7 Holiday Organization Ideas to Organize your decorations, gift wrap, shopping list and more!đ
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- Äas pĆidĂĄn 2. 06. 2024
- The holiday season is so hectic, but it doesn't have to be stressful. In today's video, I share my holiday organizing tips for storing decorations, organizing gift giving, planning meals and parties and how to simplify the season.
Here is a link to the organizing products I used from The Container Store: www.containerstore.com/shoppi...
Christmas Tree Bag: www.containerstore.com/s/upri...
Wreath Bag: www.containerstore.com/s/tree...
Here is link to the FREE Holiday Planning Guide: clutterbug.me/holidayhome2020
A big thank you The Container Store for sponsoring this video!
Make sure to hit that subscribe button for more organizing videos weekly. #organize #clutterbug #holidays
Want to become an Organizing Expert like me? Take my Organizing Expert Online Course! course.clutterbug.me - Jak na to + styl
I am always the handler of all the things. This year my 14 year old took over Christmas. Like google doc with links for gifts, then I paid for them as the budget allowed over the past months. Sheâs wrapping and organizing gifts in large totes by each family gathering. It has been wonderful! I never thought I would be ok with letting go of the major projects like this.
Thatâs amazing. Your child is probably loving the task and feeling great about being trusted! đđŒ đ
Wow that is so sweet and amazing!
Nice! She's got skills.
Your 14 year old is impressive!
My 14 yr old daughter took over as well. It is so nice to relax a little more. I work and provide the budget, and she shops and wraps and even cooks! Very blessed. What a great gift this is to me.
Crying over an elf we donât even have over here. Bless that boy wanting to gift you the magic youâd given him. Beautiful.
It has been :)
My mama passed away this year. She was the glue that held us all together. We have 7 children & 9 grandchildren. I usually go nuts finding perfect gifts for everyone, go massively in debt & dread Christmas. This year, weâve become minimalists & are working on debt free journey. We told the kids, no gifts, we just want to spend time with you. So we planned a week long trip & are taking them to the beach for Christmas. Very most freeing thing I e ever done in my life. May help me live longer, as a bonus. đ
Enjoy your trip!
Well. I didn't expect to be sobbing over an organization video. But here we are. Magic makers passing the torchâ€
When you mentioned feeling exhausted
from the thoughts running through our heads I felt so seen and started sobbing. Thank you!!
Aw, you're welcome!
I recall my mother had to tell me the truth to "the secret" at age 10. She kept the magic so believable and REAL that she finally had to tell me, so I wouldn't get picked on by the older boys at school. Learning the truth, I was upset- until she gave me the responsibility of making the magic fun for my younger brother, 4yrs at the time. I felt important and it brought a new joy to my childhood at Xmas. I even participated in the other holidays as helping with the Easter bunny, etc. So many ways to transition the holiday magic- love that Milo has learned to contribute and roll with the punches toođđđđ€đŻ
Aw, that's wonderful!
I have never sent Christmas cards. As a single mother , if I could afford the cards, I couldnât afford the stamps. So I let it go years ago and yes, I get very few cards myself, but those I do receive are from the ones I know love me most. It also relieves a lot of pressure as to disposing of cards after Christmas.
I take a digital picture with a Christmas bacground and send it as a text! It's the thoughtđ„°
I stopped sending Christmas cards the year our son died of cancer, and I havenât picked the tradition back up since. We have a genetic disorder in our family that predisposes us to multiple cancers, so weâve had more than 13 big bouts with cancer. Two more children and my husband have died of cancer since our first child passed. Itâs been 29 years now since Iâve sent out Christmas cards. I actually love Christmas, and have been known to haul lights and table top lit Christmas trees down to the hospital to cheer us all up during the holidays, but the card tradition I have let go too.
@@kimedo61 prayers
It does make things simpler.
â@@lalahdz9553 What a great idea!
