Merry Christmas! Author Melissa Tagg and I have teamed up for a fun Christmas read and ornament giveaway. All you have to do for a chance to win is share one of your favorite Christmas memories on this blog post! Easy peasy.
Can’t wait to hear YOUR stories! The giveaway starts 12.15 at midnight and goes through midnight on 12.22!
Here’s the blurbs on the books we’re giving away.
Some Bright Someday
A wounded hero torn between love and honor. A woman stuck with a house she never wanted and longing for a home she’s never had. Three children hiding in an abandoned cottage. Return to Maple Valley in this charming and heartfelt second installment in Christy Award-winning author Melissa Tagg’s Maple Valley series.
One Enchanted Christmas
A Collection of Heartwarming, Small-Town Holiday Romances
One Enchanted Christmas
Last December, author Maren Grant went on a magical date with her book’s cover model–Colin Renwycke. Fast forward one year. With a looming deadline, Maren is desperate to recapture her creative spark. Then she remembers Colin’s invitation to visit his family’s Iowa farm…
Drew Renwycke never planned to move home and take over the farm. But he’s spent too many years watching his siblings unravel–including Colin. When Maren lands on his doorstep, he realizes she may be the key to coaxing his brother home.
One Enchanted Eve
As a Denver Culinary Institute student, Colin Renwyke is out to embark on a new career as a pastry chef. But despite his skills in the kitchen, he’s a mess in the classroom and his ongoing disasters are proving too much for his prickly instructor. If he loses his spot at the school, he’s out of backup plans.
Culinary school instructor Rylan Jefferson has the chance to reclaim her dream of running her own bakery. But she only has until Christmas Eve to come up with the perfect recipe to impress an eccentric investor. She has no time for holiday parties or family plans . . . and especially not for her unruliest student baker.
But Colin has the one ingredient Rylan needs most–talent. Lots of it. And when he makes a proposal that just might solve both their problems, Rylan can’t say no.
One Enchanted Noel
When Seb Pierce agreed to work for his wealthy grandfather for one year–in return for an early draw on his inheritance–he never expected the agreement to land him in a quirky small town in Iowa at Christmas-time, renovating a dilapidated theater…and running into a woman he never thought he’d see again.
Although she’s finally settled in her hometown, Leigh Renwycke can’t shake the familiar restlessness that used to get her into trouble. When Seb Pierce waltzes into her world and begs for her help planning the theater’s holiday reopening, it might be enough to jumpstart a new career…and to prove once and for all that the new-and-improved Leigh is here to stay. Until old secrets and new sparks get in the way…
***
A Royal Christmas Wedding
In A Royal Christmas Wedding, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA TODAY bestselling author Rachel Hauck weaves a sweet story of holiday romance as two broken hearts seek the love they once knew.
It’s been five years since Avery Truitt and Prince Colin of Brighton Kingdom fell in love. But he broke her heart with no explanation.
Fast forward to present day, and Colin is Brighton’s most eligible bachelor now that cousin Stephen has married. When Avery’s father dies of a heart attack, she puts her life on hold and returns home to St. Simons Island, Georgia, to help Mama with the family restaurant. But Mama misses Avery’s sister Susanna, who lives four thousand miles away in Brighton Kingdom—and is expecting her first child. So Mama insists she and Avery spend the Christmas season in Brighton.
Colin and Avery are going to see each other a lot while she’s visiting. But she can’t forget the way he hurt her, and he didn’t expect his feelings to still be so strong.
Avery is torn between considering a future in Brighton and taking a coaching job in Georgia, and Colin is finally pushed to pursue what he really wants. Is it too late to convince Avery that she is his true love? And even if he does, will she make it to the chapel on Christmas Day to give him her heart?
The Wedding Dress Christmas
December comes to quaint Hearts Bend, Tennessee, with a blanket of white and the glitter of Christmas lights.
For JoJo Castle there is no place like home. Her onetime love of adventure ended when her life in the big city came crashing down. Now that she’s home, she never wants to leave again.
Country music sensation Buck Mathews has charmed the world with his smile and his music. However, news of his mother’s illness brought him home to Hearts Bend for the holiday season.
Working with her cousin Haley in The Wedding Shop, JoJo has no aspirations of love. But when her high school crush returns to town, her buried feelings surface.
Busy with his career, Buck hasn’t had time for family and friends, much less love. Seeing JoJo in The Wedding Shop reminds him there are things more important than his career.
But JoJo and Buck have opposing life goals, and there’s no middle ground. Can love, especially the kind that touches hearts at Christmas, overcome her fears and his quest for greatness?
With the help of a very special wedding dress, there just might a Christmas miracle.
***
The cool ornaments were made by Nicole at Nicole Letters. She does amazing stuff. Check out her Etsy shop!
Comments 326
My oldest daughter was born the day before Thanksgiving. The Christmas Eve after she was born we were at my parents’ home. My dad left the den with her in his arms. A short time later he returned and told us to dome to the living room where the Christmas tree was. There nestled among the gifts was my daughter smuggled in safely. My dad looked at my daughter and said, “There is the is the best present in the house.” For a man who was not overly demonstrative that said a lot.
Author
Oh Shirley, how sweet!! I love it!
The best Christmas ever is when my now (come Dec 22) 15 yr old granddaughter was born. My daughter got to bring her home on Christmas Eve! That was a happy Christmas .
Our hearts had been broken on New Years Day the year before when we lost a granddaughter that was stillborn when my other daughter was 38 weeks pregnant. We needed that extra love from this grand baby. Sixteen years later we still love and miss our angel that I got to hold two times. She weighed 9 lbs 9 oz. My daughter ordered a memory bear that weighs what our angel weighed. Each year we celebrate one granddaughter here and one granddaughter in Heaven. We now have 6 living grandchildren. So sorry for my post being so long.
Author
Oh Brenda, how heartbreaking yet precious. What a great way to remember her.
Rachel
I was an only child, at the age of 12 I went away to a catholic home for girls. My first Christmas there was one I don’t think I will ever forget. I was placed in a group, all the groups had 20 girls in it we slept 4 to a room. At Christmas time, each girl received 5 gifts each, imagine the size of the tree and the size of the gifts underneath. To me it was like one of those Hallmark movies, I had never seen so many gifts under a tree like that. It was truly mesmerizing.
Author
Lourdes, I bet the tree was spectacular. How lovely! And I’m glad to hear each girl received the same number of gifts.
Rachel
When we went to my aunt’s house for Christmas, my sister and I would eat lunch with my cousins in one of their rooms on a blanket and watch a movie while we ate.
Author
Love these kind of memories.
Rachel
These books sound so good to curl up with for hours and hours. Thank you for the giveaway.
My sweetest Christmas memory comes from 2001. I had met this man in a Christian chat room on the internet, and it did not take us long to fall for each other. He called me at my parents home on Christmas day and promised that it would be our last Christmas apart. True to his word, he flew to the other side of the world next Christmas to finally meet me and ask me to marry him. We were married the next year and have been married now for 17 years. Dreams do come true at Christmas. ❤️
Author
Wow! A love story indeed. Congratulations. Many happy years to come!
