So ladies, are you like me, tensing up as the days speed along through the December calendar? Needing to take a “time out” like I want to? Do you long to destress and refresh from all of the holiday jingle?
Well then, glad you stopped by Keeper of the Home, because we have JUST the thing for you!
Our Christmas giveaway basket, Destress and Refresh, is filled with more than a few of our favorite things to help you do just that:
Even better, there are 13 other bloggers also offering great giveaways too. I can feel the destressing coming off of you in waves! 🙂
Thriving Home // 2. Happy Home Fairy // 3. Intoxicated on Life // 4. Mommy Hates Cooking // 5. Nourishing Joy // 6. Kitchen Stewardship // 7. Tried and Tasty // 8. Heavenly Homemakers // 9. Living the Nourished Life // 10. Brilliant Business Moms // 11. Gwen’s Nest // 12. Keeper of the Home // 13. The Nourishing Home // 14. Take Them a Meal
Here’s how you enter:
- Check out the giveaway collage featuring all the bloggers we’ve partnered up with and all of the incredible items they’ve put together.
- Scroll on down to see the details for OUR Destress and Refresh Basket.
- Enter to win in the giveaway below.
- HOP to all the other sites and enter to win their Christmas things!
- Look around and enjoy the sites of these fabulous bloggers.
Let’s take a look at what’s in our Destress and Refresh Basket, shall we?
Serious Creatures Come and See Christmas Giclee 8×10 Fine Art Print
valued at $44
Come and See is a fine art giclee print on heavyweight matte archival paper. Also included is the most adorable collection of mini art notes.
Started by Brady and Amber Black, artists and also volunteers at Home of Hope just outside Beirut, to help with costs of being overseas and needing flexibility to do ‘good works’. Home of Hope accepts kids from all backgrounds and provides basic needs like food and shelter. Some of the kids are Palestinian or Syrian refugees, others are Lebanese-born. They arrive in the home because they have been picked up off the street or have been taken from very abusive situations. Their stories are myriad and all very sad.
We are honored to have their beautiful and whimsical artwork to include in our giveaway to share and inspire you to do good works at Christmas and all year long.
Money Saving Mom’s Gratitude Journal
valued at $10
This journal is a busy woman’s best friend. Not only is it filled with short inspirational quotes and practical tips you can use immediately, but it makes keeping a record of your blessings so simple to do!
There are just two lines for each day — enough space to record one or two blessings. It won’t take you longer than a minute to pick up and write in each day, but the practice of noticing and recording blessings every day — even on those hard days — can help to transform your whole outlook on life.
No matter the hard trials or struggles in our lives right now, you have something to be grateful for. Use this journal to help you begin to choose to see the beauty and blessing in the every day messes and struggles.
Hope Ink Art: “Rest Easy”
valued at $28
Here, a simple chair is framed by the words of Jesus, inviting us to come to Him to find true rest. Let me introduce you to Emily at Hope Ink, one of our favorite artists who shares her gift and love of art to inspire and encourage others.
Enjoy this Lustre art print of an original hand-drawn illustration by Emily. Ready to frame and share in your home. Printed by a professional photo lab on premium quality archival paper that will last a lifetime. Watermark will not appear on actual artwork.
Use code KOTHCHRISTMAS15 at Hope Ink Art and you’ll receive 30% off everything in the shop through Dec. 14, 2015
Plant Therapy: “Let It Go”, Lavender Roll-On, and Relax Synergy Roll-On
valued at $25.96
Let It Go synergy blend was specifically created to evoke a sense of peace and calm. Let It Go may also help calm nervous irritation. Not only is this a nice scent, it works well and of course my girls love the title. 😉
Let It Go can be directly inhaled or diffused. It can be very calming when added to your bath using ¼ cup of Epsom salt, 1 oz. milk, and 3-5 drops of the synergy. Dilute Let It Go with a carrier oil at a 2-3% and rub on the temples, back of neck and feet at night to promote a good night’s rest.
Or, if you win this gift basket, you can do what I have done over the past couple of weeks and put a few drops in your beautiful new Diffusing Mama’s necklace!
Contains the 100% pure,undiluted essential oils of: Tangerine, Ylang Ylang, Patchouli, Sweet Orange, Blue Tansy
Lavender is perhaps the most well-known of the essential oils, and for good reason. Lavender essential oil is renowned for its many beneficial properties, including promoting calm, relaxation, and being a nervous tension reliever. It can also help reduce the appearance of marks and imperfections and help soothe alterations in skin integrity, such as after sun exposure or a minor cooking burn. It’s a favorite among the girls in our home. I particularly like to use it at night to help myself or one of the kids relax before bedtime.
The essential oils in the Relax synergy were specially chosen to help promote a peaceful, tranquil state of mind. Relax can help after a particularly trying day when you need some emotional support. Contains the 100% pure essential oils of: Lavender, Marjoram, Patchouli, Mandarin, Geranium, Roman Chamomile blended into a base of fractionated coconut oil.
Plant Therapy Roll-ons are 100% pure essential oils diluted with fractionated coconut oil and come ready-to-use. These are the perfect on-the-go essential oils!
