A Case for the 12 Days of Christmas

Last year, I learned about the 12 days of Christmas and what they really meant. They were actually a real thing - meant to be celebrated and not just “12 days of deals” or something like that you see featured before Christmas. As I have learned more about them - I have felt they are an important thing our rushed society needs.

I am not an expert on the 12 days of Christmas and there really is not that much information on the internet about them, but I’ll share what I know and why I see them as important. If you grew up in this tradition, feel free to chime in with info. I am trying to more about how to celebrate the 12 days of Christmas.

Unlike all the promotions you have see for the 12 days of Christmas prior to the holiday, the 12 days start on December 25th and last until January 5th. Some traditions call it the twelvetide and it signifies Jesus’ birth on the 25th and the magi (wise men) coming to him on the 5th (12 days later).

Why do the 12 days make so much more sense than starting to celebrate Christmas on November 1st?

I really love Christmas and I understand why everyone wants to jump the gun, but our society has skipped Thanksgiving (which is a pretty great holiday) and then on 12/26 everything Christmas comes to a total hault, which is depressing, especially in areas where you have 4 or 5 months of winter left. I am guessing I’m not the only one that has felt this way. Go to Target on December 26th and all the Christmas things are marked down. Go a few days later and spring is being promoted. Sure, maybe you live in the South and its not that cold anyway…but are you really ready for spring?

Starting to celebrate on the 25th of December gives you 12 days to enjoy Christmas during winter instead of having to squeeze it in the fall. I hope I’m making sense because that makes a lot of sense to me.

Advent, the four weeks before Christmas are really meant for preparing for Christmas instead of celebrating as if its already here. And really that’s what I am usually doing during advent…maybe not as much in spiritual sense as much as I would like. But I am usually making preparations for the holiday

So, how can I do celebrate the 12 days of Christmas?

The main idea is - keep celebrating and enjoying Christmas! Instead of feeling like you have to celebrate it all in early December and on the 25th…keep listening to Christmas music, keep baking cookies, keep watching Christmas movies, keep enjoying time with family…

More: I have not found very much information, but this article was helpful with some ideas on how to celebrate.

Other thoughts:

• In Italy, my understanding is most presents are not exchanged until the epiphany. I just thought that was interesting. The main thing in my head is - we open almost presents on Christmas and we really could spread some out of the 12 days to extend the celebration.

• The 12 days of Christmas helps to clarify the season. It doesn’t have to be this confusing thing of - when should I take down the decorations? This gives you some direction. Take them down on January 7th.

• More on the 12 days of Christmas

What do the 12 days actually mean?

The pairings go like this (from the artofsimple.com)

• A partridge in a pear tree: Jesus

• Two turtle doves: The Old and New Testaments

• Three French hens: Faith, hope, and love

• Four calling birds: The Four Gospels

• Five gold rings: The Torah/Pentateuch, first five books of the Old Testament

• Six geese a-laying: The six days of Creation

• Seven swans a-swimming: Seven gifts of the Holy Spirit

• Eight maids a-milking: Eight Beatitudes

• Nine ladies dancing: Nine fruits of the Holy Spirit

• Ten lords a-leaping: The Ten Commandments

• Eleven pipers piping: The eleven faithful apostles

• Twelve drummers drumming: Twelve points of the Apostles Creed

One idea I saw online was you could help your kids memorize this.

SO, that’s the gist. On year two of celebrating the 12 days of Christmas, I am learning more and becoming more passionate about why this is so important and makes so much more sense than celebrating early November. I hope this will help you too.

a gift guide for Her: 2019

Here are a few things I have loved this year or have on my list! Hope this helps you find a thoughtful gift for someone in your life.

these contain affiliate links - for no charge to you, I receive a small commission if you use my link when making a purchase. Thank you for supporting my work and family!

Beats by Dre. I know Apple AirPods are probably more popular - but I have loved these!

A cute clutch for New Years. Or a pair of studs like these!

These glasses and cute + feel fancy.

This little waffle iron is so cute, has great reviews & the price is perfect.

This book was riveting.

An Apple Watch. Enough said. I have a Fitbit, but am kind of wanting an upgrade.

Non-toxic nail polish. A great small gift or stocking stuffer!
This Sherpa has been a hot item this winter and comes in lots of options: colors and sizes!

I love these stylish and affordable slippers!