Rachel
My favorite part of Christmas is Christmas eve. I love the candlelight service but especially the part at the end, when we sing “Silent Night.” Watching the awe on my kids’ faces is the absolute best part to me – but a close second is the birthday party for Jesus we used to throw afterwards. We always have food and a birthday cake and we sing and blow out candles. We invite anyone we meet who doesn’t seem to have anywhere specific to go. One year there were several people from church who came, and it was so fun to share our celebration with them. I want to make sure that there’s always room for people – which is so much harder in these pandemic conditions.
Author
How lovely!
Rachel
My favorite Christmas memory is the year we were iced in with my mom and two pork roasts, no electricity, and no family could make the trip as the roads were impassable. Don’t remember what we ate but we made the best of it. By the way I don’t like pork, just my mom getting creative!
Author
Linda, I love that this is your favorite memory!
Rachel
One of mine is playing with the Christmas presents that were wrapped with my sister. Every year we would count, stack and rearrange the boxes every day. Try to guess what was inside. We loved it, it was half the excitement. It’s one of my moms favorite memories too.
Author
Knowing me, I’d guess something super cool then be disappointed when it was a pair of underwear. 🙂 But you made it sweet and special.
One sister and I shared a bedroom above the front door. One year after we were supposed to be in bed, we heard a vehicle drive in. We got up and looked out, and watched someone carry in something huge. The next morning we found out it was a ping pong table. Lots of fun with that (I have 6 siblings).
Author
Oh how fun!!
One of our best Christmases was the year our middle son was born on December 21. We came home from the hospital on the 23rd. He was a beautiful gift. Had a few scares during the pregnancy, a fetal echocardiogram, he was overdue, but there was nothing wrong with him at birth.
Author
A true Christmas gift!
My favorite Christmas memory is opening presents with my family when my granddad was still alive.
Author
** heart **
The year that me and my sister received dolls from my estranged father. My single Mom had the tree decorated, a train running around the base for my baby brother, and our dolls laid out in the open boxes. It was the only gift received from my father, but it was how my mother made that Christmas special that I’ll always remember!
Author
Wow! Really special. And sweet!
It was Christmas time, many years ago, when I was 2nd year in Primary school, age 7. I was sweet innocent child who still believed in Santa Claus, my parents encouraged the story and the magic behind it. I had my doubts but I still wanted to believe it because it was all magical. One day in December our teacher was blabbing about some St.Nicolas stuff and she said…”But you know, kids, that Santa isn’t real…” I was like… “What the… is she talking about??!”
Lets just say I came home crying out of shock! And my mom was also angry. “That is not a nice thing to say to a child!”🤣
Author
Oh no! Reality strikes. 😉 I think I stopped believing about then.
My husband’s birthday is on Christmas so we have to share celebrations but also as a paramedic he has to work holidays many years. On those years we move the dates. For instance this year he has a 48 hour shift starting Christmas Day so we are having Christmas Eve the 23rd and Christmas Day the 24th.
Some years we do the 26th it just depends on the adult kids and their schedules. 🙂
Author
Love this. My brother is a firefighter/paramedic but senior enough to get Christmas off. Though lately he lets the guys with younger children have that day. Or shares the day with them. 🙂
My 25 year old daughter is a police officer and she does the same thing since she does not have children
When our oldest was one, he was in the PICU and we didn’t think we’d get home for Christmas. One of our doctors changed that timeline and we made it home – so thankful! When family came to visit, we then announced that we were expecting our second child. We’ve had more kids and great memories since then, but it was so special to be home, even if it was quiet, for that Christmas!
Author
Very nice! Those are the moments we treasure.
One of my favorite memories is the year I came out of my bedroom to a big dollhouse waiting for me in the living room. You see the dollhouse had belonged to my mother as a child and my mom and dad had redone all the details in the house by hand. Absolutely amazing!
Author
How special!
Christmas at Disneyland! It is something special. People watching, parades, rides its the best!
Author
I’m near Disney World. We never go. Ha! But I know it’s lovely during the holidays! What a great memory.
My favorite Christmas memory is going to Granny’s house on Christmas Eve! When I was about 9 she started having me help with the fruit salad a few nights before. She really helped me feel involved and special, and it was time just for us to spend together. We’d always get juice up to our elbows and all over the floor, but it was the best time. I really learned ownership of the festivities and how to take responsibility for feeding and loving on people! I hope to start traditions like this with my children someday!
Author
Love this!
My favorite memory actually happened a bit before Christmas day. We surprised our daughters with tickets to the “Polar Express” when the went to brush their teeth. Then we yelled “All Aboard!” I had hot chocolate and cookies waiting in our car. We went to look at Christmas lights in our jammies, sang carols, and punched their tickets. It has become our favorite tradition and I look forward to it every year.
Author
So it was your own personal Polar Express? How fun!!
Every Christmas Eve (for the past four years or so) my family goes and serves supper at a rescue mission! It’s a fun way to give back and it helps you realize what you do have.
Author
What a great tradition.
A favorite Chtistmas memory….ad I get older (what?) the memories I most love are things like friends and familyncomong to visit, sharing Cbristmas dinner together…and cookies! The simple things that made Christmas special.
Author
I agree!
My favorite part of Christmas is Christmas eve, after spending time with family and friends to go home, relax in a comfortable chair, Christmas lights on and read a book.
Author
sounds perfect.
Christmas was always at my grandparents while growing up – road trip, music, and landing to a great dinner. But one of the funniest memories was that eggnog was always served in TINY glasses – no booze, but the cups held maybe 3-4 ounces and to this day, the first “glass” of eggnog is always poured into the tiniest cups we can find 🤣
Author
Love this!
The Christmas memory told in our family every year is from the late 1990s. I was about 10 years old. Someone opened a bottle of champagne and we heard POP and all us kids dove under the table. When we all came back up, everything- clothes, food, walls, mirrors, everything was covered in champagne. At least the cookies were safe! Hahaha.
Author
Oh no! Haha.
A favorite Christmas memory was my mom spilling the oyster stew for Christmas Eve dinner. She was the only one that really liked it so she was the saddest…. we enjoyed opening gifts and playing games together Christmas Eve night.
Author
Oh no! That would make me sad if I lost my favorite dish!
My favorite Christmas memory is every Christmas Eve my family and I go Christmas light looking. Then we go home and open our ornaments for the year. We always have so much fun together as a family!
Author
I love looking at lights!
My favorite Christmas memory is actually the day after Christmas, when we stay in our pj’s, watch movies, read our new books, and have chicken tortilla soup for dinner. Love this cozy, quiet time with my family.
Author
Yah, I like that too!
My husband’s family often caroled on Christmas Eve. We would sing for friends of the family, at nursing homes, or hospitals. One year we were at a hospital to sing for a friend. The staff heard us and came to request that we sing for a child in the ICU who had been admitted due to injuries suffered in a fire. We sang an arrangement of “Away in a Manger.” The last verse – “Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay, close by me forever, and love me, I pray. Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care, and take us to heaven to live with Thee there.” It was an emotional moment for us and those listening. We found out the next day that the child had died. A poignant reminder that God is in control and it is His timing that we must trust.
Author
Jeannette, what a heart breaking story yet the Lord had you sing a blessing over that child! Amazing.
So excited for this!
