Yuletide Spirit: November 2011

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

The Christmas Village/Melissa Ann Goodwin Charity Event--A Thank You!

I am pleased to report that Melissa sold 5 paperbacks and 12 e-books of The Christmas Village! So she will be donating a total of $16 to Make a Wish Foundation. Melissa, and I, would like to thank those of you who made a purchase to help us donate to this worthy cause. I hope you enjoy The Christmas Village as much as I did and I hope you will share your thoughts on the book with me at a later date. Thanks again for your generosity during this holiday season!

Always in spirit....

Sunday, November 27, 2011

The Christmas Village/Melissa Ann Goodwin Charity Event UPDATE!

Help us reach our goal of a $25 donation to the Make a Wish Foundation. Melissa has upped the ante and will now donate $2 to the foundation for each paperback sold (e-books will still be 50 cents per copy sold). That means we need a sale of 10 more paperbacks and 10 e-books. The Christmas Village would make a wonderful gift for the middle grade kids in your family. Let's give a little back this season and share a love of reading while we're at it! Click the banner to check it out on Amazon.

Thank you to everyone who has helped out so far this weekend. We have sold 3 paperbacks and 9 e-books with a total of $9.75 raised so far. Help spread the word so we can reach our $25 goal! =O)

Always in spirit....

Sharing the Joy: Weekend Crafting

Here are a few cute craft projects I came across in my new book, The Farm Chicks Christmas.

crafted by sewmod.wordpress.com

Gift Card Holders
A felt envelope makes opening the gift card as much fun as unwrapping the gift. To fashion an envelope, cut a strip of felt about 1/2-inch wider than the card and twice as long plus 1 inch. Place the card approximately in the middle of the strip. Fold up the bottom end of the strip and fold down the top end, adjusting the card so the top of the strip overlaps the bottom; crease the folds with your fingers. Unfold the top, remove the card, and hot-glue the bottom pocket together along the left and right side edges. Cut a vertical slit opening in the top flap for a buttonhole; affix a pretty, fabric-covered button to the pocket, opposite the slit.

TIP: Use pinking shears or scissors with another decorative edge to cut the felt.

Holiday Yarn-Ball Wreath
This wreath is fun to make with friends or your kids; use whatever colors of yarn you like: Wrap a 12-inch round Styrofoam wreath form with yarn or fabric strips until completely covered. Make a hanger from the same fabric or two lengths of yarn, cutting and tying around the top of the wreath. Wrap twelve 4-inch and twelve 3-inch Styrofoam balls with yarn in a random pattern until completely covered; tuck the end of the yarn under the wraps. Then, using a hot-glue gun, randomly glue the 4-inch balls onto the wreath. Allow to dry until firm. Randomly glue the 3-inch balls onto the wreath, filling in any gaps.

Note: Image from allyou.com is an example and is not from the Farm Chicks book

Colorful Cone Trees
Handmade Christmas trees like these are so colorful. Group them together for a fun and cute display. They're a snap to create: Simply cover Styrofoam cones with pretty paper, yarns, greenery, or fabric strips, and hot glue in place.

All craft ideas were obtained from the Country Living The Farm Chicks Christmas by Serena Thompson

Always in spirit....

Friday, November 25, 2011

Sharing the Joy Kick-Off--Guest Post and Charity Event with Melissa Ann Goodwin

Please welcome author Melissa Ann Goodwin as our official guest for the kick-off of the 2011 Sharing the Joy event on The Christmas Spirit. Be sure to read on after the post for info on the charity event.

Keeping the Spirit
Melissa Ann Goodwin

Here we go! It’s officially the holiday season, and there’s no better place to kick it off than here on Michelle’s Christmas Spirit blog. I mean, who has more Spirit than Michelle?? What a warm-hearted, generous person she is. I can definitely add “I’m grateful for having met Michelle this year,” to my list of thankful things.