My kids have always known that Santa, the Easter Bunny ect are pretend. But we still have fun pretending. As they have gotten older, they have seen their friends upset learning Santa isn't real and thanked us for always having fun without the let down. It might not have worked for other families, but it worked great for us. Imagination is all that's needed.
:p
Thatâs trueâŠlet go of expectations. Change isnât easy but we all have growing pains. Not buying gifts for our adult children is different BUT finding something meaningful to make that brings memories from child hood & sharing love is more important. I think we are making their favorite cookies & spending time together. Family is important. Remembering the true reason for the season is JESUS! đ€đ
:)
The story at the end⊠Iâm not crying⊠Youâre crying⊠So sweet and so true
:)
Something that was always so stressful for me was the amount of old sentimental ornaments that seem to pile up. My parents thought they were doing me a favor handing down my old baby ornaments and every year Iâd put them on the tree out of guilt and our tree would be absolutely cluttered with my ornaments and my own kids, on top of just some casual nice looking ones. I finally said no and cut way way back on the ornaments, only keeping the most sentimental to me and getting rid of old, cracked or sad looking ornaments as well as my childhood ones. My tree finally looks nice this year!
Good for you!
Oh my, I cried over your end story. What a special thing for your son to do đ Christmas really is magical x
It is!
I'm right there with you! Cass had me tearing up there. So touched by her story. đ
When all the kids in the house were old enough to know the truth about Santa, my mom started wrapping our presents and putting them under the tree throughout the season, whenever they were ready. But instead of putting from âSantaâ, she put a clue to what the present was. My brother and sisters and I would spend lots of time under the tree reading all the clues and trying to figure them out. It was so much fun! And it added to that anticipation and excitement of Christmas, even when we were on the older side. Cas, I love what you are saying about new traditions and letting things transition. Just because we might be saying goodbye to old traditions doesnât mean there arenât new magical ones waiting to be discovered
Love that!
Our kiddos are 15, 17 and 19. For the last few years we have altered our elf visits. On December first the elf comes out and our youngest hides it somewhere, when it is found (sometimes same day, or several days later) the finder then hides it in a different spot. It is not announced when it is found or hidden again, it is all done in secrecy. On Christmas Day whoever hid it last is the winner - no prize, just bragging rights! Sometimes we all know where it is and it sits there for days but there is crazy searching and hiding the few days before Christmas when the stakes are high!
Lol! Love it!
Great vid!
If we are wondering what to get, when to get it, and for whom. Wondering when we will have time to decorate, shop, party, etc... etc... Lets all just take a moment to give thanks to GOD that we are upright and able, that we have money to buy for loved ones, a home to decorate, and friends and family to spend Christmas with shall we? I recently lost my Mom, and this is my first Christmas without her, so I've been doing a lot of thinking back. (didn't mean to sound preachy, it just makes you feel so good, and a heck of a lot calmer when you take a moment to think about how lucky you are and have been in life)
Thank You Lord
Thanks!
âI want to surprise you and dadâ - MY HEART BE STILL!!!!!
IKR?!
Y'all... This was an ad during a channel I watch and I have NEVER before wanted to pause an ad so I could come back to it...(Had to go potty hahaha). Never looked up an ad so I could re-watch it and get the info. I love all these tips and can't believe I cried, but I am totally going through the 'no little kids/no grandkids right now' phase and some days it takes all I can muster to get into the spirit. (But I am always glad I did.) But the organization I desperately need. My husband just isn't into helping decorate so it has ALL been up to me- inside and out... Anyhow, this was great!!
So glad you enjoyed it!
Aw, three cheers for Milo. And three cheers for finding new ways to make Christmas magical.
Hey lady! How are you?
Aw, thank you!