My favorite Christmas memory is just the joy of watching my kids open their gifts on Christmas morning when they were little!
Author
I love Christmas with kids.
My favorite Christmas memory happened many years ago when we were first starting out as a married couple. Our friends had three kids and were having a rough year, financially. We decided to help them out and play Secret Santa. We purchased gifts for mom, dad, and each of the three kids, then drove over to their house after midnight. We waited down the street in our pickup truck for the lights to go out in the house. With our arms full of wrapped gifts in sturdy cardboard boxes, we tiptoed into their backyard and left them on a picnic table in full view of their kitchen window. They called to tell us about it a few days later, and we acted surprised. To this day, about 30 years later, they still don’t know who their Santa was that year!
Author
I love this!!! How special. God sees…
My birthday is on Saturday and this would make a really rough month with it all!!
Author
Happy birthday!
Thank you for the giveaway. Awesome prizes!
My favorite memory is of Christmas Eve with all my cousins. We were at our our house – with aunts, uncles, grandmother, and all us kids – close to 20 of us. We were all in pj’s and played (and fought) for more than a few hours. Then, we opened presents, making a huge mess, and everyone went home. Going to bed AND sleeping was always a challenge, but then on Christmas afternoon qe went to Grandpa’s do to the same thing with 30+ cousins on my Dad’s side. I miss those times.
Author
Wow! That had to be so fun!
My Christmas memory/ tradition is going to church on Christmas eve and enjoying all the Christmas plays and poems and songs. Then having a sweet fellowship after the service. Getting home and opening just one gift then running to bed for Christmas day to come and waking up to Christmas songs and hot chocolate and yummy food. While having family dropping by with food and gifts and more Christmas singing.
Author
Those are the best kind of days.
My oldest daughter was born 11 years ago on December 19th. That Christmas was so special. We came home from the hospital a few days before Christmas and all our loved ones came to visit us that year. We live close to Dallas, which means snow is rare. It snowed several inches that Christmas Eve. One of my favorite Christmas memories. My first as a mom and a rare white Christmas for us.
Author
Love those surprise snows! And so sweet to have a baby at Christmas!
My favorite memories were when we spent every Christmas eve with my hubby’s extended family. Lots of food, opening presents, tossing wadded up wrapping paper. Close to 50 people in attendance.The get together started 70 years ago with my hubbys grandmother. His mother took it over when her mother passed away. We have held it in our home since MIL passed. But not this year, sad to say. With Covid, we felt it was better to be safe this year and hope for better days ahead.
When I was a sophomore in high school during a particularly stressful time between me and my mom, I had our high school art teacher sketch my portrait for my parents for Christmas. It was something very special that helped us to start mending some hard feelings. My mom passed almost 33 years ago and I would give anything to be able to share Christmas with her again so I make sure Christmas is a very special bonding time with our kids.
Author
Gayle, I love this. So glad you mended things.
I always wanted my daughter to get up at home on Christmas morning but when she was in college, I decided we would go spend Christmas Eve night with my parents and grandmother who lived with them. We took stockings and hung. My granny was 95 and enjoyed it so much. That was her last Christmas on earth.
Author
very special memory!
Hmmm, I have so many great Christmas memories, but my favorite is probably baking with my mom. ❤️
Author
Laura, love that!
My church family always goes Christmas caroling around the surrounding neighborhood (alas, not this year), and it’s the one night I most look forward to! I love singing carols and seeing the people’s faces light with smiles when they hear the familiar songs. One year we arrived at a house where we could see the family through the window and sheer curtains sitting around the dinner table. When we launched into our opening carol, the occupants of the house leaped up and ran to the door. Once we finished, they laughingly told us that they had been discussing the return of Christ and when we began singing outside, they thought He had returned for real! That will always be a memorable Christmastime for me!
Author
Oh too funny! That’s awesome.
Nine years ago on December 16, our last grandchild was born. On December 26, our first great-grandchild was born……so the last and the first are only ten days apart. A memorable Christmas for us!
Author
Very memorable.
I remember the Christmas morning I woke to find a doll house and a Sesame Street quilt, the latter which my mom made, “under” the tree for me. I believe my grandparents may have visited that year as well. Happy memories! 🙂 Also, because who can choose just one? 😉, though I’m not Catholic, I’ve attended Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve with friends a couple of times. I love singing the hymns and hearing (and feeling) a spiritual message. Wonderful way to ring in Christmas Day.
Author
I’ve never been to midnight mass but I think I’d like it.
My favorite Christmas memories are parties with extended family. There was always too many people to fit into one house however we did it anyway. The food and treats were amazing.
Author
Those are special.
One of my favorites is setting up our nativity! We each unwrap one piece at a time until we have all the pieces out. Always fun to see who gets which character, animal, or part of the story. The nativity is the first Christmas decoration we put up each year, usually on the first Sunday of Advent.
Author
Good tradition.
One of my best Christmas memories was when I was around 5 or a little older. I always got Santa gifts on Christmas Eve. We had gone to a neighbors house and came home and all my Santa gifts were on the carport. My parents had been with me the whole time. I remember the magic of thinking Santa had really been there. Many great memories since too!
My favorite Christmas memory goes back to December 1988 when I was fifteen years old.
I had become quite the shutter bug so I was over the moon when my parents presented me with a brand new top of line camera I had been wanting. Turns out Dad had gotten a larger Christmas bonus than usual so the folks splurged for their only child.
While I never became the next Ansel Adams photography has remained a strong interest of mine. In college I was a photographer for the campus newspaper and to this day whenever I take a trip or attend a family function my camera always comes with me.
Author
Lisa, that’s so cool. I loved photography when I was young.
I got a Betsy Wetsy in the 60’s. It was just what I wanted!!
Author
Oh I remember the Betsy Wetsy!
My favorite Christmas memory was when I was eight years old. We had traveled out-of-state to spend Christmas with my grandparents. Amazingly, Santa Claus still managed to bring my dream gift…a white parakeet. I remember the awe and amazement of waking up to finding a pet bird by the tree. For my own kids, we recreated that four Christmases ago, except Santa brought six parakeets and a HUGE cage! All six of those birds are ready to celebrate another Christmas with our family this year!
Author
Love this!
We have two that I love. We spend time with the family on Christmas Eve. (I make a broccoli dip that my daughter-in-love has threatened not to participate if I don’t make it!) My husband reads Luke 2, we pray, and then the presents are passed out. We each take a turn opening 1 gift. On Christmas, my husband Steve and I like to turn off everything but the tree and just look at it. It reminds me of how blessed we are as a family! God is so good and faithful!
Author
I love those quiet moments with the tree.
I was proposed to by my husband in his parent’s beautifully decorated backyard at Christmas time in 2005! 🥰 I will never forget it.
Thank you for the chance to win these books! They all sound great!
Author
How special!
I love your books!
Thanks for offering this giveaway!!
Author
ThanK you!
I don’t know if I have a favorite Christmas memory. I just love the gatherings with family! I do remember my Grandma used to always have all the pretty glassy looking Christmas candies and we were always allowed to eat as much as we wanted! 😜🥰
Author
that’s always good.
