Nov 13 2008
Ho, Ho, Ho…. spreading a little holiday spirit
Well…it’s really not that long until Christmas! Just six weeks to go and I thought it would be a great time to start getting into the holiday spirit. One of my favorite gifts to receive is some paper crafting goodies, especially red rubber! I thought you might enjoy some of the same. Here’s what’s in my goodie bag…
- one issue of Dec 2008 Paper Crafts magazine (full of lots of great holiday project ideas)
- TWO fun Christmas stamps: Suisse Tree & Suisse Wreath
- THREE Cornish Heritage Farms Backgrounders: Reverse Dots, Fine Finials, End Block (perfect for stamping all year round)
- one package of 24 Shimmer Brads (to bling up your holidays)
So….how to win? Just comment on this blog post telling me what you do to get into the Christmas spirit! You have from now until Saturday 15th at midnight….. to comment for a chance to win. One comment per person please! I’ll be posting my winner on Sunday the 16th. Good luck!
I listen to Christmas music to get in the spirit. Our family lives about 8 hours from us and we always go there for Christmas. On the way we tune the radio to a Serius station that is just Christmas music and by the time we arrive, we are READY!!!!!! Thanks Julia.
Cheryl Sims
I, too, listen to Christmas music. But, I also change to a Christmas scented candle. The combination of the sounds and the smells of Christmas work for me every time!
I enjoy decorating my house a few weeks before Thanksgiving with the help of a Josh Groban Christmas cd blaring, a Cinnamon candle burning on the stove, and a cup of steaming apple cider to sip on. With all these things combined, I am well on my way to spreading the Christmas cheer!
What really gets me into the spirit is a decorated house. I can’t wait to bring out the decor!! Thanks for the opportunity for these goodies. Hope you’re feeling o.k. after surgery!!
Beth (mommy to a busy 5 yr old)
Hi Julia, I love to listen to Christmas music and watch old Christmas films like white Christmas or miracle on 34th st
thanks for chance to win, and I wish you an early Merry Christmas 
Also love to snuggle up watching the movies with the tree lights on
I love to start making gifts for friends and family. We have an Open house on Chrismas Eve and hope to have some small handmade ornament for everyone this year. This all means an early start. I love it.
I love starting wish lists with my kids. They have so much fun looking through all the different catalogs we get this time of year, and I love being able to shop for their favorites!
I usually do a few crafts shows at this time of year, so that helps me get in the ’spirit’–just pulling out all the Christmas supplies! and then of course once we decorate the house, that’s when i really know it’s getting close to that magical time of year! thanks for offering this great blog candy!!
One of my favorite things around the holidays is listen to Christmas music. There is such a short window of time in the year to listen to this music. So, when it is time for me to begin making Christmas cards, I turn on the Christmas tunes. I have begun making Christmas cards this week for a swap, so I have already dipped into my Christmas tunes—yeah!
I love to start baking a little early while we are decorating the tree and play Christmas music. Can’t believe it is right around the corner! Great blog candy! Thanks, Lisa Keeffe
I get into the Christmas spirit when we start decorating the Christmas tree…. It is such a moment when we open the ornament box and we decide how we are going to arrange them all. Every year without fail my husband spends hours dangling the Christmas lights…. lol. And every year without fail we mutters at how this year he will put them back into the box all wrapped up…. lol.
Thanks for the opportunity to win this awesome blog candy!
As everyone above has said, it’s listening to Christmas music that puts me in the mood. Whether it’s decorating the house or shopping at the mall, the Christmas music is all around you. This is certainly a magical time of the year!
What gets me in the mood is making my list of people to give gifts to and trying to think of a gift they will love and that has meaning to our relationship. It makes me happy to think of the smile that will spread across their face when they open the gift (hopefully
Oh look at all those goodies!!!
I too love the music,but I really get into the spirit once my shopping gets started. Which I’ll be starting this weekend!