Hangin' in there. Still haven't done a single thing for Christmas. No decorations or anything. So the next 2 or 3 weeks will be interesting. đ How's all with you? We should collab again in 2022! Our last one already seems like a lifetime ago! đ€Ż
Hooray for Milo! This was the encouragement I needed! My niece's 9year old (we are childless)was the victim of an unhappy breakup this year. My hubby and I are the "elf keepers". One of the ways the ex chose to hurt my niece was to inform their 9yr old that the elves were not real. I was heartbroken. I wanted to confront him, or talk with her about it, but my hubby said, "no", we continue our traditions. We did. We said nothing. She said nothing, and still seemed to enjoy the "magic". Hope restored. This story was a tearjerker for me. Thank you SO much for sharing it!
I'm so sorry that happened. But you handled it well. Good for you!
Aww. Welcome new era of Charlie & Molly!!! đ„°â€ïžđ„Čđâ€ïž
;p
That tree bag is genius! I love that Milo is taking charge of Charlie and Mollie.
The Container Store has really upped my storage game :P
Girl, you never had gotten me to tear up. đą I know that, there are beautiful Christmas days even when, they grow up. My children "believe that gifts turn into coal if they unwrap early." I help them by not warping till the last minute or just a few days before. They go with me to shop for their gifts. I come home and hide them. I always try getting them and extra little something that is useful and surprise for each of them. My children and I are morning the fact that our youngest is not a baby any more. She is a princess Diva who will soon turn 12. I had not thought about the fact, she didn't ask for any type of toys đ đ€ đ. I have not felt this way since my son passed me in height. Boy, I can't stop crying.
I am going to have to look for my inhaler because, I am having a hard time breathing because you really tugged my heart with your story and kind going through it myself.
I was having a similar struggle with our December resident "Jerry" - I was ready to be done after last year, so I wrote a goodbye note on Christmas eve to my then 8 and 11 year olds and said it was time to go to a new family. My 8 year old did NOT get it and has refused to accept it all year. He has continued to ask when Jerry would arrive and even wrote Santa a note last week asking for Jerry to come back. But Jerry adds so much stress and last year I really barely made an effort. So instead, I had a conversation with my 12 year old about the spirit of Christmas. He has tried to have the "I know Mom!" conversation for 3 years and I wouldn't have it. But this year I'm taking advantage and have asked him if he would like to be in charge of Jerry. He agreed and at the same time we had a great conversation about all the special moments Jerry has created over the years. So I totally understand the "embrace the change". If my 9 year old still believes I don't want to take that away from him but getting help from an older sibling I think will make it fun for him (and me!) again too! Win-Win. Jerry will arrive this weekend for a little shorter stay then normal but that's ok too!
That wonderful!
The first time I did the elf on a shelf, my kids were in High School so we had fun with it. There was no elf when they were little. Now they are out of the house and I still want to put them up, they bring me joy.
If you have husband/partner you could do it for him. I bet he'd love it.
Aw, love that!
My son let us know he knew who was Santa when he was around 11. When I asked him when he figured it out, he said about 2 years ago! He thought it would spoil OUR Christmas if we knew that he knew. He's 27 now and just as thoughtful. :-)
Aww.
I seriously just love you so much for being so open and vulnerable. I tell my kids magic exists in all the things we don't understand or know how to explain. To the people 100 years ago the internet would have been absolute magic. Same with cell phones. The magic of it disappears when we understand the science behind it. My oldest is 11. She wants to understand how it all works, but she doesn't. I know this is our last year, but I will be explaining to her the true magic is that billions of people have gotten together and agreed to provide this magical experience of childhood to kids all over the world in a time when we can't agree on pretty much anything. Now she gets to be part of making the magic. I know we will both cry, but she has such a big heart and I know she will love helping us create the magic for her younger siblings. I am kind of excited about her joining me.
What a beautiful way to look at it!
That is the absolute sweetest thing about the Elves and your child. So so precious â€
It really is.
The items you have from the container store are great. However I canât afford these expensive things. I miss your ideas about economic ways to organize things. I am so pleased for you and all the success you are having in your career.
