Hey guys! Who out there is participating in blogmas? How’s it going? I’m having so much fun with these posts! They are definitely helping me feel the holiday spirit!
Today, I’m going to let you in on a little secret. I LOVE socks, like a ton. Not just your every day white or black ankle socks, no I love fun, knee-high socks! As such it shouldn’t be a surprise that I have several pair of Christmas themed socks!
These are my top three:
3. Elf socks
2. Naughty/Nice Socks w/Bows!
1. Candy-Cane socks! These are by-far my favorite pair, although they are a bit thrashed from my use. Hopefully they have a few years left in them!
Which pair do you like best? Any one else have specifically holiday attire?
So, I was watching ELF the other day and all the sudden, it hit me, Buddy is the human version of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer!
Hear me out and let me know if you see it too or if I’m reaching:
Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer had a very shiny nose . . .
that differentiated him from the rest of the reindeer.
Likewise, Buddy the Elf has his own physical “deformity” that separates him from the rest of the elves.
All of the other reindeer used to laugh and call him names . . .
Neither Rudolph, nor Buddy seem to fit in anywhere they go. Even though Santa is kind to Buddy in ELF, he still sends him away from the North Pole. Rudolph doesn’t fit in with the other reindeer and so he leaves as well. However . . .
Then one foggy Christmas Eve, Santa came to say . . .
Then all the reindeer loved him and they shouted out with glee!
All the sudden Santa need’s Rudolph’s bright nose or Buddy’s ability to fix the sleigh. After Rudolph/Buddy saves the day, they are welcomed back at the North pole with open arms
Ergo, Buddy is human Rudolph!
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (Buddy the Elf) you’ll go down in history! (or get made into a children’s book)
Whether or not the directors intended this parallelism, I could not help but to notice it! What do you guys think?
When I first googled Blogmas, I instantly came across several lists that supplied Blogmas post ideas.
The most popular idea dealt with gift giving: gifts for her, gifts for him, etc. I immediately chuckled, because I do not classify myself as a gift giver, and I certainly didn’t have any pro tips to offer on the subject.
In fact, I find Christmas stressful, because it is all about finding the perfect gifts for those you love, and it doesn’t help that I’m a procrastinator. Maybe I could be a successful gift giver if I gave myself ample time.
But if you read my Blogmas Day 9, you know I recently had a birthday. After receiving so many amazing gifts, I now feel confident that I can help myself and assist my fellow bloggers who share my struggle.
Before, I steal my friends’ great ideas. I’d just like to say that gifts aren’t everything. Although I appreciate the gifts I received, I value the friendships behind the gifts so much more. So, don’t worry if you can’t afford much or anything at all. Just remember to love a little tighter; I’m sure that’ll be more than enough.
Now, let us begin!
1. Books?
First, I’ll begin with the book on the left. If you’ve read my very first post, you already know that Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech is my favorite book of all time. However, I have not read ANY of her other works. Although, it has been on my to do list for a long time. I think this is a good gift, because it acknowledges what I already love, but it also pushes me to explore new things.
The book on the right, The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum, is a classic. The cover is aesthetically pleasing, and it has beautiful pictures inside.
But more than that, these books remind me of why I bonded with this friend in the first place. It was our love of books that drew us closer. So, think back. What was it that sparked your love and friendship?
2. Experiences
(FYI, AMC is a movie theater)
Don’t give me a thing; give me something to do.
Whenever I’m asked, what do you want for your birthday/Christmas, I rarely have an answer. I’m not a shopper, so I don’t even know what’s out there. But, I’m always down for a night out. Homework usually keeps this student inside. So, I appreciate the incentive to get out of the house. Like yesterday, I got to enjoy Disneyland. . . .”
First, thank you to everyone who responded to my previous blog about Disneyland and sent in questions or things for me to discover. Here’s what I found!
