Skip to main content

It's almost Christmas!

Christmas is two days away!

Are you ready? If you're anything like me, you'll be in the mall on the 24th of December picking up last minute items, whether it's another present for your children (as if they don't have enough already!) or something else for their stockings.

Like the fear of peeling too few potatoes, I have the same fear with presents. What if there aren't enough gifts? In all seriousness, though, December has been a wonderful month, despite the craziness.

Last week, my son performed in his Christmas concert at school, singing beautifully and saying his lines perfectly. We practiced at home and even Dimitry knew the lines by heart! Proud mommy moment, for sure. I even baked the night before for his class party. Of course, I destroyed about two dozen cookies in the process, but luckily, some turned out okay.

Here are some things that have made this month festive and fabulous for me:

Sitting around the Christmas tree with my boys, talking about all the reasons we love Christmas.

Receiving beautiful hand made crafts from my son, including a beautiful card and ornaments.

Watching my boys exchange ornaments, since they each have their own 'side' of the tree, and hearing their negotiations.

Working with my children to make a box of clothes, toys and food items to give away to a family in need.

Working with Christmas Wish Cloud again this year, donating 16 new Christmas presents to kids who are with the Children's Aid Society.

Baking cupcakes and eating cream cheese icing by the spoonful.

Wrapping Christmas presents after the children have gone to sleep.

Hearing my boys laugh while watching Home Alone.

Watching Elf and Love, Actually.

Christmas shopping.

Christmas traditions with my family and enjoying my grandmother's delicious Greek cookies.

Enjoying the fireplace and watching the snow fall, from the warmth of my house.

Playing with beautiful baby niece.

My happy reunion with my hairdresser and loving my blonde again. Sigh...

You know what else if fabulous? Really awesome gift baskets. And I'd love to give one away to you! When the weather outside is frightful, what could be better than snuggling up on the couch with a warm blanket, right?

Thanks to Kijiji and Indigo Books & Music, I'm giving away a gift basket worth $250, filled with:



A $25 Indigo gift card
Books
Cozy knit Scarf and Mitten Set (an Indigo exclusive)
Gary Taxali Wooden Ladder Toy
Cozy blanket/throw
LED book light
Personal library kit
Travel mug
... and more!

Just leave me a comment telling what is making December fabulous for you!

I'll pick a winner randomly on December 24th. (Contest open to Canadian residents only.)

Good Luck!

Updated to add: Congrats to lucky number 31 for winning this basket! Z, email me your address!

Comments

KelliDaisy said…
I love December strictly because of Christmas! Putting up the Christmas lights and getting Christmas cards in the mail is what makes December fabulous for me!
Miranda said…
Christmas is fabulous for me because I always get to spend time with friends and family we don't always see throughout the year. With everyone's lives so busy and being pulled in so many different directions, it's often hard to make time to see everyone. This is the one time of yeat everyone HAS to make the time!
December is the month I love to watch the kids get into the Christmas spirit; watch all the holiday TV specials I used to watch, help with shopping, wrapping, baking. So much family fun!
jude said…
December is about taking a moment from your mad, mad life to think about the people you are glad are in your life. And then tell them.
Rebecca said…
Being with my family is making December fabulous!!
Deb said…
-->Now that I'm just one gift shy of being finished, I LOVE the holidays - - the parties, decorations, lights, Christmas trees and time off of work.

~deb
www.websavvymom.com
Unknown said…
What a fabulous giveaway! My birthday is November 29th and after that, it's all Christmas! I love December because of that reason. Putting up the decorations and tree and shopping early for my loved ones, even wrapping presents while listening to Christmas music, and SNOW is what makes December so special!
Kathy said…
I love entertaining. Good food, good friends and good wine make December a fun month!
My brother and his family are coming to visit for Xmas, so we get to spend some time with their babies. Super excited about it!
Nolie said…
What makes Christmas special for me is spending it with my family including my parents. Each year we don't know if we will live close to them come next year so we cherish every year that we live near each other.
Unknown said…
I love this post- it puts me in the mood! I love December because of the freshly fallen snow; the holiday buzz in the air; seeing family I haven't seen in months; attempting to make holiday cookies for my friends; and most of all having an excuse to shop till I drop! :)

Merry Christmas!

xo Emily
Lynn said…
We do a family activity every day in December as part of our advent calendar. It's a fair bit of work but I've really grown to look forward to this time together.
Christy said…
Shopping. Family. Excited little boys. Friends. Parties. Wine. Presents. Snow. Christmas lights. Books. Blankets. Christmas trees.
December is fabulous because my oldest child turned 5 & it has been a wonderful age!
Unknown said…
I have been doing 25 days of Christmas with my 4 year old and it has been so much fun! Even if it's something simple like singing a song it still reminds me to have fun with her while the baby naps each day.
Gingermommy said…
December is great because my youngest has her birthday in December, we saw the lunar eclipse and of course, its time to spend with family.
Unknown said…
I love December because for me it means exams and that the end of the semester has arrived; it means I can focus on things other than textbooks; it means I can hang out with friends and family without worrying about assignments or group projects.