I still put out videos with more creative ways to organize and store things! My previous video was all about the Dollar Store! ;P
We have told family and friends that we are really simplifying Christmas this year as our daughter's wedding, postponed from last year for obvious reasons, is happening on 10th December 2021 and I can't cope with the stress of both things.
Smart move.
This way you can be completely present to enjoy the wedding because you were honest and brave to set boundaries of what you can handle.
Congratulations to the bride and groom!
That's smart.
I had a similar issue when I was pregnant with my daughter. Her due date was 12/25, so my Mom & I did all of my Christmas shopping in October, so I wouldn't have to deal with it at the end of my pregnancy.
Congratulations to all!
Iâm crying over an elf. Lol! First year doing it, because my mom purchased them for my kids. I was dreading the work, but see my kids (4 and 8) loving it. I need to stop and enjoy the stage my kids are in. Thank you!
You're welcome!
I always love your videos. This past couple of years has been difficult for everyone I know. With that being said, I love the story of Milo at the end. The kids keeping the spirit of fun and joy is on point! Sometimes it's hard to let go of the past traditions, but that opens a new chapter and the book has an amazing twist keeping life from being tepid. God Bless you and yours this Christmas season!
Happy Holidays!
ArghâŠyou almost made me cry. Iâm struggling a bit with my kids growing up, even though I want them to launch, right? Thatâs what all this has been about since the day they were born, but man, I miss my little ones with their wonder and joy and wanting to be with you all the time. Your message is very apropos for me. Thanks!
My 13 year old daughter took over the Elf duties for her little brother this year. She asked if she could and she was saving ideas for a while. She is doing a great job and gets very excited when her brother loves what the Elf did đ„°
That is awesome!
Love the tree storage bag! That's wonderful that Milo has found a new way to experience the joy of Christmas. Just wait until you have grandchildren & you get to relive those few short years of wonder & belief through their eyes đ
ha ha you have been working to make it pretty magical, meemaw.
Can't wait! Well, I mean I can, and it better be a while! But those will be fun times. :D
You're not crying over an elf. You're crying because your son is adorable!
He is.
My entire life, we have had a real tree. The good thing is that you donât have to store it. Our town picks them up and then they are made into mulch.
:)
I love that your son wanted to take charge of the elves! He will be a great Dad someday.
Oh no, I just can't think about that yet!!
âThe reason for this season is alwaysâ . âBaby Jesusâ.
Enjoy family time. While you can.
Blessings
Thank you!
I loved your story at the end of this video so much! My children are both teenagers and one of them is getting ready to leave for college and I feel sad that this Christmas is going to be our last Christmas as a family at home together under one roof. My heart is aching to have my little girls again but I know that each holiday will be a little bit different now that they are growing up. Enjoy every little magical moment you can make with your kids and never apologize for getting emotional â€
You are so right, embrace each new phase of your childrenâs (any your) lives. Much more joy found in embracing the new vs hanging on at all cost to what once was. Also a good reminder to make memories along the way.
So true!
What a beautiful end story. I love that Milo is now in charge of your elvesâ€. You can be emotional about it. It's OK!
I have decluttered and downsized this past two years, thanks mainly to you and Dawn and Dana (and COVID!). It has made Christmas way less stressful and things are so simple now for decorating, I can hardly wait for it to be the day after Thanksgiving! Before decluttering I had gotten to the point that it seemed like so much I dreaded getting all the Christmas stuff out. The kids are grown, some of the grandkids are even adults now and I will be a great grandmother in March! I agree with you it is important to embrace every stage of our lives, as there are joys to be found in each and every one! I hope you and your family have a very Merry Christmas.
Happy Holidays!
Wow! What a sweetheart of a son and a precious story! Beautiful! Love the storage and stress-relief ideas, too. Merry Christmas, Cas!
What a wonderful gift your son gave you a truly Christmas đ time to remember đ for you and your family đ€¶đ đ
Thank you! You too!