I’ve been thinking so much about gratitude lately – because of Thanksgiving, of course – but also just because I have so much for which to be grateful. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve had my share of sadness in recent times. Both my parents passed away during the last two years – my mom just this past March. But good things have happened too. I published my book and the response has been wonderful. I’ve reconnected with old friends whom I hadn’t seen or talked to in years (we’re talking 30-plus years here, folks!) I’m healthy, safe and loved. Many blessings indeed.

I’ve been thinking about those blessings as the Christmas season begins. To me, this thing we call The Christmas Spirit reflects our desire to be more selfless, patient, kind and giving – to be, in essence, our very best selves. Most of us try to rise to the occasion, we really do. But sometimes the stresses of the season make it difficult to maintain that Spirit. Because I feel so especially blessed, I want to try extra hard to keep my own Christmas Spirit alive this year. Here are a few things I came up with to help me do that:

Sincerely revel in someone else’s joy: The bounty of the universe is limitless. I think that when we can be sincerely happy for someone else’s joy, we open ourselves up to receiving more good into our own lives.

Remember that small gestures can have a huge impact: During a casual conversation with a woman today, I mentioned that my mom used to knit and that I’d always wanted to, but never got the hang of it. The lady offered to teach me. Her offer seemed like a small thing to her, but it touched me in a big way.

Appreciate the little things: When I begin my gratitude list with small things like soft pillows, warm socks or a really good cup of coffee, the abundance of my life becomes so clear. There are so many small things that make life easier, more comfortable and pleasant, and they really add up.

Do something nice for someone else every day: I can be for someone else what the lady who offered to teach me to knit was for me.

These are just a few ideas I have for keeping the Christmas Spirit alive. I hope to add to my list over the next month. I’d love to hear your ideas for helping the Spirit thrive in your heart this season.

Thank you so much, Melissa...for your kind words about me and for these lovely tips for keeping the Christmas spirit. Words to live by at Christmas and all year long, to be sure!

Melissa is the author of the middle grade novel, The Christmas Village. Read my review of this heartwarming novel that is a book the whole family can share.

***Turn off music player located at the bottom of the blog
before watching the video***

From today through Monday morning, November 28, Melissa will donate $1.75 for every paperback copy and 50 cents for every Kindle copy of her book sold during the weekend to the charity we chose in the poll (top right sidebar) and that was the Make a Wish Foundation! A big thanks to Melissa for doing this! Giving back at Christmas rocks!

You can click the banner above to check the book out on Amazon...or go HERE.

Thank you for stopping by and I hope you have a happy and joyous holiday season, keeping the spirit all season long and beyond!

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Christmas Reading Challenges!

Okay, so although I've already started reading my Christmas books, I'm just now officially signing up for my own reading challenge! Yeah, I'm pretty much late for everything. It's the cross I bear. =O(

Here are the levels for The Christmas Spirit Reading Challenge. You can read all the rest of the details HERE.
--Candy Cane: read 1 book

            --Mistletoe: read 2-4 books
            --Christmas Tree: read 5 or 6 books (this is the fanatic level...LOL!)
Additional levels:
  --Fa La La La Films:  watch a bunch or a few Christmas movies...it's up to you!
  --Visions of Sugar Plums:  read books with your children this season and share what you read
*the additional levels are optional, you still must complete one of the main reading levels above

I'll be reading at the Christmas tree level and will be doing Fa la la la films and Visions of sugar plums levels too! Here are some of the books I'll be reading:

I actually already finished and reviewed The Nine Lives of Christmas by Sheila Roberts today. Read my review HERE.

There will probably be other selections added to this list or swapped out. Never know where the mood will take me!

I'm also overlapping with this challenge:

Christmas in July in Dec., hosted by Wall-to-Wall Books Here are the details:

So here's the challenge -
*During the month of December to read only Christmas books (or as many as you can) there is no set number as to how many Christmas books you have to read. Read at least one and post about it.
*To do giveaways involving Christmas books (I have quite a few planned!) Please do at least one Christmas book giveaway for the challenge.