One year we were living in an apartment. My parents got a friend to deliver all the presents while we were all at the movies. When we got back home the apartment was locked and we couldn’t get back in. The friend had gone out. The apartment manager was gone. Eventually we got back in to find the gifts. Very memorable.
Author
Jan, too funny!
I went shopping with my father and he heard a mother talking to her daughter telling her that Santa couldn’t come this year because they couldn’t afford it. My father then went and bought a baby doll and had them wrap it up. He then went up to the mother and told her that he ran into Santa and Santa asked him to give this gift to you for your daughter. I was so impressed by my dad and it made a wonderful memory of him. I miss him everyday
Author
That’s the best!
I love the family gatherings! I remember my Grandma used to have all the pretty glassy looking candies and we were allowed to eat as many as we wanted! 😜🥰
Author
I love family gatherings too.
The best Christmas’s for me are when the family is together and able to enjoy being together. The most unforgettable, though, is when my then 15 year old was an altar server on Christmas morning. She ate nothing but a cookie for breakfast and fainted on the altar. At first, I thought a kneeler fell. But, it was her! An ambulance ride and stitches later, we got to open presents that evening.
Author
There’s always a silver lining… 🙂
My most favorite Christmas memories always take place surrounded by family. So time with family is my favorite thing this time of year.
Author
Hey Katie Beth!
It was Christmas morning for me at age four. I couldn’t wait to get up and run into the kitchen where my mom and dad to join them that I heard reindeer on our roof! I was so excited and I shared that event with lots of kids over the years. Funny thing that on that same morning I met my new friend, Snow King, a white German Shepherd puppy running around on the linoleum kitchen floor!
Author
Nice!
This actually was not “easy peasy” for me as you suggested it might be! 🙂
I have a lot of good memories of Christmas’ pasts and they tend to kind of merge together into a sweet, nostalgic feeling of longing. You see, back in August of 2015, our two sons were hit by a drunk driver and we lost our 17 year old son. Our 20 year old barely survived but thank God is doing ok now. Our family always enjoyed the holidays before the accident. We not only hosted them at our house, but really loved the fellowship with friends and family, playing games and laughing until late at night.
It’s been 5 years and it’s getting easier each year but I really miss those times. Such sweet memories.
Enjoy your loved ones this Christmas! Be present and build cherished memories
Author
Jenny,
I am so sorry for your loss. Goodness. I’m honored you’d share your story. Praying God’s peace and grace for you this year and the years to come.
The gift prize the two of you are offering is so nice.
One of my favorite Christmas memories is making Christmas cutout cookies with my mom. Now its me hopefully making similar memories with my grandchildren! Oh, how quickly the years fly…
Author
Yes, time goes by so fast!
Last winter was a rough for us. I prayed and prayed that we would be able to keep the heat on and provide some sort of miracle Christmas for our kids-Christmas eve, we were surprised with a doorstep and sidewalk full of gifts for our kids-exactly what they wanted and needed! Best Christmas ever-prayers are answered and my children will never stop praying to a God of miracles.
Author
I love this!
My favourite Christmas memory is when I had dinner with my uncle, aunt and their children. When we finished diner, we were allowed to light stars! That was a great time! Hopefully the diner can continue next year!
Author
Lovely!
My favorite Christmas memory is when my older brother came down with chicken pox about the time school was letting out for Christmas break. Needless to say, I got them too. This is the first Christmas I remembet staying home. Normally we went to both sets of granddparents homes and to our aunts and uncles homes. I am not sure how my Mom did this but we were able to open up a small gift each day until Christmas Day. She made us feel very loved and special while keeping us entertained. Then in January we got to celebrate Christmas with the rest of the family.
Author
Good Mom!
I love reading holiday stories all year long! My grandfather really loved celebrating Christmas traditions, and when I was a child, he and I were the official Christmas tree selectors. The two of us together always went and got the family tree. I have to say, he was a Christmas tree expert. The lights were strung with precision, and the decorations were placed “just so”. He wanted all the decorations on the tree–no matter how old and frazzled they were–because they all held family memories of holidays past. The tinsel was the thing, though–he carefully draped the tinsel one shiny strand at a time. As a child, i did not have the patience for this, so I would throw globs of tinsel on the tree. He would always find them and unclump them and put them back on, one at a time. When those trees were fully decorated, and the lights were turned on, I would often fall asleep on the floor by the tree, dreaming sweet dreams after gazing into the magic of the lights reflected on the ornaments and the tinsel.
Author
Virginia how sweet!
My favorite Christmas memory was asking for a baby doll because I had received a baby brother near my birthday the previous May. It was a Tiny Tears and I still have her , although she is not in good condition after so many years. I am 71 and it was my 9th Christmas.
Other Christmases would be when family was all together.
Author
Paula, that’s so awesome! You still have your doll.
One of my most cherished Christmas memories is singing Christmas carols at my Grandparents house while Grandma played the piano and my mother and her two sisters sang. I loved singing Christmas carols and hymns with my family growing up!
Author
Sounds lovely.
Can’t wait to read these. Especially the one that is in Iowa ( I am from there) as it will bring back fond memories. These all sound like great books!
Author
Thanks Carrie.
My best Christmas hass to be when my youngest daughter was 3. I have never seen a child more excited than she was that Christmas morning when she woke up and santa had brought her a rocking horse. She run through the house screaming then got on the horse and wouldn’t get off for nothing in the world.
Author
Oh to always be that excited!
Can’t wait to read these books. Looking forward to reading the one that is in Iowa as I am from there. Will bring back memories.
Author
Excellent!
I hope that this Christmas will be my favorite memory. After 2020, we do not take for granted the ability to get together with family. I also remember the fondly the year my first grandson asked me, Nana, Santa brings me 3 presents but you will bring me 5 right? He is now 15 and I have always given him at least 5 gifts, although the older he gets the more creative I have had to be.
Author
Ah what a good grandma!
Now that I am a YeYe, (Grandma), I am getting a new installment of stories. I have 3 Grandchildren; Danica 6, Ashton 4, Savannah 2, and they are my sanity these days. Unfortunately they live 3+ hours away and with COVID it has made me in need of little people hugs. My memories in in progress as we speak…they have an Elf on the Shelf named Buddy. This morning my Grandson proceeded to tell me how Buddy was standing on his head last night. He told me that Buddy was trying to beat big sister’s record doing a hand stand. Danica is in “Dance” class that does acrobatics. He was so funny when telling me the story while sitting in the car with Mommy was driving to Daycare. Those little monkees are my life in these crazy times.
Author
Beautiful!
All the covers are so beautiful.
I LOVE this time of year!! Thanks for sharing these sweet books with us. My favorite memories of Christmas are caroling door-to-door, Christmas Eve services (Silent Night tugs my heart strings every time 💞), and our more recent getaways. Have a blessed & merry Christmas season!! 🥰🎄📚🎶
Author
Thank you and Merry Christmas!
My favorite Christmas is going to my grandparents house every year and my grandpa would make homemade lasagna for Christmas dinner. When he passed away my mom took over the tradition.
Author
Now I want lasagna for Christmas!