P.S. Cream cheese icing is THE BEST.
Stephanie said…
What a fabulous post! I always worry if there are enough potatoes peeled too:)
I love December because people seem to be more generous! Giving at the Christmas Wish trees, or just making a point of taking an extra trip to the food bank. It's wonderful to see the Christmas spirit is still alive and well.
Chantal said…
I love Christmas and this year what is making my December the most special ever is getting ready for my baby to turn one on Christmas Eve! I am so excited (and sad). :)
paisley25 said…
I love december because I love spending time with friend and family. Going to parties and such.
tbrooksmartin said…
Reading your comments made me grin since so many of your favourites, are mine. We moms of two boys must think alike! ;) Much like Christmases past, what really warms my heart and takes the festive spirit to "that" level, is listening to my boys talk amongst themselves and allow me that precious glimpse into the magic that exists at their tender ages. *sigh* Hearing them talk about Baby Jesus, Santa, gingerbread houses,and our local food drive all in one conversation makes me smile... and file away these treasured memories for the years to come. From our home to yours, and all the readers of your snappy blog, Merry Christmas! xo
Brenda said…
I love Christmas, always have. But now that I am a mom it is more fabulous seeing Christmas through my children's eyes. I love watching them get excited decorating the tree, lighting the advent wreath, putting cookies out for Santa. Sharing holiday traditions (and making new ones) is what makes December fabulous to me.
This is the first Christmas that BOTH kids know what's going on and it's made the whole month a lot of fun. Plus shortbread makes every December fab.
Shannon said…
I love spending time with the extended family, people you don't see often. The music, the traditional food, love it all! Happy holidays to you and your family!
Anonymous said…
This is the first December with my son, and it's been amazing. Taking him for sleigh rides, watching him look at the tree, holiday visitors to play with... It's just been magical.
Tracy said…
I make it my goal to make someone smile during the holiday season who is otherwise having a difficult time. I do this by creating light hearted personal Christmas cards and sending them to all our family and friends with a personal note attached. This year's theme featured my family on the front with a caption of "guess who stole Santa's cookies?" it's a lot of fun and if it makes one person who needs to smile do so then I accomplished my goal.
Triplets3 said…
It's the simple blessings that matter. Things that I miss all year long with the hustle and bustle and really come to appreciate during the Christmas break. Family, health and friends. Sitting back and allowing that special "twinkle" in each of my childrens' eyes to fill the month with magic. Happy holidays.
Avitable said…
That actually seems like a pretty cool gift basket!

December is fabulous because of the sun and 70 degree weather for 90% of it, here in Florida. :)
Georgina said…
I love December because of the festive mood that everybody is in. Work is very busy for me at this time of year, but to see my little guy all excited makes it all special!
skichik79 said…
well i would love to skip xmas this year ... going through a seperation this time of year is nothing i wish on anyone ... but for the girls i must do everything i can to make it special they are at that age where they will remember ... soooo I let my 3.5 year old put up ALL the xmas decorations on the tree .. she was so happy and i even let her change them spots on a daily basis .. it`s her tree this year and i don,t cre .. i used to care that the tree is all perfect but this year it's all About them ! they get to do whatever they want ! and butching all the xmas ornaments at the bottom left of the tree is what they want then they can ! also Love baking with them and making xmas crafts ...
Zafy said…
I'm so lucky to have so many amazing people in my life that I feel likes it's Christmas all year long. I especially love this time of year when all my fav holiday classics are on TV, enjoy all the christmas decor in my house, the malls the streets. I also get so much joy when I see my family and friends upwrap their gifts. On a side note I also love all the wine that flows...
Karen Bodkin said…
I love December (especially the end of it, because school is over) because I get to spend time with my kids! No lunches to pack, cuddly mornings in our big bed, putting up the tree, and SLEDDING!
I think I'm actually an 8 year old. I LOVE December!
Nikosmommy said…
Great Giveaway Loukia!
I like the entire month of December, the shopping, parties with friends, fabulous big dinners, going to church on Christmas Eve, decorating the house.
And it's all that much better when there are kids in the house who are so excited!
mrs.shopper said…
The best thing is getting together with my son... hugging and doing some talking and probably have a tear when I will see him at the airport! It's a joy and priviledge to see him because he is involved in serving Canada.
Bruna said…
December is the month for extra special family time, remembering stories from our childhood, carrying on traditions, thinking of others, bright lights and special decor, baking and more baking, Christmas plays and singing lots and lots of carols.

The month of December brings everyone together and brings the goodness out of each and every one of us. Give, give, give!
KarenL said…
This December's weather has been great - just enough snow for the kids to play in, and not too cold. The Christmas lights on all the houses look so nice against the nice white snow!