Getting in the Spirit!

So, tonight I hit Walmart for my after Halloween clearance shopping...of course i do all this in the middle of the night, my time...plus I have to rebuild for next year!  75% off and a whole double-sided aisle....Found some perfect party supplies, prizes and gift giving items.  Score!

Surrounded by Christmas, I normally get an uneasy, restless, nervous feeling.  I'm not ready!  I still have Halloween decor all over my house and yard plus I LOVE Thanksgiving.  I mean who doesn't?  I want to bring on the Harvest, but it gets lost each year between commercial Halloween and Christmas clutter.  Of course, we all know each year, it rears it's head earlier and earlier, creeping up on you...

But as I tore myself out of the clearance haze, I found myself searching for stocking stuffers and enjoying the first look, first pick opportunity, before the rush, before the insanity.  Then again it may have been the Caramel flavored egg nog, need I say more...?  and cookie dough sheets:) which I had to buy and try.

Don't get me wrong, I practically live for Black Friday, but it was nice to start thinking about baking, decorating and gift giving.  I actually found myself in the Christmas spirit!  I still don't want to see any Christmas cards til the week of Christmas!  I mean who are these people that get them out so early each year.  I usually scramble to even make it before the New year hits and have been known to just give up and make the intended merry wishes cards Happy New Year's cards!  I'm proud to say I'm actually ahead of the game this year, with coming up with a card slogan and vision of our outfits...it's just getting the family photo done and making the card, which no doubt is normally pushed to last minute.

I hope to have a better handle on things this year.  I know things won't slow down and activities will be at an all time high, as it always seems, but I'm determined to enjoy the spirit of Christmas, the true meaning...to not go overboard with gifts ( I know I always say this), but really concentrate on those in need, to give and donate and offer help...focus on Charity, as Christ would want us to.  I want to simplify, to de-clutter and focus on family, tradition and Christ's birth.