I grew up in Vienna, Austria, so many memories are tied to activities there–wandering around Christmas markets and watching the Nutcracker at the Vienna Opera House (standing room, of course, as we were missionaries!). Now I aim to enjoy these traditions with my own two girls, but Michigan-style! We have enjoyed the Nutcracker performances that a student ballet company puts on! All of these special traditions enhance the celebration and reason for Christmas–the birth of Jesus! What a meaningful time!
Author
Okay, now I’m jelly. The Nutcracker at the Vienna Opera House?? Wow!
I am the oldest of four siblings. I remember the year my mom took me aside and told me about Santa. I was really in disbelief. I had many questions and she had to convince me it was true by showing me a couple of gifts that she had gotten to give as Santa gifts. I was so excited for that Christmas day to come because I knew something nobody else did. I never told a single person, probably because my mom threatened to beat me if I did (she wouldn’t have actually beat me, but I knew better than to tell). Looking back, I would have thought that I would have been sad rather than excited, but I sure wasn’t.
Author
You were an official member of the adult community!
A fond Christmas memory is traveling by train from Montana to California to visit relatives. We always stayed home for the holidays. We even got new winter clothes to wear just for our trip!!! Coming from a big family this was quite a surprise!!! Happy memories even today.
Author
That would be awesome to travel by train!
My favorite Christmas Memory is of my whole family on my Mom’s side gathering at my Grandparents house on Christmas Eve. Three of our families would caravan the hour and a half together through the snowstorms each year, and we would have our family dinner in their large basement room and then we would sing various Christmas Carols before opening our gifts. Many of those family members have passed on, but those precious memories linger in my mind. Merry Christmas!
My favorite Christmas memory was from Christmas, 2019. Our older daughter and husband had not been with us for Christmas for twelve years and they were able to fly home for an early Christmas. The whole family was together and now, in 2020, we will not be able to be with family so Christmas, 2019 will be a Christmas I will always treasure.
Author
Yes!
It is hard to choose one special memory because Christmas has so many, but I remember especially one Christmas when I was probably about 6. I came down the stairs on Christmas Eve to see my father putting together the doll stroller that I had asked for from Santa. To my “What are you doing?” he replied, “Santa stopped by earlier to say he was running a little behind. He asked me to put together this stroller and he will drop the rest of the presents by later.” With perfect faith in my father and in Santa Claus, I went back to bed and asleep. I didn’t doubt for a minute that that’s exactly what happened.
Author
What a sweet papa! LOL. Love it!
One of my best memories happened when I was in the third grade. I think I had stopped believing in Santa Claus but I still looked forward to what “He” left me. That year I received a doll, new pajamas, a robe, and houseshoes and a new tea set AND THEN, there was one more surprise under our tree. A beautiful schoolhouse made of tin, and inside there was a teacher, several students, student desks and a teacher’s desk, and even a blackboard. I had never seen one of these and I enjoyed many hours playing with this special gift. I still have the schoolhouse!
Author
How sweet!
In 2013 we were having trouble with a tenant counter suing us for mental distress after we tried to evict them for nonpayment of rent. My daughter was also having a high risk pregnancy with placenta previa. We had to stay in Wisconsin instead of going to Florida for the winter. Luckily all 3 of my other children traveled from out of state to Wisconsin to share the holidays with us. We went cross country skiing, bowling, ice skating, attended a Christmas concert at the State Capital building in Madison, took a walk around the UW-Madison campus, went to the Vilas Zoo, ate ice cream at Babcock Dairy and had a wonderful Christmas celebration at my daughter’s home with other extended family! It was wonderful! Luckily my daughter gave birth to a small premie but healthy little boy in March and the lawsuit was settled out of court although we never received a penny. They finally voluntarily moved out.
Author
I love this memory! Such a treasure when everyone comes together. And thank goodness your tenant moved out! Even more the baby was healthy!
When I was in 6th grade, my house burned down, a total loss, in September. I was a build-a-bear collector and all of my stuffed animals were gone and I was heartbroken about them the most out of all my possessions. That Christmas, my entire family on both sides got me so many new and used build-a-bears that I had over double what I had lost.
Author
Sounds like a God thing!
I love every Christmas memory for different reasons!
Author
That in and of itself is a treasure!
I was very pregnant Christmas 2013 and the season was just so much more magical as my husband and I anticipated the arrival of our firstborn and imagined all the Christmases to follow with her ❤️
Author
Yes!
Thank you for this awesome giveaway. One memorable Christmas for us was the year our daughter was born just before Christmas. She was an amazing gift.
Author
Happy birthday to your daughter!
When my children were small we purchased a nativity set with a removable baby Jesus. I explained that Jesus wasn’t there because it wasn’t Christmas and he wasn’t born yet. Christmas morning my son came running downstairs and went to look for baby Jesus in the manger before he even looked to see what Santa brought. He’s married now and I gave him that nativity to start his own tradition.
Author
That is so sweet!
One year our local nursery offered Santa visits in the greenhouse. We took our 3 kids there and drank hot chocolate while we waited for our turn. This Santa was dressed in a gorgeous green suit and without even asking, knew our kid’ names! It was magical! Santa spent quite some time talking to our kids and not only asking about what they wanted him to bring, but what things they enjoyed. I never found out how Santa knew us, but part of me never wants to stop believing. Merry Christmas!
Author
I hear you! That’s amazing!
Dancing around the tree with my adopted Danish Christmas family, singing “Nu Have Jul igen.” You sing and dance faster and faster and end up out-of-breath laughing 🙂
Author
My kind of event!
My Dad did shift work and he left so late Christmas Eve that there were no shops open to finish his Christmas shopping – so he stopped in a convenience store and purchased lottery tickets for everyone coming to our house Christmas Day. We had such fun with the scratch offs that it became a family tradition for every Christmas going forward. Although he is gone now, I still buy lottery cards to put in everyone’s stocking and hand out to guests.
Author
Haha! I love this!
Wow what a great giveaway 🙂
My most memorable Christmas was in 2017, when I was living in Colorado Springs. It was my first “white” Christmas. I live in Texas, so not much chance of a White Christmas. I spent the holiday with dear friends the Lord blessed me with.
Author
Nothing like a snowy Christmas. 😉
The year I got a divorce one of my sons was featured on a local news station because of his medical condition. Due to that broadcast, my kids and I were adopted by a local church who brought presents for all of us. Then an anonymous young man brought presents to us and when he found out that I didn’t have a tree he went and got one with lights and brought it back and set it up. He was even dressed as Santa Claus for my kids, but they were at their dad’s house. The kids also got presents from the ‘Angel’ tree thru school and then there were the presents that I had gotten them. I cried over how many gifts there were and felt guilty over the same. Right before my ex brought the kids home, I hung a sheet up in the doorway to the living room and had the kids wait to come in so that I could capture the look on their faces when they saw the tree and mountain of presents. It was a truly magical, once-in-a-lifetime Christmas.
Author
I love this Donise!
One of my favorite Christmas memories would be going to my grandmother’s for Christmas break and helping her make all the delicious goodies, and then we, Grandfather, Grandmother, and I would deliver our gifts to family and friends.
Author
Very special memory!
My best Christmas was the one my husband surprised me with a ring I had been wanting, a white gold wide wedding band instead of the yellow gold set his mom picked out years before because it looked exactly like her ugly set.
Author
A win for the hubster!
