December Daily Giveaways: Elle's Studio + Evalicious

I love preparing fun days for my 2 kids. There are lots of fun activities like baking, cooking, going to sit on Santa's lap etc. that they get to enjoy before that ultimate fun day--Christmas!

I'm totally looking forward to decorating my Christmas tree and enjoying some cooler weather (although in Phoenix, cooler weather still means jeans and tees)! Bring on the holidays!

I love all of the Christmas baking!!

I'm looking forward to waking up at my mom's house Christmas morning to the smell of coffee brewing and Lord of the Rings playing on the TV (it is always on TBS). I'm also looking forward to opening my stocking. It brings back great memories of being a kid on Christmas morning.

4 years ago, my sister moved to California and we rarely see them!
This Christmas they are coming to spend a whole week with us and we just can't wait!

I have a good start on the preparations so I am really looking forward to enjoying all the sights (lights) and sounds (music and laughter)with my children this year.

I get excited about the holidays starting in September! Once school gets started I feel like fall is around the corner and the house gets decorated and the comfort food comes out and before you know it - it's December! I love the reconnecting with family and friends, the food and the festivities. One of the things I love most about all of it, is taking pictures and making memories of it all! =]

My Mom has recently been diagnosed with Alzheimers disease. With my Dad gone and three kids under the age of 5, I plan to make this Christmas one to remember for all of us. I just got home from purchasing the materials for my very first mini-album--a Christmas book. I want many pictures of family and many shared memories of family traditions. I hope my Christmas book will be the start of a new tradition as well.

I am looking forward to the renewal of old and new... old friends, traditions, family... new ideas, goals, adventures.
I love this time of year! My heart is overflowing with gratitude and love - grateful we have holidays to help us stop and remember the "holy" in our lives!

Lazy afternoon, pumpkin pie, snuggles with the dh, and of course seeing family.

I'm looking forward to the coziness and a lower pace together with my family.

I would have to say I'm most looking forward to our Christmas Countdown calander. It is alway fun to try coming up with new things to do/see each year that the kids will enjoy. They talk about it all year long.

Time off from work and time spent with my family- cooking decorating shopping gift creating - Its my favourite time of year.

Ohhh what lovely goodies!!!!
....I am looking forward to spending the entire day of thanksgiving and christmas with my family because I finally have a job where I dont have to work part of the day and I'm also looking forward to seeing my niece who just turned 4 open her presents because she is at that age where she knows what they are and is excited to get something from Santa.

I look forward to having a Christmas AT HOME, no traveling this year. Last year we were at Disney and although that was fantastic, it just did not feel like Christmas.
I had wanted to do this album last year, and with a newborn and travel I just couldnt. I am going to get started on this as soon as the Halloween costumes are finished..yikes!

I love this time of year. . .spending time sipping cocoa, curled up under a blanket and watching Christmas movies. It just doesn't seem to get much better than that!

First of all--Thanks so much for the December album! I have mine done through the 20th and I can't wait to fill 'er up!
As far as my most favorite thing....it's hard to pick ONE! But, I have to say, I love getting out my box of ornaments and thinking of the places and times I bought or made each one of them. My husband and sons help, but Mama loves it the most.

I love everything about Christmas! Celebrating the birth of our Savior, decorating my house, spending time with family, playing Christmas carols, watching Rudolph, etc. But for at least a short time people are a little nicer to each other, even strangers. Generosity reveals itself and we begin to think of others more than ourselves. To keep my kids from focusing on themselves we participate in Operation Christmas Child through Samaritans Purse. The boys love picking out small toys and items that fit in a shoe box that may go to a child without even a home or running water. We pray over that shoe box that it may bring joy to a child and help them learn that someone loves them. Not only us, but that Christ loves them and they are truly special!

I'm not even going to lie.. I'm looking forward to the food!! :D The one time of year when you can eat anything you want, and as much of it, and you don't feel bad :)

I am really looking forward to gift wrapping. It's my absolute favorite part of the holidays. I love being able to put that extra touch on a package, it makes gift giving much more exciting. Also I was buy all my gift wrapping materials during the after christmas sales. So... I've been planning my X-MAS 08'gift wrapping, since December 07! :)