Since we moved from Michigan to Florida about a year ago, we've been trying to create that classic "Christmastime" vibe here in our new place. It's been quite the adventure, and I must admit, I'm fully embracing the sparkly side of the holidays. Item number one on our checklist? Decorating like Michaels and Pottery Barn had a Christmas tinsel party at our house. I absolutely adore glitter and sparkle—there’s just something magical about turning our home into a glowing wonderland. This year, though, I did exercise a bit more restraint, mainly because we started decorating right after Thanksgiving and I was out of town for the first 12 days of December. That meant I couldn't keep adding layers of decorations day by day, which actually turned out to be a good thing.
Number two on our list? Hosting a constant celebration. There’s always something festive happening around here, and I wanted to share some of our favorite moments with you.
One of our newest traditions is the Kissing Ball. We included it in our Advent Calendar activities this year. While I was away, I asked Chris to go out and find some mistletoe, and he surprised me with a beautiful kissing ball instead. It’s become such a hit! Both Chris and I love using it as an excuse to share a quick kiss, and the kids enjoy coming up with reasons to stand under it.
Another highlight of our season has been receiving Christmas cards. Every day, something special arrives in our mailbox, and we’ve been hanging them up on a ribbon in the window, alongside the hand-painted Christmas art we’ve been creating as part of our Advent Calendar. As we remove an activity each day, we fill the space with more cards.
And then there’s our little elf, Candy Cane. Yes, I know everyone is probably tired of seeing elves everywhere, but our kids absolutely adore him. They named him themselves, rejecting all of Aliyah’s suggestions until they landed on "Candy Cane." Watching him appear in different spots every morning is a real treat for the kids—he’s been spotted in the nativity scene, gobbling up candy, or even hanging out in the pantry drinking syrup through a straw. If you're looking for some fun elf ideas, there are tons of resources online, like [this one] and [that one].
Of course, we can’t forget about the laughs. We recently stumbled upon Kid Snippets videos and spent hours watching them near our Christmas tree. They’re hilarious, and it’s become one of our favorite holiday activities.
For gift wrapping, I’ve stuck with butcher block paper for three years now—it’s my go-to option. It’s simple yet elegant, and I’ll be sharing more details soon with better photos. Social media has been quieter lately, but being back home and immersed in the holiday spirit has inspired me to post more often. You can find me over there if you want to connect!
So, tell me, what’s your favorite moment or tradition this week?
If you’re still searching for gift ideas, check out our Kid’s Gift Guide for some inspiration.
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