Closing out the “BER” Months

Well, here we are—reaching the end again. The end of another year, the end of the holiday season, and the end of the four “BER” months and their accompanying bucket lists.

My November Bucket List certainly didn’t disappoint. It gave me new memories, refreshing moments, and a lot of gratitude. I hope it did the same for you!

• As I’ve already shared, I had a cozy autumn playlist (okay… maybe more than one).

• I didn’t rake any leaves this year, but in past years we did—and our three dogs at that time loved it. Our biggest would leap into the pile after a toy, determined to find it. And our two little ones? We would gently place them in the middle, and it was adorable watching them bounce around and hop right out.

• If you follow Coffee & Story Time, you might have noticed November was full of gratitude-themed coffee posts, and I even wrote a few gratitude letters myself.

• Although it wasn’t on the original list, I was finally able to check something off that I’ve always wanted to do, host my first Friendsgiving. It turned into more of a girls’ night, but it was filled with laughter, sweet treats, games, and the kind of fun that makes you feel thankful for the people in your life. I wouldn’t mind turning it into a yearly tradition.

• My pumpkin patch visit will have to wait another year. Every time we tried to plan it, something fell through. Our last attempt was all set—then one of our fur babies became extremely sick. We stayed home, of course, and after a few days she was finally back to her happy, cheerful self. Missing the pumpkin patch was disappointing, but nothing mattered more than our Sugar getting better. This year especially, I’m reminded of how grateful I am for our pets—our babies—because they truly are part of the family, all four of them now.

And now, as we step into Decem“BER,” prepare to wrap up the year with some cozy, joy-filled grace and experiences:

• Visit a holiday market

• Light a pine-scented candle

• Read a children’s picture book or classic Christmas story

• Go see holiday lights and join in the festive cheer

• Wear pajamas for a full day

• Forage for nature decorations

• Light candles to create a cozy ambience

• Thrift a new cozy sweater

• Try a new hot chocolate flavor

• Find a new favorite holiday song

• Write a thank-you note for a stranger

• Collect a new holiday ornament

• Do an anonymous act of service

• Visit a tree farm

• Make a gingerbread house

• Create unique paper snowflakes

• Add something new to your Christmas traditions

I’m already prepared with plenty of sweaters, years of gingerbread-house practice, and after the last holiday season or two, a whole list of new hot cocoa flavors I look forward to sampling. I may try to find a local festival and tree farm, soak up some festive cheer, forage for decorations, and enjoy a cozy evening in my softest pajamas.

What about you?

What’s your favorite Christmas song or tradition—the one you absolutely wouldn’t want to miss this holiday season?