My Plans for The Holidays 2020
On a normal holiday, I would be surrounded by my family. We watch movies, binge watch tv shows, cook, nap, and go out for dinner.
This year, I will be in Chicago while the rest of my family is in Florida.
My holiday plans look a little different but I plan on making the best of them.
Catch up on Sleep/Nap
Shut down my laptop and disconnect
I bought myself the gift of Masterclass. I am so excited to learn something new.
Journal
At the end of each year, I reflect on what worked and what didn’t. I also dream up goals for the next year. The site is getting a refresh so I am sure I will be digging around looking for inspiration.
Read a book or two. It isn’t a secret that I haven’t read many books this year. I can’t concentrate. I have had a book on my bedside table for a while now and I just ordered this one as well.
I don’t plan on cooking as much as I did earlier in the year, but I do really want to make this Guinness Chocolate Cake
Unpack! You might remember, I moved back in July. I still have 4 boxes that have not been touched. I need to unpack and put my things away.
Clean out my closet. Donate what I haven’t worn or used this year. I already started this and there is a big pile of clothes on my floor. I want to start the year fresh in 2021.
What are your holiday plans?
I bought my daughter the Paris mug you did and I broke it Christmas morning 😫🙄 any chance you have another I can purchase?!
Hi Kim,
I am so sorry you bought the Paris mug and it broke. Was it purchased through me or Anthropologie?
Rebecca
I really want to hear about your experience with Masterclass. I would love to know which ones you love and which ones are Blah. There are so many that look good!
Hi Kimberly,
I will update you and others with a post after the holiday. I agree with you, there are some that are good and others that are a bit boring. I am happy with it so far!
Happy Holidays,
Rebecca
I’m trying to make the holidays cozy and appreciate what I have this year. I’ve been using a mindset of "I get to vs I have to" lately and it’s helped a lot. We’ve cancelled family celebrations and my husband is working all day Xmas Eve and Xmas Day so I’ll be home with with just my 2.5 year old. She still only halfway "gets" the concept of Christmas so I don’t feel a ton of pressure to do it up big. I plan on making your red sauce Christmas Day and she and I will enjoy that for our Christmas Dinner with some fresh pasta and breadsticks. Carb heaven 🙂 I live in South Florida and we’re also getting a blast of cold weather (for us at least) so I’m looking forward to sweaters, blankets, reading, movie watching and all the coziness.
I hope you have a wonderful Christmas! Being alone during the holidays is lonely but so caring! As always I love the blog, and read it often!
Merry Christmas, Rebeca. I love your site and have purchased 4 of your photos this year to display in my new home! I want to recommend the book THE SEINE: THE RIVER THAT MADE PARIS by Elaine Sciolino. It’s beautifully written and chock full of prose that will stir up all your memories of Paris and France. I’m halfway through and already feeling sad that I’ll get to that last page. Bonne Annee!
Ditto on THE SEINE! I was gifted it by a fellow Francophile…I’m halfway through and love it!
Merry Christmas Rebecca.
Love all of your suggestions and the cool items you feature. I will be home alone as well, but that’s ok. I love a good nap and Netflix.
Here’s to a wonderful New Year for us all filled with good health and peace. Thankful for you.
Sue T xoxo
I too am alone this holiday season. On Christmas Eve, I plan to walk through my neighborhood right after dark, to look at the Christmas decorations. I will make a hot buttered rum, after I come in from the cold. Dinner will probably be take out, and I will watch Rick Steves’ European Christmas, on Prime. Christmas Day I will make a nice dinner for myself. I am making cranberry chutney, pan seared duck breast, a potato galette, and pumpkin panna cotta. I will set up a bistro table in front of my fireplace. And, I will look forward to a more normal holiday season, next year!
Bonjour and Joyeux Noel, Rebecca!
I am sewing curtains for all my main-floor rooms. The fabric is a very-light cream background with nautical print that mimics a toile style in blue. The "fancy" grocery store in my part of town had free delivery yesterday for just a few hours and I "scored" a whole duck for Christmas dinner and a lovely white & green bouquet, This is the first whole week I’ve had off work in over a year and it feels wonderful (even though I’ve been working from home since March).
All the best of safe wishes to you & yours, J.
Hi Jan,
The duck sounds like a delicious holiday meal. I have never tried cooking one before. Enjoy your much deserved time off of work. Your curtains sound lovely.!
Happy Holidays xo
Rebecca
I have been looking forward to finally using your Paris photo calendar!!! I’m counting down the days to January 1…
Thank you, Emily! I am looking forward to 2021 too. I can’t wait to circle a date I am reunited with my family on the calendar.
I love your holiday plans! I already saved the books you are reading on my book list and I love your going through your closet and donating what hasn’t been worn this year. Brilliant idea to start the year fresh! I think I will do the same. Thank you so much for sharing! Also, you many have posted in this in one of your previous blogs … but have you watched Emily in Paris on Netflix? It’s glamorized, I’m sure, but it was delightful 🙂
Hi Jamie,
I may be the only person that passed on Emily in Paris. I know it was very popular but I just couldn’t do it. Maybe over the break, I will give it another try 🙂 It’s always good for a clean start and I feel lighter after donating.
Let me know how you enjoy the books xo
Oh how am I JUST NOW stumbling upon you? I plan on sitting by the fire on this cold and dreary day and diving into this amazing site. Was in Paris for the first time for a week during the summer of 2019 and plan on spending two months there this coming summer. My son will be doing his study abroad in Paris (if they are letting Americans in by then) so my husband and I have decided to find a place there, maybe even take a French immersion course. Will definitely check out your apartment rental recommendations today whilst snuggled up by the fire. I am also thinking about looking into possible housesitting opportunities in Paris (for either next summer or other future dates), and was wondering if you have any recommendations for agencies or websites that work with homeowners who are in need of someone to take care of their home when they travel. Again, so excited to find your site, looking forward to exploring it today!
Hi Traci!
I am so happy you found me 🙂 I wish I could give you more information on apartment sitting and apartments in Paris. Due to the Pandemic, I don’t have updated information on places available at this time. Once the world opens up again, I will be happy to help with more information.
Thank you!
Rebecca
Sounds delightful! I will be reading books and cuddling my dogs. Merry Christmas! XoXo
Are you reading anything good? What kind of dogs do you have?
Stay safe xo