Christmas is over! Now what?!?

I live for the holidays.  As soon as October hits, I am ready to start decorating! It’s such a beautiful time, but now it’s over and what to do???

Here are some ideas to help keep the spirit  and peace of Christmas alive year round.

Declutter.  The beginning of the year is a great time to reorganize a closet, clean out the kitchen cabinets of expired food, or pack up those clothes your toddler no longer fits in.  Make your home clean, organized and junk free.  You and your family will feel better all around. Don’t forget to keep the apple cinnamon candles lit to help keep the scent of Christmas in the air.

http://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/organizing/smart-home-organizing-ideas

http://www.mrspollyrogers.com/2013/02/50-best-home-organizing-tips/

Create a picture book!    We take so many pictures but don’t do anything with them.  Take some time to sort them and create a book.  What I love about making these books is that you get to relive the memories looking at all the pictures.  Create a photo book with pictures from the holidays.  Include Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years!  And on those days you wish the year would fast forward to Christmas, take out the book and look at the beautiful faces of your little ones.

Pamper yourself.  The holidays are great but they can stress you out!  Take a day to focus on you and bring back the zen in your life.  Get a massage, manicure or pedicure.  Splurge for the extra 10 minute foot massage.:)

Add Daily Inspiration.  Get a book on famous quotes or inspirational prayers and read one every day. Or create your own inspiration journal and fill it each day with your thoughts, hopes and prayers for that day.  Keep your entries short but thoughtful.  I find this help remind us of what is important and of real value in our lives.  Encourage your kids to also start a little picture journal.  Ask them to draw a picture of something they are thankful for that day.  The gift of humility and gratitude is one of the best gifts you can pass on to your children.

Have weekly family nights.   Being a full time working mom, time can be a challenge to juggle.  But try to create some fun weekly activities your kids can look forward to such as Pizza Picnic Night.  Order pizza or make some pizza (make your own, your kids will have more fun), put a blanket on the floor in the living room and eat there.  Add some snacks such as sliced apples or a bowl of popcorn.  Also try a Saturday dance party!  After dinner, turn on some music and just dance together.  Toddlers love to just jump around.  They will have fun and will help burn a lot of energy too! Whatever you decide, it will be special as long as you do it together.