ABC Family’s “25 Days of Christmas” kicks off on December 1st so, in honor of their beloved holiday television programming, they’re kicking things off on Sunday, November 22nd with a marathon of movies for the “Countdown to the 25 Days of Christmas”.

“Jingle All The Way” is among the limited feature of Christmas-themed movies along with “The Family Stone”, “The Polar Express”, and “Disney’s A Christmas Carol”. The network will air its original films “Holiday in Handcuffs” and “Santa Baby”, and a special holiday episode of “Young & Hungry”. Also featured in the line-up: “Toy Story”, “The Hunger Games”, “Finding Nemo”, and a new “Pretty Little Liars” special.

The full schedule for the week has already been released, and you can find it listed below. The countdown ends on November 30th to make way for the “25 Days of Christmas” programming starting the next day.

The ‘most wonderful time of the year’ is coming, and with that comes Hallmark Movies & Mysteries “Most Wonderful Movies of Christmas” non-stop holiday movie programming – and I’m so excited! Not only do we have the annual Hallmark Channel’s “Countdown to Christmas” programming to look forward to, but most people don’t know that Hallmark has another network that does the same thing — although these movies usually tend to have a bit of a holiday mystery twist!

Hallmark Movies & Mysteries: “Most Wonderful Movies of Christmas” officially kicks off on Halloween (October 31st) night, and along with a marathon of festive films, there will also be a 5 premieres! I’ve listed the titles, dates, and cast for the premieres below, but you can find the full schedule of every movie Hallmark Movies & Mysteries will be airing on their website, click here.

It’s finally here!!! In less than a week it will be time to watch Hallmark Channel’s “Countdown to Christmas”! I don’t know about you, but I wait all year for the networks annual holiday programming. I mean, it’s Christmas movies all day and all night — that’s some merry dedication right there, so it’s no wonder Hallmark Channel has been labeled as a holiday television destination.

This year – Hallmark Channel’s biggest ever – will feature 17 all-new Christmas movies, including: “I’m Not Ready for Christmas” starring Alicia Witt, “Crown for Christmas” with Danica McKellar, “A Christmas Detour” starring network favorite Candace Cameron Bure, “A Christmas Melody” starring (and directed by) Mariah Carey, and “Northpole: Open For Christmas” — the sequel to last year’s hit!

“Countdown to Christmas” begins the evening of October 31st with the first movie premiere following the next day: “‘Tis the Season for Love'” starring Sarah Lancaster, which airs on Sunday, November 1st at 8pm. You can find the full schedule of all of the new premieres below, all times ET/PT.

Photos: ABC Family

This past summer–before going on hiatus, “Pretty Little Liars” aired episode 5×12: “Taking This One to the Grave”, which took place on Thanksgiving Day and the days that followed. Despite the episode airing in August, we got some brief yuletide vibes thanks to Emily (played by Shay Mitchell) decorating her house for the Christmas!

While pouring her pal Hanna (Ashley Benson) a cup of cheer, Emily sported a black CafePress “This Girl Loves Christmas” Classic T-Shirt. Wow, I can really get down with that statement because *this girl* also LOVES Christmas! If you too want to show your love for the ‘most wonderful time of the year’, you can do it by snaggin’ the shirt for yourself at CafePress.com.

You can choose from a variety of shirt silhouettes and colors to best fit your wardrobe needs.

Just over three months later, the series returned with a Christmas episode!

Just when you thought you had to wait 6 more months for the annual ABC Family’s “25 Days of Christmas” network celebration, we’ve been gifted with a little summer surprise at our holiday halfway mark! ABC Family Presents: HALF-MAS MERRY-THON, a limited time viewing of some of their original festive films like “Santa Baby”, “Christmas Cupid”, “Holiday in Handcuffs”, “The Mistle-Tones”, “Holidaze”—and more!

There hasn’t been any indication that this ‘merry-thon’ will be airing on television, but you can watch the movies on their website OR you can take the movies with you anywhere with the WATCH ABC FAMILY app. Their official Facebook has information on how you can get the app – CLICK HERE.

Stay merry!

I already shared the Hallmark Channel’s Christmas in July movie marathon line-up (see it here), and now I bring you the schedule for the Hallmark Movie Channel that will be airing holiday favorite films practically simultaneously with their other network for 10 days straight!