Visiting Disneyland during Christmas time is especially beautiful and especially chaotic. Right off the bat, expect the crowds. So to answer DREAMFILLEDDAUGHTER: yes, the crowds are crazy especially during Christmas time, so if you plan to honeymoon there, try going outside of the holiday seasons.
RUTH (RUBY) asked me to check for the Disneyland post boxes and here’s what I found:
There are indeed post boxes in Disneyland! And yes, they do “work.” As long as your letter is properly addressed and stamped, your mail will be sent out from Disneyland, so cool! I think you can even ask City Hall for a stamp if you forget!
-EUGENIA was especially curious about decorations and let me tell you, they were everywhere!
As soon as you walk up to the park you are greeted with snowflakes, holy, mistletoes, nutcrackers, and so much more! My favorite decorations were the trees and the Castle itself.
This is the tree over on the Disneyland side of the parks. It was so tall I couldn’t capture it in one frame. In fact, it is 60 feet tall! (To read more about Disneyland’s tree, click here). I took a closer picture so that you could see the magnificent decorations! Let me tell you, those bulbs were huge.
(This is me walking around Disneyland)
My good blogging friend CLAIRE YANG asked me if there were really hidden Mickeys and if I had found any. Well Claire, I found a few (there’s actually a book you can buy that tells you where all of them are), but here is my favorite! On The Haunted Mansion Ride, in the banquet hall, there will always be a hidden mickey among the plates. In the picture below the Hidden Mickey is right in front of the Ginger Bread house. Can you see it?
Claire was also curious about souvenirs. Well first, let me say I always prefer the hats to the headbands. The headbands are made for small heads and will most likely give you instant headaches whereas the hats are larger and can be just as cute! They do have some wonderful Christmas-themed souvenirs and treats like those shown below.
Of all the decorations, I love the castle, especially at night (I’m sorry I have no picture for the night, but it is all lit up and beautiful!). By the way, did you know that California’s Disney’s castle is specifically Sleeping Beauty’s castle?
Let’s Take A VOTE!
On the left-hand side is Disneyland’s tree and on the right hand side is California Adventure’s tree. Which do you like best?
Well, I hope you enjoyed my Christmas trip to Disneyland! It really is a wonderful place and I hope to return soon!
Starting the month of December, Sandals church is going back to the beginning, not only back to the beginning of Christmas, but to the beginning of all time.
I am not a certified pastor, but I am a follower of Christ and would love to share with you some of the amazing things that I heard in the last message.
Matthew 2:1-3, “Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.” King Herod was deeply disturbed when he heard this, as was everyone in Jerusalem.”
Around the holidays, there is inevitable controversy about one thing or another: starbucks cups, santa claus, Jesus Christ, the actual date of Jesus’s birth, etc., etc., etc. This is nothing new.
Christmas has always been controversial. – Pastor Matthew Brown
One of the greatest controversies perhaps is concerning Jesus Christ himself. Jesus Christ is more than just a baby in a manger, in fact, his life did not start in that manger. Long before that manger, Jesus existed as the Word.
I John 1:1-5, “In the beginning the Word (Jesus) already existed. The Word (Jesus) was with God, and the Word (Jesus) was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him (Jesus). The Word (Jesus) gave life to everything that was created, and his life (Jesus’s life) brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.”
Indeed, Jesus did not come into existence, instead He existed with God in the very beginning of God. Jesus is the guiding force behind all creation.
The book of Matthew starts the story by tracing Jesus’s lineage back to Abraham (the father of Judaism)
The book of Luke starts the story of Jesus by tracing his lineage to Adam (the father of mankind)
The book of John starts the story of Jesus by going back to the Beginning – Jesus has always existed
“In the beginning the Word (Jesus) already existed.” John 1:1.
700 years previously, the prophet Micah shared God’s words, “But as for you, Bethlehem . . . Too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, from the days of eternity.” Micah 5:2
Jesus, having always existed, humbled himself and reduced himself to a human baby born in an unknown town. Christmas may cost you money, it may cost you time, but for God, it cost him everything to send his son to live among us and to share his good news.
