December is here… how are we already in the last month of 2025!?
Our family enjoyed a low-key Thanksgiving day at home with lots of good food and some football too…
And now we’re in Christmas mode!
The house is decorated, some goodies have been baked, Christmas music is playing every day, and we even got a huge snowstorm over the weekend, so everything is pretty and white.
I’m excited to share my favorites with you again, in hopes that some of them will help you simplify and/or find more enjoyment in this busy time of year.
Favorite Moment = Kids Decorating
For the last few years, our schools have given us the day before Thanksgiving off for a super long 5-day Thanksgiving break — it’s fantastic!
And since I had already made all our Thanksgiving foods on Tuesday (everything except the rolls), we planned to use Wednesday morning to set up our Christmas decor.
I’ve continually downsized our Christmas decor over the last 20 years, so we just have 2 artificial trees and 2 small bins of decorations. We hauled everything to the kitchen, and, much to my delight, the kids did the rest!
I made rolls and cinnamon rolls and caught up on a few household things while the kids strung lights, hung ornaments, set out Nativities, and made all the Christmas decorating decisions.
They were so excited, I was more than willing to relinquish something from my to-do list, and everything was finished by lunchtime (including my rolls).
Yay for older kids who can actually do things well!
Favorite Routine = Advent Countdown
Last year, I made the wooden Advent Countdown tree pictured below, and Nora helped me make 25 wooden ornaments.
I wondered if it would feel too babyish for the kids this year… so I was surprised when they eagerly pulled it out of a Christmas bin and had an animated conversation about who would get to flip each day, whether we’d do it at breakfast or dinner, and where the tree should be situated.
Apparently, it’s not too babyish for them… and we’re officially on year two of our homemade Advent Countdown!
We’ve decided on reverse age order (Clara wanted to go first, which would allow her to flip the final ornament on Christmas day), and so far, we’re doing it at breakfast. 👍🏻
RELATED READING: How to Make a Candy Countdown Chain (this is easier than the tree if you’re short on time!)
Past Favorite = Drain Snake
One of the least expensive and most-used “tools” in our home is our trusty drain snake (just over $1 per snake on Amazon!) I keep one in every bathroom, the laundry room, and the kitchen.
We use them regularly to clear hair from our shower and sink drains… yes, it’s very gross! 🤮However, it’s easier, cheaper, and faster than calling a plumber or using toxic drain cleaners… and it’s weirdly satisfying too.
If you have girls (or boys or pets) with lots of hair and regularly struggle with slow drains, I highly recommend investing a few bucks in some drain snakes and keeping them handy in every bathroom.
Also, after I use the drain snake to get out the majority of the “solid matter”, I use the simple DIY drain cleaning recipe below to flush out anything left in the drain. It works like magic!
RELATED READING: How to clear a clogged drain in 10 minutes.
Favorite Hobby = Puzzles
Once the snow starts flying outside, it’s time for puzzles inside… and yes, our whole family really does enjoy them!
However… they can’t be too difficult, or we won’t do them (no thanks on the 1500-piece puzzle of polar bears in a snow storm!)
Our most favorite puzzles are the Bits and Pieces puzzles (300 or 500 pieces) because the pieces are a little larger than traditional jigsaw puzzles, and the pictures are easy enough that even younger kids can do a full puzzle on their own in a reasonable timeframe.
The boys worked on this puzzle a little after school and then finished it after dinner.
I don’t know what it is about these particular puzzles — they are just so doable, yet still challenging enough to be enjoyable.
They are great for both kids and adults — especially if you have arthritic fingers, poor eyesight, or just don’t want to devote hours and hours to one puzzle. ☺️
We are thankful our church library has dozens of Bits and Pieces puzzles. We take a couple home each week and get new ones the next week. It’s a great wintertime hobby.
Favorite Book = A Lantern In Her Hand
If you love Little House on the Prairie, you’ll thoroughly enjoy A Lantern in Her Hand (if you can find a copy.)
After receiving multiple recommendations to read the book, I had to dig for a bit before I found a participating library that would lend it to me through our local branch (it was written in 1928 and apparently isn’t in regular circulation).
I read the entire book in 2 days over Thanksgiving break, and while it was a bit confusing in the beginning, everything came full circle at the end (I actually went back and re-read the first 2 chapters after finishing the book).
This book was written from the wife and mother’s perspective, so it doesn’t mask over the hardships of frontier life like the Little House books tend to do (written from a child’s perspective).
If I could travel back in time to “visit” the late 1800s frontier life for a couple of days, I think I’d jump at the chance… but then give me back all my modern appliances, local grocery stores, and indoor plumbing!
Oh, and after doing a bit of research, I found there is now a movie based on the book (A Mother’s Gift). I found it at our library, but you could likely buy it online too.
READ THE BOOK: A Lantern In Her Hand
Favorite Media = Free Spotify!
I have a free Spotify account that I use every Christmas season to enjoy various Christmas playlists (in addition to my Amazon Prime Music). However, this year, I got an email with an offer for FOUR free months of Spotify Premium!
Obviously, I signed up (and immediately put a note in my planner to cancel at the end of March)… so now we’ve been enjoying ad-free Christmas music, in addition to a selection of audiobooks and podcasts.
While I’m not necessarily interested in spending $12 per month for Spotify Premium, I will say that FREE Spotify Premium over the Christmas season is one of my new favorite things!
I did a little Googling, and I *THINK* you can also get 4 months free (as long as you’ve never had a Premium account before). This link should work through Dec 31, 2025.
Merry Christmas! 🎶
Favorite Gift = Money Ornament
I made angel money ornaments for a few people last year and, based on the feedback I received, you would have thought it was the most creative gift ever!
Everyone loved it… and it was SOOOO easy! (Here’s the YouTube tutorial for the angel.)
Of course, there are dozens of origami money tutorials online, but this particular angel uses 2 bills, so you could go as frugal ($2) or as spendy ($200) as you’d like, depending on how many gifts you need to give or how well you know the person.
Either way, the recipient will enjoy this clever, creative, and clutter-free gift by disassembling the ornament and using the cash to buy whatever they want, whenever they want it.
RELATED READING: The Ultimate List of Clutter-Free Gifts for Everyone on Your List
Favorite Recipe = Spiced Molasses Cookies
My recipe for Spiced Molasses Cookies is an attempt to recreate one of my great aunt’s recipes. They are soft and chewy with a glaze that hardens after sitting at room temperature for a few minutes… and yes, they are delicious!
This is one recipe that I only make around Christmas — so it stays special and everyone looks forward to them.
If you’re looking for a new Christmas cookie recipe to try this year, give these a go and let me know what you think!
TRY THE RECIPE: Spiced Molasses Cookies
Favorite Archived Post
Last year, I shared several “gift-free family traditions” for families who’d like to get away from so much of the consumerism that often surrounds the holiday season.
If you’re tired of shopping, and wrapping, and returning, consider these ideas instead…
Read the full posts here: 10 Gift-Free Family Traditions
That’s all for this month. 😆
If you’re interested, you may scroll through all my Favorite Things posts HERE!
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