Renni Prelle’s Post

🎄 Happy eating chocolate for breakfast month - but how do you count down to Christmas? 🍫 There’s nothing quite like starting the day with a sweet little treat, is there? Opening the cardboard doors is always a little exciting (even for a nearly-forty-year-old)…until you realise the days are flying by and the to-do list isn’t getting any shorter! December is a mix of wonderful and stressful, isn’t it? Wrapping presents, last-minute shopping, and trying to make everything just right for the big day (but not perfect...remember that isn't a thing!) But, it’s all part of the festive chaos and I love it. But let’s get back to the fun stuff. I’ve got my trusty chocolate calendar to count down the days, but I’ve heard of some quirky alternatives too: 🕯️ Burning a Christmas candle each day 🎁 Unwrapping small gifts leading up to Christmas 🎅 Doing daily festive challenges (both professionally and personally) So, let me know - how do YOU count down to Christmas? Are you a chocolate calendar traditionalist like me, or do you have a unique way to make the season even more special? Drop your countdown tradition below! I’d love to hear it in case I can steal it next year! #ChristmasCountdown #December #MondayFun #Chocolate 🅿🆂 I share the calendar with my husband but I get 5 and he gets 2 a week. That's fair right?

In other countries there is a wonderful tradition of “taking tea” several times a day. Tradition dictates that all work is momentarily set aside so individuals can simply enjoy the company of those they are with at the time. In “25 Days of Taking Tea at Christmastime: Creating Moments of Comfort and Joy,” these suggestions are interwoven with ways to “take tea” during the Christmas season, when we are often so busy with shopping, gift wrapping, baking, and other preparations, we neglect to make connections with the important people in our lives. As you read “25 Days of Taking Tea at Christmastime” and use the corresponding journal pages, you will discover ways to carve out time in your day to create moments with the important people in your life. The greatest gift we can offer others is our presence to those we love and are called to serve. “25 Days of Taking Tea at Christmastime” can be found at The Bookman or by using the link below. Additional copies can also be found at Kenzie's Be Cafe. Kenzie’s carries several of my other books as well, including my resource book, “The Power of Community Connectedness.” If you purchase a book, will you please let me know? I would love to thank you! If you are local, I would be happy to sign your copy. #takingtea #connections #Christmas 25 Days of Taking Tea at Christmastime: Creating Moments of Comfort and Joy https://a.co/d/chItEC5

Every no is an opportunity to say yes to something better. Hosting Thanksgiving is often a balancing act of trying to fit everything in and make it all “perfect.” This year I intentionally chose a different approach. I said no to the things that didn’t bring me joy or meaning, so I could say yes to what truly matters. Here’s what I let go of: ► Checking email or scrolling social media ► Making dishes that don’t spark joy (no stuffing!) ► Cooking everything on Thanksgiving day ► Stressing over a perfectly clean and decorated home Here’s what I gained: ► Time to call and message people who matter ► Sweet, uninterrupted moments with my family ► Real memories captured with my good camera ► Permission to myself to lean into the joy of Christmas music and decor. It makes me happy, so why wait? TIME Real, unhurried time to just BE. We can’t say yes to everything and when we try, we often lose what matters most in the shuffle. As I reflect on Thanksgiving, I’m reminded that sometimes the best memories come from focusing less on doing and more on being. What strikes me most is how often we cling to the idea of “doing it all,” even when it doesn’t serve us. Letting go of the unnecessary gave me room to enjoy Thanksgiving rather than be hurried. As we step into the rest of the holiday season, I’m carrying this mindset with me. Because the best memories aren’t built on perfection, they’re built on presence. What’s one thing you’re saying no to this season so you can say yes to what matters most?

