The hurricane that devastated our area (Sandy) drenched many of my friends with sadness this season.  I have many friends and social media connections who love Halloween and they weren’t even able to celebrate; in fact, many their decorations were damaged.  Our County rescheduled it for November 13^th… but none of the adults dressed up, and no one’s house was decorated. There was a party (the parade was also cancelled) and they had a half-day so they could Trick or Treat that afternoon.  We gave all the kids extra candy.  Sadly, many are still displaced and therefore didn’t have Thanksgiving in their homes… and for most; Christmas will be just as different.   Christmas will always be a happy time of year and I am glad to see so many volunteers, friends and neighbors bringing cheer to those in need.

Christmas is the season to celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ; and I pray that everyone will have a joyous, safe Christmas, Hanukah and Kwanzaa.  I will decorate and celebrate and spread as much cheer as I can.  I will donate funds, bring in others to donate, sponsor children, donate to the pantries and do whatever I can to make the holidays happy.   It’s easy to do when you love Christmas like I do.

I usually have the Christmas Décor  company come on November 1^st to put up the outside lights but because of the storm we rescheduled for November 9^th.  As usual, they did a fabulous job trimming my home with clear C9’s… many of you know that I do not accept the LED’s; that’s no to say I won’t in the future but for now they do not compare to the classic incandescent lighting.   This is the month I decorate (like crazy) and (try to) finish up my shopping… of course, there are always a few grandchildren who don’t give me their list until now so I may be shopping and shipping in December, even though I TRY to avoid that.

I was introduced to these adorable Crystal Snowflake ornaments… you have to check them out:   http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheCrystalSnowflake

I always do different boxed cards for friends and family but I also do a small batch of photo cards… if you need to order some cards there is 40% off at Shutterfly...  check out their nice selection.   I also bought some through Tiny Prints… 30% off, not bad at all!

My special gift this season is the REMOTE CONTROLLED HEATED INSOLES $122.99 – these will make ANYONE happy.  The Thermacell foot warmers toasty heat keep your feet comfortably warm, and are controlled by a wireless remote control! The heated insoles use high tech wireless thermal technology, this means no batteries, wires, straps or cords. You can adjust the temperature via remote to three temperature settings, no heat, medium (100 degrees) or high(111 degrees).

You can always find great decorations and special gifts at Christmas.com or Bronner’s.

There is some more new Christmas music from, John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John – This Christmas. – I like most of the songs on the CD.   Also new music from Christina Perri  “A Very Merry Perri Christmas“ .. I love it!  I am still very much in love with Michael Buble’s CD from last year “Christmas” – Also included in the CD is a new song “Cold December Night,” a Bublé penned original written for the record .   I adore the new Cee Lo Green CD “Magic Moment”… it is much better than I expected.  This kind of music will keep you in spirit throughout the year if you’re like me and listen to Christmas music year round.

If you’re shopping, decorating and listening to Christmas music, you must be wearing a Christmas sweater… I actually wear a Christmas t-shirt with a cardigan or vest and a festive scarf!  You can get really nice UGLY SWEATERS, SCARVES + MORE at Tipsy Elves

I haven’t had much time for reading;  in fact this time of the year it’s quite normal to see piles of magazines on the floor near my desk…  they are ALL December issues or Christmas special editions – or decorating and cookie specials, but I just don’t have the time to get through them.  I try to go through one every other day but typically I will save them for January to lift my spirit and help me plan for the next Christmas.  One of my Facebook friends, Maria DeVivo sent me an early copy of her book and since it was in PDF version there was no excuse not to read it.  Besides, we don’t see that many Christmas books, so I was tempted to read a new Christmas story.  Please check out “THE COAL ELF”.  Chick here  to watch the trailer, read the first two chapters, and even see if you’re on the “Nice List” …. or not!  You can purchase it from Amazon and Personalize your Kindle or Nook!  This is not a book to read to your young child.  Here is a little preview from the site.

Ember Skye is a fed up teenage Coal Elf with a big ashy chip on her shoulder. Having been torn away from a carefree life and forced into a world of dirt and darkness has started to get the best of her. And being the only girl-elf working as a coal miner at the North Pole doesn’t help much either!

Then there’s Sturd: a power-hungry, twisted elf with a checkered past and a serious grudge against Ember. Slowly but surely, his maniacal tendencies are revealed, leaving Ember with the sacred “Naughty List” literally in her lap.

When a mysterious illness threatens to decimate elves both Above and Underground, Ember is thrust into a journey that will see her confront the literal and figurative demons of her past and lead her to the head of the North Pole himself.

This month a few people have contacted me to sponsor their children for Christmas.   I do “privately” sponsor a few children every year but my website, LollyChristmas.com is not a site to sponsor children; we do not do our own “Letters to Santa”.   I do support a few sponsorship sites and I know which ones are credible.  Feel free to email me if you need information on being sponsored (although it would be for Christmas 2013) or if you want to make a donation or want to sponsor… I can put you in the right direction.  I wish that I could buy presents for EVERY child in need, but it’s just not possible.

Send me your photos, your recipes, your ideas – I will gladly share them!

Enjoy the most wonderful time of the year and #STAYMERRY!

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