I can’t believe how fast it is coming upon us!!! Another part of getting into the spirit is BAKING!! Yummy,but I wait to do that,cuz otherwise we’d eat them all before Christmas,,lol!
Thanks for the chance to win your holiday treats!!!
It’s Tradition to get together with my mother and daughter and my DGC to bake Christmas Cookies and make fudge! I also love it when my grandkids come over to my house because they like to help me decorate the tree (they are 4 & 7), then we’ll watch the Christmas Cartoons or it’s a Wonderful Life, Home Alone or A Christmas Story… Fa ra ra ra ra …rarara RA! I also like to put my radio on an all Christmas music format!!
Thanks for the chance at some yummy blog candy!!
Putting up decorations and making everything sparkle! I love decorating for Halloween, Thanksgiving then Christmas! It’s like a slow progression for the big one. WooHoo! I love Christmas- can you tell? Thanks for offering such cool sweets!
Christmas is my most favorite time of year. The first thing (early November)I start making my Christmas cards and making gifts for people on my Christmas list. As soon as Thanksgiving is over I am excited to start decorating (with tons of snowmen) and listening to Christmas music. I also get excited because I know I will get to see all my family to celebrate Christmas.
November starts off the Christmas season for me. My sister and I start planning menus-Thanksgiving is at my house and Christmas at hers. We usually have 8-10 people so it is fairly easy to plan. I start my cards and do some decorating for Thanksgiving and in times past have had my tree up by Thanksgiving. This year I will probably wait until afterwards and then get in gear. Will also start baking and freezing some mini breads for gifts. We usually have an open house for friends sometime in December but haven’t planned one this year due to a few health problems I love Thanksgiving and Christmas!!
I love the season! I love all the old songs. I love starting on y crafts, getting the tree out after Thanksgiving. Since the boys are married and have homes of their own I decorate by myself. My husband brings every box in and carries them back out to the garage. I get together with my mom and sisters to make fudge and hot chocolate mix to share with our siblings. The kids come home for Christmas and we go visit for New Years. We always over spend but so enjoy watching them open their gifts. My daughter in laws and I make our cards while they are home for Thanksgiving. I make crafts with the children at church and some classrooms at school. I help both church and school with their Christmas plays. I stay busy but this is my most favorite time of year. Thanks for sharing your talent with us and for sharing the great blog candy.
Christmas carols! I always have to start with the christmas music. Everything else follows.
Christmas music and christmas cookie baking. Our family has a special baking day–just mom, my sister & me. We make a lot of cookies and listen to The Messiah. Perfect music for the season!!
The best holiday spirit lift for me is to watch our grandson decorate thier tree on Thanksgiving weekend. His eyes just twinkle and his cheeks get all rosey… there is nothing like looking in the eyes of a child to re-gain your spirit.
Love your blog, ideas and new techniques that you share. If only I could CASE everything I see I would have a ton of cards done!!!!
Sandy W.
I love to listen to Christmas music, and start to do my Christmas baking!
Julia,
To get into the Christmas spirit, we go with all the little neices and nephews to watch the Santa Claus parade! The wonder and joy that they show certainly puts us in the right mood. I love the togetherness and extra family time that the holidays provide! Thanks
Cathy D
In late November, there is outdoor shopping area near me that has an event every year to kick off the holiday season. There are carolers and sleigh rides. The store have cookies & hot apple cider. Santa even makes an appearance! I can’t wait!!
Well, I love the Christmas music too. And since I’ve had children, I love to see Christmas through their eyes. THey love to go through catalogs and make their Christmas wish lists and a favorite for several years now is to go on “tours” through neighborhoods looking for Christmas lights. Christmas with munchkins is so much fun!
I have two things I have to do to get into the Christmas spirit. First, I have to watch White Christmas. And of course I have to sing along with all the songs…loudly. Even my family will watch the movie with me but they try to hush my singing. Then, I have to read the latest Cape Light Christmas Series book by Thomas Kincade and the latest Debbie Macomber Cedar Cove Christmas novel. By then, I’m ready to decorate and bake! Terry
I put on the Christmas music, warm up some apple cider, and get out my Christmas card-making supplies. It helps to have some special goodies to enjoy too!
