{"id":11960,"date":"2014-12-16T11:42:56","date_gmt":"2014-12-16T16:42:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/thefrugalhomemaker.com\/?p=11960"},"modified":"2017-08-14T15:06:33","modified_gmt":"2017-08-14T19:06:33","slug":"christmas-movie-traditions-and-making-a-memorable-christmas-a-100-giveaway","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thefrugalhomemaker.com\/2014\/12\/16\/christmas-movie-traditions-and-making-a-memorable-christmas-a-100-giveaway\/","title":{"rendered":"Christmas movies, traditions, and making a memory-filled Christmas (+ a $100 giveaway!)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Post and giveaway sponsored by XFINITY, but all opinions are my own. Please see below for additional disclosure.<\/em><\/p>\n

After blogging about having a stress-free Christmas for 31 days back in October <\/a>and some disappointments in past years Christmas seasons, I have really made making memories, starting and continuing meaningful traditions, family time, and just ENJOYING the season (instead of stressing!) the forefront of my focus this year.  It hasn\u2019t always been like that and the season ends and I feel frustrated at myself for rushing through it, for things I wanted to do that didn\u2019t get done, for feeling exhausted because I stressed too much over the mile long to do list, and losing the true meaning of Christmas in all the \u201cstuff\u201d. <\/p>\n

I think we all want that right?  We want to look back at the Christmas season (or really any season of life) and have a memory bank full of memories \u2013 new traditions we started, traditions we continued, events we went to, fun nights just as a family at home, decorating the tree together, whatever it is that warms your heart and makes you smile when you think back over the season.  I already have so many wonderful memories from things done this December and Christmas isn\u2019t even here yet.  And let\u2019s be honest, as the homemaker\/mom\/wife\/manager of the home many of those activities\/traditions\/memories are up to us to make happen!  That is why I created a bucket list of things we wanted to do this Christmas<\/a> and why I created a countdown calendar breaking down those activities down on certain days<\/a> \u2013 yes we have missed a day here or there and either caught it up or put it aside BUT we have done most of them and made some amazing memories.  We have kissed under the mistletoe as our nieces giggled \"Smile\", we have shopped for and donated a toy to needy children, we went to a big Christmas light display, got donuts for breakfast, wore Santa hats, watched movies together, and looking forward to making even more memories to come with our big church Christmas program this weekend!  <\/p>\n

We even watched Frosty the Snowman on a big screen in our town square with fake snow machines going<\/a> \u2013 it was completely magical!<\/p>\n

\"10675594_988092011204233_5850037383169483481_n\"<\/p>\n

Last week was a crazy busy week of work and activities \u2013 2 Christmas parties, my husband and I put in some crazy hours for deadlines at work, and we spent the weekend doing some fun things with my nieces and nephew for Christmas.  So when we settled down after church on Sunday quite tired, I was glad to pull the tag that said \u2013 \u201cWatch Elf\u201d from our countdown calendar. <\/p>\n

\"DSC_0901\"<\/p>\n

It was the perfect evening to just spend some down time recovering from a past busy week and recharging for a busy week ahead.  To put the to-do list aside and laugh and spend time together with my husband.  We sipped some yummy hot chocolate (this homemade mix<\/a> is becoming a fast favorite!  Going to need to mix up another batch tonight! \"Smile\").<\/p>\n

\"DSC_0199\"<\/p>\n

One of the things we have enjoyed most about our new XFINITY X1 service is the DVR and the On Demand option.  Especially right now during the busy Christmas season.  We don\u2019t own very many movies so we would have just had to wait for Elf or Home Alone or any of the movies we enjoy watching at Christmas to come on TV and hope that it worked in our schedule that night to sit down and watch it.  BUT with On Demand \u2013 no more rearranging our schedule to watch a movie coming on tv that night \u2013 we now can watch it whenever it works for us! <\/p>\n

\"DSC_0191\"<\/p>\n

XFINITY On Demand has a whole section of family holiday movies <\/a>to watch too.   All controlled right from your remote with the push of a button while you snuggle on the couch!<\/p>\n

\"10604524_376094165898084_531377494075445674_o\"<\/p>\n

And if you are hooked on a certain series (we enjoy NCIS) but a Christmas party or something else happens that night and you miss the new episode or the season finale, you can catch it the next day (or whenever works for you) on On Demand.    We have really enjoyed that feature too \u2013 making tv fit into our time and schedules\u2013 not vice versa. <\/p>\n

Plus if you are traveling this season, the TV Go app allows you to download your shows and watch them wherever you\u2019d like. Best of all, you can take them on the go to entertain you during a long trip home or to see family for Christmas.<\/p>\n

The Fast Life with TY has been sharing some fun tips on facebook too<\/a>.  Like this tip on how to dress up a sweater if you are headed to an ugly Christmas party!  (Those have been popping up everywhere this year!)<\/p>\n

\"16699_379769282197239_2348635544291423094_n\"<\/p>\n

Follow Ty So Fast on Twitter<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, and Pinterest<\/a> for even more tips.<\/p>\n

So what memories have you made this Christmas?  Made any new traditions\/continued on with some old traditions?  <\/p>\n

And who could use a $100 gift card?  Seriously with all the shopping, baking, traveling, and decorating, I am sure we ALL could. <\/p>\n

Enter to win a $100 AmEx gift card in the rafflecopter widget below.  Winner will be chosen December 23rd and notified by email. <\/p>\n

 a Rafflecopter giveaway<\/a>
\n