December

For me, December is a time not only for good cheer, but also a time to reflect on the year behind you and look forward to the year ahead…

I am incredibly grateful for all the amazing opportunities in my life, for a husband that has allowed me to freely pursue my passions, and for friends and family that have offered shoulders and ears and helping hands. In a single year, I have learned such a tremendous amount about myself, about business, about sacrifice and heartache, about joy and wonder, about friendship, about failure, and about all the wonderful and terrible things that come with life and living.

I readily admit, however, that this was not an easy year for me. My marriage hit a few bumps in the road, my pregnancy didn’t quite come to fruition, my business venture was failing me, and depression was consistently on the periphery of my vision. I had fallen into a rut and my demons were getting the better of me.

I had fallen apart indeed, and now have the labor of picking up the good pieces, tossing out the bad, and rebuilding a better version of myself. And you know what? I’m already feeling happier and healthier and ooh-so hopeful…

That’s one of the of the many wonders of December and the ensuing New Year: the strength it provides and the multitude of possibilities it brings.

I do feel as though I’m on a better path and while I’m sure there will be more bumps in the road ahead, I am without a doubt that 2013 is going to be a great year!

My new philosophy for the New Year: “be present and be happy.” What’s yours?

December is a month of celebration, for life and love, for the joys of the year behind us and hope for the year ahead. For many of us, December actually IS one big party, or rather, many, many little parties.

And if you’re anything like me, you’d be absolutely and terribly mortified showing up to any one of these parties without a gift in hand. Of course, per #5 in the Random Facts About Me, I’m the second worst procrastinator I know! So in typical fashion, I’d be running around like a crazy person 30 minutes before said party in a desperate attempt to find an acceptable hostess gift.

BUT, since I have vowed to keep my cool this December… procrastinate less, shop more (not for myself, unfortunately), and have that perfect gift at the ready, I’ve decided to throw together a very merry gift guide for myself and all you other crazies out there!

Without further ado:

Gift Guide For the Hostess with the Mostess

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And for all you DIYers out there, here are a few more adorably frugal gift ideas:

Create a DIY chart with your own holiday message! You can find a tutorial here and an actual chart maker here.

Purchase a few wood heart cutouts – found at Michaels, Hobby Lobby, or most local craft stores – paint on chalk board paint in a color of your choosing, drill a hole, and attach ribbon. Viola, you’ve got yourself a perfect hostess gift!

This one is for DIYers and non-DIYers alike! Grab yourself a boxwood wreath and a festive ribbon and you’re done. If you’re feeling a little more crafty, add some berries and clip on a small, white bird.

And if you’re the hostess this year, hopefully you’ll find yourself with some fabulous goodies Winking smile