The Hip Mom's Guide to surviving the last week before Christmas

Feeling overwhelmed? Endless lists to be completed? Gifts yet to be bought? Guests coming any day? Take a deep breath! As we do the final count-down to Christmas, let's not get wrapped up in all of the craziness. Let's take a moment to think of the reason for Christmas, the reason that we buy gifts, the reason that we get together with family. In just over one week, the gifts will be unwrapped (and the kids will still want more), the house will be a mess and the decorations will be coming down. All we will have is the memories, so let's make them GREAT. Let's take the time to enjoy each moment with family. Let's take the time to focus on the CHRIST in CHRISTmas. Let's take the time to share our blessings. Wishing all of you a blessed Christmas and a wonderful 2008.

If you have any tips to share about how you make Christmas special and meaningful, please share. We'd love to hear from you.

Over the River and Through the Traffic-Filled Freeways

Ah, holiday travel. It brings out the best in us, doesn’t it? I mean, when your kids are taunting each other and creating havoc in the backseat, don’t you always slow down and let the next guy merge in front of you? If not, take heart. There will be plenty of chances to repent this holiday season!

Because my husband and I have always lived far away (10 hours+) from family, my kids are used to being awakened in the dark, wee hours and put into the car with a pillow and blanket. A such, here are my tips for successful travel with little ones:

1. Lower your expectations. If you expect perfect harmony, you are setting yourself up for frustration. Even the best laid plans go awry. Know this going in and you’ll be more likely to gracefully deal with mishaps.
2. Be prepared. The Scouts got it right with this motto. You can’t get into the car with your luggage and purse and expect the kids to enjoy the scenery. Bring age-appropriate games & toys. I’d suggest buying one small new toy (or book) for each child, along with a bevy of favorites. Pack a backpack of fun they can dig through along the way.
3. Act like a camel: pack plenty of food and water. When my kids were in diapers, I brought lots of snacks for desperate moments and we stopped for meals. (An Oreo can buy you several minutes of peace.) Once they were potty trained, I found out that food and water means stopping – again - for the bathroom. Now we pack enough food (snacks, sandwiches, fruit), so we can keep driving until someone NEEDS to stop.
4. Plan on at least 3 extra bathroom stops. Nope, not for the kids. It’s all that darn Starbucks.
5. Books on tape. Okay, I realize this sounds like the dark ages to all of you video-in-the-minivan types. But give it a chance. There are some great books on tape (Ralph S. Mouse, Ramona the Great) that everyone can enjoy and they help kids use their imagination, too. Imagine, the picture isn’t right there in front of them! If your kids are old enough, you can even listen to Harry Potter.
6. Songs on tape. Yikes. I hardly ever do this, but you really good moms out there might engage the kids with a little Raffi. I’d rather play I Spy for the eight-millionth time, but, hey, to each his own. If you can bear it, your kids will love you for it.
7. Stock up on stickers. If your kids are old enough to use stickers, you can keep them amused for quite some time simply by giving them 1000 stickers to paste in a notebook. For older kids, buy workbooks, travel game books, or print out the License Plate game from the Internet. Washable markers are a good thing.
8. Remember that this, too, shall pass. One day, you’ll look back on travel with your tykes with fondness. It won’t be long before they’re tweens in their own iPod-driven world.

Hip Design Tip of the Week

Christmas Trees
Real vs. Artificial Trees

Most of us grew up with Christmas Traditions that we bring into our
own family. I grew up with real Christmas trees and multi colored big
lights. The memories I have of selecting and decorating the tree are some of
my fondest growing up.
When I was asked to decorate trees for the Festival of Trees years
ago I spent many hours thinking of themes. It also gives me many
wonderful memories of selecting and decorating trees. I now have 4 children
and we debate every year "real verses artificial".
The traditionalist in me wants the experience and wonderful smell
that a real tree gives. The designer in me wants the ease of bending
branches wherever I want them and the strength to hold up my
ornaments. I found an old tinsel tree a few years ago and it seems to
fulfill my traditional need and holds up my ornaments at the same
time. I purchase tree scented candles every year to give our home a
christmas scent.
- by Kristine, our hip Decorator with 12+ years of experience

The Reason for the Season

So, how do we keep the focus? We are all busy with shopping, Christmas parties, Christmas programs, holiday luncheons, work, buying trees, hanging lights and much more. It's really difficult to relax and really enjoy the holidays. Every year I decide that I am going to get all of my shopping done early, so that I am able to keep my focus on the true meaning of Christmas. Well, here we go again. It's Dec 3rd, and my list is endless. I've decided that we have to CARVE OUT TIME in our busy schedules to devote to preparing our hearts and minds for Christmas. My family found a great book 2 years ago called Jotham's Journey, by Arnold Ytreeide. It's a family story for advent. My kids love it! Last year, we found book #2 in the Trilogy, and this year we will complete the series with a book called "Tabitha's Travels". I highly recommend it, as it brings the family together every night to regain focus. We light the candles on the advent wreath, which is fun for the kids. They take turns lighting the candles and blowing them out. The story is very exciting and ends with a cliff hanger every night. The kids can't wait to get back to it. Of course there are nights that we just can't get to it, so we have to play catch up, but that's just the way things go sometimes. Advent began on Dec 2nd this year, so you can still begin and play a little catch-up your self. I guarantee it will be worth your time and energy.