Wow, I'm so impressed w Milo! You are raising such a good boy. Love that he's making the magic n joy now. He's a giver, not a taker. đ
He is awesome!
Your story about Milo made me cry . How beautiful. When our children were younger, long before Elf on the Shelf we kept the spirit of Christmas by having our older children be elves for Santa for their younger siblings. It kept the magic for years.
I love that!
I pray that people remember that the magic of Christmas is the birth of Jesus. We are all forgiven and saved in Jesus name.
:)
You made me cry when you said Milo asked if he could be in charge. :) Aren't kids the sweetest? Just when you think something is "over", the kids show you that things can change, they don't have to be over. My daughter is four and I never want the magic to end. Love your videos, especially the end stories! Merry Christmas Cas! :)
They're the best!
That ending got me right in the feels not gonna lie
I'm going to second keeping the binder around all year. How many times have we been shopping somewhere in oh... say, AUGUST and saw something that we were like AHA! That would be perfect for Mom for Christmas. Or someone casually mentions OH, I'd love to have a.... (fill in the blank). But for some reason when December rolls around, those thoughts and idea just disappear. Or worse, we remember that the idea was there, but just can't remember what the item was, which only adds to the frustration and stress. Keep that binder going all year round and put those ideas in it!
You can also take a photo of it on your phone to refer back to when you buy gifts.
I keep a note on my phone with a list and that way I know then and there what Iâve gotten already & for who
Or when you find the perfect gift during the year...buy it, hide it, and forget where it is or that you even have it, once Christmas comes. I'm definitely starting this binder!
:)
For all of us who are facing our holiday with an empty seat at the table, you are not alone. My Sunday school class of 15 kids are all facing a first Christmas without a parent, grandparent or Uncle.
Know that you are not alone, even though this grief feels so isolating. I hope you are able to share stories of those happier times.
I don't think my sadness compares to theirs. :(
Thank you! I realize now I need a better solution for my ornaments. I usually wrap them in bubble wrap (reuse it every year) and put them all in 1 box, but it would be best to have them a container, as you showed. Love your story about Milo, what a sweet and caring boy. You and Joe raised great kids!!! And I'm sorry, but I cried at the end!
Sorry I made you cry!
What a gift that Milo wants to be in charge of sharing the joy đ
Definitely!
I love you so much Cass! You fighting back tears makes me feel ok about shedding my own! I miss having little ones around cuz I raised my 2 lil sisters and always had nieces nephews and other kids around since I was a kid and they're all grown up w their own families & I wasn't able to have kids cuz my many health problems & I feel like there's no point in celebrating the holidays anymore. I try to get excited but I just can't... I'm 42 & aside from cooking a holiday meal w my Dad we don't get into the holidays anymore & it makes me really sad... God Bless you for all the realness & wisdom you share with us! đđđœđŠ
Oh, you're killing me over hear. Don't make me fight back tears again!!
@@Clutterbug I'm sorry lol I wasn't trying to! I guess I didn't realize how sad it makes me until I said it lol cuz I always want to get excited for the holidays but it just doesn't happen like it used too. However I have hope maybe next year will be better! I'm definitely going to work on it! But honestly I'm so grateful for you! I've learned so much from you & not just organizing tips! In all honesty I wish I could get physical help to get my apt under control cuz it's a hot mess from way back lol! I hate that my home is how it is but both my Daddy & I have so many health problems & in pain 24/7 I can't physically get stuff done. My Dad trys to help but he doesn't have a clue about my craft stuff & what goes to what & it causes me greater anxiety to have him help me than living w the mess which is a HUGE anxiety inducer! I constantly feel like I'm in a no win situation. The few people I have who would help me if they could have worse health than I do! And I'm not going to ask for help knowing it'll hurt someone. The other people in my life I don't trust not to steal or cause drama so that's my family & out of the equation lol! Idk maybe I'll win the lottery & be able to hire someone to help me lol... Anyways thank you for all you do & the love & lessons learned into all you do! May God continue to bless you and your family and business! Merry Christmas! đđđœđŠ
I love the storage idea's the wrapping station box is also great for birthdays etc..
