Christmas Spirit

Nothing quite matches the excitement and magic from those childhood Christmases of long ago. After we first got married, Hubby and I implemented our own version of Advent. It helped give me focus for the holiday season, and that helps bring the whole Christmas-time a little more sparkle and fun. Still, all that being said, some years are easier to feel the excitement than others. 

For whatever reason, this year I'm having the worst time getting into the Christmas spirit. Generally, I get my shopping/gift making started once Halloween has passed; sometimes even earlier. However, not this year. 

Still, despite it all, I've been trying. We got the tree up the first Saturday of December. Townshend is really getting into Christmas this year, so that was extra fun. 

Once I finally got moving on my gifts, that helped too. I enjoy plotting and planning, even the wrapping is fun. However, there's something extra magic, for me as a crafty sort of person, in making a gift for someone. And getting started on the few that I'm making for people also really boosted my Christmas spirit. 

who can't help but be cheered by this amazing face!

And my most recent endeavor was to bake some cookies. I do like baking cookies. Though, in my quest for greater Christmas spirit, I may have gotten a bit carried away.....

First came some sugar cookies:

These are great 'cuz the kids enjoy decorating them (ok, Moon was all about it but Townshend, not so much).. Still, no matter who does the sprinkling, they come out looking pretty:

Then, can't not do the universal favorite - chocolate chip cookies:

And, from my grandma, chocolate surprise cookies:

Followed by these festive brown-sugar cookies (they're almost two types in one):

And finally, Koulouthia cookies in candy cane shapes, for Hubby's grandma:

 This year I called it quits at this point; enough is enough and though I love them, I didn't do any Snickerdoodles... I had to draw the line somewhere. Still... we may need to ship some of these out so to share the wealth. We'll see if I can get myself put-together enough to get it done before New Years.......