Loving My Actual Christmas: An Experiment in Relishing the Season

by Alexandra Kuykendall

Overview

The Christmas season is a particularly difficult time for women to slow down and relish what's right in front of them. An annual marker for many, it is a holiday that can often remind us how life is not going as we'd planned. Our family relationships remain strained, our finances stretched, and our schedules stuffed with too much to do in too little time.

Following the formula of her successful Loving My Actual Life, Alexandra Kuykendall shares with readers her own personal experiment to be completely present in her life as it is during the holiday season. Addressing the themes of Advent and Christmas, she reflects on hope, love, joy, peace, and relishing the season, with practical pullouts on common Christmas stressors, such as finances, schedules, and extended family. Kuykendall's signature candor helps women go easy on themselves, remember what truly matters, and find joy in their imperfect Christmases.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780801075360
Publisher:	Baker Publishing Group
Publication date:	09/05/2017
Pages:	144
Sales rank:	343,775
Product dimensions:	5.30(w) x 8.40(h) x 0.30(d)

About the Author

Alexandra Kuykendall is the author of Loving My Actual Life and The Artist's Daughter, and the cohost The Open Door Sisterhood Podcast. A popular writer and speaker for moms around the country, she is a regular contributor to MOPS International's blog, conference, and curriculum. Alexandra has been featured on Good Morning America and Focus on the Family's daily broadcast. She lives in Denver, Colorado, with her husband, Derek, and their four daughters.

Table of Contents

Preface: A Letter to You 9

Introduction: A Recalibrating of the Season 11

Advent Week 1 Hope 21

Advent Week 2 Love 37

Advent Week 3 Joy 51

Advent Week 4 Peace 67

Christmastide 83

Conclusion: Emmanuel, God With Us 97

Making Your Actual Christmas Work

Practical Tips and Strategies for Your Holiday

Schedule 105

Saving Time for What's Most Important: Scheduling Principles

But Mom … We Always: Evaluating Traditions

The Power of No Thank You: Limiting Commitments

Finances 113

Taking It to the Bank: Saving Money during Christmas

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Gift Giving on a Budget

Looking for the Cheap: Other Savings Tips

Relationships 121

Bringing Families Together: Navigating Extended Family Relationships

Believing the Best in Others: Taking a Posture of Grace

Stewarding the Story: Kids and the Christmas Story

Logistics 129

Why Are We Doing This Again? Party Hosting Basics

We Still Have to Eat: Decisions around Food Prep

Acknowledgments 133

Notes 135

About the Author 137