Happy Friday!
Matt and I hosted a Christmas party this week for my husband’s work. It was such a delight to have everyone in my home, but I had all the nerves and it seems like I never have enough time to get all the things I want done before people arrive.
In the hours before people arrived as I rushed around cleaning, I felt like God was nudging my heart and reminding me of what truly makes a special gathering for people.
I want to share this simple but powerful nugget that was shared with me by a wise friend, for all your parties and family gatherings coming up.
People remember most how you make them FEEL more than any food, drink, or treat served.
You know those people who walk in a room and either seem to say with their attitude: “WOW, there YOU are!” Vs. “Here I am!”
I know I have certainly hosted and even been a guest who has the mentality of thinking only of myself and my “hosting performance,” but wow, I was missing the whole point in those moments.
People feel so good when we have gotten over ourselves, so to speak, and are really focused on THEM-seeing them, being excited to see them, and looking them in the eyes to notice how they are really doing.
To be seen, known, and loved is one of the greatest gifts we can give people who we interact with in all our get-togethers this season.
I hope this little party tip sticks in your mind:
Be the “There YOU are kind of friend!” And notice how your relationships grow and how much more FUN you have all your parties and family gatherings this season.
Here are some other Ideas for Intentionality for this Christmas Season:
Ideas for Intentionality:
Recent Orders:
Self-Closing Door Hinges: Got a door in your home that you need to keep shut? All day long I was obsessive over keeping the door to the basement shut, so the baby wouldn’t fall down the stairs. It was always in my brain. And then my friend Brandi told me about these! I feel like I got to quit a part-time job as stairs manager! Whew! What a relief!
Yoto Order: My goal is to have all the kids have 1 hour of quiet this year. We all need some space from one another come 1:30pm, all 3 of my bigs will have a Yoto while my 2 littles nap. I ordered a new Yoto Mini, a mini case, a card case, 10 new cards (excited about JJ Heller music card), and a case for our bigger Yoto player.
Click this link to give you a 10% discount on your purchase!
Wrapping Paper and Good Tape: I have enjoyed this simple, yet beautiful wrapping paper and this tape pack has been great too (can you have enough tape this time of year?!? 😂)
Biography I Am Reading: This is part 2 of the Elisabeth Elliot biography. I named my 2nd girl after this woman, so it is a joy to dig deeper into her life.
Gifts for Outside Kids:
- One of the best gifts I have given my kids and my sanity is fun outside. It is said that for proper development kids need 4+ hours of outside FREE play. Send some of these items to the grandmas in your life to avoid gifts that add clutter and will truly add value!
Scooters: I love this scooter for 1-3 year olds and this one as they get bigger/ heavier. They are pricey, but are more durable than scooters we have had in the past.
Helmet: Just can’t say enough about the fit of these helmets! The only helmet my kids actually like wearing, bc they fit like a ball cap.
Obstacle Course: We have invested in these the past 2 Christmases and have one lower one for littles and a higher one for the bigs. In hindsight, I like the ones with neutral colors bc there is less visual clutter outside.
Favorite Swing: Love this saucer swing, it has held up for years and you can attach this to an obstacle course above too! I love to swing on it myself! 😆
Roller Blades + Pads: It is old school, but amazing exercise! The boys rollerbladed on their used skates until the wheels fell off! Boys and girls version…and don’t forget pads so you can avoid an ER trip! 🙃
Jackets: I have 4 of these now in matching green. They are thick, durable, and gender-neutral (fur lining pops off too!) which helps me pass things down from the boys to the girls. On SALE this Saturday 🙌
Snow Bibs: As it gets colder one hack is to have the kids slip these on to go outside and play. These aren’t just for snow, work great for rain and cold too!
Beanie: Love these simple timeless beanies, if the kid’s heads stay warm they stay outside longer. 🙌
Babies Outside: Babies need outside time too! This Hiking Backpack is great for longer walks with your bigs, the Ergo is great for everyday walks, bunting outfits keep them warm, and some extra cozy socks are handy to have.
Favorite Stroller: One of my FAVs as a mom is getting outside to recharge myself, giving my back a break from holding the baby, plus being able to keep up with my bigs as they scooter like a jogging stroller. I have had this one for the last 9 years!!! And this double one for 8 years!
Sending love,
Lana
P.S. NEW Mini-Course Officially Launches Today!
Tired of your home feeling chaotic, messy, and simply feeling triggered all the time? I have some help for you with this short but power-packed course that I did with Simple Living Expert Margaret Matheny!
Pregnant P.S. Did you know that I used to be terrified about birth and THEN went on to have 5 natural births? God revealed some amazing things to me through my birth prep and then through all my births that I have packed into my natural birth course, which is for Christian women who want to prep their hearts, minds, and bodies for natural birth. You don’t need to be a superwoman and have crazy high pain tolerance, you just need to know some KEY things about birth that I share in this FREE CLASS 💕