Making a list.
Checking it twice.
Gonna find out who's blissful and nice.

Everywhere I turn, I'm seeing lists and notes and challenges encouraging me to not let the stress monster that is the holiday season eat me alive.  December can be a very stressful month.  I feel very fortunate, that I generally don't get super stressed out during the holidays.  I love this time of year. 

We put up our tree and decorations last night and I cherish snuggling up on the couch to the soothing glow of the Christmas tree and lighted garland strung around the house. Makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside... nostalgic and giddy.

I love that glow so much, that I actually have a strings of white lights in my office and paper lanterns in my studio year round. It makes my heart happy and that's really what it's all about isn't it?  Happy hearts? 

So with a happy heart, I'm about to sharing some of my most practical (and inexpensive and simple to boot) holiday season stress monster busters I know.  Like my friend Kat, I'm participating in Magpie Girl's 8 Things for a Peaceful Holiday, only I'm changing it up a bit.  Instead of aiming for a Peaceful Holiday, I'm going for a Blissed Out Holiday!  

8 Things for a Blissed Out Holiday Season!!!

1. String lights on something (anything) and turn off all the other lights and soak it all in.
2. Sip something warm.
3. Snuggle.
4. Sing & Dance - Make a joyful noise!
5. Play reindeer games - gather some people, play games, laugh, eat, joke, wear funny hats.
6. Create - make something, draw something, paint something, build something, bust out the color book if you have to.
7. Make a list of what you're grateful for. 
8. Give... random acts of kindess rock!

In keeping with the Blissed Out theme, I noticed this morning that Sheri Gaynor is encouraging participation in her 30 Day Bliss Challenge.  Who can resist a Bliss Challenge?  It's simple, all I have to do is engage in some form of Everyday Bliss each day during the month of December.  Easy peasy lemon squeezy!  I'm so up for this challenge!  You can read more about it here.

And finally, it's Wednesday and I've recently discovered Jamie Ridler's Wishcasting Wednesdays.  Her prompt today is right in line with my blissed out plan for December and my Mondo Beyondo Dreams and Intentions post from Sunday.  Thanks to Jamie's read-a-long called, "The Next Chapter," I purchased  Martha Beck's book, The Joy Diet.  I'm excited to spend time reading it during Bliss Diet December!

Here's to a Joyous Holiday Season filled with Happy Hearts!

Mucho love,
Carmen