Bend Soap Milk Bath in a Bag
valued at $ 7.oo
Milk Bath in a Bag is the ULTIMATE spa treatment right in your home! After reviewing it recently for Keeper of the Home, I have personally been back to their website twice already to buy more. Some as gifts (shhhh) and maybe some for myself? Ok yes, I couldn’t help it! My skin just feels so good.
There are many wonderful scents to choose from but this bag is in Pure and Natural form. The ingredients are simply goat milk, saponified coconut oil, olive oil, and palm oil. That’s it! No added essential oils or fragrances. Just the best of the best for your skin. This soap is the one that started it all for the Bend Soap Company. Read about them in our post HERE.
Redmond Bath Salt Plus (5-pound bag)
valued at $14.99
Are you tired of bath salts that are full of chemicals and additives? We were too, which is why we have introduced Redmond Bath Salt.
If you like our Redmond Bath Salt, and want additional trace minerals to enrich your mineral bath then Redmond Bath Salt Plus is for you. Redmond Bath Salt is a completely natural mineral sea salt that comes from a sea bed dating back thousands of years. Our bath salt is so natural you can eat it! Both of our Redmond Bath Salts contain more than 60 natural trace minerals which are great for the body and skin including potassium, magnesium, selenium, zinc, and more. The difference is that our Redmond Bath Salt Plus has a higher concentration of minerals and natural clay than our Redmond Bath Salt. While both are very effective in detoxifying and remineralizing the body, Redmond Bath Salt Plus is preferred by some because of the higher concentration of minerals which are naturaly present in the salt.
If you like, add a few drops of your favorite essential oils for a customized soothing experience.
Redmond has lots of other cool products as well, I’m currently trying a toothpaste and face mask made from clay. Crazy, right? Clay, sea salt and essential oils in a toothpaste? But they are rockin my mouth! Check it out.
Diffusing Mama’s Round Silver Moroccan (20mm) Aromatherapy / Essential Oils Diffuser Locket Necklace
valued at $34.95
My absolute favorite gift of the year. I bought mine a few weeks ago and have worn it nearly everyday since! It’s pretty and feminine which I like, but it is so much more than that as well. I have been using Eucalyptus oil in mine to help with the stuffiness and congestion and lavender or Plant Therapy’s Let It Go to help me relax. It’s so easy to use and its right under my nose where I need it. Plus, when you use the pads inside the locket the oil stays for days without needing to reapply!
In addition, all three of my teenage girls and quite surprisingly, one of my teenage boys (you can get boy friendly styles) are wearing them now to help with their stuffy noses and they love them as much as I do. Win win for mama! Way better than all those over-the-counter meds.
These beautifully constructed, high quality lockets are specifically designed with ventilation holes to gently diffuse your favorite scent. These vents allow you to get the full effects of your aromatherapy oils throughout the day and night. Made of 100% surgical grade (316L) stainless steel with heavy locking magnets and a solid back, these lockets are built to last for everyday use without staining your skin or clothes. Size of locket: 20mm diameter. Color of locket: Silver. Includes: one highly durable 316L surgical grade stainless steel locket, adjustable stainless steel chain with lobster claw connector (18-20″), 2 highly absorbent, washable, and interchangeable pads (1 black & 1 white).
Signed copy of Spa Treatments for Your Body and Soul: Tranquil Moments to Refresh Your Spirit, by Janie Seltzer, “Doors & Windows” plaque, and “Success” plaque
valued at $32.97
Women who feel themselves being stretched and pulled to the limit and longing for a quiet moment of renewal will discover lasting refreshment in this inspiring guide to an inner spa experience. The clean and contemporary design echoes the life–transforming thoughts and practical suggestions from Janie Seltzer, “poet of the spiritual life.”
This spa–experience–in–a–book encourages women to attend to their souls and drink deeply from God’s renewing Word to discover eternal beauty, pleasure, and cleansing. Poems that inspire deep reflection, thoughts about living life in God’s presence, and practical hints for self–care allow women to create their own retreats in the midst of everyday life–retreats of reading, thinking, praying, and reflecting.
From getting a good night’s sleep to clearing the clutter of life to indulging in moments of meditation, every weary woman will appreciate this unique guide to pampering—and transforming—the heart and spirit.
Enjoy your autographed copy of Spa Treatments for the Body and Soul plus two inspiring prints by Janie.
;
Lake Champlain “Gift of Goodness” Organic Chocolate Squares
valued at $20
Give, indulge in or even better, SHARE, a thoughtful gift that spreads sweet, salty cheer wherever it goes! Certified fair trade and organic, this holiday treat is filled with a mix of chocolate squares in two flavors — crunchy almonds and sea salt in 72% bittersweet dark chocolate, and 57% dark chocolate with toffee, almonds, and sea salt. Packaged in a handsome gift cube, it’s perfect for every office, living room, and Christmas stocking. Net Wt. 12.5 oz.
