I know, what is it and why is it exciting? Well, it is a sturdy pop-up bin. Think portable trash can. Think gift toter. Think drink cooler when needed. I put all our Christmas presents that aren’t staying at our house in the bin Christmas morning. I go to relatives, I unload the gifts and then it is a trash can. After we are done opening, I empty the trash and load all our new presents back inside to haul home. It is perfect. You can also use it inside or outside with a black yard bag inside it for extra garbage at picnics and parties. The pop-up aspect keeps the trash all inside the container unlike regular trash bags. I’ve given a dozen or more of these away, and I see them in use at everyone’s home.

I saw this cute little dish at Marshall’s the other day. It had a whole set, but I didn’t need it, and I decided it was a bit bridal.  It would be precious in a bathroom or as a candy dish. Sometimes it is the little things that make you smile.

Event 1: Cut Down A  Christmas Tree

Event 2: Visit Live Reindeer

Event 3: Christmas Movies

Event 4: Look at Christmas Lights

Event 5: Progressive Dinner

Event 6: Make and Decorate Cookies

Event 7: Party for the Kids

Event 8: The Nutcracker

Event 9: Dirty Santa

Event 10: Angel Tree Shopping

Event 11: Gaylord Presents: ICE!

Event 12: The Living Christmas Tree

Event 13: Christmas Play

Event 14: Take A Break

Event 15: Daddy Daughter Shopping

Event 16: Ice Skating

Event 17: Gingerbread Houses

Event 18: Christmas Drinks

Event 19: Christmas Parade

Event 20: Visiting Santa

Event 21: Christmas Cards

Event 22: Christmas Caroling

Event 23: Overnight Guests

Event 24: Vespers Service

While it won’t be easy, perfect or award-wining, building a Gingerbread House is a fun activity for kids. I suggest you start early when they have lower expectations. By the time they are 8, they will want it to look like the one on the box. That’s not happening at my house.

If your parents are up for it, invite them over to spend the night on Christmas Eve, or come over at the crack of dawn Christmas Day. It doesn’t take ten minutes for them to rip through all their presents, but it is a lifetime of precious memories.

Look at Christmas Eve Vesper service times ASAP. The earlier or later the service, the less crowded they tend to be. You can even call the church and see which service is less crowded. GET THERE EARLY! Christmas and Easter are the two days that most people go to church. Your regular seat will be filled, and the later you are, the more likely it is that you will be seated in a folding chair in the lobby. Find out if your church offers childcare for certain services. Enjoy the reason for the season.

A visit to Santa is a holiday must, and I made a terrible mistake I have to confess to again this year. We haven’t visited Santa yet. It is the 20th. Not one single time has my child sat on his lap and asked for a puppy. We are going to have to hit the mall in this chaos sometime in the next three days. I dread it. My tip – send two adults. Have one get in line and call the others when you are a few people from the front. You will thank me for it, and don’t let dad get the red or blue drink to kill time. It will be all over their face and outfit.

Not many people go Christmas Caroling in this society. We don’t know our neighbors, and we are afraid to open our doors. Even if you don’t go visit a bunch of strangers, you  can visit a few friends or neighbors with a little warning. It is very special with kids, and they have such sweet voices. If you don’t know anywhere to go, call an assisted living facility. They are always glad to have visitors.

While it is a little late to get started on your cards, they do sell New Year cards. Take out all your cards, and go through them as a family. Often cards are squirreled away and kids don’t get to look at them. Christmas cards are special, and I appreciate every one of them…even the one from Brooks Bros. and other businesses. And if you don’t have any to enjoy, laugh at the one above of the Kardashian family.

From Starbucks to the office party, there are special drinks for the holidays. Buy some egg nog, fancy hot chocolate at Williams Sonoma, buy apple cider, brew some fancy tea or just pick up some Cranberry Sierra Mist.  It doesn’t matter what you drink as long as it is something different and festive.