The Christmas Challenge Post – 12 Things of Christmas 2020

My friend and fellow blogger Amelia P made a request in the Facebook group Sharing, Inspiring, Promoting Bloggers to collaborate with other bloggers to do a “Christmas Challenge” post.

How it works is we come up with 12 Things about Christmas, write a post on our own blog and insert links to our fellow bloggers. The second I read about it, I knew I was going to participate. Afterall, the name of the group is Sharing, Inspiring, Promoting Bloggers.

I’m thrilled to be collaborating with the following bloggers:

Amelia P @ YouCanAlwaysStartNow

Ellen Best @ https://ellenbest24.wordpress.com/

Courtney @ http://lifeapprovedsimply.com/

Esme @ https://esmesalon.com/

Brittany @ https://everydaypbj.com/

Here are my 12 Things “traditions” of Christmas:

1. For the last 7 years (since the very beginning of my blog) I have been doing a 12 Days of Christmas Series. It is something I truly enjoy doing as it challenges me to dig deep and find easy, budget friendly, gift worthy things people might like to make, bake, decorate or create. I just wrapped up these posts on November 30, 2020 – I will put links to all of them at the end of the post.
2. I will admit I have an infinity for Santa Claus and for Nutcrackers. I add to my collection every year and proudly display from November 12 to January 06. I also, rarely, if ever, purchase new items for my collection. If at all possible, I search and buy vintage. Here is a picture of the additions I made this year.

3. I like to make (and sometimes sell) Christmas tree decorations. This year I decided to make tree ornaments using wood slices. This one, I thought, was particularly fitting;

and this one went to my daughter in Texas.

4. I make my own Christmas Cards and try to ensure they are mailed out by December 10th. This one was one of my favorite cards I made this year.

5. I LOVE buying local and especially from local artisans (usually at Christmas Craft Fairs). I did not get to any in person craft shows this year but because there are so many creative beings out there, who were still making and creating their wares, I did purchase items through “on-line” stores so win/win!

6. I am from the East Coast of Canada and even though I now live on the West Coast of Canada, some traditions just never change. On Christmas Eve the evening meal is a feast of some form or seafood. For me this year it is going to be pan fried Digby Scallops. I’m already looking forward to that.

7. Watching Hallmark Christmas movies. I just love watching a good cheesy predictable Christmas movie :O) – I am not sure what the draw to watch these movies is; maybe it’s the music maybe it’s the happy ending, maybe it’s just the magic of Christmas.

8. Speaking of movies – without fail on Christmas Day I watch the movie “A Christmas Carol” – the black & white version starring Alastar Simms, right after the turkey feast, the dishes can wait!

9. On Boxing Day, it’s go to the Movie Theatre for an afternoon matinee, again, not sure what that will look like this year. We will have to wait and see.

10. Traditional Christmas baking for me includes whipped shortbread, sugar cookies, ginger sparkle cookies, gingerbread men, cherry balls, coconut balls and pork pies(not what you think – these are shortbread bottom tarts with date filling and almond icing).

11. We like to drive around and look at the Christmas lights (we walk around our own neighbourhood though). This year we are going to go to something called the Magic of Lights at the Castrol Raceway -it is sponsored by Canadian Tire and provides you and your guests an opportunity to celebrate the holidays #togetherapart; comfortably maintaining social distancing from the comfort of your own vehicle. We are really looking forward to this and who knows, this could become our “new” yearly tradition. All money raised from the entrance fee goes to the Edmonton Food Bank – a very worthy cause.

12. Making anonymous donations to local charities that are near and dear to my heart. The Salvation Army, the local food bank, and the angel tree being my top three.

Wow, I was worried I didn’t have 12 Christmas Traditions but I bet if you really think about it, you do too. Hope you enjoyed these and don’t forget to visit my few bloggers and see what they came up with for their 12 Things of Christmas Challenge.

As mentioned earlier in this post here are links to my 12 Days of Christmas Series 2020.

Day 1- 12 Days of Christmas 2020 – Papercraft Angel

Day 2- 12 Days of Christmas 2020 – Painted glass jar candle holderd

Day 3 – 12 Days of Christmas 2020 – Macrame Keychain

Day 4 – 12 Days of Christmas 2020 – DIY Holiday Straws

Day 5 – 12 Days of Christmas 2020 – No Bake Energy Balls

Day 6- 12 Days of Christmas 2020 – DIY Christmas Bulb Napkin RIngs

Day 7 -12 Days of Christmas 2020 – DIY Nutcracker Place Card Holders

Day 8 – 12 Days of Christmas 2020 – DIY Honey Lavender Sugar Scrub

Day 9 – 12 Days of Christmas 2020 – Sweet & Salty Holiday Candy

Day 10 – 12 Days of Christmas 2020 – DIY Twig & Washi Tape Card

Day 11 – 12 Days of Christmas 2020 – JOY Vertical Sign

Day 12 – 12 Days of Christmas 2020 – Coconut Lemon Loaf

You can follow me at all these lovely places:

Twitter @awandafulthing

https://www.facebook.com/awandafulthing

https://www.instagram.com/awandafulthing/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/WTtrinketsandtreasures/

Thanks for stopping by….until next time.