It’s Christmas music all the way! There is nothing like Jingle Bells to make you smile and feel Christmasy
I have my radios all tuned in to a local station that plays Christmas music from Nov. 1 until Dec. 25!
All I have to do to get in the Holiday Spirit is start buying gifts. That does the trick every time. I love buying everyone gifts that I know they will love. I have the hardest time not giving everyone gifts early. -Molly B
I love to sing Christmas songs with the kids and have them start their wish lists. We also look through toy magazines so they can pick out their favorites. Decorating Christmas cookies is hilarious. Most of ours never get past there little decorating hands..go directly to the mouth once decorated just right ;-0
Hope you have a great holiday season!!
TammyM
Like everyone else, I play Christmas music!! Change the candles or fragrance plug-ins to something cinnamon smelling, go to a couple of bazaars, go to the nearest mall and look at the decorations, and…….blog hop and see all of the wonderful Christmas goodies that people are making.
Getting the stuff out to set up the tree and the lights and ornaments with my kids. I don’t mind having a fake tree because it means we can put it up earlier. Thanks for the generous giveaway. Sandra
For me, I get into the Christmas spirit by decorating my place and making Christmas cards. I love to look at the department stores’ decorated window displays.
First, I turn on the holiday tunes (I’ve started playing them already!). Then I start decorating. Usually the day after Thanksgiving here. That really puts me in the mood. It’s hard to wait when the snowflakes fly so early here.
Thanks for the chance at these wonderful goodies.
Wow Julia! Nice gift. To get into the Christmas spirit, I start Christmas shopping and decorating. I love wrapping my gifts right away and then tucking them away in a ’safe’ place. I also love listening to Christmas music and baking some cookies. Yum!
Christmas music first, then decorations and then the cookies!
Thanks for the chance to win!
I start playing Christmas music, and once I drag out the decorations, I’m really in the mood!
What a generous giveaway! Thanks for a chance to win! To get in the Christmas spirit, I start listening to Christmas music on Thanksgiving Day! We also make time to drive around and look at light displays during holiday season, and we go to the Festival of Lights at the Cincinnati Zoo.
Hmmm…. what do I do to get ready? I start by buying supplies to make holiday cards and take a family photo (usually at Thanksgiving)… then I make cards in small batches to avoid getting burned out. I can’t stand shopping so I usually do that online (we all have Amazon wish lists). I also don’t like wrapping so that usually gets done last-minute. Thanks for the opportunity to win supplies to get me started!
I like to get in the Christmas spirit by listening to christmas music, drinking hot cocoa, and making cards for the holidays… I would live to win, thanks for offering them up!
I start playing Christmas music and putting the Christmas decorations up around the house. That always makes me feel Christmasy (I know it’s not a real word but………..)
I find that listening to Christmas music does it for me. I absolutely love Christmas music and have a number of albums to listen to. Each year I add 1 or 2 to my collection - LOVE the great tunes. Thanks for a chance to win some great candy :o)
Decorating my house really does it for me. Especially decorating outside on a nice clear cold day. I sing carols to myself (because no one else should have to listen to my voice) and then go in and make hot chocolate with little marshmallows floating in it. After that I’m ready to go!
I love listening to Christmas music. It always puts me in the Christmas mood and also putting up decorations. Thanks for a chance to win this awesome blog candy.
Our church bazaar always starts off my Christmas preparations. It’s this Saturday, so I’m going to be humming Christmas carols next week!
I love getting my collection of vintage red and white quilts out for display as well as for guests to cuddle up in. Some of them were made by my great grandmother so they are highly prized. I also like to display vintage Christmas ornaments , small trees and decorations that belonged to my family when I was small. They bring back such happy memories. Have a wonderful Holiday Season.
