What would the holidays be without the music? It seems like every singer and celebrity has a Christmas song out these days. I’m not complaining though, because on December 1st every year, my radio dial is switched to the local station that moves to an all Christmas, all the time format for the entire month. Yeah, I’m that girl, you know the one singing Jingle Bells at the top of her lungs in the car next to you at every red light.

Do you have a favourite holiday song? Here are a few of mine.

 

 

 

 

 

I’m sure many of you have the tradition of reading the Twas the Night Before Christmas with your kids, but there are tons of other great books for children and the young at heart to read at this time of year. Our countdown to Christmas continues with a few of my favourites.

 

Christmas countdown day three is all about the movies. It seems like the day after Halloween, the cable channels are suddenly full of Christmas movies, the schmaltzier the better. I have to admit to being a fan of the sappy Christmas movie, but there are a couple less than typical ones that top my list.

 

 

I also like to ring in the New Year by watching the extended versions of all three Lord of the Rings movies. Yeah, I’m a geek. I fully admit it.

How about you? What’s your favourite holiday movie?

I’m counting down to Christmas with some of my favourite things about the season. Today it’s the baking.

Yum, yum! Who doesn’t love all the food that is prepared at this time of year? If your family is like mine, there are probably some treats that are only made for special occasions, maybe only at Christmas. When I was a kid, my favourite was a slice that I only knew as Christmas slice, probably because that was the only time of year it was ever made. It wasn’t until years later, when I was living on my own and looking for the recipe, that I learned they were actually called Nanaimo Bars (if you are going to try this recipe, I substitute pecans for the walnuts).

Talk about decadence – buttery, creamy goodness sandwiched between a layer of sweet chocolate and a nutty, chocolate coconut base.  Good thing calories don’t count at Christmas, do they?

How about you? Do you have a favourite treat for the holidays?

 

Day two of my countdown to Christmas.  The holidays just wouldn’t be the same without a tree twinkling with coloured lights and laden with decorations. I spend many hours over the holidays sitting in front of the tree, enjoying the lights. This year, we put up a real tree for the first time in years (our artificial tree is finally looking rather worn after close to twenty years). Sure the fake tree is convenient, but nothing beats the real thing.

I tend to go for a more simple, rustic look and our decorations are for the most part hand made. They are extra special because many of them were gifts to my son from his grandmother, a new one each year.

Do you have a special ornament on your tree?  Or a favourite holiday decoration for Hanukkah or Kwanza?