My first giveaway - is any Christmas book from Amazon under $10.00 - I will have it shipped to your house! You have till Nov. 30th to sign up.
Winner will be chosen and announced on Dec. 1st.
And Reading Challenge will begin Dec. 1st.
*This giveaway is for Bloggers only!
*Any Blogger who signs up to do "Christmas in July, in Dec.", and posts about it, will be entered!

Since I'm already doing a giveaway for my challenge and I'm doing another Christmas event with another blogger with a giveaway, I have that covered! However, I will not be able to read only Christmas books, as I have a few review obligations. But, as you can see above, I'm still planning on doing a lot of holiday reading. =O)

Always in spirit....

Monday, November 21, 2011

Sharing the Joy 2011...Kicks Off Friday!

It's my favorite time of year again! Time for us to share the joy of what Christmas is about. It's not just the presents and what people deem to be the commercial side of things. If we can look past all that, we can recognize the truth of giving, sharing friendship, the love of our families and spending time with them and all the fun that goes along with it. The sites and sounds of Christmas. And you don't have to be rich or spend a lot of money to enjoy it. There's free holiday music on the radio and on the online stations and there are plenty of free Christmas light displays in our local neighborhoods to marvel at. Oh, the look in childrens' eyes when they see them! Sharing the Joy here on The Christmas Spirit is my small way of spreading that joy around a little more and I really hope you enjoy it this year!

To kick-off, on Friday I will have Melissa Ann Goodwin, author of the new middle grade novel, The Christmas Village, as a guest and we have an extra special something planned. Melissa's book just came out in October and it is a lovely book to share with the family (read my REVIEW). So, from this Friday, November 25 through Monday morning, November 28, she will donate $1.75 for every paperback copy and 50 cents for every Kindle copy of her book sold during the weekend to a charity! And guess what the best part is? You get to choose the charity she will donate too! There is a little poll located toward the top of the right sidebar. Please vote for the charity to which Melissa will donate. A big thanks to Melissa for doing this! Giving back at Christmas rocks!

What else is in store this year? Giveaways, guest posts, book reviews, movie reviews, recipes, poems, literature, music, crafts...if it's Christmas, it will be here! Also, I'll be doing Christmas Around the World posts to share Christmas traditions and customs of foreign countries.

I invite any authors or bloggers out there who love Christmas to contribute a guest post, if you would like. It can be anything Christmasy...a story, poem, top ten lists, favorite things, share pics of your Christmas decor (hey, I'm going to this year) etc., etc. If you think you would like to contribute, just drop me an email at truebookaddictATgmailDOTcom.

And, of course, don't forget The Christmas Spirit Reading Challenge, which started today. You can still sign-up and participate...it runs all the way through January 6, 2012 (Epiphany/Twelfth Night). Find out the details and sign-up HERE.

So looking forward to this, as always! Hope you are too!

Always in spirit....

Monday, November 7, 2011

The Christmas Spirit Reading Challenge 2011

Welcome to the third year of hosting my Christmas reading challenge! This is the second year that I'm hosting the challenge here at The Christmas Spirit. I've added some fun levels to The Christmas Spirit Reading Challenge this year, including additional levels for watching Christmas movies and for reading childrens books for those of you who like to read with your kids. I hope you like the new additions!

Now, on to the details and sign up:

challenge will run from Monday, November 21, 2011 through Friday, January 6, 2011 (Twelfth Night or Epiphany).
cross over with other challenges is totally permitted AND encouraged!
These must be Christmas novels, books about Christmas lore, a book of Christmas short stories or poems, books about Christmas crafts, and for the first time...a childrens Christmas books level!
visit this POST for a list of new Christmas books for 2011. Two books I highly recommend for this season that I have read and reviewed...The Christmas Village by Melissa Ann Goodwin and The Reindeer Keeper by Barbara Briggs Ward (click the titles to read my reviews).
Levels:

            --Candy Cane: read 1 book
            --Mistletoe: read 2-4 books
            --Christmas Tree: read 5 or 6 books (this is the fanatic level...LOL!)
Additional levels:
--Fa La La La Films: watch a bunch or a few Christmas movies...it's up to you!
--Visions of Sugar Plums: read books with your children this season and share what you read
*the additional levels are optional, you still must complete one of the main reading levels above

the most important rule? Have fun!!!
I will have a review linky posted as a page the day the challenge starts. You will find it at the top of the right sidebar.
Sign up in the linky below (link to your post with your reading list...you can change up your list during the challenge...I just want to be able to stop by to welcome you and see what you plan to read).