The christmas spirit comes to our house through our stomachs. Baking, baking and more baking. All the fudge and cookies give the house such a wonderful smell and when else during the year do you go crazy making sweets? Thanks so much for the opportunity to win such an amazing blog candy.
Oh wow, what awesome goodies! What I do to get in the Christmas spirit is the Sunday after Thanksgiving, I start getting all of our decorations out of the attic and listen to Christmas music as my family all goes through them.
Oh my, those are some awesome goodies. I get in the spirit by beginning my cooking. I only make fudge and certain cookies and candies at Christmas so that gets me thinking about the holiday. And of course, those tapes and CDs come out and really get things started.
I listen to Christmas music while I get out the decorations, too. What a great goodie bag!!
Christmas music, Christmas get-togethers, Santa Claus parades, cookies & hot chocolate, shopping. seeing all the Christmas lights….so much puts me in the spirit of Christmas. I love this time of year! Such a fabulous time filled with fun & family!!
Oh, and thanks for the chance at the fabulous giveaway!!
great prizes! To get in the Christmas spirit I love to make cookies. Any kind is great but i really love short bread at xmas time. I also get out all my holiday scrap stuff and put it in a Christams basket. This really gets me in the mood to make Chrismas cards
I get in the spirit by recalling memories while hanging handmade ornaments by my children( they are grown now) on the tree.I still set out the photo of them sitting on Santa’s lap that they had taken as young teenagers and presented to me as a gift.I smile every time I see it.
My mother in-law gave me a table runner that I have had family sign at Christmas dinners past which I cherish, especially as some of those family members are not with us now. My grandfathers neat tiny signature and my mother’s beautiful handwriting bring back so many warm memories. As soon as I start unpacking them I get into the holiday spirit.
Starting on my Christmas cards while playing Christmas music does the trick every time too. Thanks for the pleasant thoughts,now I am in the mood! Thanks for the blog candy as well.
I get in the Christmas spirit by starting my Christmas cards and listening to music. Thanks for a chance to win. Rosemary
Well, not sure which is the main thing. But, just reading all these blogs with all the cool ideas sure puts you in the mood esp when the weather has turned cold here and the leaves have fallen. A little music to put me in the mood and the computer and I am right there. Then, walking the dog on our town square with all the lights on the buildings and all the store fronts decorated - it is hard not to be in the mood! Ummm, some hot chocolate sounds good about now too. Then, I went to a stamp a stack of XMAS cards last week and we had the best time and there were even a few flakes outside as we stamped away. They were snowflakes by the way! Anyway, I just love your creations! Oh, and then the magazines with all the holiday stuff in them including lots of stuff for all my Jewish friends too. I guess I am a magazine junkie esp. at this time of the year. I am going nuts with all the neat holiday stamps out and have a case of the “I wants!” Thanks for a chance to win!
My favorite task to get ready for Christmas is baking! I really get in the spirit when I am baking batches of cookies, breads and candies. Of course the pay off is…..sampling! Great giveaway…as usual I can ALWAYS add to my collection of rubba!
Christmas music does it to me, too! I crank is up and start crafting and decorating.. I then get in the mood to do a little shopping
I play Christmas music all day long! I bake a ton, make my Christmas Card list and Christmas gift list. I also decorate as early as possible. But my husband won’t let me do it before Thanksgiving!
Great Prizes! Thanks for sharing.
Denise G
I enjoy baking cookies (usually just some tollhouse choc chip) and listening to Christmas music. I also like to burn candles with traditional winter scents.
To get into the Christmas spirit I bake Christmas cookies. They are cookies that are the same ones that my dad made when we were kids. I, also, make candy. Same recipes from when I was a kid. I decorate the house and decorate outside. I listen to Christmas music…my favorite album is by Johnny Mathis. It is such a magical time of the year and one that is fun to share with others. Hope you have a wonderful Christmas season!!
