December's Simplification

So my last post was about how I am going to really try and simplify my life as much as possible this coming year. Really though it started in December. I had a little conversation with a neighbor/friend about how every year I am starting to dread the holidays because the true meaning of Christmas seems to be sucked away by all the commercialism. I declared that I did not want to do the whole neighbor gift thing (not because I don't like any of them, I actually love them all!) but if I did not do it I would look like a jerk. Kind of like the whole between a rock and a hard place thing. ANYWAY, we came up with the idea of donating to a charity in lieu of neighbor gifts. Long story short; Everyone got on board and thought it was a FANTASTIC idea and we chose to donate to the Midvale Family Support Center, a great cause and located in Midvale. Check out their link here www.familysupportcenter.org.
I was so impressed by how generous everyone was and hopefully we made an impact. So this may not sound SIMPLE. Really it wasn't since me and my friend organized it but it really did bring the true spirit of Christmas into our hearts. Although it may have been just a spark, I hope it ignited something in my children's hearts as well as to what Christmas is all about.

My other ways of making the season more simple were:
1-Not sending out Christmas cards. A burden was lifted!
2-Only putting up one Christmas Tree. I'm thinking this was a great idea now that it's time to take it down
3-I only got out about 1/3 of my Holiday Decorations. I left the rest in the boxes.
4-I cleaned out my closet. A pain for me. I did give everything I did not need/wear anymore to a girl who probably really needed them.

Those were only a few things but I did feel lighter so to speak. I am going to now check out the website that has been recommended to me more than once. flylady.com
Happy New Year!
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