I'm embracing the fact my kids are now young adults and last year for the first time I had presents for myself which I didn't pay for I can now sit down on Christmas morning & enjoy watching everyone open gifts and be actually surprised to receive a gift from my daughters that they have worked hard for, chosen with thought and care and wrapped beautifully it doesn't have to be expensive or big a little candle it makes me smile and so grateful I've gone though each phase of them growing and leaving things behind and this is the new chapter until other half's or grand children appear it's lovely and I'm not sad that we don't do Xmas eve boxes or the night before Christmas stories or sneaking down in the night to eat the carrot and cookie or drink the milk left for Santa we just remember happily those innocent times and look forward to the future.
I love this idea of Milo taking over. It does sound like fun and I definitely can see how it would rekindle your child-like enthusiasm and wonder of the magic of Christmas. đđ„°đ đ»đ€¶đ»
It's been amazing!
What an adorable story at the end, I loved it!đ It gave me goosebumps, also because of the the great way you tell stories!
đâ€đ
The Elf tradition is continuing, but in a different manner. Yes, go with the changes, it's a new kind of fun! đđđ đ»
Glad you enjoyed it!
Oh my gosh the story at the end had me in tears!!!! How so sweet of your little guy!!
IKR?!
Awww, sweet Milo! Iâm not crying, youâre crying!
He's the sweetest!
You got me again! Crying and blubbering at the end of your video! Iâll go to work with puffy eyes once again. But I loved the video and how Milo embraced the end of innocence.
Sorry about the puffy eyes.
Light storage, tree bag... OhhhhđČ my... I'm in organizational heaven and the story time was such a good frame of it all.
Thank you!
For some DIY ideas, the Christmas lights, you can also make a holder out of cardboard or wood, both work great. For the ornaments you can also use disposable party cups on a cardboard and put them inside the box.
I actually used to use the red solo cups. Even made a video on it! :P
RE: end clip.
My throat hurts every time you get choked up! I appreciate your sensitivity! I cry easily, so itâs nice to know Iâm not the only one!
You're so not alone!
Ok, your story at the end made me cry!!!! đ My youngest boy is 8 this year. My older two boys are 14 & 12. We didnât technically do Santa or Elf on the Shelf, but one year, when we had nothing for Christmas, two families did Secret Santa for us. It was such a blessing! So the kids kept asking for my hubby and me to do it the following years and Secret Santa magically leaving small gifts every night until Christmas, with funny rhymes and clues, LOL! Not looking forward to my baby getting over the magic of that, but also embracing my kids now wanting to do all the baking, decorating, etc. So I can totally relate to letting go of the sweetness of the little kid Christmas phase, but embracing the new joy of the older kid takeover phase, LOL! And Milo is so sweet! â€ïž My heart! đ© Merry Christmas! đđâïž
Happy Holidays!
I finally started a hardbound book to list each year's gifts and totals so I donât duplicate gifts, plus fun to look back at as children get older too
I never stress over the holidays, I am flexible and say no and do things to make it easier on myself. This year we are even remodeling our kitchen and it will all still be fine. I like keeping it fun and I have 3 teenage sons.
Good for you!
I don't stress out about Christmas. I only buy presents for our grandchildren.
:)
My grandkids are now 11 and 13. Itâs sad when the magic is over, but they are very good children and weâre just embracing changes as they happen! Itâs still fun at Christmas to watch their eyes light up when they open presents and are surprised to find things they hoped to receive! I decluttered some ornaments and decorations when putting my tree up. The grandkids enjoy helping with that and Iâm so thankful they wanted to help drag in the boxes from my storage building out back. Need to declutter more. Iâm going to check on getting the ornament storage totes. I hate wrapping the ornaments in tissue paper or bubble wrap and not being able to see what I have until going through everything!
