secret santa workshop

We had another Secret Santa Workshop this weekend and I had lots of darling little elves furiously crafting holiday gifts, ornaments and sweet goodies. We built gingerbread houses. We glittered. We feathered. We beaded. We did a little holiday photo editing. We ate and wrapped and told stories and ate some more. We DESTROYED the house. A mom (that I had never met) came to pick up her daughter and looked around. It looked like Christmas had exploded.

"I don't do crafts." she said.

And I had given her all the proof she would need in this lifetime as to why she was perfectly justified.

"Just bring her to me." I said.

I'm not afraid to give 10 kids peppermint vanilla steamers, a hot glue gun, and eight different glitter choices. How 'bout those mugs?! I owe Rebecca at Sweet Hot Mess big time for that idea. She emailed me with all of her trial and error research, and after acquiring some oil paint sharpies, those fun mugs almost made themselves!

I am now excited to turn down the volume on Christmas and 'get simple'. Here's a little tidbit for you. Advent, the time leading up to Christmas, in the Christian tradition, is intended to be a time of stillness and reflection in anticipation for the birth of baby Jesus.

Boy, have we jumped the tracks on that one.

So. Here is permission to chill. From me.

As I write, I am listening to Axel Rose freak on O Holy Night.

We do what we can.

Thanks Denise!