Leland's Friday Five: New Years!
New Years is one of my favorite times of the year! I’m thrilled to get to share with y’all what I think are some of the best parts:
1. Celebrating with Family and Friends!
New Years celebrations in the Hollowell house are almost bigger than Christmas. For as long as I can remember, we have had a formal party on New Years Eve. It started with just the four of us and once we got older, we started to invite friends. Now we have a solid group of about 20 people who put on their tuxes every year and join us. We have a really great, five course dinner with lobster and tenderloin, dance the night away and just enjoy hanging out with each other. At midnight, we count down to the New Year and then run outside and bang pots and pans to celebrate! Then, everyone spends the night at our house and the next day we have the traditional New Years lunch of Hoppin’ John and Collards! It’s a great way to celebrate and I can’t wait for this year!
2. Goals
You know what a New Years Resolution is? A goal. And Jimboy talks to us about goals all summer long during Breakfast Club! He even teaches us the best way to achieve them: write it down, assemble a team, identify the obstacles, set a time limit, and focus on the reward. You gotta pay the price for the promise of the prize!
I’m not always the best at keeping my resolutions, but I love coming up with goals for myself each year and working to achieve them. Last year, I picked one goal in each of the four-fold way, which was really fun! My physical goal was to run a half marathon, and I finally did it in November! I haven’t figured out all of my goals for this year, but I know my mental goal will be to read two books a month. What goals do you have for yourself this year? If you need inspiration, check out the Head Staff’s New Years Resolutions.
3. Hot Cinnamon Spice Tea
Believe it or not, I really don’t like coffee. My family can’t believe it either. I LOVE tea though, and this is my absolute favorite, especially around this time of year. It tastes like Christmas and is so yummy! Sarah Brown loves it too! If you wanna try it, you can order it online from Harney & Sons.
4. Planners!
I have a SERIOUS unconditional love for planners. In fact, I love all things planner: Planner Stickers, Washi Tape, Planner Pens… and New Years is the best time of year, because I get to set up my new planner for the next year! I decorate it but leave plenty of space to write everything I have going on. For years now, I have used Erin Condren planners, and I LOVE them, but this year I got a little adventurous and decided to try a Happy Planner instead. Not sure yet how I feel about it, but I think I’m going to like it alot. If you’re looking for a great planner for 2017, and you’ve never had an Erin Condren before, you can click this link and get $10 off your first order! Or you could get a Happy Planner here. Happy Planning!
5. Christmas Decorations!
You know the song “12 Days of Christmas?” Did you know that the 12 Days of Christmas actually START on Christmas Day? The 12th Day of Christmas is not until January 6, Epiphany, when we celebrate the Wisemen bringing gifts to Jesus. (Side note: It’s also my mom’s birthday. She says she doesn’t need frankincense or myrrh, but that you’re welcome to give her all the gold you want.) I love any reason to celebrate Christmas, and I’m more than happy to drag it out as long as possible, so Christmas decorations in our house stay up until after January 6!