Guest and Giveaway: Pre and Post Christmas Traditions

The following is a guest post from Suzanne at And My House
 
I don’t know what it is about this particular time of year, but I’m always giddy with excitement throughout the entire month.

I think it starts with the Christmas music, which reminds me of happy Christmases growing up. So when the lights are twinkling outside, the tree is trimmed and I’ve been baking (and eating) Christmas cookies, there always seems to be this feeling in the air like “everything is alright.” Like there might actually be peace on earth and goodwill toward men.

That always makes me happy, when there is a certain amount of peace amongst the chaotic goings on of this very merry, yet busy season. Also, because we live in Wisconsin, the snow that falls every year certainly helps make everything feel Christmas-y.

 As for our family traditions, I mentioned before that Christmas music is to be streaming continuously from December 1st until December 25th . We also watch the movie “Elf” and laugh at the same parts every year!

When the kids were younger, we built gingerbread houses and baked cookies. After awhile we ditched the gingerbread house, but we still bake cookies. Now we usually host a cookie decorating party at our house. I bake them, but I’ve given up the reign of frosting them, I now let the girls do what they want (and secretly give thanks that they still like to sit in the kitchen with mom to do this!)

Because we live on a lake, our newest tradition is shoveling the snow off the ice for our very own skating rink.

After gathering all my purchases for Christmas, I take a day, to plant myself near our Christmas tree and wrap presents while watching a few hours of Christmas movies on television. (Thank you Hallmark channel!)

And even though there have been years where my budget is smaller than what my heart wants to give, I try to send a little something to my BFF who is a single mom with three children. Whether it’s just a card, some Christmas stickers or a handmade item, it’s important that my friend know that she is loved across the miles.

As for post Christmas, this year I’m trying to be creative and come up with something to do, because after Christmas is like postpartum for me, when the music has stopped playing and all of a sudden that sparkling white snow is no longer magical, but just cold.

 I’ve decided on possibly two things; cleaning our closets and donating all the stuff we don’t use anymore (which certainly meshes with the starting anew and New Year theme,) and/or having a girlfriend post Christmas coffee get together, because without a reason, we women have a tendency to put our spouses, children, work and house cleaning duties before time with the sisterhood.

One Christmas tradition I’d like to give up though, is shopping at the last minute, but it seems every year, there is always “one more thing” I need to buy.
 
With that said, I’m giving away a $10 Target gift card for your last minute shopping needs. Whether it’s for a stocking stuffer or a little something for yourself, I hope your Christmas this year will be especially merry and bright!




Suzanne is a mom with three kids. She's also a freelance graphic designer. She currently does editorial layout for six monthly magazines throughout the United States and consults small retail businesses on marketing, online presence and social media. When she's not working, she's creating food to go with her husband's hobby of craft beer brewing, cleaning up after their dog Juno, a 135 lb. English Mastiff and renovating their lake house, one room at a time. Check out her blog at andmyhouse.blogspot.com



To help with your last minute shopping I am pleased to announce Suzanne is offering a $10 Target Gift Card!! Contest ends next Thursday.

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