Welcome to the weekend, my friends! We have a lot of great stuff to chat about this week. Grab a cup of coffee or tea and put up your feet for a moment.
Did you see that we’re going to help some families this Christmas? We’re doing our best to spread some Christmas cheer this holiday season with (3) $500 giveaways for families in need. And I need your help finding the families!
If you know a family in need, please nominate them. The nomination form must be filled out to be considered. Email entries and FB messages will not count as nominations. Get all the details HERE.
Today, for the eighth week of the 12 Weeks of Christmas Giveaways, I’m mixing it up a bit. Last week’s Cedar & Thread Instagram giveaway (for local followers) was a popular one! So, I decided to do a bonus giveaway for another $100 gift card, so that everyone can participate in this one.
I really enjoy shopping at Cedar and Thread and the owners are terrific people. I highly recommend checking them out in person or online for your Christmas shopping and holiday decorating! (Not sponsored at all, I just really like the shop!) If you happen to be local, you’ll be able to pick up your gift card in the store, but if you’re anywhere else – you’ll be able to shop online or over the phone.
To be entered, leave a comment on THIS BLOG POST telling me when (or if) you decorate for Christmas. The winner will be selected on Tuesday, November 24, 2020 at 11:59pm EST.
Here’s the lucky winner’s comment:
ON THE BLOG this week: My entire family gives this Hearty Pepper Chili two thumbs up. I’ve made this chili countless times over the past five years, and we especially love to have this stashed in the freezer for easy lunches.
Tangy, flavorful Ranch Dip that you can make from scratch in just 5 minutes! Whether we are snacking on fresh vegetables, dipping roasted potatoes and Southwest Chicken Bites into this ranch, or tossing it with a salad, this quick and easy homemade ranch dip is a staple in our lives year round.
White Chocolate Caramel Fudge filled with pecans and swirled with caramel might be the ultimate treat for a holiday tray. This is another quick and easy 5 Minute Fudge Recipe that is perfect for any occasion.
What I’m CRAVING: Christmas Sugar Cookies! My friend Katrina has the best recipe for cut out cookies that I have ever made – or ever tasted. These buttery, lightly sweet, tender (yet sturdy) cookies are almost ridiculously easy to make and I just plain love them. We’ve been making these cookies for at least 5 years now, probably longer… and they always turn out perfectly.
I’m repeating My FAVORITE THING this week because I messed up the link to my robe! Several of you emailed me for that link and I don’t want any of you to miss out. This robe is not fancy at all, but I truly love it.
It is awesomely lightweight with a great hem length and sleeve length. And it gets bonus points for a wide tie that is stitched down on the back of the robe, so it always lays flat and is flattering.
What I’m WATCHING: Christmas Contract. I am a sucker for the Hallmark-style Christmas movies – even the cheesiest of them. Knowing that it all is going to work out in the end, that everyone will get their Merry Christmas love story? That’s my kind of holiday fun. I’m super happy to see these movies popping up on Amazon already. Please send me all of your favorite cheesy Christmas movie recommendations!
What I’m READING: The 20th Victim by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro. I’ve read all of the Women’s Murder Club books and enjoyed them all. This wasn’t my favorite of the series, it was a little slower than usual, but it was a good read and I still wholeheartedly recommend these books. If you haven’t yet started this awesome series yet, you’ll want to start with the first book.
“It’s not how much we give but how much love we put into giving.” – Mother Theresa
Wishing you a beautiful week full of little things that make you smile!
Mary
Martie Price says
We decorate for Christmas on Black Friday. I’ve never been one for navigating big crowds at shopping centers – and it’s nice to spend time together getting house ready and nibbling leftovers. Thanks for great blog and fantastic recipes! Happy holidays!
Linda Little says
I always decorate the Sunday before Thanksgiving, so tomorrow it will be! 🎄🤶🎅
Carol says
I was going to start decorating for Christmas this week, but, I am experiencing some mobility issues so I may not be able to. Or, I may not do as much. Time will tell after Thanksgiving.
Ruth says
WE decorate our Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving. We can enjoy it entire Christmas season.
Paige Davis says
I love to wait and decorate the day after Thanksgiving!
Tina rea says
I like to put my christmas decorations up day after halloween..
Kate says
Growing up my family always decorated the evening after Thanksgiving, Black Friday evening. We were always exhausted hauling boxes of lights, ornaments and trees from the attic after shopping in the wee hours of the morning with mom and grandma. Now that I have a family of my own, I’m much more efficient, skipping the whole early morning shopping and checking out online deals. Leaving much more time for Christmas decorating with my family on this day, happy and rested and thankful!
Joyce Szymanski says
We do our Christmas decorating in phases starting with the outdoors in mid November and finish up with the inside decorations just before Christmas. It helps to build the excitement of celebrating the birth of our Savior.
Debbie W. says
I wait until the weekend after Thanksgiving to decorate for Christmas. Last week here in Ohio the weather was unusually warm and a lot of people put up their decorations. I might come to regret that!
Helen says
I love Christmas and I decorate every Christmas..my lights are on now..
Vicki Skonieczny says
We always get our Christmas tree the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Then the decorating can begin!
Neva says
My husband will put up outside Christmas lights day before Thanksgiving. So we’re ready to turn them on December 1st. The inside Christmas decorating starts day after Thanksgiving.
Deb says
I decorate the weekend after Thanksgiving if I am in town which I will unfortunately be this year. (Can’t meet my new granddaughter) because of COVID
Cynthia Van Camp says
I usually decorate slowly starting on Dec 1st. It’s myself and my husband but I still like to see the decorations. Makes me happy if no one else.
Pam Schneider says
I decorate usually before Thanksgiving. Sadly I don’t feel much like decorating this year. I lost my best friend who was my soul mate and Christmas just will never be the same. Your blog is a bright spot for me these days so thank you for it.
Robbie Hoffman says
We usually start decorating the day after Thanksgiving. However, this year since my husband and I will be alone for Thanksgiving due to trying to stay safe from the virus, we started to do some decorating.
I have put up my Christmas shower curtain and towels, etc. in the bathroom and Christmas quilt in our bedroom. We plan on putting up the tree the day after Thanksgiving. We have been married 50 years and this is the first Thanksgiving we will be spending it by ourselves…so sad!
Kim says
Will be putting up the tree this weekend. Need some sparkle around here.
Amy Cooley says
I put my Christmas decorations up last weekend. I’m a week earlier than usual and I love it! I like to enjoy the holidays as long as possible.
Sally says
I love the chicken bite recipe. I hope you continue all these good things.
Linda Carter says
Hi we decorate the day after thanksgiving
Lis Anna-Langston says
Before Thanksgiving!