You can do it!
Oh I so loved your Milo story - I've got 4 grown children and the last one - the 5th- will graduate in May. Every chapter of parenting has some really special things - I think you do have to shed a few tears when you say goodbye to one part, it's kind of like finishing a great book! But there are some really, really cool things ahead!
Well put!
I gave all of my wreaths and all of my trees but one away when I did my huge Christmas declutter in November. Simplifying my Christmas and reducing my inventory from massive to manageable.
Good for you!
I love that Milo is doing that for you guys! That is so fun. My kids are within the range of yours actually almost exactly thereâs just one more of them so I definitely can identify. The new things they come up with and can do are pretty fun but itâs definitely hard to let go of little kid-ness at the same time!
It is hard!
It's so magical that Milo wants to surprise you. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks for watching!
After a long night of insomnia, it was so nice to see this video pop up so early! I was so moved by your story at the end. I almost cried!
Glad you liked it!
I think we are going to slowly introduce the Elf on the Shelf to our 3yr old this year. Maybe not do something every single day, but maybe once a week, or every few days instead. I think that even for myself, if my husband was the one moving it around, I would be excited to see where it was too! I think that Milo being in charge of the elves is awesome!
It is awesome!
I AM CRYING OVER YOUR MILO ELF STORY BUT ITS LIKE....SAD/HAPPY TEARS!!! XoXoX I love you and your family. You are all truly....blissedđ
I cried a lot too. :)
@@Clutterbug Merry Christmas love! I have been watching you from the very beginning and I must say, you are such an amazing woman and have transformed your own life, mind, body and the lives of others. You'll go down in history and that my friend....Is a beautiful legacy to build. Enjoy the process, we love ya!
I remember being sad too as a child after finding out about đ etc But, I was glad that I could avoid that feeling on the reverse end as a parent. Because when (our) kids found out, they understood the real reason for Christmas as the birthday of Jesus so they never had to feel like there was something missing but instead, so happy and full and complete!!
:)
So sweetâŠ.Milo taking charge of elvesâŠthat is truly magical đ€©đđđŒđ„°
It really is!
I love this video especially the end. It actually made me tear up. What a beautiful way to turn this fun family tradition around. Great job raising such a sweet young man!! I would also like to say that my children are 30 (& married), 27 & 22 year old twins & Santa still leaves presents for them under the tree on Christmas morning. #NeverTooOldForSanta
Love it!
Oh Cass I do understand about the kids growing older and âlosingâ the magic. Thank goodness Milo found another way to keep it going. My 6yr old grandson ask me last weekend why there was no âelfâ here at my house? That put a lump in my heart and all I could think of was âI donât have any little kids here anymoreâ! Sooo⊠when he comes to stay for the Christmas break there will be an elf! I want the CHRISTMAS MAGIC AS LONG AS POSSIBLE!!
ps: thanks for the wreath storage solution! I have 4 big outside wreaths that are a pain to store but I love them still!
You're welcome!
My babies are now 23 and 20... there are 3 traditions we still do from when they were very young 1. make cookies for Santa, 2. make reindeer food for Santa's reindeer (we throw it on the lawn where they can graze) & lastly we read the "Twas the Night before Christmas" as a family. all of this takes place on Christmas Eve. Back in the day it was all done for them but now they continue the traditions for me....HAPPY HOLIDAY
Love it!
I put up the decorations a little at a time leading up to Christmas. And still do elf on the shelf for my 11yr old autistic son he loves it. â€
Cass, I just about cried with your Milo story...What a sweet boy you have!! đđ„ș
He's the sweetest!
So cool I think it's good for adults to tap into the kid in them. Good job Milo.
Yes, good job Milo!
I have plastic wreath storage boxes. But they take up a lot off room. I like having a couple in one container. That elf on a shelf creaps me out. Glad my kids were grown when that came out.
