Kalua sounds amazing–thanks for sharing the recipe!
It’s weird, I feel as though I’m usually on the ball about tackling all of those things early in the season, too, but I just couldn’t get it together this year despite my best efforts. I’ll be dogged with last-minute things, I just know it.
You must be so excited to see the kiddos again–truly what the season is all about 🙂 everything else will fall into place xoxo
lisa
December 14, 2015 at 9:07 amHi Charlotte, that Bailey’s is delicious and not as sugary sweet as the store bought. It has a kick though 😉 I’m same as you. Way behind in the holiday prep. I was sick all last week too which didn’t help. Oh, well. The kids will be here in 8 days…YAY 🙂 xoxo
Stella Chiu
December 13, 2015 at 4:12 pmHi, Lisa
Love this Christmas round-up.
I know anyone using the tips on the post will make this Christmas really special.
I enjoy your video. The decorations of the entrances define Christmas atmosphere in the whole settings.
Glad that you also include some posts on co-parenting .
., first Christmas since the divorce etc which really can help some people to pass through this Christmas easier.
Happy Holidays!
– STella Chiu
lisa
December 14, 2015 at 9:05 amHi Stella, so glad you found the links helpful! Co-parenting over Christmas can be a real struggle for newly divorced. I hope some of these articles help those who are starting out. p.s. the video isn’t mine but I found it on DesignMom a great residential design and art site. Happy Holidays, Stella!
Leigh Caron
December 13, 2015 at 6:32 amHave a joyful time with your family. Since moving to Mexico four years ago, my holidays are always back in the States which means I don’t have to do much accept order on Amazon and then wrap the gifts. Christmas here isn’t the industry it is in the U.S. Oh, they decorate here, but it’s not overdone. I like that. I can get a real tree down here in Sams or Costco, or Home Depot, but I don’t. I’ve had decades of lavish holidays and I’m happy to be in a simpler place.
lisa
December 14, 2015 at 9:03 amHi Leigh, welcome to the great escape 🙂 Ordering on Amazon sounds like a dream. I should be doing that too but shipping into Canada makes it pricey. Simplifying seems like the natural progression as our kids are older and leave home. Enjoy your Christmas in the U.S. with your family!
Donna Merrill
December 11, 2015 at 9:00 pmHi Lisa,
Looks like you’re ready for the time of your life this Christmas.
Good for you!
I know you’ll make it really special.
I love your video, it’s amazing all the things you get involved in to make the holiday cheer.
Merry Christmas, my friend.
-Donna
lisa
December 12, 2015 at 10:47 amHey Donna, so nice to see you! Well, I can’t take credit for the video since that’s Design Mom teaming up with Pier 1 Imports 😉 Thank you and I hope you found some Christmas inspiration here. Hope you have a wonderful holiday season with your family!
Tamara
December 9, 2015 at 4:48 pmI’m not ready! And I don’t have “the spirit” yet, so I’m totally going to read the post about getting the spirit back.
Roundups are great.
I think maybe watching Scarlet in The Nutcracker will job my spirit. And we have Polar Express tickets for Saturday night.
Sheesh, if that doesn’t do it…
lisa
December 9, 2015 at 10:22 pmHi Tamara, oh my gosh, Scarlet in The Nutcracker? I hope you’ll be sharing some pics on your blog! I love the Polar Express. Sounds like you’ll be in the spirit by the weekend!
Crystal Collier
December 9, 2015 at 11:02 amMy decorating is pretty minimal, but people do see a wrapped stair banister when they enter my house and a nativity set, so I’ll call that a success. Less is more.
lisa
December 9, 2015 at 10:20 pmHi Crystal, I love a banister wrapped in greenery and twinkly lights! I miss having a banister and a stairway…Less is more? I like that!
Corina Ramos
December 9, 2015 at 8:49 amLove this Christmas prep round up, Lisa. I wish I could decorate my entry way like that but with two little grandsons running around, nothing is safe :).
The homemade Bailey’s recipe looks good…not sure if it was the vodka or the sweetened condensed milk that caught my attention ;).
And I love the teacup set from Opraph’s gift list. So cute.
Thanks for putting this together! Hope you’re having a great week!
Cori
lisa
December 9, 2015 at 10:14 pmHi Cori, So glad you got some valuable info from the links 🙂 Aw, that’s so cute about your grandsons. I can just picture them getting into mischief. It must make it really fun for you this time of year!