31 Assorted Dark Chocolate Squares, but who’s counting right? 😉 Just kidding, I wouldn’t eat your chocolate! Would I?
• Includes two flavors: Toffee & Almond Crunch and Almonds & Sea Salt
• Fair for Life certified — made with 90% Fair Trade ingredients
• All ingredients certified USDA organic by QAI
• Packaged in a festive gift cube
Wax and Oils Candles: Scented Candles 3-Pack
valued at $29.95
Wax & Oils is the result of our tireless commitment to ensure that each and every candle contains the Alford Bros. personal touch and attention. Hand-crafted and poured in Sterling, Virginia. Each candle has been fashioned with a high quality, eco-friendly soy based wax, allowing for a cleaner, soot-free burn that lasts up to 20 hours. This set is our top selling 3-pack. It’s perfect for any season: sweet minty eucalyptus, the classic lavender, and mood-lifter vanilla join forces for this powerful combination. Enjoy while relaxing, relieving stress, meditating and more!
Yes, we’ll be double-checking entries, in case you wondered…
At Thriving Home, Polly and Rachel strive to encourage moms to thrive in every area of home life. They try to keep it real when it comes to sharing about healthy recipes, raising little people, growing in their faith, freezer cooking and various other topics that motherhood and life may bring their way.
;
Mommy Hates Cooking is a national cooking and lifestyle website that encourages families to take back the dinner table. Through her easy-to-prepare (yet looks like you spent all day in the kitchen) meals and her knack for breaking down meal planning, Kristy has become the busy-mom’s resource for the modern family.
The Nourished Life is all about approaching health and wellness from a place of balance. Getting healthy should not be another source of stress in your life! We tackle everything from metabolism to body image to emotional wellness to DIY beauty. If you’re ready to break up with stress and body hate, and embrace a healthier approach to, well, being healthy, then our community might be the perfect fit for you.
TakeThemAMeal.com is a free online tool designed to coordinate the delivery of meals to loved ones in times of illness, new birth, loss of a loved one, etc. Meals are a tangible, meaningful way to show support and our website simplifies the process of coordinating so your time and energy can be spent caring for loved ones.
TriedandTasty.com is a recipe website where fun, conversational writing is paired with top notch food photography. Join Yvonne as she warmly welcomes you into her kitchen and shows you how to wow your tastebuds!
Laura Coppinger and her husband have four sons ages 10-18. HeavenlyHomemakers.com is dedicated to inspiring women daily with healthy (and easy!) recipes, homemaking tips, spiritual encouragement, and good ol’ clean fun.
Gwen is a busy Mama, a foodie who wants to be healthy, a southern girl, and an artist at heart who blogs at Gwen’s Nest. She shares recipes that taste amazing and also happen to be healthy, her research and experience with home remedies and herbs, ideas and tips on staying creative at home, and insights into life from her nest. Pop over and say hello!
Nourishing Joy is dedicated to real food and natural living. We’re on a mission to equip and inspire parents like you with the tools to make intentional, thoughtful decisions – that work for YOUR family – easy. Or at least easier.
Katie Kimball is on a mission to make real food and natural living possible for everyone. Kitchen Stewardship strives to present healthy living in bite-sized baby steps, challenging people to make positive changes in their kitchens without being overwhelmed, and providing tools to balance a family’s health, budget, time and the environment.
Intoxicated on Life is about raising strong families—body, mind, and soul. Rich and readable, Intoxicated On Life offers parents timely advice about how to have a healthy family in a world full of unhealthy choices, including books and articles about nutrition, natural remedies, wholesome parenting, and home education.
Brilliant Business Moms: Sarah Korhnak and Beth Anne Schwamberger are sisters, podcasters, and big dreamers! They interview Mamapreneurs each week who are growing a business while spending time with their families. They’re the authors of Time Management Mama, the creators of the Brilliant Business Planner, and your biggest cheerleaders when it comes to growing an online business.
The Nourishing Home provides family-friendly GF recipes, free weekly whole food meal plans, helpful cooking tips and techniques, and lots of encouragement to help you in your journey to live a more nourished life.
Keeper of the Home is a community of women in all seasons of life… newly married, young mama’s with babies, teens all the way up to young adulthood and beyond. We are passionate about being diligent and intentional “keepers of our home”. Enthusiastic about natural and healthy living, we are stewarding our health and the earth, as well as our homes, our times, and our families. In doing this we believe we Honor the Lord. We hope you will join us. Pull up a chair, a warm mug of something delicious, and share this journey with us.
Julie Brasington is the creator of Happy Home Fairy, a popular blog focusing on encouraging and equipping moms to choose joy on the parenting journey. She shares easy craft ideas, FREE printables, simple recipes, corny jokes, holiday fun, thoughts on raising her 2 boys, and honest, heartfelt messages to uplift the weary mama.
Jenuinely Pure a Genuine Delight
My biggest hurdle during the holidays is to keep all the activities down. Both my daughters and husband all have birthdays in December plus with Christmas, it can get a little crazy. Sometimes you just need to say no!
Just taking the time to relax and take and break,
Remembering the true meaning of Christmas.
I struggle with slowing down. At this time of year, I always feel so rushed to get to the next event or activity. I need to do a better job of letting others know when I have reached my limit.
Without a doubt my biggest struggle at this time of year is busyness! There are just too many parties to attend, goodies to bake, and gifts to buy! I don’t get much time to myself to do those things that really recharge and refresh me!
