How to Abandon Everything Except Joy This Year

February 13, 2021 / Toni Williams / Leave a comment

This is a sponsored post. All opinions are my own.

I love the Christmas season. I love the songs, the sights, and the smells of that time of year.

Oh, yes I do realize it’s February.

I just have to pause though and mention that I love, love, love the Christmas season (even in a pandemic) and I’m always sad each January because it’s over.

I can attribute the season to one word: JOY. And while I may no longer be singing about joy, or bells for that matter, I did spend a good part of the holiday season cultivating a list I knew I would need later. This list, to be exact, gives me all the feels on how to cultivate Christmas-like joy for the rest of the year. Continue reading →

A Mom’s Christmas Poem

December 21, 2017December 21, 2017 / Toni Williams / 1 Comment

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Twas the week before Christmas, and all on the blog

Are photos of kids, wish lists, and even the dog.

The cards are not addressed, the presents not bought

Mom also has a wish list, but it’s not a lot

Before Christmas Day

I have something I want to say

I don’t want perfume or candy or a jewel

I just want a few things that I think are really cool

Continue reading →

Baby It’s Cold Outside

December 20, 2016 / Toni Williams / Leave a comment

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I’m a native of Chicago. I graduated from high school in June of 1990. Within three months, I was living in Mississippi for college. My first semester there, I distinctly remember taking final exams in shorts and t-shirts. In December. From that moment forward, I never wanted to experience a Chicago winter again.

Thankfully, because our family lived in Mississippi, it wasn’t hard. Grandparents, aunts, and uncles all made the case for us to spend Christmas in Mississippi. My favorite time to visit Chicago is between May and September; and that’s what I’ve done for nearly 20 years.

But this year is different. This year our family has experienced loss beyond measure. This year, I decided that because my aging parents had been travelling non-stop, the kids and I would spend the Christmas holidays with them. In Chicago. Continue reading →

Holiday Organization Printables & More

November 16, 2015November 16, 2015 / Toni Williams / Leave a comment

Hey friends!

Thanksgiving is next week. Now, let’s imagine that I said that without hyperventilating. Except I am hyperventilating. And I’m not hosting anyone for dinner.

I suppose all of my anxiety about Thanksgiving is actually in preparation for the entire holiday season. So just in case you feel the slightest bit uneasy, I have some things to help you. Everything loves a good printable (or two), right?

Click to access a Family Holiday Bucket List printable.

Click on the image to download the bucket list.

Click through to get a grocery shopping list printable for the holidays.

Click on the image to download your grocery & shopping list.

Remember to sit down with your family to create a Family Holiday Bucket List so that you all can do the things that matter. Remember, no matter busy this season becomes, it’s time to focus on People Over Things. If you’d like a reminder delivered to your inbox every day from November 21 – January 1, sign up here.

Don’t forget to keep your holiday shopping list somewhere accessible like your purse. If you need a reminder on all of the things you need to do now, click on the image below to check out my Rock the Holidays webinar. Remember though, today is November 16 and everything I mentioned in the list needed to have been done by yesterday in order for you to stay ahead of the game. I just wanted to call that to your attention, but no pressure okay?

Click through to see how you can rock the holidays this year.

Click to watch my Rock the Holidays webinar on YouTube.

Today on the Mocha Mob radio show, I’ll talking about what you need to be doing to prepare specifically for Thanksgiving, because after all it is next week. And of course, I’ll update you on what you can do to prepare your hearts and your minds for Christmas.

(Disclosure: This post does contain affiliate links for Amazon.)

I’m really glad you’re reading this today, but I sense you’ve got some preparations to make. And if, just if, your to-do list is feeling a tad to much, let Amazon help. Really, no one will know (or care) if your vegetable chopper was ordered on the internet. And if you’re not cooking, they have an excellent selection of hostess gifts and how-to videos on preparing typical holiday food items.

Remember, we’re not behind. You still have plenty of time, I just want to make sure you have time to actually enjoy this year’s holiday season. Have you missed any recent posts? Click on the images below to read them.