Hi Julia!! Hope all is well with you! You have been cranking out the most beautiful cards and projects!! I love them all.
My Fall wreath comes down Hallowe;en night and my Christnas wreath goes up November 1st.
All my Christmas decs are up the first week of November.
The season is so short and so full of busyness (is that a word?)
that I like to enjoy it for awhile!!
Have a great evening!!
Janine
I love to bake and listen to Christmas music, especially at the same time! Thanks for the chance to win such awesome goodies!
Christmas music and decorating get me in the mood. Plus wearing some of my fave Christmas clothes.
this is AMAZING blog candy! wowzers!
I love pulling out the Christmas music and baking cookies. There’s nothing better than that to me!
Yummy candy!!!! Thanks for sharing!
I love this time of year. The boys and I read one of our favorite Christmas stories, “Cosmic Christmas” by Max Lucado and I love listening to Christmas music…A little Bing Crosby…please. =)
Thanks for a chance to win!
I love holiday music and getting out all my Christmas stuff to decorate the house. I love when it’s all decorated, I just hate when it’s time to put in all away! By then I would love to hire someone to put it all away!! Thanks for chance to win!! I love your blog!!
Decorate the house, listen to Christmas music and purchasing gifts for my grandchildren.
WOW !! What great presents you give!!!
I usually get in the Christmas spirit at the end of November when I start Christmas caroling with an agency. We wear victorian costumes and stroll around malls, corporate foyers, private parties and Santa claus parades. It’s a lot of fun and each time the members of the quartet may be different. it is so nice to catch up on everyone’s lives after a year. This year I’ll be starting early by doing a gig this weekend! Can you imagine?! Better get out my doiley hat!
Thank you for all your shared inspirations…..
To start off the holiday season we have a Christmas Bazaar For which I do alot of cards and homemade baking. I also love the beautiful Christmas music. I love your site and sometimes case your beautiful cards. Thanks for this chance to win. Nellie
WOW!! Look at you, that’s so nice. You’re such a sweet person.
I love helping people plan for the holidays, get ahead on their lists, and helping them clean… I try to do a little of this for each of my friends, as we don’t celebrate Christmas, but rather Hannukah — so I go around spreading Christmas cheer for those who are feeling totally overwhelmed. I even try to take folks to mass on Christmas eve, who might otherwise have a hard time getting there. And, if they need days off or babysitting to get ready, go shopping, or whatever, I try to fill in as I can!
Cheers! and thanks for the chance to win!
Decorate, Decorate, Decorate & Play Christmas music but only after Thanksgiving.
I will pull out the Christmas CD’s, have the kids start making their lists, and look for some yummy menus for the entertaining days ahead! What a great bunch of treats for your readers! Thanks much for the chance to win something soooo fun!
Whoa! Looks like a stamper could do some creative Christmas card making with these blog goodies.
Thank you very much for the opportunity to win!
Like others, I like to put on Christmas music, especially The Nutcracker. I’ve gotten into the holiday spirit by pulling together all of my holiday papers, embellies, ribbons, stamps, etc. into my center island so it is the first thing I see when I walk into my craft room. Thanks for the chance to win such an awesome package of goodies!
I buy presents, presents, presents, and then forget where I hid them………
I play Christmas music….as soon as I can…..like the minute Thanksgiving dinner is over. I play Christmas music in the house, in the car, and non stop. Plus, I sing along……and I don’t care what anyone says! I usually have a favorite song each year that I sing over and over again….last year was SANTA BABY. The year before was the DRUMMER BOY. Wonder what this year will be?
Well, to get into the Christmas spirit I hop in the car with the family and we ride around in search of tacky Christmas lights - like the houses that put up lots and lots and lots and lots of lights and stuff?! And the tackier the better - it does get me in the Christmas mood.
Christmas music, without a doubt! And I love to watch White Christmas with Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye and Rosemary Clooney. Thanks for the chance to win such generous goodies!