Wow. This would be an awesome giveaway. I struggle with trying to keep up with the activities that I want to do with my kids but also not be too busy to just enjoy the season with them.
The biggest hurdle I face is not stressing that all the details are finished and to just relax.
My biggest hurdle in facing the holidays is overcommitment – time, money, energy. Or should I say overestimating what I can do. When I commit to responsibilities I never think it will take as much time and energy as it usually ends up taking. This is why it is so important for me to seek God’s plan and His Holy Spirit’s guidance. When I do that my holidays (and everyday) are filled with joy.
The biggest hurdle I face is not stressing that all the details aren’t finished and just to relax.
I am finding it hard this year to slow down and enjoy things while also trying to make sure my family, children especially (ages 3 and 1), get to experience the joy in the season. I have a list a mile long of experiences I want to share with them and traditions I want to begin, but I know the thing my family needs from me most is a present mama…not one that is frazzled from trying to rush from one “fun” or “inspiring” thing to the next.
Keeping up with all the activities and staying on budget!
Balancing activities that have to be done normally and adding more things to make it special.
Trying to do too much
Remembering the true meaning of God’s gift while having fun with the family
It’s usually hardest for me to get Christmas cards and letters out on time. These destressing gifts look great!
The biggest hurdle is keeping the focus on Christ and looking for Him as much as Simeon, Anna, the wise men, the shepherds, Zacharias, and so many others.
Getting everything done and enjoying the experience too. Thanks for the giveaway!
The pressure to ‘do it all’.
$
My biggest hurdle is stopping to enjoy the time with my family.
Staying sane! Between regular household stuff and doing Christmas activities with five kids, I have hard time holding on to my sanity.
My biggest challenge is too many things to do and not enough time.
My biggest struggle is keeping my family healthy during this season! It seems like at least one of us is sick all winter!
Remembering the true meaning of Christmas amid the busyness.
I sure could use some relaxation! I would love to win these items 🙂
My biggest struggle during the holidays is keeping, teaching and showing what the season is really about and not getting caught up in the hoopla of presents, decorations, ect.
Thanks for the giveaway. Chocolate, essential oils and gratitude-a great combination!
Putting too many expectations on myself.
my biggest hurdle is that there always seems like one more thing to do–the gift that came in late and needs to be wrapped or the food that has to be made last minute because it has to be fresh. It’s also tough to keep the real meaning of Christmas in the front of my kids’ minds.
Trying to fit it all in and remembering the true meaning of Christmas. Thank you for a wonderful give away. I love the thought of actually relaxing during this season. Merry Christmas everyone!
..to be able to celebrate and enjoy Christmas being far away from my family.
My biggest hurdles is time management when it comes to cooking and making gifts. I sometimes get stressed over it being enough for them (product of a dysfunctional family) and I have to take a breath and realize how grateful I am for wonderful husband, children, and in laws who enjoy gifts from the heart, of time, and new experience than material items.
My biggest hurdle is trying to keep the peace among everybody.
Trying to stay within budget but still give quality gifts to our family…Wanting to simplify but being expected to give gifts.
My biggest struggle would be just finding the downtime to NOT do any more preparation, clean-up, etc. and just BE.
Sarah M
All the hosting…I’m an introvert with three preschoolers.
Since having kids, the past two winters have been spent facing ear infections, stomach bugs, colds and other such fun sicknesses. We all face them, don’t we! My eldest gets sick every other week, and this season it feels like it started earlier. I’m pregnant with our third, and working full time, which makes it feel more stressful. While I am grateful for the blessings and challenges God has given, because it grows and stretches me, I can’t help but wonder what I could do differently to shield my babies from being sick all the time. Tis the season!
My biggest hurdle is “turning off my thoughts” at night so I can rest well.
Keeping Jesus at the center, not freaking out over changes and flexibility, trying too hard….
My biggest hurdle is that there is so much that I love to do that I try to cram it all in, even though there’s not really time for it all.
It’s so hard to remember that not everything “has” to happen for it to be the “perfect” Christmas. That’s my biggest struggle.
My biggest struggle is to keep my eyes and my heart fixed on Jesus rather than the celebration of it all.
My biggest struggle is taking time to relax. I enjoy all of the get togethers and parties, but my son and I are both introverts and need quiet, relaxing time at home.
Trying to get everything done and keep everyone happy at the same time.
I try to get everything done and keep everybody happy, it doesn’t usually work.
My biggest hurdle is all the expectations I put on myself. I want my family’s Christmas to be meaningful and magical, but knowing what that means and looks like in each season of life can be a challenge for me.
I am so excited about all these amazing ladies linking their favorite things. I follow Happy Home Fairy and found out about your blog through her links. So excited to learn more!
Trying to downsize and simplify when there are high expectations.
We’re adjusting to an advent-first-and-then-Christmas rhythm, and we haven’t totally figured it out. Thanks for hosting the giveaway.
Lovely giveaway! I love holiday festivities, but it is hard to take time to sit and relax.
Time is the biggest hurdle. There just isn’t enough and prioritizing and choosing from all the terrific opportunities is so hard! But we are beyond blessed.
trying to plan a son’s birthday party and christmas at the same time is hard
not yelling. simple, but hard!
