December Bucket List
Here’s the thing: we love lists. Lists keep us organized, they make sure we don’t forget milk at the grocery store, and they help us stay efficient at work. But the kinds of lists we love most are those that inspire us to live beautifully, to seek happiness, and to be joyfully present in the center of our lives. This holiday season has us reflecting on all of the things we have accomplished at the boutique in the past year, in our home lives and in our community. It's been a year full of expansion, love and reaching goals we thought seemed 'impossible'. Each week brings a new challenge and we are blessed to be able to share all of these things with our biggest support system - our customers. But before you greet 2015, why not make a list of things you want to do before this year runs out? To get you started, here are 40 things that I think sound like a blast to wrap up the year before the ball drops:
(pppsssttt...if you click on the links provided - they'll spark your thought process!)
1. My husband goes crazy this time of year coming up with a list of his favorite albums that launched over the last year. Make one yourself! What were the most influential musical albums for you? Personally, Spin Magazine and Paste Magazine are good research places that help me brainstorm.
2. Indulge in holiday nostalgia and decorate a gingerbread house with icing and gumdrops galore. I've never made a gingerbread house and I've always wanted to.
3. Finish that book I started two months ago!
4. Wear a new lipstick color out. Oh boy!
5. Find the nearest ice skating rink and twirl away the afternoon - by yourself or with a friend.
6. Spend a meal serving at the Banquet. The reward is indescribable.
7. Help promote children's literacy by participating in Downtown Gives.
8. Clean out your kitchen cupboards and bring your nonperishable items to some folks in need.
9. Go for an evening drive around town to see all the bright Christmas lights and festive decorations. Did you know there are whole neighborhoods in Sioux Falls that decorate in a theme for the holidays?
10. Take a new approach to New Years Resolutions by setting S.M.A.R.T. goals (that’s specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely. Don't set yourself up for failure. That's silly.
11. And why not get started on that exercise goal now?! You don’t have to wait until January 1st to go for a run, take a yoga class, or spend some time with the stairmaster. Look into studios that offer free beginner classes!
12. Has 'start taking vitamins' been a thought for a while? Today's the day.
13. Invite your neighbors over for wine and cheese to catch up or get to know each other better. This list provides the top wines available for under $15/bottle.
14. Twist your hair into a vintage inspired ponytail for your next holiday party.
15. Get tickets to a performance at the Orpheum. Make an evening out of it in beautiful DTSF.
16. Take your phone or memory card to the store and finally print off those photos you keep staring at saying, "gosh, I should really print these."
17. Pop some popcorn for a holiday movie marathon (A Christmas Story and Elf top our list - duh).
18. Host a dinner party for your friends - or make it a cheesy holiday sweaters and fondue party!
19. Alongside your traditional holiday meal, try out a new holiday recipe – you might just find a new recipe that will come back out year after year.
20. That whole 'arm knitting' phenomenon sounds really awesome to me. Try it!
21. Want to get back into listening to vinyl records? You can purchase turn tables AND records at a fantastic locally owned record shop, Total Drag, DTSF. Vinyl is the way to go.
22. Or, maybe a staycation. Can't leave? Treat yourself to a fancy hotel stay in town and make an evening of it with dinner and drinks. The new Hilton on the river in DTSF is beautiful.
23. OR - if you're as obsessed with Gilmore Girls as I am...check out a small town in South Dakota and stay at an Inn or Bed & Breakfast!
24. Bring the outdoors in by creating a winter floral arrangement.
25. Word-lovers everywhere rejoice – winter is the perfect time for a game of Scrabble. (And yes, qi is an acceptable word. Play it on a triple word and you're unstoppable.)
26. Read more poetry!
27. Or, write some poetry!
28. Get creative with winter-inspired cocktails - or just spike the eggnog!
29. Treat yourself to a new cozy scarf - or three.
30. Document all your favorite moments of the holiday season on Instagram. Who cares if you get made fun of? You'll have the memories.
31. Create a hashtag for your family gathering! Then you can all access the photos under one search. #squyersinpierre #squyerchristmas #uglysweatersquyers
32. Begin a new family holiday tradition. New food on the dinner menu? New collection to begin? Board game or movie to watch?
33. Don’t let the Starbucks holiday season pass without at least one more Peppermint Mocha or Gingerbread Latte. I mean...mint and chocolate.
34. Have you tried all of the amazing food in DTSF? The restaurants are simply to-die-for. Date night?
35. Have you ever been to a craft workshop at Engage Paperie? Cuz you should.
36. Don't forget about checking out the lights display at the Falls.
37. Take a trip to the Humane Society and feed the puppies and kitties. Attempt to leave without a handful of kittens. Or, ADOPT!
38. If you attend a place of worship, do they offer a holiday service that is candle lit? That was one of the most beautiful things I remember from my childhood.
