42 Days Until Christmas

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Have a Christmas Party

This past week I did something great.  I had a PartyLite party.  It was nice for many many reasons.  I want to start by saying I do not sell PartyLite so I do not care if we talk about an At Home America Party, A Tupperware party or a PartyLite Party.  The point is that I had a party.  Why was it so great?

1. It was fun.  The ladies and I had an evening to relax and unwind.  There was no pressure to buy.  I told everyone I do not care either way.  All I wanted was a night full of friends, laughter and fun.
2. I Christmas Shopped.  You know what the best part of this for me was?  I did it for free!
3. There are good deals.  This is the time of year that these companies are trying to make their extra money.  The are all offering deals.  My guests had two pages of half prices items to choose from.  They also could pick out any half priced item they wanted with the purchase of just one regular priced item.  Even if the regular priced item was $1.  They could also choose from a few other offers.  This made Christmas shopping for them discounted!
4. I gathered some orders from outside the people who came.  This is a great way to boost what you will get for free.
5. It was nice to entertain.  I never get a chance to have people over.  I am usually too busy.  I was able to have a nice time and enjoy.  We had some great snacks and cakes and laughed.  We all needed it.

1. Other then the baby throwing up in the middle of it the party was a great success.  I was able to cross three people off of my list without spending anything and the whole time I was able to enjoy!  I would suggest you have a party this month and you will be able to Christmas shop for free too.

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Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is just about two weeks away. It is a holiday that often gets overshadowed. I think that it is quite unfair but I also fall right into it. I do not rush though it and start my Christmas season early but I still look forward to all that it brings because it is Christmas.

What are the things I love about Thanksgiving?

1. It is a sit back and enjoy kind of holiday. We usually eat somewhere else so I have virtually nothing to do other then assuring my kids are dressed an in the car after the parade. We sit and chat while the men watch Football and the kids play outside. It is a holiday where you do not have to buy anyone a present, you do not have to be dressed to the nines and you can relax. It is really a day OFF!
2. We have a chance to watch Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and see all of the floats and balloons. It is the most special part as far as I am concerned. It is a Thanksgiving tradition and one that I never want to end. I love it.
3. Most stores are closed. Thanksgiving is a holiday for EVERYONE. It is not based on being from a certain racial or religious background it is all about being American. Some store have ruined this tradition and I want to say that I think that it is wrong. People in America should all have the ability to go home and enjoy this holiday with their families and any store that stays open, yes I mean you K-Mart, are un-American.
4. It is a time for family with little stress. There is no hustle and bustle yet. You can take it all at your own pace. You can enjoy each other. Family is not always traditional. I have a few friends who are “family”. They know that they are always welcome for any holiday to be a part of our family! You can have discussions with people you only see a few times a year.
5. It is a time for giving thanks. How may other holidays do we have where we sit all together and talk about what we are Thankful? I can not think of any!

All in all I would say that Thanksgiving is a special day that comes only once a year. Make sure that this year you sit back and enjoy all that it has to offer.

Becca

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Holiday Survey

Today I would love to do a few quick surveys:

1. What is your favorite Holiday Movie? Mine is Miracle on 34th Street. I just love how it makes me feel by the end. There are some others that come in a close second but that is the winner.
2. What is your best holiday memory? Mine is the first Christmas I was married. We were married on week before Christmas. We lived with my Mother-in-Law. Both she and Rob were sick. I had hurt my wrist and was in a sling. By 9 at night we had not opened presents. I was in bed crying when my mother-in-law opened the door and said are we going to do this. She then dumped bags of unwrapped gifts in the center of the room and we looked through them. This Christmas was not a good Christmas but it was my favorite. It made me realize for the first time in my life that it would all be alright if Christmas was not perfect. It certainly had not been that year and by the end of the night it was alright again. I was happy at the end of the night and that was what was important.
3. What is your most loved holiday song? I love “Baby it’s Cold Outside” It is not about Christmas but is so nice and makes me want to belt it out. There are many many others because music is so vital to a holiday season.
4. What Tradition does your family have that is closest to your heart? I think that the best tradition to me is Elmer the Elf. As I discussed a week or so ago he is special because not only is he magical but he also is an heirloom which has been passed from generation to generation.
5. How do you stay sane during the holidays? I cannot answer this one because I so do not stay sane. I am a nut time and time again. But it is all a great time in the end which is all that matters.

I would love to hear where everyone stands with each of these. I find it fun to share where I have been and how I have been impacted and why things are so special. I hope you will take a moment to do the same.

Becca

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Santa Clause

We all know him and love him. Some of us know him as Saint Nick, some know him as Father Christmas and some know him as Santa Clause. The point is that we all know him. Young or old, Jewish or Christian we all know who he is and what he is about. He is about giving.

