7 Days Until Christmas

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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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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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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52 Days Until Christmas

When is the right time to decorate?

Year after year people start decorating earlier and earlier. It is something that continues to anoy me. I think that it actually annoys me more then the thought of retailer trying to cram Christmas down our throats. This is because it is the proof I need to see that it is working.

At what point in history was it acceptable to decorate the outside of your home for Christmas November 1st? Hey, I am an understanding person. I know that it is cold in another month. I know that perhaps hanging the lights now while it is still in the 50 degree mark is nice then waiting a month. This does not, I repeat NOT give you the right to light those lights. I know that this is a free country and we can do what we want but get real. By lighting the lights now you are takking away the holiday cheer the rest of us feel after Thanksgiving.

In my mind you decorate outside the Saturday after Thanksgiving. The are has a certain holiday chill to it. It is crisp and cold. While I know that no one likes to be cold, EVERYONE likes to come in to some hot cocoa and snuggle down to their first Christmas movie together.

So please, this season, just wait. It is three more weeks. That is it. Yes it may be a little colder but the memories that you are making for your kids is worth it all. Not to mention that, as I drive around, I do not want to see your lights! I will be checking!

Becca

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53 Days Until Christmas

Holiday Commercials

Well here we are again. The day after Halloween and the Christmas Ads began. It really is amazing how this all works. What happened to Turkey Day? Where is Thanksgiving? If we left it all up to the retailers in the United States they would start advertising for Christmas in July. They create such a sense of urgency that I have to wonder who really falls for it.

Before Halloween had arrived Kmart had advertisments out to go do your holiday layaway. While I was thinking that this was a little early I could understand it. By laying away you pay a little as you go and you are assured the items that you picked. You can add to it at any time or take away from it. It is a great way to spend this year without using plastic. I know that Wal-Mart did away with their layaway a few years back so it is an advantage Kmart has this year. The question comes with the timing. Was it too early for people to start thinking about it or did they think that Kmart was right and they rushed out and shopped? I would love to know.

So, where the possibility of understanding was there for Kmart, I am hard pressed to know why there are now so many other commercials out there already for the holidays? Do the advertisers really think that people are that stupid? Do they really think that we are going to feel rushed into shopping for some reason? We have 53 days left until Christmas Day, so what is the rush?

I will tell you what I think that the rush is. People have not been spending. Third quarter profits were downs and all of these companies need to do something QUICK. Between the stock market, political uncertainty and a whole host of other social issues the holiday season may very well be the one thing that could save the commercialised way of life we all know and love.

So what is a person to do? I say go out and shop for what you need. Save the holiday shopping for a few weeks and do not feel pressured. Until Santa Clause comes rolling down the 34th Street, in his float, in the Macy’s Day Parade; it is not time to think about Christmas! I am not denying that it is coming at us quickly. I am simply saying do not forget to enjoy Fall, the harvest and all that Thanksgiving has to offer for you and your family!

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