Lynne
December 9, 2015 at 4:47 amHi Lisa!
Happy SOON TO BE holidays xoxo Thanks for including my baileys recipe. I like your addition of Kahlua ! I’ve never tried that one! DELISH idea!
Merry Hoho, my friend xoxoxoxo
Lynne
lisa
December 9, 2015 at 10:18 pmHi Lynne, thank YOU for the yummy recipe. No one is allowed to ask what’s in my coffee cup christmas morning… Yes, try the Kahlua. Merry Christmas to you…is it too early to say that? 😉
Marie
December 9, 2015 at 3:32 amEvery single year I promise myself that I’ll do much better the following year. And each year I am late.
We did the christmas tree this weekend but I still need to do the gifts part and I don’t know how I will manage Lisa!!
Glad you’ll have your kids for a Christmas dinner. It’s so important. At this time of the year, we are reminded that family is key.
Love flowing to you and thanks for the link to these lovely sites.
lisa
December 9, 2015 at 10:17 pmHi Marie, getting the tree up is a biggie! We still haven’t done that. I haven’t done any baking yet but most importantly I haven’t made my Bailey’s yet!! UGH. I need to get over this cold/flu I have and get my energy back. It’s easy to complain about all the prep but in the end, you’re right it’s all about spending time with the ones we cherish. We don’t need to worry about what doesn’t get done. 🙂
Balroop Singh
December 8, 2015 at 10:29 pmHi Lisa,
Lovely post! The best sentence of this post is…your kids would be there with you to celebrate! What more is required! With our most loving persons around us, who cares about other things?
I am sure you would enjoy those precious moments. Have a blessed time with your family and make the most of everything. Happiness lies in the feeling that this is the best time of the year and Christmas indeed is when it is spent with your loved ones.
Wishing you all the best.
lisa
December 9, 2015 at 9:53 amSo true, Balroop! Thanks for that eloquent reminder. No need to get caught up in perfection or more is more…just do what we can, then sit back and count our blessings.
Harleena Singh
December 8, 2015 at 8:54 pmHi Lisa,
Lovely post, and I enjoyed going through the video and other links within this post 🙂
One can imagine the excitement for Christmas at your end, and with your kids and family getting together, you’re surely going to be sooooo busy! But I guess it’s that one time of the year, when you love the busyness, isn’t it? And we’d love to see all the decorations once they’re all done up too! We don’t celebrate Christmas, but enjoy celebrating with all of our friend’s who do so.
Thanks for sharing it all with us. Have a nice week ahead :))
lisa
December 9, 2015 at 9:52 amAw, thank you, Harleena! Yes, having the kids is the ‘good’ kind of busy 🙂 Have a great week!
My Inner Chick
December 8, 2015 at 5:44 pm***The good news is my kids will be here on the 22nd!***
that’s enough!
Lovely.
Enjoy. Savor. Eat. Love. Pray. Give Thanks. OOO, and drink some good drinks!
Love from MN. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
lisa
December 9, 2015 at 9:51 amHi Kim, Exactly! That’s what it’s all about, right? Eat. Love. Pray. 🙂 I love that. Enjoy your Christmas and some good drinks, too! Love ya xoxo
Jane Thrive
December 8, 2015 at 4:54 pmHappy holidays, Lisa!! I have to admit, I’m a big ole gushy goofball when it comes to the Christmas season. I’ll be posting soon…but as for your question, I’ve been gearing up for a little while, which is probably why I haven’t posted this week just yet, lol!!! Hugs!
lisa
December 9, 2015 at 9:49 amBack at ya, Jane! Haha, I can’t wait to read your Christmas post! You probably decorate in November…you keener. Hugs!
Chrys Fey
December 8, 2015 at 4:03 pmI love your holiday roundup. I am definitely going to check a few of those out.
I’m glad your kids will be there with you for Christmas. Enjoy their visit! Merry Christmas, my friend! 🙂
lisa
December 9, 2015 at 9:20 amHi Chrys, yes having the kids all together makes it ‘real’ for me. If they’re not here, it’s not the same. Merry Christmas to you, Chrys! I’m sure I’ll be seeing you before then and certainly will see your pics on instagram 🙂