Weekend Musings | December 20, 2024
In my heart and in my cart + other things.
In My Heart -
I was listening to a Q and A session on @kendrafornow’s podcast earlier this week. It’s Summer of Me, if you’re curious. A nice mix of motherhood, work and whatnot, and sometimes just making the best of the worst. It’s basically right up my alley as a mother who feels like she’s winging it most days. Anyway, someone asked her how she makes Christmas magic for her kids, and look, (like a lot of moms) I have a full time corporate job, kids, dogs, and so much freaking laundry to do. I’m interested in this answer, because the truth is, Christmas or not, I fall on the couch and I am sleeping pretty much as soon as I get the kitchen cleaned up after dinner. We have an Elf that I randomly move around, usually at 5am because I panic jump out of bed to get that sucker perched up in a new locale. But I’ve barely watched any Christmas movies. Rarely play Christmas tunes at home. Like, what Christmas magic are my kids going to remember? I’m so afraid it’s nothing.
My ears perked right up at this question and I was delighted by her answer. One, because it’s so obvious and two, because it’s realistic. Stay in your lane, she said. What do you do well? Yeah, do that.
You know what comes easy to me? Driving around in the evening looking at Christmas lights. I basically do it by accident because I’m personally so delighted by the lights that I just scream out - guys! Look! It happens all the time too, because we usually have an errand to run anyway and in northern Michigan, it’s dark promptly at 4:30, so if I need a gallon of milk after the school pick-up, well, it’s dark! And those houses are decorated! Look guys! Look!
My mom was a SAHM who delighted in crafts and baking and all the domestic duties that I often trudge through, but you know what I remember? All of my sibs squeezed in the backseat of her car, christmas music playing, and her pointing out the neighbor’s lights. This is how I know, it really can be enough.
I’m leaning into that this week. There’s a few neighborhoods I want to make a concerted effort to cruise through, and if I drum up the energy, maybe I’ll make some hot cocoa for the ride.
What’s your Christmas lane?
In My Cart -
Really leaning on Target Circle and Amazon at this point. 2-day shipping is my only hope.
+I’m always so surprised and delighted to see my kids gravitate to the most classic toys. Classics for a reason I guess. I selfishly love this tic-tac-toe board because it’s beautiful on my coffee table, but also a fun game we all love. Moms, how often are toys also aesthetically pleasing?!
+Related: a Magic 8 Ball is often as fun for adults as it is for kids.
+Also related: a spirograph that is classic and still a slamdunk for kiddos.
+The absolute most elite press-ons in the industry. I’m a week strong on this set that I picked up to wear for a Christmas party last week. Isn’t it the most perfect holiday color?
+Also purchased for myself, because I stuff my own stocking and I’m a sucker for a bubble initial necklace.
+Hopping Santa will pop this into my stocking.
Other Things
+The Gift Guides Made Me Do It from Totally Recommend for interesting commentary on the items that appear over and over again.
+Hahaha. I saw this headline and thought immediately, Michigan is going to be the vodka. The giant 14-dollar vodka. Has to be. It is.
+My number one parenting rule.
+OMG OMG OMG. Cannot wait to check into S3 of The White Lotus.
+Vibes. Still waiting on my letter, McGonagall.
PS - The last set of musings.
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