A weighted blanket is at the top of my list this year.

Honest make-up is available at Target, non toxic and high performing. Lipstick…mascara…would be a great gift!

And you might be 30 if you are asking for a vacuum this year. And I would be in good company with you!

happy shopping!!

gift guide for kids | target is my favorite + one delightful home

Need a gift for a little person? Or multiple gifts? Here are a few things my kids have loved, or we are giving them for Christmas this year!!

*includes some commissionable links. thank you for supporting my family + work. I receive a small commission if you use a link with no extra charge to you.

• INSTAX CAMERA I got this last year and my 5 year old loves it!

• Magnatiles, great gift for little people. My 5 & 8 year old will still play with them after years of play!

• Jetson hoverboard ….our son is getting this and I think he is going to love it.

• Osmo Creative Kit (or these OSMO products! Interactive, educational + entertaining! Hot Wheels // Genius Starter Kit // frozen creative kit // coding kit )

• Crayola Art Kit (love things that allow kids to create like this!)

• A magazine subscription - we are doing Sports Illustrated for Kids for our son

• Harmonica…this is possibly my most random suggestion, but my nephew (age 2) got one for his birthday and it was wanted by kids all ages at the party!

• Lol Surprise Dolls. My 5 year old daughter LOVES these. She loves the surprise of opening the new doll + each one has lots of little packages inside. We got a small set for her this year.

• Nerf Dart Rover. I haven’t tried this, but there is a chance this would make my son + me very happy.

• Fossil KIt. Looking for an activity to keep little ones busy? I have heard nothing but good things about these kits!

Ok - so there are some tried + true suggestions for kids! Hope it helps simplify your shopping this holiday!

Alternatives to Ugg Boots

Every winter I regretfully find myself slipping back into my old Ugg boots. They have held up well over the past I don’t know ten years…and they are like wearing slippers in public. BUT I don’t feel great about the fashion statement I am making.

I am guessing I’m not the only one…I polled you all on my target instagram account and I had a lot of requests for suggestions.

I am on the search for something that will:

• keep my feet warm

• be easy to slip on

• preferably not tied

• feel a little more stylish than my tall Ugg boots

Honestly, after all these years, it’s hard to beat Uggs, but I tried to come up with some alternatives.

Some are still Ugg brand, but feel a little more stylish than my current tall ugg boots. I am noticing the shortest version around online and I do prefer the look of those. (I have owned this style, but they were harder to get on….you might need to size up)

What do you think? Should we all just keep rocking the Uggs and embrace the comfort?

xo, Katie

Airbnbing Your Home

If you had told me that we would Airbnb our personal residence, I don’t know if I would have believed you. I liked the income potential, but I had a lot of reservations about opening up our home and trusting other people I didn’t know with my home and belongings.

I can share more on how we finally decided to Airbnb our home if anyone is curious…the short of it is AirBnb does support the people that rent through them and we have had mostly positive experiences with guests, but we have had even more positive interactions with Airbnb as a company.

We are now airbnbing our second home. We did this when we lived in Massachusetts and now we are in Virginia doing it again. Our plan was to rent out our basement, but the construction has taken longer than expected.

So plan B. We are renting our entire personal residence. If you would like to see the listing, here is our listing if you are curious.

So here are 10 quick things that helped up Airbnb our home.

Click the Button below to view the PDF.

If you have questions feel free to leave them in the comments or find me on instagram and send me a dm.

Updated Foyer: The Rowe House

We have made enough progress on our house that it feels like we can start making some fun additions. It’s not all just getting things to status quo livable, but I’m starting to play around with some design decisions.

Here is our foyer after we removed the fuzzy yellow wallpaper that was kind of fun, but ultimately smelled dingy after hanging on the walls for 60 years. Its not that I didn’t love the wallpaper, but it needed to go.

BEFORE

I had thought of a few options to spice up the entryway….I considered painting a pattern myself on the wall to save money, using wallpaper that I already had from an old project…but ultimately I went with this wallpaper on Amazon.

AFTER

Some details.

The walls door is Benjamin Moore Marblehead Gold. I’m really happy with the color and really happy it pays homage to the North Shore of Boston that we miss so much.

The wallpaper is linked here.

And the rug is here!

I’m glad I took this little risk and wallpapered the front foyer….now to decide on the bannister. :)