Hi Rosemary! I hope you have a nice holiday this year. :)
Dina, I have a December birthday too (Dec 5th). I think you should leave up your lights if you want to. Why not? :)
Cheryl Lynne, relaxed is what I'm usually going for too. Have a happy Christmas this year!
Thanks, Soha!
Hi Kai! I've found at least one way to make gift wrapping easier. For the past few years, my family has been wrapping gifts in reusable fabric gift bags. Easy and fast! You can buy them, but we just made ours with some festive holiday-printed fabric and some iron-on Stitch Witchery to make the seams (I don't have a sewing machine). They work great!
Yum, Cathie! I like the way you think. :)
You're so right, Diane! Plus, there's always next year, right?
Ginger, decorating the tree is my favorite. I don't go all out with outdoors decorations (probably partly because of living in AZ), but there's something magical about a Christmas tree. :)
Darci, that sounds lovely! What a great approach to te holidays. Plus, your comment made me laugh. ;)
Yay, Vicki! That's a good point, too. There can be a lot of pressure during the holidays to feel happy, happy, HAPPY *all* the time, which just isn't possible. You're smart to take the time to enjoy your grandson. Sweet! :)
Letting the old and new collide sounds just right, Peggy! I hope you and your hubby have a lovely holiday. :)
Thanks, Wendy! I have my fingers crossed for you. :)
Hi Jean! What a nice comment...thanks! That's exactly the way cookies are decorated in my house (and in Holiday Affair too, actually!). Have a nice holiday!
Wow, Patricia! That's a lot to take on. Good luck with your Christmas this year! I hope you have a wonderful time amid the boxes. :)
Good luck, Jessie! As you can see from everyone's comments, no one expects perfection. I bet you'll do fine. :)
Hi Ivy! Your cards sound nice! I'll bet everyone loves receiving them. You definitely seem to have the holiday spirit! :)
Audra, I know what you mean. It can be frenetic leading up to the holidays, but everything slows down once Christmas Day arrives. I dread the day someone decides the mall needs to be open 24/7, even on Christmas. :(
Hello, Leni! That's a good idea. I've simplified a LOT over the years!
Ha! Shannon, you crack me up. ;) A card is nice whenever, right?
Hi Sue! That's very smart of you. The best thing is having everyone together. :)
Hello, Mary! Me too! That's one reason I have such a great time writing Christmas-themed romances. I've done two full- length Christmas-themed books, one novella, and one collection of three short stories so far...and I hope to do more. :)
Maureen, that sounds lovely. Besides, imperfections are lovable AND interesting! :)
Jodi, that's a great idea. :) I'm a pretty good baker, but I have a heard time with rolled sugar cookies. I make them into balls, squish them into circles, and call them "ornament-shaped" when decorating. They still taste great! ;)
Hello, Robin! Holy moly, that's a lot of cookies! I used to make gift baskets full of homemade cookies and fudge for family and friends, but not on the scale you're accomplished! Children definitely add something special to the holidays, don't they? I hope you have a wonderful time this year. :)
Hi Pat! That sounds like fun! Isn't it nice to have those traditions to look forward to?
We sound just the same, Kelli Jo! I hope you can still find some frozen doughnuts this year. I make French toast or waffles for breakfast on Christmas day. The recipe for the French toast is on my Web site. Yum. :)
That's smart of you, Robyn! Enjoy your Christmas this year!
Wow, Alyson! You are dedicated. That's impressive. I love hearing about your family traditions -- so neat!
LOL, Julie! On our tree, we still hang (non glitzy) pipe cleaner garlands...that we made with our kids almost twenty years ago. I love seeing them every year. :)
That must be nice, Vikki! I hope you have an enjoyable holiday. :)
Hi Joyce! I start stockpiling holiday releases as soon as they arrive in stores (usually in October). It's way to early for me to read them, but I don't want to miss out!
Andrea, there are definitely things I make every year, too. But the kids aren't the only ones who look forward to them! :)
Wow, I'm impressed, Dani! I'm hopeless at anything that's creative in that way. Good for you!
Aww, that's sweet, Colleen! My hubby helps me, too. These days, the kids also lend a hand. It's nice "together" time. :)
Thanks, April! I love Christmastime, and I'm really excited about Holiday Affair. I think it's a fun story, so I'm happy to spread the word about it. :)
Raelena, we must have posted at the same time! (You have a beautiful name, BTW.) You all are making me want to WORK in my pjs. Who wants to wait for Christmas? ;)
Hi everyone! Thanks for having me here at Fresh Fiction again. It's always nice to visit. :)
Wow, it sounds as though you all have the MOST wonderful Christmases!
Michele, I'm all about the cooking, too--especially baking. I love it. Every year, we make gingerbread cookies in the shape of teddy bears, and the whole family pitches in. It's a really fun tradition. And they're SO cute.
Cindy, "fun chaos" is exactly it! LOL. :)
Jl, I'm with you on relegating. How else can everything get done so that everyone can have a good time?
Karen, that's funny! I try to get a head start by picking up gifts for people throughout the year if I see something perfect for them...but it's a hit-or-miss proposition, sometimes. Good intentions count for something, right?
Hi Valerie! I think you're right. Tschüß! :)
That *is* a lot of traveling, Cassie! Sounds like a lot of fun, though. It must be very nice to see everyone. :)
Jessica, I have a small tree like that in my office. It's decorated lickety-split, and brightens up my workspace all December long. :)
LOL, Catherine! That sounds like an awesome time, with sleepovers and everything! You are very lucky. :) And yes, I can never have too much on the tree. I figure there's always room for more! :)
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