The countdown is on! Thanksgiving is right around the corner and Christmas will quickly sneak up on us! This year more than ever we want to soak up the season to it's fullest.

We want to slow down and enjoy time with our families, create new traditions, and most importantly, meditate on the reason for the season! We love how Anna Voscamp put it, “We’re ready for Christmas, not when we have all the gifts, but when we are ready for Christ—when we’re ready to give all of ourselves to Christ.”

Today we want to share a few practical ways to prepare your heart and home for the busyness of the holiday season so that you can focus on what matters most! 

Home: Put together your table settings early this year. Set out every detail from chargers and plates to cutlery and napkins! Take it one step further by planning out which serving pieces you'll use for each dish. Add a sticky note label to each piece to make setting the table on the big day simple! This also makes it easy for guests to jump in and assist! This is a great time to add your holiday grocery list to your phone or notepad and to call and reserve your turkey or ham. 

Heart: As your preparing your table for the festivities, pray name by name for the family and friends that will gather around it! 

PREPARE TO EXPRESS YOUR GRATITUDE

Home: One easy trick we've picked up over the years is to keep a basket of hostess gifts on hand at all times throughout the holiday season! We throw a few in our purse and a few in our car so that we're never searching for a gift last minute! Just one less detail to stress over as the season commences! 

Heart: Stock up on stationery (and stamps!) so that you can express your gratitude for those around you in the form of a handwritten note! A little extra thought goes a long way! 

Home: Bust out your calendar and jot down holiday events you'd like to go to, dates for festivities you're hosting and parties you've been invited to attend. Add specific due dates for "to-do's" so that you can ensure every detail is taken care of ahead of time! 

Heart: Jot down a list of guests to invite to each event and give them a phone call! This is a great way to connect with friends and loved ones to catch up before a more formal invitation is sent. Your guests are sure to appreciate the heartfelt touch! Connecting voice to voice is a great reminder that this season is not about the festivities, but about the people!