It is.
My kids are 18 and 21. I still do all the magical Santa stuff for them. My Mom does it for us âbig kidsâ too!
Aww, how sweet!
Great storage ideas! I picked up a couple of new ideas. Christmas magic can come in many different ways. We never did the big red guy thing with our kids, but I believe other things we do together throughout December like cozy couch advent readings, learning and singing Christmas carols, cookie making, a candy cane scavenger hunt, and more have become magical to our kids over the years and more meaningful to them in the end.
Sounds lovely!
Stress-free holiday? Impossible đ
I hear you!
How cool is Milo? You're doing great kid! He's become an elf!
Lol!
Cassandra you are such a good mom and a beautiful person; thank you for sharing your wisdom as well as your stories but even more, thank you for sharing your heart. đ
You're welcome!
I love my Christmas binder. I keep everything from cookie recipes, carols, calendar, card list inside. It takes away a lot of stress. I keep a gift idea list on my phone. This way I can easily add to it throughout the year.
The first year our youngest had discovered the Santa truth, we all took turns with the elf. I had a calendar with the signups so I didn't have to remember who's night it was. There was a basket of all the props anyone could use. It was so fun to see what the kids did, and it took away the pressure of having to be creative every night.
Awesome!
You are the best!! Letting our kids grow up is sooo hard!
Ugh, it is!
I actually got sick due to the stress of all this planning. I just saw this video.
Haha! I was about to cry with you over the elf! What a great kiddo you have
đ thank you
I always had a wrapping tote. I thought everyone did because my dream would be a closet setup for gifts also.
;p
I got a pretty journal that was Christmasy about 3 years ago. I keep track of who I sent cards to. I right out what I bought, what to make for cookies/baking, Christmas Eve and morning/ day meals.
I hang my wreaths in my craft room/office.
Good for you!
GirlâŠmy son is 12, but he is homeschooled so he still thinks Santa and the elves are realâŠor atleast he is good at pretending for me. đ. Iâm a single mom and his older brother is disabled and maybe he sees that I just need him to stay âyoungâ just a little bit longer. Whatever it may be I just want to say that yesâŠour kids drive us insaneâŠand yes we are tired out of our minds and canât wait for the days when they are a little more self sufficient, but when those days come we long for the days when they were younger and the magic of childhood. Our children keep us excited about new things and challenge us to try even when we may have failed a million times to never give up. (YesâŠI cried with you and still am!) BUT we must remember that the joy and excitement is still thereâŠjust in a new form. I wish you all a Happy Holiday season what ever the holiday you celebrate may be. Love you all and stay safe!đ„°
Beautifully put!
Your Milo story hit me right in the heart. My kids are 14, 16, and 17. Even though theyâve outgrown some things, they still look forward to the advent calendar, various goodies I bake, and all the old decor. This includes the Little People nativity set weâve had since 2007. đ„°
Oh how funny!
I just love listening to you talk. You are so inspirational and have such enthusiasm. I especially loved your ideas about saying no a few times this year putting your family first quiet times together and be brave enough to change it up a bit. I love it all thanks!
You're welcome!
I don't usually comment on your video's although I enjoy them and get allot of great inspiration from your thoughts. But the end of your video was everything! Thank you for sharing your real life and the evolution of parenthood during the holiday season. âš
You're welcome! Thanks for commenting!
Cas... I so cried over our elf (and cried while no sobbed while relating to your story just now) I so needed to hear that story at the end!!!!!!! my daughter of 12 this year is our first year. and she was heart broken I was heart broken. I love that advice..'the end of little kids and the start of big ones', I will embrace this time and change....Thank you đCas!!!
oh and i store my wreath in a wreath bag too!! life changing!!
You're so welcome!
Omg the Story at the end with milo and the elves đđ„° I loved it. Thank you for sharing â„ïž
Glad you enjoyed it!