A Simple, Sweet Way to Gather Without the Stress

One of my favorite parts of homemaking is learning that hospitality doesn’t have to be expensive, elaborate, or Instagram-perfect. In fact, some of my richest moments in my home have come from the simplest gatherings.

One of my favorite Christmas traditions with our little family is our Christmas Book Basket. I started this tradition last year, when my daughter was barely a year old and even then it was a huge hit.

I just gather all the Christmas and winter-themed storybooks I can find, wrap them individually, and place them in a basket near the tree. Each night, my daughter gets to pick one book to unwrap and read with me and her daddy under the twinkling lights. It’s so much fun (and it’s helped her get better at opening presents!). 

The weekend after Thanksgiving has become one of my favorite family traditions. Not because of the sales, but because it's the beginning of our Christmas traditions. Instead of rushing headlong into December, we treat that long weekend like a soft on-ramp: slow, sweet, cozy, and full of anticipation.

The first week of November might seem early to start thinking about Christmas in our homes, but I’m a sucker for early planning and I’m already wearing a Christmas sweater. I absolutely love the Christmas season and Christmas Day is my favorite day of the year. So in order to truly feel present and peaceful for my favorite time of the year, I’m preparing my home (and my heart, but that’s a separate post!) early. Planning ahead gives me and my family space to enjoy the season without feeling overwhelmed and stressed.