GIVEAWAY!

All challenge participants in the U.S. will be entered to win a mystery box of Christmas titles handpicked by me (these will be gently used books). I will pick an additional winner from any International participants and I will purchase a book or eBook of your choice under $5.00 (U.S.) from Book Depository or Better World Books and have it shipped to you. I will verify that these retailers do indeed ship free to your country. If they do not, you will have to choose an eBook or I will choose another winner. All challenge participants will be asked to complete a wrap-up post, share it in the wrap-up linky, and include your country of residence with your name to be eligible for the giveaway. If you have any questions, please leave me a comment below.

Grab a button:

Sign Up Linky:

I have always loved the holidays, which for me is Yuletide and Halloween (I love Thanksgiving too). I try to keep the spirit going year-round, with Christmas in July in the middle of summer. What I love the most about Christmas and Yuletide are the feelings of good will and peace, and the traditions, which are the message of the season. Keeping the spirit and celebrating Yuletide all year long is the goal. Oh, and don't forget Halloween. Click the Halloween button below to check out our page. I intend to share more Halloween elements going forward. I hope you enjoy your time here! I also blog at my main blog, True Book Addict. Just click the button below the Halloween button to visit.

Scrooge was better than his word. He did it all and infinitely more; and to Tiny Tim, who did not die, he was a second father. He became as good a friend, as good a master, and as good a man, as the good old city knew, or any other good old city, town, or borough, in the good old world.

Some people laughed to see the alteration in him, but he let them laugh, and little heeded them, for he was wise enough to know that nothing ever happens on this globe, for good, at which some people did not have their fill of laughter in the outset; and knowing that such as these would be blind anyway, he thought it quite as well that they should wrinkle up their eyes in grins, as have the malady in less attractive forms. His own heart laughed; and that was quite enough for him.

He had no further intercourse with Spirits, but lived upon the Total Abstinence Principle, ever afterward; and it was always said of him, that he knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed the knowledge. May that be truly said of us, and all of us! And so, as Tiny Tim observed, God Bless Us, Every One!

from A CHRISTMAS CAROL BY CHARLES DICKENS, 1812-1870

Christmas Morning

Jo was the first to wake in the gray dawn of Christmas morning. No stockings hung at the fireplace, and for a moment she felt as much disappointed as she did long ago, when her little sock fell down because it was so crammed with goodies. Then she remembered her mother's promise, and slipping her hand under her pillow, drew out a little crimson-covered book. She knew it very well, for it was that beautiful old story of the best life ever lived, and Jo felt that it was a true guide-book for any pilgrim going the long journey. She woke Meg with a "Merry Christmas," and bade her see what was under her pillow. A green-covered book appeared, with the same picture inside, and a few words written by their mother, which made their one present very precious in their eyes. Presently Beth and Amy woke, to rummage and find their little books also,--one dove-colored, the other blue; and all sat looking at and talking about them, while the east grew rosy with the coming day.
..
from LITTLE WOMEN BY Louisa May Alcott, 1832-1888

The Magi, as you know, were wise men--wonderfully wise men--who brought gifts to the Babe in the manger. They invented the art of giving Christmas presents. Being wise, their gifts were no doubt wise ones, possibly bearing the privilege of exchange in case of duplication. And here I have lamely related to you the uneventful chronicle of two foolish children in a flat who most unwisely sacrificed for each other the greatest treasures of their house. But in a last word to the wise of these days let it be said that of all who give gifts these two were the wisest. Of all who give and receive gifts, such as they are the wisest. Everywhere they are the wisest. They are the Magi.
..
from THE GIFT OF THE MAGI BY O. Henry