39. Call as many family members as you can find in your contacts list. Fill them in and tell them you love them!
40. Last but not least, kiss someone special under the mistletoe. It's a beautiful life, my friends.
Have a safe, loving and beautiful holiday. Bring in the New Year with some style and grab a dress at Chelsea's Boutique. xoxo, the boutique babes
(pppsssttt...if you click on the links provided - they'll spark your thought process!)
1. My husband goes crazy this time of year coming up with a list of his favorite albums that launched over the last year. Make one yourself! What were the most influential musical albums for you? Personally, Spin Magazine and Paste Magazine are good research places that help me brainstorm.
2. Indulge in holiday nostalgia and decorate a gingerbread house with icing and gumdrops galore. I've never made a gingerbread house and I've always wanted to.
3. Finish that book I started two months ago!
4. Wear a new lipstick color out. Oh boy!
5. Find the nearest ice skating rink and twirl away the afternoon - by yourself or with a friend.
6. Spend a meal serving at the Banquet. The reward is indescribable.
7. Help promote children's literacy by participating in Downtown Gives.
8. Clean out your kitchen cupboards and bring your nonperishable items to some folks in need.
9. Go for an evening drive around town to see all the bright Christmas lights and festive decorations. Did you know there are whole neighborhoods in Sioux Falls that decorate in a theme for the holidays?
10. Take a new approach to New Years Resolutions by setting S.M.A.R.T. goals (that’s specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely. Don't set yourself up for failure. That's silly.
11. And why not get started on that exercise goal now?! You don’t have to wait until January 1st to go for a run, take a yoga class, or spend some time with the stairmaster. Look into studios that offer free beginner classes!
12. Has 'start taking vitamins' been a thought for a while? Today's the day.
13. Invite your neighbors over for wine and cheese to catch up or get to know each other better. This list provides the top wines available for under $15/bottle.
14. Twist your hair into a vintage inspired ponytail for your next holiday party.
15. Get tickets to a performance at the Orpheum. Make an evening out of it in beautiful DTSF.
16. Take your phone or memory card to the store and finally print off those photos you keep staring at saying, "gosh, I should really print these."
17. Pop some popcorn for a holiday movie marathon (A Christmas Story and Elf top our list - duh).
18. Host a dinner party for your friends - or make it a cheesy holiday sweaters and fondue party!
19. Alongside your traditional holiday meal, try out a new holiday recipe – you might just find a new recipe that will come back out year after year.
20. That whole 'arm knitting' phenomenon sounds really awesome to me. Try it!
21. Want to get back into listening to vinyl records? You can purchase turn tables AND records at a fantastic locally owned record shop, Total Drag, DTSF. Vinyl is the way to go.
22. Or, maybe a staycation. Can't leave? Treat yourself to a fancy hotel stay in town and make an evening of it with dinner and drinks. The new Hilton on the river in DTSF is beautiful.
23. OR - if you're as obsessed with Gilmore Girls as I am...check out a small town in South Dakota and stay at an Inn or Bed & Breakfast!
24. Bring the outdoors in by creating a winter floral arrangement.
25. Word-lovers everywhere rejoice – winter is the perfect time for a game of Scrabble. (And yes, qi is an acceptable word. Play it on a triple word and you're unstoppable.)
26. Read more poetry!
27. Or, write some poetry!
28. Get creative with winter-inspired cocktails - or just spike the eggnog!
29. Treat yourself to a new cozy scarf - or three.
30. Document all your favorite moments of the holiday season on Instagram. Who cares if you get made fun of? You'll have the memories.
31. Create a hashtag for your family gathering! Then you can all access the photos under one search. #squyersinpierre #squyerchristmas #uglysweatersquyers
32. Begin a new family holiday tradition. New food on the dinner menu? New collection to begin? Board game or movie to watch?
33. Don’t let the Starbucks holiday season pass without at least one more Peppermint Mocha or Gingerbread Latte. I mean...mint and chocolate.
34. Have you tried all of the amazing food in DTSF? The restaurants are simply to-die-for. Date night?
35. Have you ever been to a craft workshop at Engage Paperie? Cuz you should.
37. Take a trip to the Humane Society and feed the puppies and kitties. Attempt to leave without a handful of kittens. Or, ADOPT!
38. If you attend a place of worship, do they offer a holiday service that is candle lit? That was one of the most beautiful things I remember from my childhood.
39. Call as many family members as you can find in your contacts list. Fill them in and tell them you love them!
40. Last but not least, kiss someone special under the mistletoe. It's a beautiful life, my friends.
Have a safe, loving and beautiful holiday. Bring in the New Year with some style and grab a dress at Chelsea's Boutique. xoxo, the boutique babes
