Disclosure: it’s hot in Florida and I am desperately trying to get into the holiday spirit. Hallmark provided me with items for this post as well as the Christmas magic that’s about to explode in my household. I am not in the holiday spirit. The high tomorrow will be 85 degrees and that’s only because Tom Terry refused to put in the 87 degrees that they predicted, citing that it’s December. I love that man. Thanks, Tom! You see my dilemma, right? I’m supposed to drink hot cocoa while dressing my tree. Since the weather is not helping, I’ve come up with some neat ways to get myself into the spirit. The  first place I go? Hallmark, of course!
Are You There Santa? Come in!
I got a little giddy when I saw this beauty. It has been resting for the right moment to make it’s appearance. With thanksgiving, birthday celebrations and all that jazz at the end of November, I always have to trickle out the goodies. In the morning, we will tune in to Santa! It will be a special treat since we had to use the magical elf recovery kit on Yandelina yesterday (don’t ask). The frog princess has been wanting to interact with Santa  a little more and I think this is the perfect build up to our visit (she has not met him yet!). With this awesome looking retro communicator, you can dial in to the North Pole each day, from December 1st through Christmas, one of many North Pole characters, including Santa, will come in loud and clear.
Cards
Nothing says Christmas like cards to me. I normally collect them and show them off then pack them away for next year. It’s great to look back and see some of the great messages sent from the year before. You know how much I love a handwritten card. As usual, my biggest problem is that after I buy them, I tend to not want to send them out because the cards are so beautiful. Is that wrong?
Keepsake Books!
I fell in love with the collection last year and this time around, I get to share a brand new story with the frog princess: Santa and the Christmas Eve Flight! When you read this story aloud, Santa chimes in with a special question or choice for your child to make. Your answer will trigger an appropriate response from Santa and help the big guy on his Christmas Eve trip around the world. Um…YEAH! This reminds me of our Bell plush and storybook (which we still interact with and read, by the way). This book is sure to get you into the spirit if you aren’t already there!
Ornaments!
You know the frog princess picks one keepsake ornament every year. I’m trying to figure out which one will be her favorite when we trim the tree. I’m guessing she will want me to get her Sebastian since The Little Mermaid is her new favorite thing. Or maybe the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. Personally, I’d like Disco Ball Mike OR…are you ready for this? Rainbow Brite! I already kinda got the Yoda one too. I’m really wondering if I can just skip the balls and decorate in these ornaments. I could do it! Or maybe this year, I won’t let her pick and will choose Like Mother, Like Daughter. Seriously folks? Tell me that isn’t precious? Of course, I will probably have to bring home each. and. every. princess for her this year. But I don’t mind. As long as I sneak this Mockingjay ornament in for myself. The thing I love about Hallmark is that I make memories. Beautiful, sweet memories. Whether I’m sending out a handwritten card (that you might get late, by the way. What do they say about the thought?), bringing home the magic of the season with special messages from Santa or adding an ornament to our collection that I hope she will share with her kids, the bottom line is that I am creating memories with my girl. Sweet, beautiful memories that will be imprinted in our hearts for years to come. And I am always happy that Hallmark gives me the tools to help make that happen.
The Giveaway
Here it is, short and sweet tell me, do you have any traditions in your family around trimming the tree or ornaments? Enter to win a North Pole Communicator and an assortment of cards.
Disclosure: I was provided a communicator, ornament, assorted cards Keepsake book to review. All opinions and love of Hallmark are purely my own.
Love it!
Our family holiday tradition consists of picking out a very special holiday ornament each year and hanging it on the tree together. We just take a day, turn up the Christmas music, drink some hot chocolate and decorate the tree as a family. Always so much fun!
Well if we’re talking about Christmas traditions in DR, is fun, fun, fun ….food, drink, music, parrandas, drink, more food and drinks. But what I cherish the most is la cena de Noche Buena.
we always trim my moms tree together as a family after thanksgiving dinner.
rypm25@aol.com
I had some great holiday traditions until we got divorced and the kids all grew up. I’m starting new one’s with my 6 yr. old Grandson who I have been raising for the past 5 1/2 yrs.
we all get together pop popcorn and make hot chocolate, while decorating the tree
This is my first year celebrating Christmas! I have always secretly wanted a tree, but as Jewish person, this was always a big “no-no” in my family. As an adult I have decided it’s OK to decorate for this American holiday…Christmas doesn’t have to be all about religion and I would be sooooo excited to win! I am ready to start my own traditions, in my own way! 🙂
I usually do the lights, then the family takes there turn putting ornaments on while we cheer them on and listen to Christmas music.
the whole family decorates the tree
Yep gotta decorate the tree every year on the first of December
We discuss memories about the ornaments as we decorate the tree.
We like to put up the ornaments together as a family.
I think the only tradition we have as far as our tree goes is that we have a Bobble head Yoda in a snowsuit that goes on top of our tree. (yeah we are geeks!)
tradition is buying a new ornament each year
We always put on a Christmas movie while we are decorating the tree.
Every year their Grandma buys all the kids a special ornament with their name and the year on it. It means so much to them and they love to look at the ones from the previous year and remember.
Each year we make an ornament and we add it to the tree. I love looking back through the years in ornaments.
Not really, the only thing we do is we put the tree together (a fake one) the day after Thanksgiving
We decorate the Family Christmas Tree on Thanksgiving after dinner!!
We have told the boys that they are the ones who decorate the tree from now on. thank you
Thanks for the giveaway…nothing specific concerning trimming the tree other than that we always put on way too many ornaments & lights.