Getting enough sleep and rest!
Biggest hurdle is keeping a peaceful spirit while getting everything done! Happy holidays to everyone! Thanks for the wonderful giveaway!
My struggle is relaxing and keeping up with teaching the kids about Advent and Christmas.
My messy house! Seems I am forever spinning my wheels with a house in transition as I rearrange, clean and prep for company! I stress right to the last minute till they come through the door. :{
Biggest issue I have is to let my kids do activities with me. Sometime I just want it done instead of taking the time to create the memories that go with Christmas.
I’m trying hard to slow down and make simple, meaningful memories.
Keeping my focus on the spiritual richness of the season vs. the long “to-do” lists.
My biggest struggle is trying to find activities that work with all the ages of my children. Sometimes I do nothing rather than making it work.
My biggest hurdle during the holiday season is trying not to overwhelm myself with projects and plans.
Getting everything done
Yes, I AM tensing up at the days speed by….and really like everything in your Giveaway! Thank you for the entry.
The hardest part for me is balancing ministry and family life.
Your giveaway looks amazing!!
The hardest part of the holidays for me is squeezing in all the fun things I want to do with friends, their kids, and family.
The daily activities.
I find it hard to keep my temper in check with all the rushing around. I would love to be able to relax!
For me, the hardest part is living in the moment instead of trying to plan everything, and worrying about my to-do list.
I always feel so rushed. From Halloween on though Christmas I feel like everyone/every store is rushing me all the time. I don’t mind having to get presents for everybody because I collect little things I know people will like all year long but After Halloween is when people start coming over to “visit” and drop hints about what they want and when this or that party is etc…
remembering to not over fill the calendar with all the possible Christmas activities
This time a year I get stressed about trying to make everyone happy. This year I am not focusing so much on the gifts but more on quality time with my loved ones.
Staying home and relaxing.
Time management is hands down my biggest hurdle…
Not enough time to do work and Christmas at the same time!!!
Not eating too many sweets is my biggest hurdle.
Feeling overwhelmed by looking at the big picture instead of taking one day at a time.
I struggle with letting little hands “help”. From baking to decorating, its so much easier to do it yourself. I want to slow down and take time to share experiences with them!
Making sure I keep the real reason for Christmas as the Real reason. Thank you for the chance.
Balance is my biggest struggle. I don’t sit still very well 😉 so resting doesn’t come naturally for me.
I definitely tend to over commit during the holidays, especially since we also have like 5 birthdays between November and January in my family. It’s hard balancing it all.
Trying to keep Jesus’ birth the center of the crazinesss
Since it is Christmas vacation trying to do things I don’t get to do during the school year
Finding time to sit down and relax!
my house is so cluttered and messy its hard to slow down and enjoy the season!
Avoiding germs!
My biggest hurdle is feeling like I need to take care of everyone else before I take care of myself. Entering this giveaway is one of the ways I hope to help myself take care of others.
cooking lots of food
I would have to say trying to fit it all in! There’s so much I want to do and get done and not enough time!
I would say my biggest struggle is making sure we are more focused on Jesus’ birth than just the presents of Christmas.
My biggest hurdle is not having enough time to get everything completed.
Just getting it all done.
My biggest stress is the pressure to buy presents. I love giving to others but we have very little money. I always feel like my simple, homemade gifts are inadequate or hokey. I try not to stress over it but I do… It’s not what Christmas is about at all but I just wish we could give more.
With a new baby and a toddler, getting anything done for the holidays is stressful!
My biggest struggle is keeping everything simple – but not too simple – balance!
Balancing day to day with responsibility with Christmas cheer 🙂
Bouncing from thinking I have lots of time to freaking out about what’s not done and generally not giving myself permission to take some “time off.”
too much clutter. add in the holiday decorations and having people over, and it’s a recipe for stress
too much to do!
my biggest hurdle is trying to get everything just right.
Struggling with balancing work and taking the time to enjoy Christmas and not be too stressed with everything I have to do. Thank you for this giveaway! 🙂
Relatives
My biggest hurdle is making time for myself!!
Having a small house that is messy and cluttered makes it hard to relax and enjoy the Christmas season.
My biggest obstacle is time. With extra activities and events and trying to take extra time reflecting on the meaning of the season, sometimes I feel overwhelmed.
My biggest hurdle is also one of my greatest blessings… A newborn baby girl!
As a busy working mom of six, co-leader of our ministry, and home-maker too, the most difficult part of the holidays is simply managing to get it all done, yet remain focused on the real reason for this season and spending time with my family. I try to find some peace in the midst of the chaos and reflect on the real beauty of the season and celebrate Jesus.
my biggest problem is getting everything right for family
My biggest hurdle is just trying to keep it all together, get everything done, stay patient and kind to my children, and keep in good health. I am a widow of five years with three remaining children at home. There is really no way to unwind or find time alone so I pray a lot and give it to God! I feel like I am in survival mode instead of thriving much (but not all) of the time. I want my children to feel loved, treasured, and see the beauty of Christ in the season and not feel like they are in the way, etc. Including them in whatever ways I can helps, like with Christmas wrapping, for example. Remembering to take time to slow down and savor the real meaning of the season is a challenge too but one we are trying to overcome.