Santa was always a special part of Christmas for me. He is where all of the magic of Christmas starts. He is Christmas to so many kids. I know he is in our house. We make sure to give him his cookies and eggnog. We watch out our windows as we fall asleep. I know that I have seen Rudolph the red nosed reindeer out my window many times in the past. It was what always made fall asleep quicker because that meant that Santa was just a few houses away. I remember laying in bed feeling the magic as a child.

The truth of the matter is that I still lay in bed and feel the magic. As a child Santa came and visited me one year. I was quite sick with pneumonia and was feeling down. On Christmas Eve. Santa walked right into my house and told me to feel better and with a blink he was gone. I am not sure if it was really him or a helper but that night I was convinced that it was him. It was one of the times as a child I felt special and felt the magic that Christmas has to offer. Perhaps that is what I feel such a love for Santa.

Santa will be checking his list soon. I am trying to be extra good this year. You never know what Santa will place under the tree for you this year! Be sure that you make it onto the nice list this year!

Becca

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White Christmas

I am dreaming of a white Christmas. Aren’t we all though? We look at pictures of snow men, movies with that magical snow falling just as you are falling asleep, and Santa Clause needing a sleigh. I can hear the song in my head right now as I am typing this. These things are what keep the magic around. For many people though a white Christmas in unlikely. I think that the portion of the country that can expect a white Christmas is far less then those who have no chance. Here in New York it has been known to happen from time to time. I remember one year, and I can not tell you which year it was, that it snowed. It was not too many years ago. Here in NY it was a very white Christmas. I think that there but it had its downfalls.

1. We were stuck at home. While this could have been nice we had plans for the evening and afternoon that were to be quite enjoyable.
2. We could not get all dressed up to go trudging through the snow. It would have been too wet and messy.
3. We had not planned on cooking a special Christmas dinner ourselves so we had no food in the house.
4. It was not what I had planned for. I like to plan, as we all know, and I HATE when things ruin my plans.

I guess that what I am saying is that we have to be careful what we wish for. Sometimes we get more then we bargain for. A nice blanket of snow can be beautiful and magical. Anything more can be a downright bummer. Trust me I know. So when you are all dreaming of a white Christmas this year remember to dream small!

Becca

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Christmas Tree

What would Christmas be without a Christmas Tree? This is a question that some people do not even understand. Of course you have a Christmas Tree. It is what symbolizes Christmas in our homes, our malls, Rockafeller Center and even the White House. There is even a whole Christmas Carol dedicated to it. “Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas tree”. We all sing its praise year after year. It is what you first learn to color and decorate as a child and what you dream that there will be presents under. So where did this Christmas tree come from is an important question to be answered.

• The Christmas tree has been said to have first brought about in Germany. A monk had traveled to Germany to teach the people there the word of the lord. This monk used a fir tree, a triangular shape, as an example of the holy trinity. This the became a German tradition at Christmas time. People would even hang their trees upside down. As trade evolved so did the Christmas tree. Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, who was German, are said to have made the Christmas tree what it is today. Queen Victoria was well liked and people did whatever she did in order to keep up with the times. When people had seen that she had decorated her tree people followed. Ornaments at the time were all home made. From there the Christmas tree has evolved into what we know it as today. Thank goodness we do not put candles on our trees. I would be far to nervous!
• Real Or Fake? This has been a debate that I have struggled with for years. Do I want a real tree or a fake one? Each year we go for the real one. There is nothing like smelling a fresh cut Christmas tree when you walk into your house. It is magical. For those who are happy getting that scent from a candle they may be just as happy with a fake tree. I will say this for a real tree, it is magical. Look at your child’s face when they come on a Christmas tree hunt with you. The joy hand magic they have at that moment becomes contagous. It is not lugging a big box out of the basement and assembling a tree. It is real. Part of what God gave us on this earth. It is magical.
• Going Green: I know that many people out there are into a going green kick. It is the new cool thing to do. I know that cutting down trees is not good for the o-zone and who knows what else. There is something to consider though. These trees would not have been here if it were not for Christmas. They are all so perfect now because they come off of tree farms. So please put the green aside and just decide to recycle or reuse your tree when you are done. It will still be used as wood chips, fire wood to cut down on heat or to carve something special out of.

Becca

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Christmas Caroling

Long gone are the days of people going door to door singing happy joyful Christmas music.  You see all of the Norman Rockwell pictures of old time people singing in the center of town.  It all looks so great.  I remember as a child we used to go to Christmas Caroling with church.  It was so nice.  We would bundle up and hit a whole neighborhood with our joyous song.  People would invite us in for a quick cup of cocoa and we would move on to the next house to spread some joy.  So where have all of the carolers gone?

