I came across this wonderful 12 Days of Christmas Blog Challenge over at Abbey’s blog threecatsandagirl earlier this month. It was originally introduced by abbeycoseattle when she presented it on her blog. As soon as I saw this, I knew that it would be so much fun. It’s exactly what I’ve been looking for to share some Christmas cheer on my blog. I’d like to say thanks to both of these wonderful ladies!
~Rules~
- Link back to Abbey’s original post here so that way she can see who all is joining and she can follow along.
- Link back to any one of my posts in the challenge so that way I can follow along too
- Save the image and join in for the fun!
12 Days of Christmas
Today is the final day of the 12 Days of Christmas Blog Challenge. Christmas has come and its already passed. I can’t believe it. I’ll admit that I’m both excited for the New Year, yet saddened because I don’t want it to be over. I love this time of year.
For day 12 the question is: What is Christmas Like Where You Live?
I live close to Lake Michigan which means Christmas is generally frigid, in fact, it’s near zero degrees this morning and it’s very white outside! Growing up in this geographical location meant a white Christmas nearly every year.
Where I live there are many Christmas activities to participate in. Roughly 30 minutes from our house is a designated area where everyone decorates their homes with stunning Christmas lights. You can simply drive through the neighborhoods or even get out and walk through all the decorations if it’s not too cold. It really is a site to see.
A few years ago, we went to Chicago and visited Winter Wonderfest at Navy Peer. That was fun! You get to make a cookie, ice skate, visit all the different vendors and witness tons of Santa’s from around the world. There are even a few rides and a train for the kids to ride. Chicago in the winter is splendid. They don’t call it the windy city for nothing, even though that’s not why Chicago earned that name. 😁
In our town there are many churches that offer Christmas Eve candlelit services where you can go and sing with others. There’s also a tree lighting where all the different community groups decorate their own tree. It’s so much fun to stand in the park and wait for lights to come on. Then Santa shows up with the parade and you can chat with him. After, everyone gathers at the fire dept. for hot chocolate and cookies. It’s a fun community event.
At my house, Christmas starts on Thanksgiving day. We put up decorations and watch the parades. It brings in the Christmas spirit and the rest if the month we listen to Christmas music, watch Christmas movies, read Christmas books, make Christmas cookies and do Christmas crafts–pretty much everything Christmas. On Christmas day we open gifts, eat lots of food, and enjoy family time together.
New York cherry cheesecake – It was delicious!
Deviled eggs – A holiday staple
Over the season, we do as many Christmas activities as we can. After all, Christmas comes but once a year, which leads me to this song by Amos Milburn.
The pictures are so lovely!! It sounds like a wonderful Christmas time around you! Hope you had a wonderful day!❤️
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Thank you, Abbey! You too! 😉❤
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Sounds like you had a wonderful Christmas! The deviled eggs look delish!
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It was delightful, Vanessa! I hope you had a wonderful Christmas too! ❤
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Christmas is chilly in the Piedmont of North Carolina and there’s rarely a snowfall for the holiday. It was a huge surprise when we had a few inches of snow two and a half weeks ago. But, snow doesn’t last long here because the temperature usually recovers quickly. Two days before this Christmas the temperature was in the high sixties. This is a huge contrast for me because I lived the first half of my life in Michigan. Like you, I know what it means to have heavy snowfalls that don’t melt for weeks. Snow definitely is beautiful and it’s a joy for kids which I remember well!
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Wow! I wasn’t aware NC had snow. It seems so rare that far south. We used to always have a white Christmas, but it’s hit and miss now with many mild winters. If everything is going to look dead outside, I just assume it be white! Lol 😉 The snow is definitely great entertainment too. Hope you had a Merry Christmas! Thanks for sharing, David. ❤
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Love the photos! They’re wonderful. 🙂 I also live in Michigan so we had a frigid white Christmas as well. 😛
That cherry cheesecake looks divine. I love cheesecake. Deviled eggs are a holiday staple for my family as well. 🙂 I hope your Christmas was absolutely wonderful. ❤
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Thank you! 😉 I hope you had a wonderful Christmas as well! Happy New Year. 😉❤🎄
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Our years near Lake Michigan are memorable for the cold winds and heavy snows. Metro Detroit has less snow for sure! 13 degrees today, though, the coldest day of 2017!
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I love a cold and snowy winter, Nancy! Hope you’re holidays were grand!
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Such fantastic photos!! I bet you had a wonderful Christmas with your family ❤
I like quiet, cozy Christmas. The candlelit service sounds just fabulous!! Spending Christmastime in the U.S. is now in my bucket list!!!
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Thank you, Noriko. It was wonderful! I hope you had a great one too. ❤ On my bucket list is New York City at Christmastime. I’ll get there one day! Happy New Year, sweet friend! 🎄😉
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Beautiful post. Lovely photos. Wonderful traditions.
I feel the same as you do, excited for the new year but a little sad that the big day has come an gone. Only once for the year is what makes it so special after all. 🙂
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That’s so true–that once a year is what makes it so special. Thank you for that reminder. I hope yours was grand! Happy New Year! 😉🎄💚
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It was. And we had that same discussion with our six year old when he told us he was feeling ‘so sad’ at 7 pm because Christmas was almost over 😄
Happy New Year to you too.
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Exactly. We have that conversation every year and I always remind my kids of the real reason we celebrate Christmas in the first place. It’s TOO easy to get caught up in all the material things. Not saying that’s what’s happening with yours, but it does happen with mine. 😊 I do enjoy the gift-giving though and look forward to that part every year. 💖
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Lol. It’s only natural. We just remind them a couple times for the day about the ‘reason for the season’. It sticks in their heads somewhere in the middle of all the presents. 😄
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😄😉💖
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Sounds so fun! I hope you had a great Christmas!
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Thanks, Charlotte! You too! 😉❤
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I agree with David. I can still remember, as a child, being out in the snow with my sister and brother and all I had on was a coat over my clothes and shorts, no jeans or pants. Yikes! Lol. Back then my mom didn’t fret too much about the ‘little’ things. The snow was extreme back then. I think global warming has taken a bit of a tole on that. Nice post Jen! I really enjoyed the pics, especially of Cynder and Bowie. The pup is truly enjoying her first snow.
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