My biggest hurdle is staying stress-free.
My biggest challenge during the holiday season is shopping. I really don’t like the crazy, busy crowds.
Trying to stay stress free while hosting all of my family and my in-laws. Everyone always comes to my house for the holidays.
My biggest hurdle is resisting my inner drive to chase perfection. I have to constantly remind myself that the perfect tree, perfect baked goods, perfect gift wrap, etc is not what makes the holiday magical. Celebration of Jesus’ birth IS magical with none of the other “stuff,” and as long as my heart is overflowing with His love, my family will see magic everywhere no matter how “imperfect.” 🙂
Struggling with staying present in the moment and not thinking about all that needs to be done.
My biggest obstacle is just not biting off more than I can chew. I want to do so much (too many Pinterest ideas for me to tackle!)….and create more “busy-ness” than any one person needs!
Finding time to spend it with all the family
Budgeting!!!!!
My biggest hurdle would have to be finances. I have three children…and I would love to purchase things for extended family…but we are homeschoolers…on one income. This makes it difficult to purchase gifts for anyone more than the three kids…and many years, even that is difficult. This is going to be one of those years…alongside the financial struggle is just the struggle against time.
My biggest challenge is taking care of myself while feeling pressured to take care of everyone else! Learning that sometimes saying “no” is the best form of self-care.
My kids have programs & sports & all sorts of things so it’s hard to find/make time to relax.
At the moment, it’s getting off of the internet. I got lost on your FB page for a bit. 😉
The greatest hurdle for me is not worrying about what I didn’t get accomplished but focusing on the lovely memories made.
Having a newborn in the house is my source of stress right now!
My biggest hurdle to enjoying the season is trying to juggle seeing all the family and making everyone happy!
Juggling seeing all the family and making everyone happy!
THe house always being dirty!
Trying to go to too many parties!
One thing I struggle with is making the holidays special and meaningful for my family, without adding too many extra activities or stressors!
The most stressful part about our Christmas is trying to juggle time between families and keeping everyone happy.
Keeping up with all the traditions for the kids that…*I* started. (gulp)
Getting all the baking and candy making done.
keeping it a peaceful time!
For me its not about destressing yet, its about making sure that I’m giving my mom time for that. I struggle to remember that she cooked everything so I shouldn’t begrudge doing the dishes like I was when I was an angsty teen.
All the house work and kids activities!
This year, I got sick immediately after Thanksgiving, so I’ve been playing catch up ever since!
My husband’s long and ever changing hours and our smallest ever budget for Christmas.
I try to do too much during the holidays.
Crazy traffic and hectic shopping!
I purposely try not to stress during the holidays, choosing to enjoy the decorations and music, etc. I suppose my biggest challenge is mismanaging my time. i. e. Thinking I can make a bunch of gifts for Christmas but not being realistic about when I have time to work on them. 😉
I think the biggest struggle is properly prioritizing what really matters. There’s always plenty to do, and some of it seems more urgent with extended family around.
Staying on budget and slowing down. Thanks for the giveaway.
Overnight company stresses me out!
So many things to do and places to be!
Time. Once Halloween is over there just isn’t enough time. I feel like the year is gone.
Balancing work and family
Thx for the give away. I have used the bend soap company bath soak and it is great especially for the kids.
It’s very hard to find time for myself because I’m spending all my time doing things for others.
My biggest hurdle is trying to plan and cook the food that we need for our restricted diets when we have so many parties and family to visit.
so great to find you… not sure where the question to answer was, but thanks for the giveaway… that diffuser necklace looks amazing!!
Found the question… definitely being the one who is asked about plans… I don’t prefer being the one to answer everyone’s invites…someone is always disappointed.
Super energized kids running through the house screaming (literally) in laughter chasing each other and being little tornadoes. Not a big deal when you can sit back and enjoy it, but when there’s a to-do list it gets pretty overwhelming, lol.
The temptation of sugary foods.
Definitely getting enough sleep!
Not becoming overwhelmed with all the planning and festivities
This giveaway looks great. I don’t stress over Christmas, e keep it simple, the whole of Advent is important to us and Christmas Day is a day of relaxing as a family and enjoying good food while celebrating the amazing miricle of the gift of Jesus. I love the whole season!
Thru the years I’ve learned how to say “no” to a lot of activities, so I don’t pack too much into this beautiful season of Christmas. I also do most of my shopping online to avoid the frenzy.
Finances and time. Between two sides of the family, church and youth pastor responsibilities, and all of our normal activities, PLUS holiday planning, it can get rather hectic. And holidays are always stressful on an already stretched budget.
Keeping up with everyday chores like laundry and vacuumed while squeezing in extra cookie making for gift baskets.
Getting stressed about the little details is my biggest obstacle during the holidays
just not getting enough quality sleep.
Stress about money to buy gifts and getting enough sleep are my challenges during the holidays.
Thank
It seems that no matter how well I think I prepare I always end up running around like a maniac trying to get things done for the holidays.This is very stressful to me.
My 3 boys are my biggest hurdle, it’s hard t destress with them running around crazy and excited for Christmas!