Thanks Julia…what a nice offer! You are just too sweet! As always, I really appreciate the inspiration, I have been checking your blog just about daily!
Baking shortbread cookies and watching Holiday Inn with my husband.
Thanks for your generosity in your offer,
Cheers,
Chriss
On the day after Thanksgiving, I start making my homemade caramels to give as gifts to family,friends, and co-workers.
I started this “tradition” about 20 years ago and no one will let me quit!
Ohhhhh some great blog candy! I hope I win. To get in the Christmas spirit I play Christmas music. It also helps to make some cute Christmas cards. lol
Robbie
I love to check out the Christmas decorations in stores…just browsing what others have put together and then heading over to see the craft stores to see what I can put together, too!
Lovely creative candy! Thanks for the chance Julia!
My friend and I have a tradition of heading downtown Montreal to do a little Christmas shopping every November or early December. We get into the Holiday spirit because EVERYTHING is decorated, lit up, Christmas music is playing, and of course we have to stop and enjoy Ogilvy’s shop window, which is decorated with a mechanical santa’s village and lovely decorations! We stay downtown until dark, because it is magical at night!
smiles,Deena
WOW..what a great prize!! Playing Christmas music definitely gets me in the Christmas mood! My favorite CD to start off is Garth Brooks “Beyond the Season” and Manheim Steamroller too! Of course a little shopping before the rush always gets me in the mood too!
Wow!!! What a bounty of goodies Julia. Thanks for the opportunity to win.
To get in the festive mood I start by making Christmas Cards, next is the Christmas music and then the decorating from 1st Dec.
Luv Sandie
Oh yummy giveaway Julia…thanks for the op 2 win. Getting in the Christmas spirit for me is as easy as putting on some Chrissy music….love it and always gets my toes tapping and me singing along:0)
Decorating my house is one of the ways for me to get into the Christmas spirit; but having my granddaughter come over and help put the oranaments on the Christmas tree always gets me in the Christmas spirit.
I think that I feel like getting into the spirit of Christmas by listening to some classic Christmas music and when the decorations go up it really starts to come together.
Thanks for a chance to win some great candy…I love your blog and check it out everyday.
Hi Julia!
I love getting into the Christmas spirit looking through all of the Christmas editions of my favorite magazines like MSL. Watching all of the Christmas stamp releases and cards is really putting me in the mood too.
Thanks for all the inspiration and the chance to win some Christmas Candy!
Christmas spirit stars in our house by going to our towns Santa claus parade, which is this Saturday. Then I get in the mood to start the season!
What gets me in the Christmas spirit is baking cookies. My mom, grandmother, sisters & I would starts the day after Thanksgiving and bake for 3 days. This was a tradition for years. Now that my mom & grandmother have passed on I try to keep this tradition going with my daughter. We listen to “Hard Candy Christmas” by Dolly Parton (my mothers favorite), remenisce a little (and cry a bit every now & then) and then we start baking. It’s the one thing that really gets us in the mood for the holidays and lets us share memories of my mother with each other. Family tradtions are very important to us and we’ve even made a few of our own over the past few years. I hope this brings back some long ago memories for you. Have a great Holiday Season!
You know, I don’t usually have to do much to get into the Christmas spirit - it usually finds me and hits me over the head with a resounding thud! But, if I do need a little persuading, there’s nothing like making cookies while listening to Christmas carols to get the holiday mojo going! Thanks for this opportunity! Becky G.
Christmas carols, Holiday oils in tealight burners and putting up my Nativity Set and village (20 years growing) and a cheery wall quilt gets the feeling from wall to wall in our home. Then I go like a mad-woman on gifts for those I love (not big into buying - but rather stamping, crafting, weaving, sewing or baking most gifts) and getting them ready. Lasagne on Christmas Eve is a long-standing tradition and we open our home to anyone who wants to come. 3 of our girls are are grown and live away from home, but we still have a daughter who is 4 this year (a caboose!) and I really look forward to making these memories with her.