After rereading my earlier comment, I realize my first sentence could be perceived as snarky or mean and that was not my intention. I also do not want to be a “downer” so feel free to not publish either of my replies. I understand and wish you a merry Christmas
Author
All good Jenny! 🙂
Memorable Christmas — Christmas just hasn’t been the same since my mom went home to heaven two days before Christmas in 2002. Surgery went wrong, (although are days are in God’s hands, not a surgeons) but she was always aware of what was going on even though she was hooked up to machines — told us to let her go, she wanted to go home to heaven for Christmas to be with Jesus. I miss her so so much, but total comfort knowing where she is at — not dead, but changed her residence to heaven!
Author
Oh Yvonne, yes, it’s so hard to let them go but she is more alive than ever!
Our Christmes has become so much more meaningful in these last years. My sister-in-law is a cloistered nun, and they are now allowed to leave the convent. We have a big Lasagna dinner on Christmas Eve, then we go to Midnight Mass. Not this year because of Covid-19.
Author
Yea, COVID is really disruptive. I love the idea of lasagna on Christmas!
my favorite christmas memories was when first moved to missouri as was born in california and getting to play in the snow
Author
Nothing like that first snow!
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🙂
During these stay-at-home days, a great historical novel keeps your mind that hope is possible.
Author
Yes!
Every Christmas is special because kids are growing and one years is always different from another. Last year we were able to go skiing and snowboarding with the whole family – our youngest of four was 9 🙂
It was so much fun! Hopefully, we can repeat it this year but on the beach this time lol
Author
That sounds amazing!
One year our home was completely snowbound when it came time for Christmas with my mother’s family. We called to give our regrets – there was a foot or more of snow on our road. No way could our car make it out. My cousin sent her husband with his tractor. He plowed a path so that we could drive out and attend the gathering. I’ll never forget seeing that tractor coming down the road to “rescue” us.
Author
Love this!
One Christmas when I was a little girl my mother did sewing for people. On Christmas morning Mom dressed all my dolls in dresses with matching bonnets and pants that she had sewn herself and placed them under the tree. This memory means a lot more to me as an adult when I think about how much time and effort she put into this gift and how much she probably anticipated bringing me joy. This is my first Christmas without her but I have many happy memories. Thank you for prompting me to re-live one of them!
Author
Jewell, what a treasured memory!
I don’t have any specific Christmases that stand out, but I do remember always sitting around the tree on Christmas Eve reading the Bible story of Christ’s birth. It always was peaceful, humbling, and set the right perspective.
Author
So true, Cheri!
decorating together
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Yes!
My husband was killed instantly in an accident when our three children were teenagers. He had died in April, and that year, as we approached the holidays, we struggled with how to best get through them. Together, the four of us decided on which traditions to keep, which to avoid, and the possibility of incorporating anything new. All of us experienced some feelings of dread in a season that is so filled with memories and traditions. On Christmas morning, one of my daughters wore her dad’s bright red sweats, as he would have. My son read the Christmas story from Luke 2, something usually done by my husband. We prayed together and exchanged gifts. After we finished opening gifts, one of my daughters went to her room and came back with a paper grocery bag. She said someone in our church had given it to her. The bag contained a number of gifts for me, and an ornament for each of us. I burst into tears as I realized that friends, in the midst of such a busy season, had taken the time to make sure I had gifts to open on Christmas. My tears were of thankfulness to the Lord for providing so much loving support to me and my kids. The givers of the gifts wanted to remain anonymous, and I never did find out who they were. That Christmas was 17 years ago. Every year when I hang my little ornament, there is a tug in my heart as I remember the love, kindness, and thoughtfulness of people who loved me well during that painful year.
Author
Lois, what a sweet, sweet treasure. Tears…
One of my favorite Christmas memories was opening up a single roller skate when I was about 6 years old. I looked up in confusion to see my sister who was a year old also holding up 1 skate. We used to skate down the sidewalk, each of us wearing one skate and holding onto the other’s shoulders.
Author
oh how fun!!! Another book worthy moment!
Watching my children’s excitement is always my most special gift!
Author
So sweet. I go to my mom’s every other year to be with my youngest brother’s children. My sister comes with her kids for a few days as well. But they are all growing up…
My childhood Christmas memories center around a pair of draft horses, Jack and Jill, a sleigh, (complete with jingle bells!) and of course my dad and I. Every December we would harness the horses to the sleigh and head out to the woods to search for the perfect Christmas tree. When we finally made it back home mom always had hot cocoa waiting for us. There were many sleigh rides when I was growing up, but those that involved a search for a tree were my favorites!
Author
Okay, this is going in a book!
My best Christmas ever was three yrs ago when my entire family made it together for Christmas. My kids and siblings are spread across the country. That year we were all in the same place and it was magivcal. Hope that happens again soon.
Author
Love it! We can’t get everyone together — one brother works retail — so we made a June gathering our “Christmas.” I treasure that family weekend as much as the holiday!
My favorite Christmas memory is now tradition at our home. I will wake up early on Christmas day and get breakfast going. Once all the kids are up they can come downstairs to see the gifts and have Santa pancakes. The time between getting up and them coming down is so peaceful and beautiful. I love having some coffee and sitting by the tree in anticipation of all the joy to come. I will always cherish this time, and hope they will continue to get excited every year.
Author
So lovely! One of my favorite memories is from a few years ago. We were at my mom’s in Tennessee and I got up around six to go for a walk. It was cold with the morning light just breaking through a layer of clouds. It was so quiet. So peaceful. So calm. As I walked down the road, I passed a house that was up already opening presents. I paused just long enough to imprint the scene in my mind. A family with children framed by a multi pane window with golden lights, sitting by the tree, a blonde headed child holding up his present. I was a Rockewell scene. 🙂
My best Christmas was 36 years ago. My daughter was born three weeks early and took her first breath five hours before Christmas.
Author
How lovely!
My favorite Christmas memory is from when my grandparents were still here. On Christmas morning we would open presents at home and have breakfast and then we would go to my grandparents’ where all my aunts, uncles, and cousins would also be. There would be people everywhere! More gifts and more food than you can imagine for Christmas dinner. <3
Author
The best kind of Christmas!
On Christmas morning for breakfast we have champagne and peaches along with jelly filled scones.
Author
Nice!
One of my favorite Christmas memories happened when I was in 8th grade. My brother was in the Navy and stationed in California. My parents and I flew our to visit him for Christmas. The day we left there was a snow storm and the airports were starting to shut down, luckily we managed to get on a nonstop flight(not the one we were scheduled for) to California. When my brother came to pick us up we discovered our luggage didn’t get on the same plane we did (it was on the original plane we were supposed to have taken back in MN).
We were supposed to tour the ship my brother was on and have Christmas dinner on board. Needless to say we had to go shopping for clothes to wear. It was a very memorable trip. I thought about this when I saw your question since my parents and brother have all passed away it was a memory that sprang up.
God Bless you and your family. Stay safe, strong and healthy.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family.
Thank you for the opportunity to win this amazing prize.
Glenda
Author
What a treasured memory!
Thank you for the giveaway!!
I love everything about Christmas.
Author
Yep!
