A Christmas Countdown

Christmas Coundown 2009: Christmas Cheer

October 27, 2009 By Becca 4 Comments

75 Days of Christmas Countdown

60 Days Until Christmas:

Unfortunately this year we have had some turbulent, personal issues. This has meant that I have neglected the first 15 days of my famous 75 Days of Christmas Countdown. With all of that being said I think that the most important thing to address this year is Christmas Cheer.

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What is Christmas Cheer you ask? It is that special kind of happiness that only comes one time a year. It is a time that we should all be a little nicer. For some it is a time for family and friends and for others it is a time for giving back to their communities. It is the desire to gather around with others and just be cheerful.

Now I am not sure why, but many people are lacking in their holiday cheer. I have kept my mouth closed about this long enough. I cannot contain my disappointment any longer. It seems like Christmas has been taken over by the Grinch. Christmas cheer is a quickly dying experience. In the stores, on the street, in community centers, Christmas Cheer is dying.

So here is what I plan on doing about it. I am going to be the Christmas Cheerleader. I am going to spread Christmas cheer even to those whose hearts are three sizes too small. I am going to help out our troops with the Girl Scouts, I am going to visit the nursing home with some presents, I am going to do everything I can think of to infect the people in this country with some good old fashion Christmas Cheer! Join me in my quest to revive what we all love about Christmas!

Becca

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Christmas Countdown 2009: 75 Days of Christmas

September 29, 2009 By Becca 4 Comments

: Image by Today is a good day via Flickr

Well it is almost that time of year again. Yes I said it… Christmas is upon us. I know that you are thinking that I am a bit over the edge but it is only 12 more days until my 75 Days of Christmas Countdown. Day 75 is on coming quickly and I have begun to think a lot about what I am trying to cover this year.

Last year I offered my ideas of what the holidays should be and what they actually are. If there is one thing that I have learned it is that Christmas never goes the way that I plan it. It has more bumps then I am ever ready for but in the end the memories are fond when I look back.

I was thinking that this year there are some important things that I would like to cover. I know that we are all on tight budgets this year. Many people are out of work and even others are just struggling to make payments on their mortgages each month. I am going to try and make this year a cheap, yet fun year. I will be posting budgeting ideas, low cost gift ideas, easy crafts for kids and adults, and of course my insight and humor. Yet again there is a lot to do and what feels like a lot of time to do it in!

I would like to ask all of you what Christmas topics you are looking for this year? Shall I post recipies, survival guides, crafts, gift ideas or even a funny story or two? What are we looking for this year? What do you want your Christmas to be?

Becca

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7 Days Until Christmas

December 18, 2008 By Becca Leave a Comment

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Wow! This season has gone so quickly. I would love to say that my planned went as planned and that I was able to get to everything. I would say that this year has been a challenge. Perhaps it wa the short season. Perhaps it was my unhealed broken foot. Perhaps I procrastinated. Either way it is here!

One week until Christmas means that there are many things that I have to do in little time. These things are vital to assuring that I am not stressed on Christmas Eve.

I need to complete my shopping. It has been difficult because I can only shop for an hour or so with my foot. I think that I have gone out everyday this season.
I need to Wrap. This is something that is vital. I think that while this is obvious I need to keep in mind that it is important.
I need to do my cards. Although they may be New Years cards I still want to send them out to all of the people who I do not get to see or talk to often.
I need to be an elf to my mother-in-law who broke her thumb and cannot wrap this year. This is important to me. She would do it for me so how could I not make it a priority.

Well 7 days is enough time. I just want to assure that I have a reduced stress Christmas. We are now counting down. Get ready Christmas will be here soon.

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20 Days Until Christmas

December 5, 2008 By Becca 5 Comments

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OK I know I missed a few. In the last 20 days I have been sick as have all of the kids. Today is the first day that everyone made it to school and I am breathing a sigh of relief. Needless to say I am way behind on my schedule. I had wanted to be so much further along by now. I have a bit of catching up to do!

I feel like the Grinch has stolen my Christmas! The house is not decorated, pictures of the kids have not been done, shopping is started but not complete, Abigail thinks that I am Santa Clause and no cookies are baked. This weekend it the big one for us. I would like to get everything decorated and all set. This will leave time over the next week or so to do some baking. I think that this will have me all caught up. Wish me luck. I think that I am going to need it!

Becca

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43 Days Until Christmas

November 14, 2008 By Becca Leave a Comment

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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?

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!
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.
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.
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.
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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44 Days Until Christmas

November 14, 2008 By Becca 1 Comment

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Holiday Survey

Today I would love to do a few quick surveys:

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.
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.
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.
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.
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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45 Days Until Christmas

November 14, 2008 By Becca Leave a Comment

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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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46 Days Until Christmas

November 14, 2008 By Becca Leave a Comment

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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.

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.
We could not get all dressed up to go trudging through the snow. It would have been too wet and messy.
We had not planned on cooking a special Christmas dinner ourselves so we had no food in the house.
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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47 Days Until Christmas

November 13, 2008 By Becca Leave a Comment

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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48 Days Until Christmas

November 7, 2008 By Becca 2 Comments

HOLLYWOOD - NOVEMBER 03: Actor John Michael H...

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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

Filed Under: Christmas Countdown Tagged With: 25 Days of Christmas, A Christmas Countdown, a countdown until christmas, Christianity, Christmas, Christmas and holiday season, Christmas and season, Christmas carol, Christmas Music, christmas tradition, holiday, Kids and Teens, Norman Rockwell, People and Society

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Christmas Coundown 2009: Christmas Cheer

Christmas Countdown 2009: 75 Days of Christmas

7 Days Until Christmas

20 Days Until Christmas

43 Days Until Christmas

Thanksgiving

44 Days Until Christmas

Holiday Survey

45 Days Until Christmas

Santa Clause

46 Days Until Christmas

White Christmas

47 Days Until Christmas

Christmas Tree

48 Days Until Christmas

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