What Christmas means to me.
Hi everyone welcomes to Divine Promotions Christmas Blog Hop. This is a hop designed to lift Christmas spirit and be fun. There is a grand prize, and most participants will be offering a prize as well.
What Christmas means to me.
Christmas used to be a time of happiness and cheer. A time when our families all got together on one day and celebrated with a big dinner, decorations, laughter, and joy. Yes, there was gifts, but what I loved most were the music and laughter of all the kids and family members. It was a happy time.
But we all grow up. Family members move, and some pass on. Things changed a lot with the loss of my mom several years ago, my dad and brother moving five hours away and me and both sisters being disabled now. It is hard to get all the family members together with job schedules and other family obligations.
This is supposed to be a post to boost spirit, and that’s what I hope to do. Just because situations change and traditions fall to the wayside, money is tight, whatever the reason doesn’t mean you can’t have a joy-filled holiday season.
Is it too expensive or your health doesn’t allow you to decorate to the nines like you used to? Pick something that makes you happy. Add one or two small things. Get inexpensive, small tree ,add a few dollar store decorations. or just popcorn garland. Get one Poinsetta for color, Use just one of your old favorites you have in storage. You don’t have to spend a lot or put up a lot of lights that drag on utilities.
Is it the holiday music you love and miss? Turn on the radio, pop in an old cassette, find the holiday music station on your tv and listen to one or two a day or while you cook.
Do you love to bake or make candy but not able to stand on your feet for extended periods of time anymore, or have a limited income? Pick one or two of your favorite recipes. You don’t have to make fifty kinds of candy. Did you used to make big baskets for your neighbors and coworkers but no longer can afford it or feel like it. Again pick one or two kinds, put in smaller tins or wrap in lovely saran wrap. You don’t have to take everyone a full batch. A piece or two per person will put a smile on someone’s face, especially f they don’t make candy or get any gifts. You don’t have to buy brand name products either. Shop big box stores for bulk or do as I do and go to an Aldis or no name brand store; I save a ton, and people love my candy. I got more compliments one year for my fudge than the year before with the off brand chocolate chips and peanut butter. This time of year there is sales stock up, clip coupons online. But whatever you do, don’t go overboard. Make it fun not overwhelming. You don’t want to work all day then bake till midnight.
my cookie Jars
Gifts, I don’t have an answer. We shop for immediate family only these days as a family has grown so large. You could always draw names for extended family if that works for you. Homemade gifts are lovely too. Maybe a gift of time. Offer to take someone to an appointment or shopping.
One of my favorite things about the Holidays is sending cards. It’s funny because I normally am not big on cards. For Christmas, though I can send a card with a small gift or just a wish to people talk to online or are far away. I send out anywhere for 50 to 100. So far this year I am at 65 I think. I gather my list after Thanksgiving update each year, buy stamps, make my return labels, figure out what to put in which cards and set aside a couple of hours a night to work on them. I like to listen to Christmas music while I do this. This is my happy place and if I can only choose one thing for the Holidays this will be it.
I am going to put up my tree this weekend, I have three poinsettias and will get out my holiday dishes as well.
My menu will be simple. Ham, beans, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes in orange sauce, cranberry relish, and rolls. I will make some pies most likely pecan and apple or berry and there will be an array of fudge and cookies depending on how I feel.
Everyone loves my fudge both peanut butter and Chocolate I use the same recipe for both.
I will share my favorite fudge recipe with you. It is inexpensive and easy.
Prepare a sheet pan with lots of thins pieces or a cake pan for thicker ones. I use a 9 x 15 and get a good amount. I line with foil or parchment and spray with buttery cooking spray let the edge of the liner hang over each end for easy lifting.
2/3 can of evaporated milk
1 jar of marshmallow fluff
1 package of your choice of chips(peanut butter—chocolate (milk, bittersweet or semi(I use semi) or white chocolate
3/4 stick of butter
3 cups of sugar
Vanilla
Nuts optional
Bring butter sugar and milk to a full rolling boil. Add vanilla. I sometimes use other extracts such as Raspberry. Stir continuously for 5 minutes remove from heat add chocolate and marshmallow and stir. Add in nuts. Stir until thoroughly blended Pour quickly into prepared pan and let sit several hours to cool. Be sure to use heavy tall pan and long-handled utensils for stirring I with a wooden spoon. Do not use plastic I boiled one, one year. Another tip if you have arthritis or weak hands I found after removing from stove I could put in a very deep bowl over my fluff and chips and use a mixer. I have a deep kitchen aid that works well. Warning: go at very low speed and stay back, so you don’t get burned.
I hope these tips help you make fudge if you got to where the stirring was too much. Cut into smaller pieces as a little can go a long way.
Another thing I love about Christmas is the ugly sweaters, I don’t have one, but I do have my Santa hats. When I worked, I wore one every day at work beginning Black Friday. It became such a tradition that sometimes people gifted me new ones with crazy sayings. I haven’t been able to work for over 5 years now, my hats sit in a box upstairs. I pull one out, but that is usually it. This year I think my new tradition will be to hang up my Ho Ho Hats ( that’s what everyone called them)
I also wore Christmas earrings. I thought this year my prize will be this adorable pair of Cat Christmas earrings.
I will pick one winner after the hop is over. Be sure to leave your email so you can be contacted.
Blog Hop Grand Prize
Ebook of your choice from Author Grein Murray
Swag donated by Author Grein Murray (only available
to those living in the USA)
Ebook of your choice from Author Sean Kerr (from his series Dead Camp)
Ebook – The Hard Boys: Alien Abduction (Case #1) from Ian Cadena
Grand Prizes for this blog hop
3D fun face Charms Bracelet – 3 pieces (image attached)
18 K Gold Filled Crystal Pearls Heart Party Dress Jewelry Set (image attached)
$10 Amazon Gift Card from RAM PA Group
5 Days Promo Tour from Divine Promotions
Dreamspinner Press Vouchers
$5 gift voucher from Pride Publishing
To enter the Grand blog prize all you have to do is go to DivinePromotions Blog and leave a comment on their post, telling what your favorite part of Christmas is.
16 responses to “What Christmas means to me #2giveaways @DivinePromotions #Bloghop”
Merry Christmas to all who celebrate. I don’t have any ugly Christmas Sweaters 🙂
I don’t either but I want one LOL! Thanks or stopping By Angela!
My favorite part of Christmas is spending time with my family that I I don’t I don’t get I don’t get to see very much. Thanks for the chance!
That is a goo part of the Holidays thanks for stopping by Courtney.
I don’t own and ugly xmas sweaters 🙂 My favorite part of christmas is my kids, and seeing their faces light up
I love seeing the happy children too! Thanks for stopping by!
FANTASTIC post, and yes it does boost spirits. I went with a festive tabletop tree and two foot high trees in different accent spots this year instead of a full size. All came prelit. Much easier!
Thank you! I haven’t put up my tree yet. we went shopping Monday but I have been having Seizure issues and the first store didn’t have what I wanted or should I say in my price range and I wasn’t able to make the supercenter. I was going to put up my old white one and can’t find a foot LOL. I bet those table tops are pretty!
I just googled ugly Christmas sweater and it is kind of scary what’s out there LOL
Happy Holiday’s.
It is. Some I dont know how these people walked. My granddaughter had to make one for school this week. we had a blast though.
Oh, I love fudge–I’m going to have to try this! Thanks for sharing!