My favorite Christmas was after spending 8 years away from my family (Military and then moving far) we moved back to Florida, and had Christmas with my family (1994) My husband died after that first year but did enjoy the warm Christmas. I remarried 8 years later and now spend ALL my Christmas’s in Florida!
Author
Gotta love a Florida Christmas!
Great giveaway! My best Christmas was the first Christmas away from home when my family traveled across the country to attend my uncle’s funeral. In that time of sadness, my other uncle and aunt took us in and spoiled my sister and me with presents I still have.
Author
That’s so lovely!
What a festive giveaway! Thank you!
A favorite Christmas memory happened some years ago. It started snowing Christmas Eve. We made it to Mass and back home, and it just kept snowing and snowing … all the way through Christmas Day. We had nowhere to go, and we were just able to be comfy and cozy in our Christmas PJs all day. It was simple, but it was perfect, too!
Author
that’s the best when snow forces you to settle in and rest, and enjoy.
Thaks to Melissa Tagg, I found out how to leave a message here. It’s tough getting old and forgetting all of the ins and outs of computering. My favorite christmas was the first Christmas my son had with us: we were old we would never be able to have children. It was our first adoption. My favorite christmas AGAIN was after each new adoption 4 additional FAVORITE Christmas and then, a SURPRISE, we had a baby- a you’ll never ever have a baby baby. ALLL GREAT BLESSINGS and spectacular holidays. So I really don’t have a favorite, I have lots of them.
Author
Nancy what a cool story! I love it!
When my girls were little, we gave them some Tinkerbelle fairy powder. One of them was scared to put it on unless an adult had their hand on her head. You know, to keep her from flying away!
Author
Haha! That’s awesome!
One Christmas when I was a teenager, our family gathered gifts for another family that was going through some rough times. We left the packages in a big box on their porch. I still remember the great feeling of doing things for others who needed extra blessings.
These books sound so good! Thank you for the opportunity to win!
One of my favorite memories of Christmas was going to church and holding a lit candle. Also, I and my siblings would turn all of the lights off, light the Christmas tree, and sing carols.
Author
I’m so going to start some of these traditions. Never too late!
One of my favorite Christmas memories is the year I got my chatter phone. Mom forgot to wrap it, and I found it in her closet later Christmas Day. She had a job talking me into believing it was mine!! Another favorite is the year I received my own set of keys to Mom and Daddy’s car. I was the only one that ever had my own set of keys to one of their cars!
Author
That is a super cool memory!
Cute ornaments! And, I have a daughter named JOY!
Author
Nice!
In the last few years my husband’s side of the family has grown larger and spread further apart in location. My mother-in-law found a retreat center near where one of her sons lives and for the past few Christmases, all of us have been going there together for Christmas. We stay 3-5 days. I love it because we are all in one place together with plenty of room for everyone and for all the kids to play. I also love it because it’s the first time in years that we’ve all been able to be together for the holiday.
Author
That sounds perfect!
My family gets together on Christmas Eve to eat special treats that we have made for the occasion, open gifts to each other, and play games together or watch a Christmas movie. Last Christmas I bought the game “Watch Ya’ Mouth” where you put a mouthguard in your mouth and then try to say a given phrase that the rest have to guess. We have ever never laughed so hard!!!!!!! What a fun time we had together!!
Author
Laughter is the best!
Some of my favorite Christmas memories are my family attending Christmas Eve candle light service and playing games afterwards singing carols and eating mama’s white fruit cake and snow ice cream. Merry Christmas 🎄🎁
Author
<3
A tradition we had when my daughter was young was to go every year and buy a new bird ornament for the tree. We tried to get different ones vut some years were better than others to find one we didnt have.
Author
That’s a great tradition.
One of the best Christmas times we had were when we were first married, with a 4-month old baby. We had maybe $30 spare dollars, including presents and dinner, so I made spaghetti, and we spent the rest on inexpensive presents for the baby. For a dollar, we got a 12″ tree made out of tinsel. The neighbours had a holly hedge, so I clipped some and made holly decorations, wreath and a kissing ball. The whole thing was beautiful.
Author
So special!
I was sent to your giveaway from Melissa Tagg’s newsletter. What a fun Christmas post!
Oops, forgot to put my memory. My favorite memory — my husband proposed to me in the church where we were eventually married. He planned the whole thing out with my extended family during our family Christmas party. I especially love that he still wanted to marry me after meeting all of them.
One of my favorite Christmas memories is from my childhood. My dad would always read the Christmas story from Luke 2 on Christmas Eve.
One of my memories are of the candles being lit by everyone at Christmas Eve services as people passed the flame to each other. Breathtakingly beautiful and simple and so very symbolic of love spreading from person to person becoming a bright light.
Author
I love the candlelight service too.
A couple of fun things I have been doing for my 2 daughters since they were born:
Bought a christmas ornament for each of them that would be used when given (when they were young & home yet) and when they had their own home and Christmas tree.
Bought them a calendar to hang on the wall when they were old enough to know what to do with one. 😉
That has been something I’ve enjoyed doing for them that I didn’t have to worry over, and they enjoyed the fun of knowing what the gifts were but not the specifics of them.
My daughter and nephews have made a lot of great Christmas memories caroling in our two street neighborhood. My sister joins along with the guitar. Sadly this year we will skip. But hopefully next year with my newborn daughter. Thank you for the opportunity!
I am so excited to be introduced to an new author!!!
Author
Me too!
My best memories of Christmas are the ones when my daughter still believed in Santa. Those years she made ornaments for our tree. Such sweet memories!
Author
Very sweet!
When we’d gotten older, my Mum used to wake us up every Christmas morning by going to each of our bedrooms singing We Wish You a Merry Christmas. She was always so excited on Christmas.
Author
I love that!
My best Christmas memory was 8 years ago. I was finally able to bring home the first of my twins from the NICU after being in there for 4 months. His brother came home 3 days later. Nothing like baby cuddles for Christmas!
Author
Oh Amy how sweet! Kisses to them from me!
A favorite Christmas memory is when my 4 siblings and I woke up in the wee hours of Christmas morning (anticipation made us wide awake), turned on the Christmas tree lights and checked out the wrapped gifts, oh so quietly, so we didn’t wake our parents. We would try to read the tags on the gifts to see who was getting each gift without moving them. Thanks for the chance to win a prize!
Author
We always woke up so early too!
My best Christmas memories is the one spent with my grandmother and grandfather on their farm. My parents, aunts, uncles and cousins were all there. We had so much fun and the food was wonderful.
Author
Christmas on the Farm has a nice title!
The first Christmases after my daughter and son were born were among the best. They were each spring babies so they were old enough to be interested in what was happening. It was fun to watch them discover so many Christmas things. The books included in this giveaway look great.
Author
So sweet!
I have so many wonderful Christmas memories…but the one that sticks out from the others this year is the year my daddy gave me a baseball mitt…the one I didn’t ask for. When I opened the gift, like the grateful 9 year old daughter that I was I said: Daaaddyyy! My ever perfect older sister by 18 moths said dutifully: thank you daddy. But you see, what my daddy was really giving me was time. For we spent many hours over many years using that gift. I can still hear my daddy instructing me, guiding me and cheering for me. He taught me to catch a ball; he taught me to hit a ball. He taught me to steal a base; he taught me to slide. But what he really taught me was that anything you want to do well takes practice…away from the cheering crowds. That what you put into something you get out of it. He taught me that hard work pays off. He taught me that the fundamentals are important. He taught me to win with grace and loose with dignity. That the scoreboard doesn’t always reflect the way you play. He also gave me a passion that we share to this day. This gift stands out this year because my father is suffering from Alzheimer’s; this is likely his last Christmas. And while he may not remember these memories, I will never forget them for the are embedded in my heart.
