12 Days of Christmas Giveaway: Cash Prizes

Now that I’m a “grown up” (by age anyway) I have to say there is nothing like the joy Christmas brings to my children.

The foooooooooooooood! And the gym membership for New Years after it’s all said and done!

The best thing about the holiday season is that it will be over soon.

I am I sad to say that this year it is the time off of work — it has been a hard year, especially with losing my grandmother just after thanksgiving and I am just looking forward to some time off of work and not having to deal with everyone — but other than that I look forward to getting together with my family (usually) and sharing food and time together…

More than normal, I’d say the best thing about the holidays is that you can walk by strangers and actually get an honest friendly hello.

Definitely spending time with family and having lots of great food! You stole my answer Rainbow!

The best thing is being old enough to see both my grandparents and my nieces and nephews enjoy being together.

Last year before Christmas I lost my job. Thankfully I found a new one, but it took about 8 months of working hard and going through endless interviews to find the perfect one. Ever since then my eyes really opened up to the real meaning of Christmas. My family savors the time spent with one another. I live 2 hours away so it is always a blessing to get to see them any chance I do get. The best thing is seeing my young nephews get excited over opening presents and realize that it is truly better to give than to receive. Last year we decided rather than go all out on gifts and such, we donated our time and skills on projects for others. Whether it would be a family portrait (photography is a favorite hobby of mine), planting a new garden come spring, or just spending time with the person. That time spent with the family member is something I remember the most than any other Christmas present that I got/received.

Not only is the food good, but the time spent with family and friends is the best part of Christmas. Also, remembering the reason for the season, Jesus, and having a sense of hope for the future.

I gotta say.. this is getting REAL good :)

In the South now, so no snow… so… Watching my son (and I) enjoy all the toys he (and therefore I) wanted for Christmas.

The surprises that happen every Christmas. For instance, 3 days ago I had 2 people coming to dinner tomorrow. As of this minute, it’s now up to 10! I love it all.

Definitely the time off work to catch up on projects that have been neglected around the house. Its just a peaceful time of year around home (except for the Christmas shopping traffic that is).

Food and the way people can put aside differences

The Music!!!!! I ove hearing the new and old Christmas songs and hearing other artist’s takes on classics. That’s what makes the holidays so great for me.

Definitely the music.

I like that a standard repertoire of holiday music exists to be reinterpreted in a modern style by new artists every year. It’s a privilege that I wish was granted more often to songs in from other genres.

There are failures, of course, but for every several hundred ill-conceived covers of Santa Baby there’s a Shedaisy Brand New Year or a Josh Groban Noe(fancy-ass-accent)l.

This year’s favorite for me (although I gather that it’s been online since mid-2006) is the Straight No Chaser Twelve Days Christmas medley. I’m sick of it now, but that’s only because I’ve seen it at least twelve times in the last four days.

But it’ll come back around in time for next year… and that’s another cool thing about Christmas music.

The best part is without question spending time with family and friends!

Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to give them second birth
Hark! The herald angels sing
“Glory to the newborn King!”

The best thing about the holiday season is the traditions that my family follows. With 5 kids ranging in age from 21 to 15 we still follow our Christmas traditions. Pajamas opened on the 24th followed by the reading of Christ’s birth from Luke, followed by the essay “Yes, Virginia there is a Santa Claus, followed by the Polar Express. No matter how old the kids get I think we will always do these holiday traditions.

50% candy on Dec. 26.

Just being honest.

My favorite thing about the holiday season has always been the excitment.

I think enjoying the real reason for the season, which we should be thankful for everyday. Also, getting together with family that we don’t see all year, enjoying the food and music with them. And think of all the people that have lost their jobs, homes and etc. this past year. It has been a sad year but let’s hope 2009 is a blessed year for everyone. Thanks, 9513 for the contest and giving us a chance to share comments. Merry Christmas!

What’s the best thing about Xmas holiday?? I must say that it’s the family reunion we have annually by parents and g-parent’s requests. I know that for myself (turned 27 recently), members do not always get along great and have taken a life on it’s own respectively. Somehow, with growing up and moving out (of parental control), we still get a sense of loneliness and mystified regard when facing the real world and am awed by our parents who seem to take it with ease and stride with confidence after their battled turmoil of succession. Yet, when we all gather together and see one another in banters of up and down experiences, we come to refined sentiment that it’s better to hold onto family members who always were there (figuratively and metaphorically) than to seek other adventures with new found friends we sometimes take for granted as a blessing in disguise. Case in point: I was angry at my mother for some of beliefs that I now do not hold onto, but when presents arrived and blessings given, my anger evaporated and reminded me to be humbled once more…after all, maybe what I’ve bittered over, I’m sure my mom already knows the answer to without needing my frustrations vented.

Faith.

Opening presents with the kids (at 5am!)

It’s probably too late, but I love everything about the season. I’m sad it’s over now.

The FOOD