How my grumpy, grouchy, grinchy self is finding a way to enjoy the holidays.
Okay.. the ornaments are sparkling, the lights twinkling, and a thin sprinkling of glitter is literally everywhere. The season is bright and filled with anticipation. How can we not feel the joy of the holidays take hold?
Easily.
For many of our own personal reasons, and on top of the chaos of life, this year has been rough. I don’t for a second think I’m alone in this. And while some have found relief in the temporary distraction.. others struggle with the additional stress.
*waves* Hi, yea, that would be me.
So I devised a simple way to find some Christmas cheer, though, it is still a work in progress. The plan goes as follows..
Step One:
Read Tons of Christmas Books
Step Two:
Murder Christmas Music With My Karaoke
Step Three:
Binge Christmas Movies
Shall we see how my fun little adventure has been going so far?
(Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. Any purchases made through my links may earn me a small commission at no additional cost to you.)
Step One, Books, began with:
A Christmas to Remember
by Jenny Hale
Everyone loves Christmas – don’t they?
Carrie Blakeloves her job as a nanny but, while her friends are settling down, all of Carrie’s spare time is spent with other people’s families. Though it breaks her heart, her New Year’s resolution is to embark on a new career and fix her love life.
As Carrie starts her last job, she’s sure she’ll be going out on a high – the house is amazing, the kids are adorable, and she’s in charge of decorating the tree!
The only problem could be her boss… Single dad Adam Fletcher might be both handsome and successful, but he’s always working. Doesn’t he realise he’s missing out on precious moments with his son and daughter?
As Adam’s family arrive for Christmas, including his sensitive sister, Sharon, and his fun-loving, elderly Grandpa, Walter, Carrie realises that she might just have found the perfect allies in her quest to persuade Adam to loosen up. There’s still time for Carrie to make this the best Christmas ever… After all, Christmas is the time for miracles, isn’t it? Let the festivities begin!
Which was quickly DNF’ed and traded in for:
The Afterlife of Holly Chase
by Cynthia Hand
On Christmas Eve five years ago, seventeen-year-old Holly Chase was visited by three Ghosts who showed her how selfish and spoiled she’d become. They tried to convince her to mend her ways. She didn’t. And then she died.
Now she’s stuck working for the top-secret company Project Scrooge—as their latest Ghost of Christmas Past. So far, Holly’s afterlife has been miserable. But this year’s Scrooge is different. This year’s Scrooge might change everything…
For my next read.. I’m torn between:
A Midnight Clear
by Lindy Ryan, Sam Hooker, Alcy Leyva, Laura Morrison, Dalena Storm, Cassondra Windwalker, and Seven Jane
Winner, Anthologies, 2020 International Book Awards
Six stories of not-so-merry Yuletide whimsy.
A woman so cold she hardens to ice on a winter’s eve. Risen from his grave before his time, a winter god alters the balance between seasons. A wolf’s holiday season is interrupted by a strange curse. From a murder at the Stanley Hotel to demons of Christmas past, present, and future, and a mad elf and Santa’s Candy Court, these authors share their love for winter holidays in this collection of dark winter tales, destined to chill your bones and warm your heart for the Yuletide season.
And..
Comfort and Joy
by Kristin Hannah
Joy Candellaro once loved Christmas more than any other time of the year. Now, as the holiday approaches, she is at a crossroads in her life; recently divorced and alone, she can’t summon the old enthusiasm for celebrating. So without telling anyone, she buys a ticket and boards a plane bound for the beautiful Pacific Northwest. When an unexpected detour takes her deep into the woods of the Olympic rainforest, Joy makes a bold decision to leave her ordinary life behind—to just walk away—and thus begins an adventure unlike any she could have imagined.
In the small town of Rain Valley, six-year-old Bobby O’Shea is facing his first Christmas without a mother. Unable to handle the loss, Bobby has closed himself off from the world, talking only to his invisible best friend. His father Daniel is beside himself, desperate to help his son cope. Yet when the little boy meets Joy, these two unlikely souls form a deep and powerful bond. In helping Bobby and Daniel heal, Joy finds herself again.
But not everything is as it seems in quiet Rain Valley, and in an instant, Joy’s world is ripped apart, and her heart is broken. On a magical Christmas Eve, a night of impossible dreams and unexpected chances, Joy must find the courage to believe in a love—and a family—that can’t possibly exist, and go in search of what she wants . . . and the new life only she can find.
Step Two, Music, has been the best part for me:
This remarkable cover of ‘Love Grows at Christmastime’ by the ‘One Voice Children’s Choir’ took my breath away and is easily my favorite song of the year.
Step Three, Christmas movies, has been an epic fail.. I have yet to watch a single one.
However, and unbeknownst to my husband, that’s about to change.
Tonight we’ll be watching:
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
by J K Rowling
Hey, it is technically a Christmas movie.. sort of.
Bonus Step Four, Baking, begins next week (in earnest)
Now, that? That I can’t wait for!
We were also able to finally unbury our tree and unpack a few decorations, nothing very elaborate, but it’s a step in the right direction. Our sweet furry one, Enzo, has been particularly intrigued by all the lights and sparkles.
What do you think, Daphny?
I would also like to thank everyone for being so kind in helping me find some excitement for the holidays.
It’s been fun seeing everyone’s decorations, book recommendations, and enthusiasm. I hope you all know how amazing you are.
Stay safe, Stay warm, and have a very Merry ChristmasKwanzaHanukkah.
Whatever you celebrate.. Let it be filled with love and happiness!
I love your tree Sheri, it looks stunning and your cat looks super adorable by the tree. 😍😍😍😍
Thank you so much! It does feel more like the holidays with the tree and lights, it’s nice, and I won’t argue.. He really is just too precious. 🐈✨
Not much time left before the big day now, stay safe, and have a great week!
You’re most welcome! Yes it does, the feeling’s different 😁
Hope he doent chew the ornaments 😜😄
Yup not much time now, stay safe and great week ahead you too. ❤️
Oh, he’s a sweetheart, he doesn’t mess with the decorations all.. fortunately.
And I’m hoping so, thank you!
Such a sweetheart he is. ❤️😍
Thank you! We adore him. 🤗💕
❤️❣️
Beautiful tree and cat. I hope he doesn’t decide to climb it. lol Mine use too.
Aw, thank you! He’s spoiled rotten but, fortunately, he’s not interested in destroying the tree or ornaments.. He just likes to lay under it and stare at the pretty lights. ✨🐈✨
Your tree is absolutely stunning and your cat equally so✨☺️
That’s so nice of you to say, thank you. 💖
I hope you’re staying safe and have a wonderful week!
You too!☺️