Recently, Keith and I decided to create our own, simplified variation of the Hallmark DIY Christmas Present Arch. Although a bit time-consuming, it’s easier than you may think to create your own Christmas Present Arch! Honestly, it took more time to wrap all the empty boxes than it did to build the arch itself. Materials to Create Your Own DIY Christmas Present Arch Our Process for Creating the DIY Christmas Present Arch We began by measuring our space. The DIY Christmas Present Arch is meant to adorn doorways, but all […]
Getting Into the Spirit!
12 Best Halloween Costumes for Those Who Love Christmas
New Blog Post: 12 Best Halloween Costumes for Those Who Love Christmas
Getting Into the Spirit! , Inspirational
101 Best Christmas Quotes for the 2023 Christmas Season
There is something about Christmas that makes people stop and reflect, and I believe that the majority of these Christmas quotes are the result of their authors doing just that. As I was researching these 101 Christmas quotes for this article, I was struck by how often the themes of togetherness, nostalgia, comfort, and hope are evident in people’s thoughts of Christmas. Kindness, generosity, and giving are also represented here, as are renewing and starting over.
We look back on Christmases past with fondness, and we look forward to Christmases future with joy and anticipation. Christmas gives us the opportunity to be the best versions of ourselves. Some of the Christmas quotes featured here also serve as a reminder that Christmas isn’t about what’s under the tree.
Getting Into the Spirit!
Chase Away the Summertime Blues with a Little Christmas Romance in July
There’s a song that I remember my momma playing when I was a little girl that declared, “There ain’t no cure for the Summertime Blues.” (Eddie Cochran – Summertime Blues – 1959) Over the years, there have been several covers of the song. While I prefer Cochrans’s version for the nostalgia, my favorite cover is Alan Jackson’s 1994 version of “Summertime Blues.” This summer anthem has also been used in commercials. The seeming timelessness of this song leads me to believe that a lot of people can relate to its […]
Christmas Book Reviews , Getting Into the Spirit!
The Christmas Bookshop by Jenny Colgan
There’s just ๐ฌ๐จ๐ฆ๐๐ญ๐ก๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ ๐ข๐๐๐ฅ ๐๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ญ ๐ญ๐ก๐ข๐ฌ ๐๐ก๐ซ๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ๐ฆ๐๐ฌ ๐๐จ๐จ๐ค! This my third time listening to the audiobook, so I had to have the physical book as well! When I say third time, I mean in a row! I literally have just let my credits sit there and accumulate, while I restart ๐๐ก๐ ๐๐ก๐ซ๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ๐ฆ๐๐ฌ ๐๐จ๐จ๐ค๐ฌ๐ก๐จ๐ฉ from the beginning.
Christmas Book Reviews , Getting Into the Spirit!
30 Day Christmas-Themed Reading Challenge
One of my New Year’s Resolutions is to read more. My other major resolution, as you may have guessed, is to keep Christmas in my heart throughout the year! Therefore, throughout 2023, I plan to read more … Christmas … books! Follow my 2023 reading journey on GoodReads! Last month, I was listening to K-Love, and they were advertising their K-Love 30-Day challenge. “Can a small change in your daily habits impact your entire 2023?” “One of easiest resolutions you can commit to is K-LOVEโs 30 Day Challenge. Simply listen […]
Getting Into the Spirit!
Students Introduced to Yule Log Christmas Tradition
The yule log has a long tradition, dating back to the way the ancient Vikings celebrated the winter solstice. Those living in the coldest regions of the world naturally celebrated the end of the shortest day of the year. The winter solstice marked the beginning of days becoming gradually longer, warmer, and brighter. As a part of the celebration, Vikings would cut a large log, drag it back to their village, and set it ablaze. Later, Christians incorporated the yule log tradition into the Christmas Feast of Lights celebration. According […]
Getting Into the Spirit!
Getting Creative for Christmas
In October of 2020, I decided that if the 2020 year was going to feel like six years, I wanted two of them to feel like Christmas. I was missing my grandkids, who I didn’t see as much due to social distancing. I was feeling isolated, and like a lot of people, I began to feel sad (which is an understatement). To combat this feeling, I threw myself into preparing for Christmas. Getting into the Christmas spirit was harder during 2020, but I put up the tree and started searching […]
Getting Into the Spirit!
Coffee & Gingerbread Cookies?! Yes, please!
Disclaimer: This post is not sponsored. I’m just a coffee and snacks enthusiast, sharing what makes me happy. Sometimes, it’s hard to get myself into the Christmas spirit, even in December. As a mom and grandmother, I catch myself stressing over purchasing the perfect gifts. As a teacher, my mornings are often hectic. This morning, I allowed myself to slow down and enjoy a gingerbread breakfast cookie with my coffee, and it had a huge difference in my mood! If you’re not a fan of gingerbread, Belvita also makes a […]
