{"id":12221,"date":"2012-11-01T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2012-11-01T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.momstoolbox.com\/blog\/?p=12221"},"modified":"2012-11-01T13:00:09","modified_gmt":"2012-11-01T18:00:09","slug":"strategies-for-a-simpler-christmas-season-guest-post-coupon-giveaway","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.momstoolbox.com\/blog\/strategies-for-a-simpler-christmas-season-guest-post-coupon-giveaway\/","title":{"rendered":"Strategies for a Simpler Christmas Season: Guest Post, Coupon & Giveaway"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Guest post by Jessica Fisher of Life as Mom<\/strong><\/div>\n

So, are you ready for Christmas? I know it\u2019s only November 1st, what gives?<\/p>\n

While it may only be the start of November, stores and marketers have been strategizing for months on how to get us into the holiday spirit. My own Lowe\u2019s and Walmart both \u201cdecked the halls\u201d about two weeks ago. I was stunned to see the sparkling trees before I\u2019d heard the first \u201ctrick or treat.\u201d<\/p>\n

Although I understand the importance of planning ahead, this seems a bit much. The battle for our hearts and pocket books is on. What will we spend time and money on this season?<\/p>\n

The stores are starting their holiday celebrations now in the hopes that they can extend the spending season as well. The temptation is there for us to overspend and overdo. That means it\u2019s in our best interests to make some plans of our own before we step into the fray.<\/p>\n

Consider these strategies for a simpler Christmas season:<\/p>\n

Reflect.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

What are the most important things for you and your family at the holidays? Once you determine your priorities, you can assign time, money, and effort to those things instead of spending them scattershot.<\/p>\n

Resist.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

If you have priorities in place, then you\u2019ll be better able to resist unnecessary purchases and commitments. Do the things that suit your family for this year. Don\u2019t feel snookered into something that works for others if it doesn\u2019t work for you.<\/p>\n

Rejoice!<\/strong><\/h3>\n

This is a time to celebrate God\u2019s goodness, to give thanks for our abundance, to rejoice in the coming of the Savior, and to celebrate new beginnings. Remember that it is a time for great rejoicing. Don\u2019t get bogged down by the unimportant.<\/p>\n

Read A Simpler Season<\/a><\/h2>\n

A Simpler Season<\/a> is a ginormous compendium of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year\u2019s planning ideas and printable pages. With the busy family in mind, it provides recipes, to-do lists, children\u2019s activity sheets, planning pages, gift ideas, and step-by-step tutorials for creating homemade gifts. There\u2019s even an extensive children\u2019s book list with accompanying activities to do with your kids as well.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s not designed to give you more to do, but to provide the tools to make the most of the time you choose. \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

You can buy A Simpler Season in pdf<\/a> or on Kindle<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The halls have been decked, but you don\u2019t need to be decked by the holidays. Spend a few moments envisioning the holiday season you want this year. Say yes to the important things and celebrate a simpler season.
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\nWhat\u2019s a priority for YOU this holiday season?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

— Jessica Fisher is a busy mom to six children, making her home in San Diego. She writes about life, laughter and the pursuit of a clean house at Life as Mom<\/a> and shares delicious ways to act your wage at Good Cheap Eats<\/a>. She is the author of several books, including A Simpler Season<\/a> and Not Your Mother\u2019s Make-Ahead and Freeze Cookbook<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

A Simpler Season Giveaway & Coupon:<\/h3>\n

Jessica has graciously offered to give away three copies of A Simpler Season<\/strong><\/em> to MomsToolbox readers. Would you like to win one?<\/p>\n

If so, enter to win by leaving a comment on this post sharing what your priority will be this season and what battles against it.<\/p>\n

You can also earn bonus entries by:<\/p>\n