Unrealistic expectations!
Biggest hurdle… getting more than 2 minutes alone without having something to do ‘looming’ over my head. I try, but sometimes, it just doesn’t happen.
The biggest hurdle is sticking within our budget when I want to buy so much more! We also have a lot of family gatherings to attend, which can be tiring.
So many Christmas parties every night!!!
We are home schoolers and my biggest hurdle is trying to make sure our lessons are getting done even with all of the added holiday activities.
Trying to do full homeschool days and fun Christmas activities.
Meal planning and keeping the house clean…
My biggest hurdle to destressing is trying to get the right gifts for everyone and trying to fit in homeschooling around Christmas activities. Thanks for doing this giveaway! Merry Christmas!
My biggest hurdle during the holidays is slowing down and enjoying rather than just hurrying from one thing to the next.
Thanks for sponsoring such a great giveaway,
Choosing gifts for family members who never appreciate anything you give them.
Keeping my attitude in check so I don’t hurt my witness!
Time going by too quickly. There are so many extra activities that it can be hard to find time to do the little things with my family that I really want to do each year.
I struggle to keep up with life, homeschooling with all the extras of the holidays thrown in.
Great giveway.
The biggest hurdle I face is trying to keep the season meaningful but without driving myself crazy.
My biggest challenge is getting through family drama. I try to not let things bother me by saying “Not my circus, not my monkeys” over and over in my head. LOL!
I struggle with time management.
What a great collection! I’ll have to go look at these for Christmas gifts. :0)
I struggle with juggling our 3 boys with everything else (the oldest is under 5 and the youngest is 2 months)!
Really taking the time to enjoy holiday visits as we attempt to see everyone.
My biggest struggle is staying on top of the cleaning and clutter!
I have some serious health issues and a new baby and find that with taking care of those two things I have no time for anything else. It’s okay though…I have been working a great deal on understanding that that is fine. I am doing the things that are most important and everything else may just have to fall through the cracks this year.
this year it’s dealing with my dad’s recent death
Just trying to stay healthy during this cold and flu season
Trying to find the perfect gift for every person all in one month!!
Trying to get it all done! Balancing work, family, & all the holiday extras!
Biggest hurdle is actually making time to destress and refresh. Definitely at the bottom of the list… unfortunately.
Merry Christmas!! From Tennessee
The hardest thing for me is I have two special needs boys and this time of year everything is off schedule for them so our home is very exciting.
Turning off my mind so I can get a good night’s sleep
Love everything about your favorite things list. The challenge this time of year in giving to others and preparing for family gatherings and time with friends is that much too often I don’t take the time to take care of myself.
I think the biggest hurdles are family expectations and too little time.
I always find I have to much to do in to little time. I have 3 kids, one a baby and this month have battled a bad flu, vertigo and a sprained ankle. =P
My biggest stress is figuring out what everyone would like
It’s the busiest time of year at work so I work more hours, and traveling is also pretty stressful!
My biggest hurdle is seasonal affective disorder.
So many things I feel I have to do as well as want to do and not enough time or energy to do it all.
Time! Between family, the kids’ shows and other activities, and just the regular day-to-day stuff, there’s not much time left for Mom to recharge.
Busy-ness of life. Everything gets waaaay too hectic.
Love your thoughts and products for a calm home.
This year, being pregnant, it’s tough. I cannot take medication for my mental illness, so I am having a hard time destressing this year.
Keeping up with homeschooling with all the extras going on.
Trying too hard to fit it all in while kids are out of school and we are off of work…trying so hard to make those memories that we can exhaust ourselves.
budgeting so that there’s money for a few gifts for the children. there’s always extra bills this time of year on top of this. it can get stressful when there are other people to buy for.
Getting enough sleep! Makes everything more enjoyable if I do!
I find it hard to destress while homeschooling and trying to make the holiday special. Thanks for the chance to win.
Everything that needs done!!
My biggest hurdle during the holidays is procrastination and staying organized. Thank you. 🙂
I struggle keeping up with housework while being so busy and on the go for events.
Just trying to keep everything running smoothly and not forgetting any school projects/parties/activities. And this is after saying No to many things and keeping the holiday simple. 🙂
I just have such a long to-do list – even with trying to prioritize! But I’m very blessed and enjoying it… even if there’s not much relaxing time right now. That will come later!
I think one of the hardest things about the holidays is feeling the sadness and loss from being, or not being, around unhealthy family members. So much emphasis is put on family that it is hard not to feel sad when your family is not there for you. Other than that, I am making an effort to buy less and buy more fair-trade items that are ethically made and don’t exploit the people that made the items.
I have a wreath-making business, so after finishing over a month of making and decorating, I do not want to decorate my home. Every year I try to change that, but it always is a huge challenge for me.
My biggest hurdle is looking past the holidays when I should be enjoying them. It is often too easy to feel the urgency to get the Christmas season over with in order to keep up with kids, house and sleep. My husband and I remind ourselves and each other to enjoy the whole month of December rather than anxious await the coming of January.
Keeping Christ Jesus the center of Christmas. Relaxing and keeping in step with Him.
getting everything done and knowing what I can skip this year to stay sane
Staying patient with my kids. Family and travel can be stressful.
