Friends, it’s DECEMBER!
In honor of one of my VERY favorite months of the year, I compiled some of my favorite ideas/traditions/things to do/things about the month in one post.
It’s my Christmas from A to Z.
Advent
Whether you have an Advent calendar for your family or want an Advent Bible study, it truly is the reason for the season. I’m currently working my way through The Wonder of Advent, and if you’re looking for a way to keep Christ in Christmas, it’s not too late to start!
Bar cart
You don’t need an actual cart (although how fun if you do?!), but keeping easy ingredients together for quick cocktails is a plus during the holiday season. From overnight company to drop in guests to parties, having the basics on hand for delicious cocktails and nibbles is oh so festive. This time of year, we keep things like cinnamon sticks, cranberries, rosemary and good quality hot chocolate on hand for some of our favorite cocktails. We also make sure we have plenty of club soda, Tennessee Fire, Irish Whiskey, vodka, tequila and a variety of wines on hand too for easy entertaining.
Cards
What do you do with your cards when they arrive? For years and years now, we have taped ours to our pantry door and/or kitchen cabinets and fridge. This way, it’s an easy way to display them and enjoy them all season long. Some years (when we’re on our A-game), we take them down after the holiday season and put them away by the kitchen table. At night, when it’s time to bless our meal, we’ll pull them out and pray over whichever family is the next card in our deck. This is a great way to remember the people you love the most and pray over them all year long.
Date nights
Put them on your calendar early before the season gets too busy and you can’t make it happen. There is just something extra magical about adult time during the holiday season.
Eggnog recipes
If you don’t love it by the glass, enjoy it by the slice! I love putting eggnog in seasonal recipes!
Fireplaces
Turn it on no matter what the outside temp says. Nothing says “cozy” more than a fire at night while watching a movie.
Gifts
Have you purchased all of your holiday gifts yet? Don’t forget about…
…my HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDES!
Home
As much as I love going out this time of year, there is just something super wonderful about staying at home too…especially with a fire and holiday movie!
Ice skating
One of our favorite traditions is hitting the ice!
Jammy Coca Christmas
This tradition is a must do every year! You can read about it HERE!
Kris Kringle
Don’t forget to go see the big guy himself!
Lights
One can simply not have too many lights up this time of year. We love to decorate inside and out with twinkle lights, and then we also love to drive around at night and see them on the homes in our community too.
Movies
Eeeeks! I love Christmas movies so much! Here are my TOP 9!
Nativity
We have used this exact nativity for about 12 years. I love that it’s made for kiddos, so they can hold it, play with it, touch and learn the real reason we celebrate the holiday season easily. If you have little ones at your house, I highly recommend the Little People Christmas Story set.
Ornaments
They don’t have to just go on the tree! I love to decorate with them in so many different ways!
Peppermint
My Peppermint Gingersnap Christmas Crack is so easy and freezes so well! It’s such a fun little snack to have around the house during the holidays!
Quiet times
If you’re looking for a GREAT WAY to spend your quiet time each day, I simply cannot recommend The Bible Recap enough!
Reindeer
I have Reindeer Food for you to enjoy with a movie plus…
…some Reindeer Food especially made just to leave out on Christmas Eve for Santa’s crew too 🙂 .
Stockings
I have your Stocking Gift Guides available too…
This will make Santa’s job so much easier!
Trees
One can never have too many trees 🙂 .
Up on the rooftop
Awwww! We love the lights on the rooftop!
Visiting neighborhoods
One of our favorite traditions is taking a horse-drawn carriage ride in Dallas to see the gorgeous lights!
Welcoming
‘Tis the season for ugly sweaters and/or holiday pjs at the parties I host!
X-mas
Don’t forget to NOT take the Christ out of Christmas 🙂 .
Yuletide
Have as many Yuletide moments as possible. This time of year only happens once!
Zest
Add a little zest to all of your favorite seasonal recipes like this one here for my Frosted Cranberry Orange Bread!
From A to Z, here’s a little bit of how we’re celebrating the season! I hope you have the merriest start to your December!
Before you leave today, make sure you check out this post too…
…it’s my 25 Days of Christmas Treats! They’re all so easy, so festive and so delicious.
Happy December, friends! xx
Elspeth says
Love this post!!! Happy December!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Ashley says
So many fun Christmas things!! I just wanted to add I am so glad The Family Stone is on your movie list, it’s so good!! I am watching that and Love Actually while I wrap gifts and do laundry today! Merry Christmas!
Mix and Match Mama says
It’s one of my favorites!! Diane Keaton is just brilliant.
Charlene says
I love ur jar in the kitchen with the Xmas balls in it! Where did you buy that jar? I’ve never seen one like that with the things on the bottom (usually they’re just a pedestal).
Mix and Match Mama says
It’s from Hobby Lobby but years ago (maybe 8?). I love it too!
Rachel Kazmier says
3 weeks ago I made “aged” eggnog. Dipped into it last week for thanksgiving and holy yummy! PM me if you want the recipe. Easy and divine. It does need to sit for 2-3 weeks!
Mix and Match Mama says
Email it, please! I am so intrigued!! mixandmatchmama@yahoo.com
Laci Murray says
Your blog has always given me the best ideas and ways to create memories! Thank you and happy Dec 1
Mix and Match Mama says
Happy December 1st to you!!
Mary Ellen says
Shay, you did an amazing job with Christmas A-Z! What a wonderful way to start December!
Blessings and joy to you and your family.
Kelli says
Love this A to Z Christmas! Every time I read your blog posts I smile!! You bring such joy! Merry Christmas to you and your family!!
Mix and Match Mama says
Oh well there is just no compliment that means more. Merry Christmas to you too, Kelli!
Bailey says
Would love to see a picture of your bar cart!
Mix and Match Mama says
I don’t have a cart but a little bar area instead. I always think it’s so much fun to swap out the toppings and garnishes with each season.
Melanie M says
I love this creative post! I hope you and your entire family have a great Christmas!
Cheri says
Your house always looks so festive but I have one question (nothing to do with holidays), what is the room/area on the other side of your gates (not the house side)?
Mix and Match Mama says
Garage 🙂
Kristi OBrien says
You are THE CUTEST with the BEST ideas, recipes and style! Thank you always sharing. Happy December to you and your adorable family XOXO
sandi says
Great post! Our little people nativity set is about 20 years old and still comes out every year even though there are no “little people” still in the house.
Because of your blog, many years ago we started a pajama Christmas lights night too. A route is created based on a Christmas lights map a local real estate agents puts together. After our hot chocolate/coffee stop, we sing funny carols as we drive… many that ended up on your bottom five comments list. 🙂 I mean really, who wants a hippopotamus for Christmas? Our son has graduated from pajama bottoms to sweat pants (the girls still wear pajamas) but he humors us and goes.
These days and traditions are really going by quickly… with three in college and only one left at home at some point our Christmases will be shared and blended as our kids marry and start their own traditions. I’m just a momma trying to keep her family doing things together for as long as possible.
Robin says
I live in a small rented 1940s cottage. The kitchen cabinets are the original white painted metal. As a way to display Christmas cards last year I taped wide red ribbon down the middle of the the cabinet doors and used tiny craft clothespins to attach the cards to the ribbon. It looked festive in my tiny kitchen!
Mix and Match Mama says
That sounds SO FESTIVE! I love that idea!
Kristy Ramirez says
Please post the link to your Christmas playlist. I would love to add it to mine and follow.
Mix and Match Mama says
You can find it here: https://mixandmatchmama.com/2022/11/top-five-bottom-five-christmas-songs/ I hope you love it!!