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As many of you know, we sold our house in California and moved to Texas during the COVID Pandemic of 2020. What that means for our 2020 holiday season is just now unfolding for us.

We have a Christmas tree up and outdoor lights on the patio of our apartment. It just doesn’t feel the same.

Our apartment is small and our tree is not as magnanimous as it has been on other years. We couldn’t fit our usual (fake) tree in the apartment so we settled for the skinny tree we usually put on our front porch at our old house. This tree was banished to the outdoors when the middle section of the pre-strung lights went out for no apparent reason two years ago. We put one of those tree dazzler things on it (Like this one) and it served us well.

This just so happened to be the easiest and most practical tree for us to use this year in our little apartment, so we went with it.

The ornaments are all on the top half of the tree, except a few stuffed/non-breakables and the kids have already broken two ornaments (as of 12/5/2020).

As far as our other traditions, we still have our Elf on the Shelf - Ms. Bubbles. She followed us here from California and the kids seem to be relieved that she could still find us. Even Ms. Bubbles isn’t up to her old antics, but is keeping to higher ground, and keeping things mild. There’s been talk of Ms. Bubbles possibly needing to quarantine for 14 days due to her extensive travel itinerary, but a definitive decision hasn’t been made on that one…yet.

Ms. Bubbles, Elf on the Shelf. Hanging from Josh’s underwear on the (dirty) ceiling fan.

Other traditions we love in the Bally household are:

Driving around to see the Christmas Lights
Playing poker or other card games on Christmas night
Crab legs for dinner on Christmas
Reesemas brunch for Reese’s birthday (12/24)
“Elfing” the neighbors
Cookie exchange/baking cookies
Work Christmas parties
Santa visit
Family photos
Matching family PJs for Christmas morning

Many of these can still be done this year, but we likely won’t get to do all of them, which is a total bummer, but a testament to this year.

And that’s okay.

If I’ve learned anything this year, it’s that things don’t always have to be perfect or a step up from the year prior. This was our reset year to get things back to a manageable level.

Last year, I wrote a guide on How to conquer your holiday schedule. This year is so different! We don’t have to juggle all the events, activities, or traditions. We are choosing to do the things we want to do and love to do without the expectation of doing ALL. THE. THINGS.

And it feels glorious.

I hope you see the blessings interwoven in the tragedy of this year.

What traditions are your “musts” and which are you letting go of this year?

I can’t wait to cheer you on!

XO,

Shannon