25 Days of Christmas (or 32)

In light of the beautiful snow that is falling outside I have decided to make an early post on the subject of Christmas. I love celebrating things. Whether it's a holiday, a birthday, a graduation, you name it and I can plan a day filled with events celebrating. My favorite day (days) to celebrate happens to be Christmas. I have always been big on Christmas even when I was younger. I was one of those children that believed in Santa and I can still remember when the fantasy came crashing down. My sister and I shared a room for a few years so after we were told to go to bed we would stay awake and do other things, whether it was playing or reading. On this particular night we decide to talk. Erin told me that Santa wasn't real. I of course started freaking out yelling at her and eventually when I couldn't take it anymore I left our room and ventured to the living room where I crawled on my moms lap and told her what Erin had said. That night I learned the truth, but let me tell you, that didn't stop me from pretending to believe for several years. I would still set out cookies and milk (one year I had to set out Doritos chips and came downstairs only to see my Dad eating them. After I told him those were for Santa I refilled the plate and went back to bed. After which I am sure he continued to eat them.) write him letters, and slept on the couch to "catch" him. Eventually I grew out of that and instead grew even more insane about this Holiday. (My mom sent me this link last year and said "This is you." And I have to say it is a pretty good representation: http://youtu.be/eHmJNK7ZwzM ) A few years ago I noticed that ABC Family's 25 Days of Christmas was actually terrible, but a good concept. So I took from their well thought idea (not well executed) and began my own 25 Days of Christmas. I began with just movies, which than grew into movies and activities, which has know grown into movies, activities, and baking/cooking. It has also grown from 25 days to 32. Now I would like to say something. I realize Christmas is not all about material things or the commercialism. Christmas is a time to celebrate the Birth of Christ, and in that remembering all Christ did while He walked this earth. I make sure I don't let the true meaning of Christmas disappear. I do this in a few different way. I continue going to church, I do a Christmas bible study everyday, and I make it a priority to talk about the true meaning of Christmas as much as possible, whether it be with my family and friends or a complete stranger that I meet at one of my activities. The true meaning of Christmas is and always will be more important, more special, more beautiful, and more meaningful than anything on my list. I love celebrating Christmas so much not because of the commercialism or gifts but because of my family and friends. Anyone that has met me knows that I am kind of a homebody. My Mom once said like I was like a hermit and my home was my shell, I never wanted to leave it (I have somewhat grown out of this, somewhat). I love my family with all my heart and I love being able to spend time doing things with them, whether it be just watching a movie, baking or going out somewhere. The Christmas season has always felt like the best time to do things with your family because of all the activities that are going on, and everyone seems, well joyful (more willing)! So now that I have (hopefully) made it clear (if not than please talk to me!) that I know, remember, and cherish the true meaning of Christmas and do my 25 (32) Days of Christmas to spend time with family and friends, I can present to you my 25 (32) Days of Christmas List!

25 (Plus more!)

Days of Christmas

24. Movie- Jake Frost

Activity- Make Ornaments

Food: Chocolate Chip Cookie Pie

25. Movie- Aurthur Christmas

Activtiy- Black Friday Shopping

Food: Pumpkin Gingerbread

26. Movie- The Holiday

Activity-Thurmont Christmas Tree Lighting

Food: Majestic Cinnamon Rolls

27. Movie- The Family Man

Activity- Christmas Tree

Food: Grandma Gingerbread Pancakes

28. Movie- Last Holiday

Activity- Decorate The House

Food: Soft Gingersnaps

29. Movie- An All Dogs Christmas Carol

Activity- Decorate My Room

Food: Cinnamon Glazed Butterhorns

30. Ernest Saves Christmas

Activity- Lights Outside

Food: Cinnamon-toffee Croissant Bread Pudding

1. Movie- Surviving Christmas

   Activity- National Christmas Tree Lighting

Food: Holiday Bundt Cake

2. Movie- All I want for Christmas

   Activity- Bethesda Winter Wonderland

Food: Peppermint Bark

3. Movie- Christmas With The Cranks 

   Activity- Christmas in Colonial Williamsburg (Or Miracle on 34^th Street)

Food: Fudge

4. Movie- Four Christmases

   Activity- Christmas Parade and National Harbor Outdoor Holiday Market

Food: Gingerbread Cookies

5. Movie- Eloise at Christmas Time

   Activity- Miracle on 34^th Street (or Holiday Light Contest)

Food: Chocolate-Dipped Coconut Snowballs

6. Movie- Disney’s A Christmas Carol

   Activity- Sixteenth Gaithersburg Winter Lights Festival

Food: Christmas Buttons

7. Movie- I’ll Be Home For Christmas

   Activity- Get A Picture With Santa

Food: Fudgy Pinwheel Cookies

8. Movie- The Bishop’s Wife

   Activity- Wrap Presents

Food: Chocolate Mint Crinkles

9. Movie- Holiday Inn

   Activity- The Nutcracker

Food: Eggnog Kringla

10. Movie- White Christmas

   Activity- Cristkindlemarkt Bethlehem and Annapolis Christmas Light Boat Parade

Food: Peppermint Cream Tassies

11. Movie- Miracle on 34^th Street

   Activity- Erin&Phil Early Christmas

Food: Peppermint Ribbon Cake

12. Movie- Rudolph, Frost and Santa Clause

Activity- Ice Skating

Food: Holiday Pinwheels

13. Movie- A Charlie Brown Christmas & Madagascar Christmas

   Activity- Gaylord National Ice

Food- Tiny Tim Cookies

14. Movie- This Christmas

   Activity- Make Gingerbread House

Food: Chia Tea

15. Movie- Family Stone

   Activity- National Zoo lights, Union Station and DC Holiday Market

Food: Peppermint Truffly Bars

16. Movie- Jingle All The Way

   Activity- Walk Around Downtown Frederick and Christmas Light Drive Through (Or Miracle Of Christmas)

Food: Chocolate Cinnamon Mud Balls

17. Movie- The Polar Express

   Activity- Radio City Christmas Spectacular

Food: Minty Hot Chocolate

18. Movie- Home Alone

   Activity- West Memphis Holiday Lights

Food: Banana Pancake Snowmen

19. Movie- Home Alone 2

   Activity- Living Christmas Tree

Food: Christmas Breakfast Casserole

20. Movie- National Lampoons Christmas Vacation

   Activity- City of Knoxville Holiday On Ice

Food: Merry Christmas Scones

21. Movie- Elf

   Activity- Christmas in Grace Land

Food: Cinnamon Chipper Snickerdoodles

22. Movie- The Santa Clause

   Activity- The Holiday Light Contest

Food: Sugar Cookies

23. Movie- How The Grinch Stole Christmas

   Activity- Enchanted Forest

Food: Peanut Butter Blossoms

24. Movie- It’s A Wonderful Life

   Activity- Drive Through Lights

Food: Chocolate Chip Cookies

25. CHRISTMAS DAY!

Movie- A Christmas Story

Activity- ITS CHRISTMAS!

Food: Santa Cake

If you wish to to do any of the above with me please feel free to contact me via facebook (or if you know my number)! The more the merrier!

Happy Snow Day!

Luke 2

 The Birth of Jesus

 ¹ In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. ² (This was the first census that took place while^[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) ³ And everyone went to their own town to register.  ⁴ So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. ⁵ He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. ⁶ While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, ⁷ and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
 ⁸ And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. ⁹ An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰ But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. ¹¹ Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
 ¹³ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
 ¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
   and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
 ¹⁵ When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
 ¹⁶ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. ¹⁷ When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, ¹⁸ and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. ¹⁹ But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. ²⁰ The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.