Author
Kim what a fabulous memory! And what a great dad!
My favorite Christmas memory is when my sister came home from the hospital after spending more than a month there after having a cancerous brain tumor removed and treatment for it. She did have to back to the hospital the day after Christmas and stayed another month. I was the oldest at 9 years old, my brother was 8, my sister (the one that had cancer was 3), my other sister was 1 and mom was pregnant with my youngest sister.
My sister is doing well now. She has to go once a year for an MRI to make sure there is no recurrence.
Author
Excellent!
Author
Goodness. I know that had an impact on the family but I love that it’s a memory for you and that your sister is doing well!
It was Christmas day I was 13yrs old. My family (Dad, step mom, 2 older brothers, and 2 younger sisters) we woke at 5 a.m. Opened presents and then went to My Aunt and Uncle’s place. So many family members were there that the house was packed. Me and the other kids all played outside while we waited for the food to be ready. There was a huge feast and I got to help take care of my newest cousin (I have always Loved kids). Everyone swapped presents with their secret partners then we all played numerous games and visited with each other from early morning until close to midnight when my family finally headed home. It was one of our biggest get togethers.
Author
That does sound marvelous!
Good morning !
My best Christmas would probably be in 2018. My son had just had a double lung transplant on March 6th. He had been so sick. To have him be able to be well and enjoy Christmas with us again . Was the best Christmas ever.
Thank you for your wonderful giveaway!
Thank you for your wonderful gift to us all year round with your writing!
Merry Christmas!!!
Author
Sherry, that is most special.
Mine will be this year as we have all done well and I will have all three of my adult daughters together.
Author
Very good!
I saw those lovely ornaments in Melissa Tagg’s earlier newsletter and ordered one for my mom for Christmas. It’s even prettier in person! Thanks for the chance to win all these fabulous prizes.
Author
Thanks for stopping by!
Christmas memories for me is when we would make some gag gifts and all the laughter when recipient would open them. One of the gifts we titled it the mopping system and inside the case was a big sponge and a can of sprite and another one was an ipad box and inside instead of the ipad was and actual pad with an eye drawn on it LOL. so much fun.
Author
LOL. Love it!
I was the oldest child – a girl – born on Groundhog’s Day. My sister was born on Valentine’s Day. Seven years after my sister was born Mom brought home a brother for us – born on Christmas Day. I can still remember the excitement that year.
Author
That would be exciting!
Christmas Eve at my grandparents each year, my grandfather would take all of us kids out to his tree farm, where we’d pick the perfect Christmas tree and then take it back to their house and decorate it. My grandma made real “snow” to go in the tree too.
Author
Love it!
I used to care an awful lot about Christmas traditions to the point where when my family veered away from it then I would get upset. However, the older that I get the more I realize that being together in itself these days is just as wonderful as a Christmas tradition. So, seeing my loved ones is what is special to me. Wonderful giveaway! Love the ornaments.
Author
Sarah, so true! The people are more important than the “things.”
One of my favorite Christmas memories occurred when I was 4 or 5 years old. Santa came on Christmas Eve to tuck me into bed. I was wearing my red and white striped pajamas. He knelt down at my bedside. I did not know until I was in my 20’s that it was actually my uncle. He never told me before he died that he was Santa that night. It is a marvelous memory that I will always cherish.
Author
Isn’t that sweet! 🙂
I have so many wonderful Christmas memories. All my best ones involve my children (teenagers now). One was when my husband and I took our two kids to Santa’s Village. My cousin, a teen at the time went with us. The sweet lady that was dressed as Mrs. Claus approached us. The volunteer that dressed as Frosty the Snowman was out sick. They needed someone tall and thin to fit the costume. My cousin fit the bill. Mrs. Claus asked if she might wear the costume for an hour. She agreed and I went to help her put the suit on. We took the kids around and she went around the village with us as Frosty greeting other children as she went. Later, she needed to use the restroom and would need assistance getting out of the suit. I went with her to help. There was a little boy and his father close by when she in her Frosty suit went into the girls’ bathroom door. The little boy started yelling as loud as he could, “Frosty’s a girl! Frosty’s a girl!”. We all thought it was the cutest thing. My daughter & son still say “Frosty’s a girl!” when they see anything about Frosty.
Author
Oh that’s so awesome! LOL. What a great memory!
The best Christmas was when I started to celebrate again 7 years after my daughter died. My oldest daughter put my story out there and people from around the world sent angel ornaments. It was incredible the outpouring of love and what my daughter did for me to start celebrating again.
Author
Oh Lori, how sweet! I’m so sorry for you loss… may you know the peace and grace of the Lord this season!
One of my favorite Christmas Memories is when we took our kids to Disney World for Christmas. The decorations were so much fun and the kids were at an age where they were awestruck by everything which made our time there enchanting.
Author
Disney is lovely at Christmas!
One of my favorite Christmas memories is driving around, looking at Christmas lights with my family and grandparents one year. For particularly great displays, my grandma would call the lights “boot-tiful” and to this day, I still give the most gorgeous of Christmas lights this designation.
Author
Lovely!!
My favorite Christmas memories are of being able to attend my sister’s dinner party. It was so much better when we were all together and the children were young. Special times with lots of warm memories.
Author
Family is the best at Christmas!
I have a lot of Christmas memories. One is leaving Christmas Eve services( happened multiple times) to find out that it was snowing.Pretty!
Author
I live that first snow or a night snow.
My memories are of Christmas Eve services living in the winter wonderland where God has blessed us to live. We could start the evening in one church and possibly circulate to two others by the end of the night. I have always lived where there is usually an abundance of snow for the this blessed Eve. Our grandmother and an aunt were both born on Christmas Day.
Author
Vicki, so cool! I live in the land of Christmas sand! 🙂 But I do love snow at Christmas. I experienced it as a child and young teen.
Two of my favorite authors, fun! 🙂
Christmas Eve is always fun because it’s my mom’s birthday. my other favorite memory is every Christmas morning my late grandmother would let herself in our house so she could put her presents out and fill stockings….my sister and i would run down the stairs and see her and run right to her
Author
So fun! What a great grandma!
My favorite Christmas memory was about 8 years ago when my family rented a cabin in Big Bear CA we stayed a week it was fabulous ! We kept all the electronics at home so we all baked , played board games , played in the snow basically just bonded the whole time . My sister had this idea of going into the forest area and grabbing items to make our own Christmas tree and ornaments . This was the perfect white Christmas 🙂
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Oh! I want to do this one year! “Destination Christmas!”
My favorite Christmas memory actually was a couple days after Christmas, when we flew to China to get my daughter.
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That is special!
One of my best memories for Christmas is that my mom and I get together and bake all day together. We have such fun.
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So Sweet!