So tell us, Here Be Magic readers, what is the one thing that never fails to put you in the holiday mood? It could be a food or drink, a song or movie, a tradition.
Whatever it is, we want to hear about it! Three winners will be chosen at random. The first place prize can only be offered to U.S. residents, but international readers, 2nd and 3rd place prizes are open to all,so don't be shy!
First place prize is A BRAND NEW KINDLE FIRE!
Sponsored by Carina Press authors Christine Bell, David Bridger, Joely Sue Burkhart, Angela Campbell, Ruth A. Casie, Sharon Cullen, Seleste deLaney, Susan Edwards, PG Forte, Loribelle Hunt, Shona Husk, Jeffe Kennedy, Jane Kindred, Julia Knight, Barbara Longley, Linda Mooney, Janni Nell, Tia Nevitt, Nicole North, Cindy Spencer Pape, Jenny Schwartz, Veronica Scott, Keri Stevens, Eleri Stone, Dee Tenorio, Jody Wallace, and Rebecca York
Second place prize is a Carina Press e-book “basket” with 26 books, including:Allegra Fairweather, Paranormal Investigator by Janni Nell, Badlands by Seleste deLaney, Cry Wolf by Angela Campbell, Dark Magic by Rebecca York, Dark Vow by Shona Husk, Demon Crossings by Eleri Stone, Golden by Joely Sue Burkhart, Heart of the Druid Laird by Barbara Longley, Her Dark Knight by Sharon Cullen, Hunting Human by Amanda Alvarez, Kiss of Darkness by Loribelle Hunt, Knight of Runes by Ruth A. Casie, Laird of Darkness by Nicole North, Quarter Square by David Bridger, Sapphire by Jeffe Kennedy, Steam & Sorcery by Cindy Spencer Pape, Stone Kissed by Keri Stevens, Tempting the Enemy by Dee Tenorio, The Devil’s Garden by Jane Kindred, The Sevenfold Spell by Tia Nevitt, The Twisted Tale of Stormy Gale by Christine Bell, The Viking’s Sacrifice by Julia Knight, This Winter Heart by PG Forte, Three Wishes by Jenny Schwartz, White Dawn by Susan Edwards
Third place prize is a $25.00 gift card to either Amazon or Barnes & Noble (winner’s choice)!
If you put your email address or Twitter handle in your comment, we can contact you, but we will also announce the winners on the blog and Tweet the winner’s names at 10:00 p.m. on December 24th (our twitter handle is @herebemagic if you want to follow along).
The winners will have three days to collect their prizes. If we do not receive a response, another entrant with a listed email address or Twitter handle will be chosen so that we can contact them directly.
So come tell us, what is the one thing that never fails to put you in the holiday spirit?
Wishing you and yours a truly magical holiday season,
Here Be Magic Authors
Music and movies always put me in a holiday mood! I love watching some of the older holiday movies like Meet Me in St. Louis, Shop around the Corner or White Christmas. Then I'll watch something fun like Christmas Vacation or A Christmas Story and listen to holiday music on the radio.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway!
maria63303 at gmail dot com
Eggnog! No, I don't spike it with anything. I simply just love eggnog. I also freeze two cartons, so twice during the non-Holidays months, I can break out the cheer.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the fun contest! Good luck and Happy Holidays to all.
Oh, and Mare is an idiot. Her Twitter name is @Byroney.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
The Christmas Music of Trans Syberian Orchestra and eggnog! Yippee!!!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas!
Loraine H
l_k_hunziker(at)hotmail(dot)com
Seeing houses and malls all decked out in brights lights always puts me in the Christmas spirit. They are so pretty to look at :) Thank you for such a wonderful gift.
ReplyDeleteCambonified(at)yahoo(dot)com
It's corny but it's Christmas carols! I have them blasting all day long - nice and loud - at work :)
ReplyDelete@RachaelJohns
I'm not eligible for the drawing, but the whole give away on our blog has lit me up like a Christmas tree! What gets me in the mood is listening to old (like Bing Cosby old) Christmas music while baking holiday desserts for the big feast and family get together to come. Love the smells and sounds associated with my childhood. Christmas was always a magical time at our house. My dad was a food scientist. He had his plant make cans filled with a treasure for each of us. A silver dollar was the favorite. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteYeah, that was supposed to be Bing Crosby. Phlbbt.
ReplyDeleteTrans Siberian Orchestra's Christmas Canon, the version sung by children. And I needed it this year...for some reason the holiday atmosphere didn't really penetrate until I heard it a couple of times.
ReplyDelete@pjschnyder
What puts me in the holiday mood, is the children. To see the wonderment across their faces. To hear the excitement in their voice as they tell you what they want Santa to bring. The magical look in their eyes, as they imagine all those gifts. For just a bit, it makes me feel the world is right. No worries or stress. Just utter happiness and joy.