Halloween is over, and Christmas is coming! Shops will soon be bursting with festive decorations as retail ramps up for its busiest month of the year. So, are you a Christmas fan, or does the thought of it make you feel a bit… well, overwhelmed? If you are already feeling the pressure of everything Christmas brings – extra commitments, planning, gift shopping, cooking, hosting – you are certainly not alone. For many, the Christmas season can feel like “just one more thing” to manage. But what if this year was different? What if this was the Christmas where you felt genuinely relaxed, enjoyed family time, exchanged gifts, watched your favourite festive films – all without feeling exhausted and stressed? Here’s a thought: ✨ Take a look at everything you usually do for Christmas. Who does the gift shopping, plans and cooks the meals, organises the social gatherings? ✨ Sit down with your partner or family and share out the Christmas to-do list more evenly. ✨ Decide together which commitments truly matter and which ones you are going to skip this year. You deserve to enjoy the season – not just get through it. Let’s make this the year of change. When you feel the joy of Christmas, everyone around you will feel the positive energy, too. 🎄 🎅✨

From spooky fall fun to sparkly year-end celebrations, October, November, and December are the trifecta of brand awareness magic!  🍂🥂 🎉 Let's dive into why these months are perfect for leaving lasting impressions: 🎃 Holiday Frenzy: Halloween kicks things off, followed by Thanksgiving feasts, Christmas cheer, and New Year's Eve glitz. It's a whirlwind of parties, gatherings, and impulse buys! 🎄 Festive Flavors: Brands roll out limited-edition goodies that scream holiday spirit. Tastings? Yes, please! Perfect for showing off these unique treats. 💸 Shopping Sprees: Holiday bonuses and gift-giving galore! People's wallets are open, and they're ready to splurge on new finds after a great tasting. 🍷 Perfect Presents: Alcohol as gifts? Totally! Tastings can nudge folks towards grabbing a bottle or two for that perfect holiday present. So, raise a glass to an unforgettable season of brand buzz! 🥂✨

I have a confession to make. I love getting ready for Christmas. I like faffing around doing festive baking, I like planning what we will eat, I like choosing, buying and wrapping gifts. Heck, I even like standing on the ladder putting up the twinkly lights that are now a fixed part of our family Christmas. But. I do not enjoy any of these things if they are rushed. I did not like squeezing them around my 60+ hour weeks when I was teaching. I do not like doing them even now when I am given too short a time frame to do something well. I don’t think I’ve every fully appreciated this before, I just know that I have regularly had meltdowns when trying to cook mince pies, trying to organise the house for a party that I WANT to have but can’t face any longer, trying to wrap stocking presents at 12 midnight on Christmas Eve. So. This year I’m going to do it smarter. I’m going to prioritise the joy, and block out the time I need to do the things I love doing. Because, do you know, to mis-quote L’Oreal, I’m worth it. I don’t have to pay M&S etc to provide my Christmas that I really want to make myself for me - I deserve the time to do it myself, if that’s what I want to do (and I do!). What I will say though, hand on my heart, from many years experience - if it’s sending you into a tizz, and it’s breaking you: 1. You can actually get everything from any one of the big supermarkets and most people won’t even notice (and if they do ‘notice’, they’re just mean) 2. You will probably find that the people who matter don’t mind if you don’t do much of it at all anyway. Please everyone, lets do the things that make us happy, and not the things that don’t, this Christmas. Let’s not break ourselves.

You must do this today to avoid looking like Santa in the new year     And I do mean bulging out of your bright red pants after fighting like Connor McGregor to get them on in the first place     Because this is way better than any festive cranberry sauce   it's Shaun's Secret Sauce   and it has been used with my clients every festive season to great effect   and today I'm gifting it to you     You see most of you this time of year have a panic attack because you think there are only two ways to deal with the Christmas Chaos   Restrict yourself of any fun and retreat to Mount Crumpit to wallow in self loathing or You turn into August Gloop and eat everything in sight having to be rolled out the house on the 27th for the family walk But you know there is a 3rd option right? Welcome to the;   “The Christmas Calendar”   Ok sorry it's not got a cool name (I can't do everything) And no it doesn't come with 25 delicious Christmas shaped chocolate Here is what I need you to do;   1️⃣ Get your calendar out for December 2️⃣ Mark down all the events you have from meals out to day out activities 3️⃣ Now write down if this will be; - A Day Off – Ideal for a Day Out or Xmas Day - Maintenance day – Ideal for a meal out only day - A calorie deficit - No plans or even when you have a meal out Now you may have a little less overwhelm as you should see more deficit days than days off And if not it won’t take much to tweak to ensure you keep on track It’s kind of what I DO This is just the basics of it and if you’d love to learn a little more then Comment the word CALENDAR as we can talk a little more specifically about you P.S you can catch my little youtube video about it here; https://lnkd.in/e2GnMWxA