The hardest thing for me is the travel. We go to my parents house and spend about a week. We love going theree and have a great time. I however, don’t travel well. I have some chrotic pain issues and travel makes it much worse. I have to really limit what I can do, and that is frustrating. But being with my family is worth it.
I’ve never seen a diffuser necklace like that before! How pretty 🙂
Thank you for letting us know about these products! De-stressing is now a life passion of mine as I navigate life toward wellness after a head injury that dictates my everyday … And has taken so much away from how I would mother my little ones if I was me at 100%. I’m heading into year four of this healing journey. I love the ideas spoken about in the home spa day! Energizing the heart is key to energizing the body. We have all we need in Christ. Yet! He has given us tools like this to take better care of ourselves. And, of course Chocolate is one of his greatest gifts of all time!
Thinking about homeschooling a high schooler is stressful.
The biggest hurdle I face is having the energy to get it all done. I always feel rushed in the month of December!
I always stay up too late!
Keeping up with the house tasks.
My biggest concern is keeping within a budget for Christmas spending.
The biggest struggle is keeping everything organized with all the Christmas parties, shopping and the wrapping of gifts.
Being around family that is very negative and derogatory is hard.
Quality time with my family in the busyness of the season and taking chord care of myself
Taking good care of myself….oops
The biggest hurdle I face is staying present in the MEANING of this season. I can flip in and out daily from the consumerism aspect back to Christ has come!!!! Sitting down and just being quiet with Him reduces my anxiety.
I want to pass on all the traditions that we did as kids to my kids but also create new traditions and it seems like there just isn’t enough time.
The biggest hurdle I face during the holidays while trying to distress is prioritizing what needs to be done and what will be beneficial and good and letting go of things that don’t need to be done and only add stress. Still working on this.
The biggest hurdle and stress causing thing at this time of year would be the wrapping up of the year and season change preps. Being sure all receipts for taxes are in order, prepping chicken house for the hard January weather etc…
Battling my own feelings of needing to do everything and make everything perfect.
I sure wish I could distress but it is doubtfull.
can’t register for prise
Every year, I hope to start my shopping and planning early and every year I end up crunching it all into the last few weeks!
Traveling for hours in the car with two small boys… I wish the trip to Grandma’d house was just over the river and not through the woods too…
time is the biggest hurdles at Christmas…where does it all go???
Keeping kids entertained is hard for me, especially when there’s snow!
NOT over-eating. I have no self-control when things are right in front of me. I don’t feel good, I’m not happy with myself, and yet still I keep eating. Booo.
TIME!!!!! Children, everyday, and desiring to make special memories……always thinking next year will be different. 🙁
I always feel so busy and feel as if I do everything out of habit rather than desire.
Staying focused on what is really important (the Savior) and giving meaningful gifts. I really don’t like shopping so I try to give homemade gifts and order online when possible.
Thanks so much! So excited! Merry christmas
My biggest hurdle is just trying to get everything done in time. As a teacher, I sturggle with balancing this time fo the year with all that is going on in the classroom. One way I destreess is getting a mani pedi or taking a long hot bubble bath.
Keeping Christ the Center of the Holiday. Relax and enjoy the beauty of it all
I always find December very difficult. I have to be very careful to pace myself, to get enough sleep, and to forgive myself for not meeting my own expectations.
We decided to homeschool our girls this year. I also have a massage therapy business that I run out of our home. By the time I get everything done and settled for the day and ready for the next it is 11p.m. So I am making it a priority in 2016 to make myself important to me 🙂 I have really let myself go in the last year sad, but true and I want to feel great again!
Missing those who are not here with me this year. This is the second year without my brother and it is even harder this year.
I am recovering from breaking my wrist, a bad thing for a doll carver, my husband just had rotator cuff surgery , and I am trying to be joyous and thankful even after loosing my Mom just before Thanksgiving. I I really nee
Sorry for the double comment, my computer hung up so I re sent it.
I need to destress . Earlier I broke my wrist, bad for a doll carver. My Husband just had shoulder surgery and I am trying to remain thankful even after loosing Mom before Thanksgiving. Can you say SUPER STRESSED?
Love being a grammie but I am a tad tired watching these active little ones. Sure could use some destressing and relaxing.
Stress about gift giving!
Working full time with two little ones while pregnant and trying to enjoy the holidays. I need something to help me relax.
Trying to keep calm
This has been a very stressful year already and I am finding the thought of having to travel long distances to see family during the holidays to be stressful.
Staying relaxed with how busy this time of year can be.
I like to bake and watch Christmas movies
My biggest stressors are balancing working a 30-hour a week job, homeschooling my elementary and middle school sons, managing my private massage practice, continuing to volunteer in my usual community organizations, purchasing meaningful gifts for my family…and keeping Jesus at the center of it all!
Just having too much to do!!!! Not being able to turn my mind off!
A big frustration is all the holiday junk food that somehow makes its way into the house. I definitely see a connection between refined sugar foods and the “winter sickness season” for my husband.
Trying to find quiet time for myself while also trying to make the holidays memorable for our young children and attempting to spend much needed time with my husband.