tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8224074171829015497.post9192541917910697905..comments2024-03-16T02:18:16.412-07:00Comments on Salt and Chocolate: simplifying holiday traditionsMary Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15147791473133449106noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8224074171829015497.post-90958985742819081522010-12-21T19:28:43.952-08:002010-12-21T19:28:43.952-08:00I just love your winter village. It feels so warm ...I just love your winter village. It feels so warm and homey. I've been keeping it simple this year too, and enjoying more than I expected, partly because I gave myself permission to only do what I really wanted to do this year and make everything else optional. Thoughts here:<br />http://sparepages.blogspot.com/2010/12/how-halls-are-decked-and-other.htmlJanellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02673883808842901302noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8224074171829015497.post-72944399522022448652010-12-21T10:53:16.179-08:002010-12-21T10:53:16.179-08:00This post is so dear to my heart! We have had the ...This post is so dear to my heart! We have had the most laid-back season ever this year, and for reasons I can't explain, with most everything 'optional,' and the magic is there just the same.Nancyhttp://learningasigo.typepad.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8224074171829015497.post-55157197956637737602010-12-19T04:04:47.548-08:002010-12-19T04:04:47.548-08:00Thanks so much for the advent ideas. I love the vi...Thanks so much for the advent ideas. I love the village idea and adding to it daily. We set a village up now that my three year old son has spent much time checking out, rearranging trees and peering into windows. I am feeling really bummed with the chocolate and stickers I went with this year for our advent calendar, it just doesn't feel as meaningful to me anymore (though we are a chocolate loving family!). Let's hope I can remember the advent village for next year! I always enjoy reading your blog...thanks for the inspiration.<br /><br />We are also trying to simplify things this year. Lots of thrift store find gifts, less baking, lots of handmade things (artwork, canned veggies from our garden, suet for the birds and applesauce) for family.<br /><br />Wishing you and your family a peaceful and restful holiday!<br />CarolCarolhttp://withlovefromthegreenmountains.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8224074171829015497.post-78354501391719898642010-12-18T01:40:04.047-08:002010-12-18T01:40:04.047-08:00Mary Beth, I have been having the exact same thoug...Mary Beth, I have been having the exact same thoughts on my blog. I love to know what you think of my thoughts! Also, I love your little village, it is beautiful. We have a Lego village... not quite the same in terms of beauty!! but it's fun getting each piece out everyday. Sam was lucky enough to have a Lego advent calendar last year, and I carefully packed the bits away and we have got each one out every day of advent this year. Enjoy your last week in the run up to Christmas!8760https://www.blogger.com/profile/15179257055515722010noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8224074171829015497.post-89489341222798183482010-12-17T06:54:24.397-08:002010-12-17T06:54:24.397-08:00I love how you set your winter village up as an ad...I love how you set your winter village up as an advent; I've been meaning to follow suit ever year since you first posted about it, but haven't been able to get that organized (maybe I'll just pack our winter village away into an advent calendar!) I love your thoughts on simplifying. I think I'm making a lot fewer things than in the past, but I'm not sure (and I keep adding to my list!). I've been able to reduce the craziness of cookie baking by doing only one batch of cookies each weekend of December, mixing the dough one day (preferably after kids go to bed) and cutting out the next, with kids helping if they want. And then eating them throughout the week, rather than trying to amass a bunch for gifts. Other than the week I decided to make really complicated cookies, this has worked beautifully.Andreahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14748454816480995214noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8224074171829015497.post-20519777458944971812010-12-17T05:23:25.162-08:002010-12-17T05:23:25.162-08:00I'm right there with ya. A few years ago I th...I'm right there with ya. A few years ago I thought homemade gifts would be so wonderful, and they were, but SO much extra work and stress. This year I bought gifts with the 'less is more' mindset and focused on incorporating more family traditions. <br />We do a cookie exchange at work so I bake several dozen of one kind and come home with an assorted tray. It is fun to try other people's favorites too.Liahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11371103263581509702noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8224074171829015497.post-53375139697963836962010-12-17T04:53:35.622-08:002010-12-17T04:53:35.622-08:00I do so love your Advent idea! I may have to set ...I do so love your Advent idea! I may have to set up something like this next year...or start phasing it in!! (:<br /><br />I like your idea of the crafting wish list. I find my stress is often self-inflicted by wanting to execute on so many great ideas, even though I clearly have enough done and made already. I started my gift knitting in the summer so that I would be on top of things for the holidays. <br /><br />I feel the same way about baking. Pre-kids I used to give out sweet trays as gifts to so many people. This year my only goal is gingerbread cookies for the kids to decorate.<br /><br />JenMadame Melvillehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14014342177820042162noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8224074171829015497.post-43344195251020683592010-12-16T23:10:03.160-08:002010-12-16T23:10:03.160-08:00You're so right! And I love your little villag...You're so right! And I love your little village. I've been thinking how the children eat way too much chocolate during the whole of Advent so really should do the trinket calendar next year.<br />I am all for simple food too, though I love cooking and baking. We shoud all just do what is enjoyable for us!<br /><br />Happy Christmas!juliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12664210858630301856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8224074171829015497.post-59517978944487828692010-12-16T22:59:33.043-08:002010-12-16T22:59:33.043-08:00I have realized that my kids really enjoy our simp...I have realized that my kids really enjoy our simple traditions. They remember them year to year even at the young ages of 4 & 7. So we will keep making a small craft, buying toys for less fortunate kids, picking a tree at a farm, decorating, stockings, fabric gift bags, 3 gifts each, music, and the soft glow of Christmas lights. Just enough.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com