Home for Christmas

This is meeting time again. Home is the magnet. The winter land roars and hums with the eager speed of return journeys. The dark is noisy and bright with late-night arrivals--doors thrown open, running shadows on snow, open arms, kisses, voices and laughter, laughter at everything and nothing. Inarticulate, giddying and confused are those original minutes of being back again. The very familiarity of everything acts like shock. Contentment has to be drawn in slowly, steadyingly, in deep breaths--there is so much of it. We rely on home not to change, and it does not, wherefore we give thanks. Again Christmas: abiding point of return. Set apart by its mystery, mood and magic, the season seems in a way to stand outside time. All that is dear, that is lasting, renews its hold on us: we are home again....

from HOME FOR CHRISTMAS BY Elizabeth Bowen, 1899-1973

Where do you think you're going? Nobody's leaving. Nobody's walking out on this fun, old-fashioned family Christmas. No, no! We're all in this together. This is a full-blown, four-alarm holiday emergency here! We're gonna press on, and we're gonna have the hap, hap, happiest Christmas since Bing Crosby tap-danced with Danny f***ing Kaye! And when Santa squeezes his fat white ass down that chimney tonight, he's gonna find the jolliest bunch of assholes this side of the nuthouse!

Clark W. Griswold in "CHRISTMAS VACATION"

Whenever I get gloomy with the state of the world, I think about the arrivals gate at Heathrow Airport. General opinion's starting to make out that we live in a world of hatred and greed, but I don't see that. It seems to me that love is everywhere. Often it's not particularly dignified or newsworthy, but it's always there - fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, husbands and wives, boyfriends, girlfriends, old friends. When the planes hit the Twin Towers, as far as I know none of the phone calls from the people on board were messages of hate or revenge - they were all messages of love. If you look for it, I've got a sneaking suspision love actually is all around.

~Prime Minister (Hugh Grant) IN "LOVE ACTUALLY"

Christmas began being celebrated on December 25 in 336 A.D. In 350, Pope Julius I declared December 25 the official date, and, in 529, Emperor Justinian declared Christmas a civic holiday. The biblical Jesus was not actually born on December 25. His birth probably took place in the summer months because shepherds and their flocks (the Nativity story portrays that they were present at the birth) would not have been roaming the hills at night in the winter. The reason the Pope chose December 25 as the official date was an attempt to incorporate the winter solstice festivals important to the cultures of pre-Christian Europe and Asia. Christian leaders believed that the best way to get the pagans to accept Christianity was to include their most deep rooted traditions in to Christian worship and celebration. Here are some popular pagan traditions that still survive today:

The Yule Log--this tradition has very deep pagan roots. The massive logs were burned in winter ceremonies in celebration of the sun. The selection of the log was crucial and included much ceremony because the log started the celebration fires and would last for the duration of the winter festival. To justify this pagan ritual, the Christian church gave it a new significance, that the fire signified the light that came from Heaven when Christ was born. The log was lit on Christmas Eve and left burning throughout the twelve days of Christmas (see below for the tradition behind the twelve days of Xmas).

Greenery--evergreens were revered by pagan people because they could stay alive during the cold dark winters. Considered magical, greenery decorated the inside and outside of houses during the winter solstice festivals. Church officials again justified the continued use of greenery by saying it symbolized Christ, who in his triumph over death gave the gift of everlasting life to the world. The most common Christmas greenery in use today: holly, ivy, mistletoe, and, of course, the most revered Christmas tree.

Mistletoe--this Christmas greenery was actually worshiped in pagan times. Druids and Romans thought it sacred, for healing and as a charm against evil. It was considered a symbol of peace; warring soldiers who found themselves under mistletoe quickly put down weapons and made a temporary truce. Ancient Britons hung mistletoe in their doorways to keep evil away. Whoever entered the house safely were given a welcome kiss--thus the custom of kissing under the mistletoe!

Sitting under the mistletoe
(Pale green, fairy mistletoe)
One last candle burning low,
All the sleepy dancers gone,
Just one candle burning on,
Shadows lurking everywhere:
Someone came and kissed me there.