We are celebrating Christmas this month and I would like to form my own “Nice List” of my most supportive followers! While I am blessed by each and every one of you, there are some among you who need special recognition for the incredible support you rain down on my blog!
Thank you to ALL of my followers and a special thank you to those who have been so attentive to my blog lately!
**Please note this is not a list of most supportive to least supportive, this is just a list of those who I have been extremely supportive of my blog (often liking, commenting, and reblogging), especially lately! If I did not mention you, please do not feel left out, I still greatly appreciate your support!
One of my most favorite things about Christmas is the color red, it’s everywhere and it is beautiful! Red bows and ribbons decorate homes, red flowers fill vases, and red bulbs furnish trees.
Red clothes look especially bright and festive!
I simply love the color red!
White is the color of freshly fallen snow
A beautiful sight, I have
Yet to behold
Green is the color of prickly pine leaves
That hold precious ornaments
On lopsided Christmas trees
Yellow is the color of a heavenly star
That caused three wise men
To travel afar
Red is the color that I love the best
That fills me with cheer
That shows I am blessed
Red is the color of my Savior so dear
Who was born and died to
Make my sins clear
Red is the color of love and joy
Although he came wrapped in no ribbons
This perfect Christmas baby boy
Happy Blogmas Everyone!
How are your blogmas posts coming along? Don’t forget to submit your favorite blogmas post in the Blogmas Contest!
Today I am sharing my favorite Christmas mug and believe me, it was a difficult decision. I’m that person who has cupboards full of mugs. But here he is, my favorite Christmas mug who is both adorable and efficient.
My little snowman
Guardian of my tea
Keeps the precious liquid
Warm for me
What is your favorite mug? Tell me about it below or post your own picture! (Can you do that on wordpress?)
Create a blogmas post! Your post must be all about Christmas, see my previous post on “How To Blogmas”
Once you have created and published your post, drop your link to that post below in the comments. ALSO, this is important, do NOT just drop the link by itself (it will go directly to my spam), so you must also leave a one-line summary of your blogmas post 😀
Check out at least two other blogmas posts and comment beneath their links so I can see that you did so (#community)
You can only drop ONE LINK, so if you want to wait until Dec 25th to choose that is alright.
Must be subscribed (following) to my page to keep up with contest announcements
DECEMBER 25th is the LAST DAY TO DROP YOUR LINK FOR THE CONTEST!
Prizes:
Holiday Spirit! No really, by posting and reading blogmas posts, you should definitely feel some holiday spirit!
I will publish my top three favorite Blogmas posts on my Blog Site. The top blogmas post winner will also be accompanied by a short author bio and link back to the winner of course.
A fun time! Christmas is a happy time and hopefully, through this contest you can meet other bloggers and other bloggers can meet you! I can’t wait to read all the amazing Blogmas posts!
Having now investigated Blogmas more thoroughly, I understand that Blogmas is something that should be posted on every single day of December. Although I do not plan to post every day on Christmas, I am still participating in Blogmas, perhaps just on a smaller scale and I think that’s okay! Indeed, to all you hard-core Blogmassers out there, congrats! But if you’re like me and you want to do just a few posts, I say, more power to us!
Perhaps you’ve been thinking about what you want to do for Blogmas? I came across wonderful blog posts by The Wild Hideaway and Lindsay that were super helpful for me and I think it can help you too! Be sure to check them out!
While their 100 ideas are indeed spectacular, here are five of my ideas!
They may suggest that you share your favorite Christmas poem, I encourage you to come up with and post your own Christmas poem!
They suggest you share your favorite Christmas story, well how about you write your own? It can be a non-fiction memory of your own Christmas experiences. It can be flash fiction. It can be one line or it could be a novel!
Your favorite Christmas Movie based on the book
Favorite Christmas Mug
What is something NEW that you will be doing this year?
Who else will be participating in Blogmas? Do you have any ideas of what you plan to post about?
KaylaAnn 
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