It's 'officially' Christmas season. (How did that come round so fast?!) 🤚 Who else has great intentions every year; to put the Christmas lights up outside, bake dozens of biscuits & give them away as gifts, to spend a relaxed evening wrapping your carefully curated presents, to have a festive evening drinks party where you mix amazing drinks & cook everything from scratch.. Only for reality to hit, and you realise it's 10.00pm on Christmas eve: you haven't wrapped a thing yet, it's too late to have anyone round and the decorations are barely up. 😅 I find Christmas comes with so many expectations. And even though it's a set date every year, it seems to arrive sneakily, in a flash, here before you know it! I want to share with you my three top tips to navigate this time of year so you can stay festive & joyful instead of frustrated & tearful. Here's No. 1: ✨Practice personal responsibility ✨ Only you know how you're feeling & what you need. Tune in and then communicate what you need to those around you, or better still, give yourself what you need. A night or two watching cheesy Christmas movies under your blanket? Do it & ditch the guilt.

🎄 Merry Christmas Terms & Conditions 🎄 Ho ho ho! By proceeding to celebrate Christmas, you agree to the following festive terms and conditions. Let the merriment begin! 1. Santa Surveillance Clause: Naughty or nice, you accept that Santa knows all. Privacy is suspended for the month of December in favor of holiday cheer. 2. Mandatory Festive Attire: Ugly sweaters, reindeer antlers, or at least one item with glitter are required for all holiday gatherings. Violators will be “gifted” leftover fruitcake. 3. Cookie Tax: Any cookies left for Santa may be subject to a milk surcharge. Additional snacks for reindeer are highly encouraged but not mandatory. 4. Gift Wrapping Policy: Gifts wrapped with duct tape will result in a lifelong ban from Christmas festivities. This is non-negotiable. 5. Jingle Bell Accountability: You must listen to “Jingle Bells” at least twice, no exceptions. Complaints will be directed to the Grinch Complaint Hotline. 6. Stocking Stuffing Agreement: Stockings must be hung by the chimney with care. Overflow items (looking at you, big gifts) can be placed under the tree, but socks are not allowed. 7. Holiday Movie Clause: Watching Home Alone, Elf, or Die Hard (yes, it’s a Christmas movie) is a required activity. At least one must include hot chocolate. 8. Mistletoe Consent Act: Standing under mistletoe requires enthusiastic consent from all involved parties. Failure to comply results in eggnog-shaming. 9. Re-Gifting Policy: Re-gifting is allowed as long as the item is not from last Christmas. Bonus points if it’s wrapped better the second time around. 10. Elf on the Shelf Compliance: The Elf’s position must change daily. Failure to comply will result in a coal allocation adjustment. By clicking “Accept,” you agree to the merriest, silliest, and most magical Christmas ever. Do you ACCEPT these terms and conditions?

✨ Parents Hosting Christmas: Let’s Talk About Being Present, Not Just Busy ✨ If you’re hosting Christmas this year, you’re probably juggling a million things: planning meals, organising gifts, decorating, and managing the chaos. It’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and forget to enjoy the day yourself. Here’s the secret to a stress-free Christmas: Prep in advance so you can be fully present. 🎁 Things you can do now: • Prepare and freeze any meals, desserts, or side dishes. • Wrap gifts as you buy them to avoid the last-minute rush. • Set the table the night before. • Delegate tasks—let the kids or partner help with small jobs! By planning ahead, you’ll free up precious time to actually relax and enjoy Christmas Day with your family. ✨ Because the real magic of Christmas is in the moments, not the to-do list. 💖 What’s one thing you’re prepping in advance this year? Share below! #NearlyThere #ChristmasPrep #StressFreeChristmas #ConsciousParenting #EnjoyTheMagic