An Invitation to Read ~ Cozy Readalouds

If there is one thing I know, it is that reading out loud to my kiddos is a guaranteed way for us to reconnect when the weeks are busy and the days are long. (Hello, Christmastime!)  And yesterday, in the midst of the long and busy, my son also needed some extra snuggles. So, I made the executive decision and shifted our homeschool plans for the morning to include this reconnection time.

I asked what kind of hot chocolate they would like and put on the kettle. I then started plating some of the cookies from the last week of baking, and got out the new-to-us creamer and sugar bowl. My son exclaimed; “We’re literally going to be drinking in luxury!” So cute…but the bar was now set. Not really, lol, but my creative juices did get a sudden boost, fuelled by his excitement. I decided to send both children to their room so that I could set out everything else without them seeing my process. Everyone knows that a surprise presentation multiplies the fun!

I pulled out my basic wooden cutting board to use as a makeshift tray, and soon I had a plate of cookies, a creamer almost overflowing with milk, and the sugar bowl holding the sweet wonder that is mini dehydrated marshmallows. It was coming together! I grabbed a cloth napkin that I had inherited from my Mom, my new $5 “as is” Christmas tree candle holder (I guess the top was missing? Meh!), and another cute tea light holder I had on hand. Add in paper napkins, Christmas plates (also from my parents), and our Christmas mugs that we use year after year, and the table was set for a sweet time together. To further set the cozy mood I was going for, I turned off a couple of lights and closed the blinds in our dining room. Now to call in the kids!

“Adorable,” is what my daughter called it, and I could see that their sweet faces were in awe of it all. It was like an early Christmas present for me, to see their joy and to feel the palpable expectation of a special time together. I think we’ll have to make this a yearly Christmas tradition. <3

You can easily recreate this moment in your own home! Bring out some of the pretty things that you already have, and maybe even do a wee trip to the thrift store to add in something extra. The creamer, sugar bowl and tiny spoon were all happy finds from the thrift, and if you were to check the backside of those white beauties, you would actually see the fall-coloured floral design. BUT, it really doesn’t matter. They didn’t care, if they even noticed. What they cared about is that their Mom took 10 minutes out of her day to prepare for some dedicated time with them. They were reminded that they are special and loved. And it was wonderful. I read them a couple of Christmas books, the whole way through, while they filled their tummies with sweets and artfully coloured some free Christmas printables that I found online. So, gather up those mugs that you’ve used countless times, light a candle or two, and invite in those dear children of yours to make some beautiful memories...any time of the year.