Christmas is Here!

Ooohhhhhh my goodness!! I LOVE CHRISTMAS! I really, really ..... really ..... love Christmas. I always have. To me, the whole month of December is just magical. I love the family togetherness; the cold, bundle-up weather; the fires; the food; the music and singing; the cookie-making; the movies; the laughing people; the presents. I love that people slow down and pause long enough to be show some holiday cheer to their neighbors and friends.

And I love contemplating how all of this peace and goodwill is because of God'samazing love for us in coming to be with us in such a visible and vulnerable way. A baby. God could have come to us in a way that demanded our attention, but instead, He chose to to enter this world the same way we do -- totally dependent on a mother. He entered in such a humble way among humble people -- our King and Savior. Wow! It's really mind-blowing.

The best way to spread Christmas Cheer, is singing loud for all to hear. ~Elf

Christmas Activities

For those of you around SoCal, I included some links and dates to local events. Look for this information in the small gray text. All events are free unless I indicate otherwise.

1. Create a CD, Pandora station, or iPod playlist with your favorite Christmas songs. Have it ready as background music for all the other fun stuff you're going to do!

2. On Thanksgiving afternoon, start a new tradition of making Christmas ornaments. Imagine trimming your tree when your kids are teenagers and looking back at those little ornaments you made so long ago!

3. Decorate your home for Christmas.

4. Have a bon fire in your backyard. Add smore's to the mix and it makes it that much more fun!

5. Participate in a Tree Lighting Service.

6. Go to a local tree farm with the family to pick out a tree. Douglas Fir is my favorite.

7. Reserve a night to play some board games with the family or your friends.

8. Participate in Angel Tree or Operation Christmas Child or another charity drive where you and your family get a chance to give to others.

1. Some of my favorite Christmas movies: Unaccompanied Minors The Nativity Story Jack Frost How the Grinch Stole Christmas White Christmas I also have a lot of new ones I want to try this year!

2. Movie night with your favorite Christmas treats. Actually, Christmas movies all month long!! :)

3. Have a cookie decorating party.

4. Get family pictures taken.

5. Go out for a cheap dinner. Keep it the same every year (for tradition's sake!), and then drive around and look at lights. Research ahead of time to see if there are any extra wild and wonderful light displays in your area.

6. Check out the scene at Knotts Merry Farm (https://www.knotts.com/merryfarm) Tickets are as low as $42.

7. Also what I tend to enjoy is all the Christmas Plays, whether at your local church or theater or children's school, each one is just as entertaining as the next.

8. If you feel like taking a day trip, check out Tulare, CA for the Global Winter Wonderland Holiday Light Show. Tickets online are way cheaper than purchasing there. Shopping. Entertainment. Rides. A Multi-cultural event.

9. Another place I plan to visit this year is The Queen Mary Chill, where you can experience the Ice Kingdom in Long Beach. $34.99/adult & $24.99/child. But you can find deals on Groupon or on Black Friday. (http://www.queenmary.com/events/chill/)The giant dome that once was home to the legendary Spruce Goose - will be frozen over and transformed into a giant igloo and home to The Ice Kingdom – an awe-inspiring 13,000 sq ft walk-thru exhibit featuring larger-than-life ice creations some towering over 2.5 stories tall and made using over two million pounds of ice. But don’t forget to grab a parka and gloves – temperatures drop to a numbing 9-degrees inside the Ice Kingdom.

Check out the local malls to see how they decorated. And of course to finish your Christmas shopping!

Comment if you know of something cool to do this Christmas!