December Daily Giveaways: Elle's Studio + Evalicious

For the past couple of years we have participated in 'Operation Christmas Child', run by Samaritan's Purse. We fill a shoebox with toys, toiletries, clothes etc and they are then delivered to children in need around the world (our ones have gone to children in Fiji). The first year we did it our son (then 6) volunteered all the birthday money he had been saving in his wallet to purchase gifts. We were so proud. I scrapbooked about it and later submitted it to a magazine for a 'true meaning of christmas' gallery - my first ever submission (and it was accepted yay!)
Definitely one of my favourite christmas traditions now - sending the box, but more importantly, thinking about the children who will be receiving the boxes - it really helps us to put everything into perspective, and be thankful for what we have.

I have decided to reclaim my love for christmas and it´s preparations - and NOT be caught up in the stress that my work allways seem to bring to my soul these last couple of years, since I find myself beeing in the middle of all the shopping that _others_ do... I look forward to spending more quality time with my little family - 2,5 yearold daughter and fiance - and hopefully not have to work all holiday! I will light my candles, make some nice decorations both out on our balcony and indoors, sit down and just indulge everything again. Like I used to. I actually LOVE christmas...been a while since I felt it though... //LOVE your stuff and the wise things you write ♥

I'm looking forward to family time as well as some spiritual time. Christmas is my favorite time of the year. I love the celebration and sharing of love and happiness that happens in my family. I'm looking forwart do having my December album ready to go before the holidays start. Thanks for leading us on this journey again!!!

I'm looking forward to the smells that come with Christmas and hanging out with family. Ahhhh...
amy

Home. Snow. Being with people I love while eating delicious food!

I am looking forward to putting up the christmas tree.

I most look forward to spending time with my family & especially celebrating my nephew's first Christmas.

That's easy.... EATING!
Have fun printing all these comments!

We've had some major family changes so I look forward to creating new traditions.

Looking forward to once again sharing our family traditions. Getting the younger grandchildren interested in carrying on what we consider the holidays is all about. Not just store bought gifts but gifts from the heart.

Getting the outdoor christmas lights out and onto the front bushes of the house. Our whole street becomes so magical with all the neighbour's lights on also. Once the snow comes in, its beautiful.
ava, cottagerca

The smell of a live christmas tree, and wreaths. Out neihbor hood being filled with blow up christmas friends. and just maybe colder weather, its been really hot. and this is the first christmas that we are having at our house, so it should be pretty exciting.

I love the winter holidays. It's very hard getting in the Christmas spirit when you live in Florida and it's 80 degrees outside but I manage quite well. I'm really looking forward to spending my Christmas with my new boyfriend and sharing our yearly family traditions with him.
Congratulations on the Blog !! That's amazing.
-Sharon Anthony

Wow! 2200+ comments! Go Ali!
I'm so excited to be pregnant for Christmas this year. I think I will feel a special closeness to the Christmas story because of it!

Our entire family is so excited to spend Christmas with my four year old grandson, Devin; a time to re-live family traditions like our amazing Christmas breakfast and a time to begin new traditions ~ an advent calendar of small boxes so that each day Devin can experience a Chirstmas treasure.

I am student teaching right now and will be graduating in December, so I am looking foward to that and also to enjoying the break at home with my children. I love snuggling in the house and admiring the South Dakota snow from indoors!

Oh man the holidays....I need to go home and make my daughters Halloween costume tonight and I still sit at work. I look forward to hearing from friends and family who I haven't heard from over a year. My goal is to actually send out cards this year. I have a lot of transition in my life since my Mom got sick and died. My daughter and I have moved about every 2 years since 2002 so I am hoping to be settled for awhile even if it is back in my family home, living with my Father.
I actually found Christmas presents 2 nights ago that my Mom had hid away before she got sick. They are clothes for the American Doll "Bitty Baby". Even though my daughter and niece are now in 6th grade and a little old for "dollies" I am going to give them each 1 last Christmas present from Grandma this year. I wonder who will cry more, me or my sister-in-law? Happy Halloween All!

I am looking forward to taking a week off from work and spending some quality time with my husband and two boys. Can't wait!

I can't wait for the fresh pine smell indoors, the crisp winter air...cookies,cookies,cookies,..need i say more =)

Our family will all be together this Christmas, that hasn't hapenned for over 10 years.