Now the Girl Scouts go to the local senior center for caroling.  No more are they outside singing and having fun.  They are herded into the senior center and put on more of a concert the “caroling”.  I think that it really is quite sad that we have lost the desire to go out caroling.  It is something I remember and cherish from being young.  It makes me think about what is happening to this country.  Why do we not want to share joy with each other?  Is it the we do not wish to offend people who are not Christian or is it that we just can not get away from our too busy lives?  I think that either excuse is just that, an excuse.  If you do anything this year please go out and do some Christmas Caroling.  Let’s put Christmas Caroling back on the map!

Becca

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The Christmas elf

Does your family have an elf?

Elmer the Elf has been around for quite some time. I know that he was there for my grandfather, he was there for my father, he was there for me and now he is there for my children. I can only begin to imagine how old he must be. I am not sure if it goes back to my great grandfather or even further. What I know is that Elmer has been the family elf for at least four generations now. It is such a magical addition to the holidays and a great incentive for all to be good. So what does an elf do for you? I know that this is a question that many have asked me over the years. So here is the secret of Elmer for you. It is not something to take lightly. Disrespecting Elmer is an automatic naughty list violation. Keep this information safe and secure and have fun with it.

1. Elmer is an Elf who watches over you from Thanksgiving until Christmas. Now my sister-in-law says he is already watching. This is unfounded information. He ONLY watches from Thanksgiving until Christmas. He spends the rest of his time busy making toys.
2. Elmer is there to make sure that children are behaving all season long.
3. If you are caught by Elmer being good he will leave a little something in your room for you. These are not big toys. I have heard rumors of Elmer buying Movies and other such things. This is very atypical elmer behavior. He usually buys neat toys such as a Chinese yo-yo or a holiday bubble necklace that can be warn all season long. It is just a little something to let you know that you are still on Santa’s “nice” list.
4. Elmer has been spotted. My older brother still to this day remembers seeing Elmer in his room sitting on his tuba while he was sleeping. You never know who will spot Elmer and it is always great to hear what he looks like.
5. Elmer is a magic that can not be abused. The kids are so receptive to him and love that he comes around year after year.

As you can see this simple little elf really helps to add to the holiday spirit. Perhaps your family should write to Santa and get an elf. You will be glad you did. Just a side not… Elmer is taken!

Becca

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Holiday Movies

Being that I am person who loved the holidays at some point you can imagine that I love the movies as well. There are the classics like “Miracle on 34th Street” which has a magic to it that even as an adult I can not understand and “It’s a Wonderful Life” which reminds us that there is always a community out there who lob=ves someone who give of themselves. These movies will live on forever and will always be the classics people remember.

Each year there is a nice mixture of new and old movies for us to see. I know that ABC family is a place that you can go all season long to see great movies. They have their 25 days of Christmas and this year they are off to an early start. In just 11 days ABC Family will be kicking off their holiday season. It, like so many other things this year, is early. I am kind of looking forward to this one though.

How can you use ABC Family Countdown to 25 days of Christmas to your favor?

1. You can bribe the kids that once their homework is done you can all watch a movie. A lot of them are 30 minutes long.
2. You can tell your husband that he is right.;.. There is no need to hang the holiday lights outside you would much rather watch a mushy holiday movie with him.
3. You can have a girls night. Some of the movies are a bit much for the guys so invite a few friends over and enjoy a holiday get together.
4. Use it as your me time. As I said in yesterday’s post it is important to have some me time.
5. Let the kids invite a friend over to watch a movie. Perhaps have a cookie decorating addition would top off the day.

Click on the link to view the whole schedule:

Countdown to the 25 Days of Christmas

25 days of Christmas

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Holiday Cheer

I think that for many of us it is important to be cheery for the holidays. Last year I just could not do it. It was all I could do not to have a nervous breakdown. Everything was just far too stressful to be in anyway fun. I HATED it. I wanted to just run away and cancel Christmas and very much wanted to say Bah Humbug! I tried my hardest for the kids and although they remember some of the bad such as the tree falling and every memory I had on it breaking they also remember the fun things. The few giggles we shared, the crafts we made and the memories we created. As I said at the start of 75 days of Christmas I want this year to be different. I want this to be the year they remember only the good and not the bad. The year that dreams come true and we bond like never before. I know there go these high expectations again but we will see.

How can we assure that there will be some holiday cheer? Here are a few tips I am taking to heart:

1. Make sure that we are all getting enough sleep. This will help to keep the crankies out!
2. Keep in mind that nothing is going to be perfect. I have issues with this part but will be working with it time and time again.
3. Do not take on too much. This is something that I think we all do this time of year. It is ok to cut back, skip a party or two or stay in a few nights and vedge out to a movie.
4. Remember me time. I think that this is important to do everyday. I never do it but in theory it is true. Even if your me time is reading a story or listening to your favorite Christmas movie without kids nagging you. Just take out a few minutes out just for you.
5. Spike the eggnog. While this is a joke, in some ways it is not. Remember to have FUN and LAUGH!!! This will make you more full of cheer then most other things.

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