Many Skies Mama

I feel snow coming.  As the end of fall draws near, Christmas is on my mind - as it always is this time of year.  I try to make as many gifts myself as possible - this is really my most favorite part of any holiday - the handmade part.  I have a hard time getting excited about buying stuff for Christmas, especially as my current focus is decluttering, and organizing this little house of ours.  The idea of more stuff, or even a break from that focus on decluttering has been hard to wrap my brain around this year.  There's something about feeling the chill of snow on it's way that really kickstarts that Christmasy feeling for me (is that even a real word? - who cares ;)  I like it ;)  )

Last year I stumbled on a description of an old Christmas saying that people used to go by for gifts, in a time when gift giving was simpler - not so overblown.

Something you want,
Something you need,
Something to wear,
Something to read.

I really really like this.  I followed this loosely last year, and I liked that it made it much easier to keep things reasonable.   We've been talking a lot about scaling back a little more each year, focusing more on handmade, and more on spending time together as a family *outside*.  Last year we decided that part of how we would do that was to ski this year as a family - as a Christmas present - season's passes for all and much less under the tree.   Again - this feels so good!  I don't want Christmas to be all about getting, and buying.  Not really qualities I'm looking to nurture, in a world that desperately needs to see a scaling back of desires, and over consumption, it makes sense to nurture healthy attitudes / values now while they are young.

I'm brainstorming ideas to suggest to the kids for making gifts for each other.  The scientist is quite keen to dye playsilks for the girls using blanks from Dharma Trading Company using food coloring.  I always used koolaid in the past, and was often disappointed when we couldn't get all the colors in the rainbow.  I'm excited to do a whole rainbow of scarves this year!  I should really put up a tutorial - it's sooooo easy.  Ridiculously so.

Today is my day off - my husband takes the kids to town, and I do whatever I need to do *all* *day* *long*  it's heaven!  It's so good for my introvert self to have quiet, the satisfaction of getting things done quickly, and recharging so that i can greet them when they come home ready to be fully present with my loves.

And so on that note, I'll be off to start my day.  They've all just rushed out the door, and the house is quiet :)