I love working on Christmas gifts for family and friends while listening to Christmas music. I have a favorite scented candle I like to burn during December so that scent really helps me too! Thanks for offering the great prize!
All I have to do is walk into Parsons’ and look at their absolutely gorgeous Christmas trees and decorations and I’m ready to fly home and start decorating/crafting/wrapping/shopping.
I see I’m not alone in my need for Christmas music and scented candles…;) I also start hitting the local craft fairs which really pop up this time of the year. A little snow helps too.
Oh I love to listen to Christmas music and I love decorating with live greenery - it smells so good - and buring a christmas candle always helps - I love to burn candles that smells like sugar cookies or pine!! mmmm….!! I also love to make Christmas cards - with glitter!! Glitter really makes it feel official to me :)! Oh and of course wrapping presents - I love, love, love to sit down in the evening with a big cup of hot cocoa all the gifts spread out across the floor, some christmas music playing in the background while I wrap gifts. Thanks for the chance at your awesome RAK!!
P.S. Happy Holidays!!
Most definitely, Christmas music puts me in the holiday spirit. I also love when my town decorates main street. And now, with it getting dark out earlier, the twinkling lights on the trees and wreaths bring a smile to my face and remind me to enjoy the season. Thanks for the chance to win!
Thanks for the chance to win! I love Christmas, it is my favorite time of year. I get into the mood for Christmas by enjoying Christmas music. Also, since our kiddos are still young…shopping for them is a bunch of fun too!
I usually dont get into the mood of Christmas until I start decorating the house. Something about the smell of a fresh pine tree and the twinkle of lights that puts the Christmas spirit in my home. Another thing that gets me in the mood is making hot chocolate for the kids, sitting around, taking out the nativity set and talking about the birth of Christ!
Thanks for a chance at getting some new goodies! Merry Christmas
I start listening to Christmas music early and also plan my Christmas card list, photo of my kids and start writing my year re-cap letter to include in my cards. This year, I’ve had lots of downtime to do all that b/c I am 11 wks pregnant and have been sick in bed for 5 wks. I totally missed fall (my favorite season) and am hoping to feel better by Christmas so thoughts of the holiday season help to lighten my mood
Thanks for the chance to win some goodies!!
To get in the Spirit of things i get out my Christmas cookbook and search for all the family favourites..then i arrange the family bake off for the first weekend of Dec. When we get together we play christmas carols and wear funky christmas hats. We bake like elves all day and at the end of the night we do the ultimate packing. It is a fun way to get going…we also get togther for the annual christmas card make off..it runs the same way too.
Thanks for your super ideas.
Merry Christmas
Jesus is the reason for the Season:)
Going to the stores and seeing the decorations and buying some new stuff. Also making my Christmas cards. Crossing my fingers for good luck on winning some great goodies.
I get my baking mojo working and bake the bestest double chocolate chip cookies fro the Better Homes& Garden cookbook- they call them Fudge Ectasies…
Listening to Christmas music and getting Christmas cards ready to send out. All I need is a now is little snow!
I like to boil cinnamon sticks and cloves on the stove - it smells like Christmas! Just keep adding water or it will make one huge mess, don’t ask me how I know this
Suzy
I get a bag of my favourite apple cinnamon potpourri out, and put it out in my pretty basket to freshen up my entryway. I hang a couple of handmade wintery welcome signs, and light up a couple of candles. This is the beginning of the season for me. I like to make my Christmas cards, so I throw the iPod on the dock and play some Christmas music while I’m creating, and it totally gets me “in the mood”!
I usually play Christmas music and burn candles that smell like cinnamon. I love walking through the stores just to lok at all the festive decorations. Thanks for something to get us in the mood.
dkrodahl@wiktel.com
I play Christmas music and make Christmas cookies to get in the Christmas spirit.
I get in the Christmas spirit by making Christmas present lists and my baking list. Then I start getting the house ready to decorate! Thanks for the chance to win!
