Getting Ready for Christmas by Tara Randel





Christmas is definitely a busy time of the year.  Decorating, cooking, parties, all within a month’s time. I’ve been known to run myself ragged, doing way too much in a short time. So this year, I decided to take it slow and savor the month. Instead of getting caught up in so much  “stuff” that I barely enjoy myself, I vow to stop at least once a day to take a deep breath and relax.

Repeat after me, deep breath and relax.

Tough to do, isn’t it! 

I don’t even have my Christmas tree up yet. In fact, as I write this, I just finished taking down the Thanksgiving decorations. But I refuse to stress. It’s still early. Or late, depending on your point of vow. Judging from the amount of pictures on Facebook featuring festive trees, I may be a tad bit tardy.

I even bought myself several Christmas themed romances that I intend to read before year’s end, you  know, to keep the Christmas spirit. So...reading is my big Christmas activity this year.




Disclaimer: These beautiful pictures of Christmas lights were taken at Hollywood Studios at Disney. Not my house!

Let’s face it, I may have good intentions, but I know I’ll get caught up in some Christmas thing and love every minute of it. Who am I kidding? This is the best time of year!

Just for grins, here’s my holiday picture. Grumpy cat has nothing on my Belle!



To all our wonderful Heartwarming readers, I hope you enjoy your time with family and friends during the Christmas season. Whatever you may do, take a few moments to remember the reason of the season.

To celebrate this wonderful time of year, leave a comment about your favorite Christmas activity. I’ll be giving away the three books in The Business of Weddings series, Orange Blossom Bride, Magnolia Bride, and my current December release, Honeysuckle Bride.  Winner will be announced in this comment section on Saturday.


Comments

  1. Your poor cat! She looks about ready to escape. Hope you get a chance to breathe and relax.

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  2. She wasn't very happy! Enjoy the holidays!

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  3. Tara, your ideas of taking it easy really appeal to me. Unfortunately I am destined to mail all gifts I buy, so I must start thinking of Christmas early. And this year I'm behind. Very behind. Today I need to go stand in line at the post office and it's pouring rain. Why did I wait until one of our two days of rain you ask? Aiyii--darned if I know. Merry Christmas.

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  4. Tara, I agree with the taking some breaths and letting some things go! I'm scaling back this year and I'm already okay with it(: As long as the kids in my life get their gifts I'm not going to stress (this is what I've been telling myself). Looking very forward to your new release Honeysuckle Bride!

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  5. I'm scaling back this year, too...I think. At the very least, I'm going slow. My favorite things are the surprise ones that happen throughout December. Today my daughter, who teaches special ed., declared it Tiara Thursday in her classroom and I got to help put tiaras on a flock of excited little girls. It made their day--and mine.

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    1. I love it! Tiara Thursday. Hmm...sounds like a book title.

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  6. Since the kids are off to college, we've scaled way back. It is a nice break. Although I don't have it in my "schedule" to read until after Christmas

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  7. Tara - I'm going to follow your 'take a deep breath and relax' advice. I don't do a lot anyway, but I just sent a book off day before yesterday, and while I'm thrilled and relieved, I have that "Aaagghh!" feeling we probably all have at that time because the house is upside down and my husband is hungry for something that didn't come out of a box. I love Christmas! Our local Historical Society has a tea using old china and everybody's teapots. They make plum pudding and a big fuss. I used to take the granddaughters, but now I go with friends. It's like a Meet Me in St. Louis Christmas in Astoria. Christmas blessings, everybody!

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  8. I don't have my tree up, either. But perhaps tonight...I've been saying that for a week now. lol I did help with our singing Christmas Tree at church if that counts. Merry Christmas All!

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  9. I'm probably the odd one out here but I've made the conscious decision to forego the holidays many, many years ago and have chosen instead to honor my friends and family all year long. I didn't particularly agree with the commercialism, stress and origin of many of the holidays so now I just celebrate each day instead of waiting for any particular day to do it. I respect others' decision to do the traditional celebrating, but I have been okay with choosing not to. I wish everyone a happy, stress-free December.

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    1. I agree with the commercialism. So let's celebrate every day!

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  10. Poor cat. We put antlers on the last dog we had and they stayed on for about a second until she pawed them off her head. I don't think our new puppy will let us put stuff on her. My favorite Christmas activity is watching the Christmas classics. I do also enjoy reading holiday romances.

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  11. I can't help it, I love dressed up animals. Enjoy watching the classics.

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  12. LOL, my cat wouldn't stay still long enough for me to do this.

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  13. My daughter dressed the cat, not me. LOL

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  14. I loved your post and those pictures of Disney-decorated houses are breathtaking... but even more beautiful are always your covers and the wonderful stories between them <3

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  15. I had a hard time getting past the pictures, Tara, including the adorable one of Belle! Thank you for sharing.

    Best wishes for a wonderful Christmas, and a happy and healthy 2015.

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  16. And the winner of the giveaway is.....Lynsay Forsyth. Please contact me at www.tararandel.com. Thanks!

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