The Hallmark Movie Channel presents: “Gold Crown Christmas”, a non-stop holiday movie marathon event running from July 4 until the 13th. This special event, along with the Hallmark Channel’s Keepsake Christmas Holiday Preview marathon, will overlap–towards the end–with the 2014 Keepsake Ornament Premiere Event as it begins at Hallmark stores next month (running July 12-20).

When you think about it, Hallmark is devoting nearly the entire month to celebrating Christmas in July!

Here’s the official movie schedule below…

The Hallmark Channel is airing their annual Christmas in July movie marathon as the “Keepsake Christmas Holiday Preview”–featuring your favorite festive movies around the clock from July 4-13!

This special 10-day festive movie event will wind down as the 2014 Keepsake Ornament Premiere Event begins previewing at Hallmark stores–from July 12-20th. We’re talking almost a whole month of early Christmas celebrating with Hallmark!

Here’s the official movie schedule below…

There are only 183 days left until Christmas… and even LESS until the start of the holiday season. The most wonderful time of the year is on its way, so I think this calls for a mini holiday celebration today — don’t you? I’ve put together four festive tips to get you in the spirit!

WATCH: National Lampoon’s “Christmas Vacation” (1989) – Enjoy a few laughs with the Griswold family by popping in this classic DVD.

LISTEN: It’s still summertime, so who better to serenade you with carols other than The Beach Boys? You can purchase the album on Amazon or get a digitally copy on iTunes.

EAT: Beat the heat with this holiday treat! Midwest Living provides the recipe for this cute Snowman Sundae, check it out here!

DRINK: What do you get when you combine a tropical summer flavor with a traditional Christmas drink? Flour On My Face’s “Candy Cane White Coconut Hot Cocoa”! Get the recipe by clicking here.

Stay merry!

Photos: FOX

Last night “Glee” aired a Christmas episode, which was filmed with the rest of the season but was supposed to be an episode that was banned in 2012, hence the title: 5×08 “Previously Unaired Christmas”. I guess it was a tongue-in-cheek thing.

In the episode, Kurt (Chris Colfer, not pictured), Rachel (Lea Michele) and Santana (Naya Rivera) got jobs as elves for a NYC mall Santa Land display and, while they had bad luck with their Santa–they looked super cute in their holiday costumes!

Spring is ending and we’re on our way to summer… just 199 sleeps till Christmas!

During the spring and summer, it’s a perfect time to catch sales as they come and start shopping…  and of course it’s always a good time for Christmas music.

This is the best time of year to make donations.  Of course, your donations are welcome any time of year, but by agreeing to sponsor a family now, or donating a cause for Christmas now will be one thing you don’t have to think about in the fall and you won’t have to worry about it disturbing your Christmas budget.  In addition to sponsoring or buying Toys for Tots, help is always needed at your local animal shelter; and organizations like Trees for Troops / The Christmas SPIRIT Foundation need help year-round.

Delivering the spirit of Christmas to military families – one Christmas tree at a time.

Trees for Troops counts on donations from the public to make this program succeed, and our fundraising drive for Trees for Troops 2013 has already begun. You can support Trees for Troops through your tax-deductible donation or by becoming a sponsor. The Christmas SPIRIT Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity. Your tax-deductible charitable contribution will help those in service to their country and their families receive a Real Christmas Tree and keep the spirit of a traditional Christmas celebration alive.

Throughout the year, I receive post-cards and newsletters from various churches in my area.  I know that God is everywhere, and it doesn’t matter which church I worship in, so I am always open to visit new houses of the Lord.  If you have been thinking about a new church, an additional church or want to return to church, this is a good time to check them out, meet the other members and find out how they celebrate the season.   One church in our area sets up a nativity and does story time with the children; they even have a Christmas Vacation Bible school.  Going to what I said above, this would also be a good time to make your holiday contribution to the church.

No matter how early, you can always be in The Christmas Spirit

Don’t forget July is just 21 days away + 46 ’til Christmas in July… please share your recipes, crafts, decorating ideas and lots of photos as we enter the Christmas season, the most wonderful time of the year.  Please join our CHRISTMAS IN JULY event on Facebook.

Thank you for following me and be sure to check out my new boards and hundreds of great photos on Pinterest… we’ve been listening to Christmas music and pinning away!

Stay safe & stay merry!