I like to take holiday pictures of the boys around the neighborhood to get into the christmas spirit and my Mom likes to bake holiday cookies… Thanks for hosting the nice holiday goody bag. take care and blessings, dawn g
I’m actually looking forward to bringing “the kids” to see santa arrive tomorrow in town…love seeing and hearing their excitement and just building on that with panto’s and plays and lots of parties!! bx
Oh Wow this would be a wonderful start to Christmas presents
I would say after thanksgiving I start by putting up the Christmas tree and that just starts the ball rolling, gets me all excited to get the rest of the decorations out and get our home all festive 
It is usually not until the Christmas eve service do I really feel the true spirit!
Hi Julia,
I guess the first thing is when i get out my Christmas stamps and papers to start creating!
Decorating the house whilst listening to an old Phil Spector CD, and then seeing my Granddaughter’s eyes light up every time she visits, because i’ve added even more pretty things around the house
Thank you for a chance at this wonderful pile of goodies
Hugs
Carol x
What a fun goodie bag! I like to start making Christmas lists and finding new recipes to try. That usually gets me in the holiday mood! I can’t believe how fast this month is moving along already! Thanks for the beautiful inspiration!
I start decorating the house and put the tree up. That’s about all it takes and I’m in the mood! I love shopping as long as I have some ideas and love the happy attitudes of people on the street.
That’s a great goodie bag, Julia! TFS!
simple- stamp and shop!!! How could you not get the Christmas Bug that way?????
Wow! Great loot! I think I’m with the majority. Putting Christmas music on gets me in the mood to do whatever holiday activity I need to complete - wrapping gifts, baking holiday food, making Christmas cards in October…whatever it is I need to do, music makes me do it.
I love Christmas! There are so many things I do to get into the spirit. Read the story - to myself or the kids - love the story, get out the decos, buy pressies, consider wrapping colours, listen to carols.
i listen to music. but it’s not too difficult to get into the christmas spirit here in the philippines. as early as september, people start putting up the decors.
To start the christmas spirit, I love to use candles with pine fragance through the living room and kitchen. Making the christmas list and taking out my nativity sets! this year I will do a christmas countdown mini board. thanks for the opportunity of winning those beautifull gifts!
I usually start with Christmas decorations and music. Then, if I have time, I start making gifts and cards.
i put up the advent calendar my father and i made for my children December 1st. and then every thing starts falling into place. the decorating, baking, cards, parties. i like to make gifts too, but it has to be someone who is going to appreciate my effort. so if you ever get a gift from me, it’s because i know you’ll appreciate the time and effort.
Like so many others, listening to Christmas music gets me going for Christmas, as well as bringing out all the decorations and planning recipes and packaging for Christmas baking. Thanks for the chance to win such a generous goody bag! I love reading your blog.
At home, I’m beginning the decorating, finishing card making, etc.
I have a cookie recipe that I make in early December so I’m preparing for that….I made 110 dozen last year as gifts…..my husband’s employee’s got 50 dozen of them….(recipients ask for them all year, but they are a Christmas only recipe…..although my son thinks I should go commercial with them.)
This year my son’s best friend is getting married the Saturday after Thanksgiving and we’re doing his cake as a gift.
Oh, and did I forget to say that I teach and will be giving final exams in the middle of it all…..
Best wishes to you all.
For me it’s holiday music. I upload my Christmas mix to my iPod and start singing along.
To get into the Christmas spirit, I start by listening to Christmas music. From there, it’s getting the Christmas lights up outside (never my favourite job since I’m afraid of heights!) and making Christmas cards. Once the cardmaking starts, I’m really into the Christmas mode!
I have to put on some Christmas music. Awesome candy. Thanks for a chance to win.
I start doing Christmas baking and listen to Christmas music. Getting one job done - and a major one at that - gets me into the spirit of the season!
I got all the stuff to make my candies yesterday, and my cards are almost done in my head…:0) LOL
reflections:0)