Tired I was; my head would go
Nodding under the mistletoe
(Pale green, fairy mistletoe)
No footsteps came, no voice, but only,
Just as I sat there, sleepy, lonely,
Stooped in the still and shadowy air,
Lips unseen--and kissed me there.

~Walter De La Mare, 1873-1956

The Origins of Santa Claus (St. Nicholas)--as a young man, became Bishop of Myra while still a teen, earned him the nickname of Boy Bishop. Bishop Nicholas, through courage and generosity, touched the lives of many people, saving many from famine and despair. He founded an orphanage and became known for his love of and wonderful relationship with children. He was imprisoned by the Roman Empire during a time of religious persecution. He was finally reprieved by Emperor Constantine who was developing a softer attitude toward Christianity. Nicholas died on December 6 in approximately 343 A.D. (This day is still celebrated as St. Nicholas's Day in many European countries) Nicholas was very popular throughout Christendom and he was named the patron saint of children, sailors, thieves, hobos, pawnbrokers, and bankers--and also Russia, Greece, and Sicily.

A Poem Suitable for the Season

The merry halls may jingle in the good, old-fashioned way; In merriment we mingle, with the music holding sway. The "Gloria in Excelsis" is sounding everywhere, But, really, 'tisn't Christmas, if Mother isn't there. She hangs a newer halo round the mistletoe on high; A spirit of bravado drew away the weary sigh-- For sorrow is no mistress, and life lets go its fear Amid the joys of Christmas, when Mother, dear, is here. The fire upon the hearthstone lights up with ruddier glow; The laughter is more mirthsome, bubbling forth in frolic flow; The Christ Child truly comes to us, in all His heavenly cheer, If the advent of old Christmas finds mother, also, here.

~William Hopkins ..

Item: Those Inconsiderate Last-Minute Shoppers

Way of women at Christmas puzzles a woman

Why not start list now (December 5) and do your Christmas giving sensibly, with regard to feelings of others, as well as for time, strength, and money? Leaving everything until last minute makes season harder for clerks and spoils holiday!

(Headline of an article in the December 5, 1926 Providence Journal urging procrastinating wives to show a little more thought during the holiday season. The article is accompanied by an illustration of an unnamed acquaintance of the author's who "used to dread Christmas and spent the whole holiday in bed, utterly spent, and with ice-bags at her head and feet.") ..

Item: Pearl Harbor brings a different kind of Christmas

While preparations are going on here, in a mild way to be sure, due to wartime conditions, our little British cousins across the seas have not been overlooked. Old Santa, that kindly bewhiskered man, will pay them a visit through the thoughtfulness of the relief agencies here...Of the many thousands (of) toys of various types and descriptions sent across the seas by Bundles for Britain, most of them are soft dolls and animals made from scraps of materials in the sewing looms...

(The New York Times, December 21, 1941)

Item: The Choice

If Western civilization dies in a rain of nuclear explosions, it will be written in a later day that the tragedy of our century was the inability of man to apply to the problems of peace the genius that loosed a most fearful Armageddon. "Peace on earth," the angels sang 2,000 years ago, but peace today is as tremulous as thin fog at dawn along the shore...Today is a day for happiness...but we shall end by trading that happiness for horror if we cannot recapture the humility, the simplicity, the understanding, the faith, the affection, and the lack of fear that marked the shepherds who saw His tiny fists wave in the lamplight of a stable at Bethlehem.

(From an editorial in the Providence Journal, December 25, 1957)

Item: The Immigrant's Puzzlement

Understanding Santa is troublesome for Laotians on their first American Yule

Khamehanh Chantharangsy was preparing about a dozen of his fellow Laotians for their first American Christmas...They had never heard of Santa Claus...Now that the refugees are in America, he said, "We try to do everything like American...." Khamchanh interpreted [for his friend Xiong Tong]: "He says it is quite strange, quite interesting but quite impossible for this man to penetrate the roof of his house with such a large sack of toys."

(From the Providence Journal, December 24, 1976)