ReplyDeletefallonhadley@live.com
Sitting in a room at night lit only by the Christmas tree lights. What a wonderfully contemplative moment!
ReplyDeleteJulie
email: wurdxnurd at gmail dot com
twitter handle: 6dc (it's really that short and sweet!)
Being with the family for a big meal. That's always the holidays to me. It's us together and enjoying good food.
ReplyDeletefrellathon(at)gmail(dot)com
@frellathon
Sleeping late on Christmas morning—or on Boxing Day. (I want to point out that we Finns open presents on Christmas Eve, so there's no need to get up early on Christmas Day. Unless we're going to church for the Christmas service. That's where Boxing Day morning comes in.)
ReplyDeleteAs for why I get in the holiday mood when everything is pretty much over—well, that's because all the preparations are over and I can just veg out and enjoy my presents. Because OMG the preparations!
(Clicking on my name should link to me on Twitter.)
Charlie Brown Christmas special. The older I get, the more likely I am to cry --in a sappy holiday spirit kind of way.
ReplyDelete@teriannestanley
Danged iPhone. Can't figure out how to sign my name!
What a fabulous giveaway!
ReplyDeleteThe one thing that always puts me in the Christmas spirit is the lights...I love the romantic, soft ambience that they add to everything!
snowchris_01@yahoo.com
smiles,
Christi
What puts me in the Christmas Spirit it the work I do with teenage mom's and seeing the look in their eyes as we hand them their gifts they are so very thankful
ReplyDeleteThe first sign of snow flurries puts me in the Christmas mood. There is something magical about the first snowfall. I lived in Lake Tahoe for a number of years and I'll always remember the first Christmas I lived there, we got 4 ft. of snow on Christmas Eve. Best Christmas ever!
ReplyDelete@DaniBarclay
The first sign of snow flurries puts me in the Christmas mood. There is something magical about the first snowfall. I lived in Lake Tahoe for a number of years and I'll always remember the first Christmas I lived there, we got 4 ft. of snow on Christmas Eve. Best Christmas ever!
ReplyDelete@DaniBarclay
Wow, that's an amazing giveaway. For me, it's all of the holiday decorations that put me in the mood. They are so bright and sparkly and make everything look pretty. It's so sad when they come down after New Years.
ReplyDeletejen(at)delux(dot)com
Do you mean put me in a good holiday mood? Hmm... I'm a bit of a Grinch come winter. I hate the cold. I get annoyed with the music. Sightings of Santa and endless commercials for toys make me twitch.
ReplyDeleteWhat I really love is a good Southern Christmas. My favorite was a childhood Christmas spent in Houston where it was warm and they decorated the trees with chilis. To this day I love southern Texas small town squares lit up for the holidays, cut outs of Santa with a cowboy hat on, and the smell of Mexican hot chocolate with a hint of spice to it. That puts me in a warm fuzzy mood, especially if I can get it while wearing sandals and shorts. :o)
Christmas Music puts me in the mood, and no song more than O Holy Night. I love just about every version, but my favorite is N*Sync's (yes I still love my boy bands), followed closely by Celine Dion's. I'm such a sap for it.
ReplyDelete@SashaDevlin
I love wrapping gifts. I think that and baking really get me in the mood for the holidays. I also love the snow in winter (as long as I don't need to drive in it), so having it white and snowing around the holidays is a huge bonus.
ReplyDelete@CookiesandBooks
White Christmas. The movie and the song. I adore them both!
ReplyDelete@juliabroadbooks
Despite being a bit of a Mrs. Scrooge once the holiday season is in full swing, the one thing that gets me out of my bah humbug mode is watching some of my favorite Christmas movies. I don't like the traditional movies. Some of my go to favorites are National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, Elf, Bad Santa. And of course, the best Christmas movie ever....A Christmas Story. I love movies that make me laugh. Definitely gets me in the spirit.
ReplyDeletelovetoreadforfun (at) gmail (dot) com
What gets me is knowing that all the family & friends will be together. That getting close to the end of the year & beginning of a new year, that we get another year together! Love to all!
ReplyDeleteSnow. Not kidding. I've been known to put the Christmas music on at the end of October, if that's when the first snow comes down. I don't think I could ever do Christmas in one of the warm places.
ReplyDeleteHappy Whatever it is you Celebrate of all of you!!!
I love listening and singing kids' Christmas songs with my son while we bake Christmas cookies and drink hot chocolate. We watch Scrooge, Rudolph, and Frosty The Snowman.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeletePlain and simple, what puts me into the holiday spirit is snow. Nothing says Christmas to me like snow.
ReplyDelete@jessibrayden
loug28 at gmail dot com
What puts me in the holiday spirit is watching the movie It's a Wonderful Life. It always reminds me to be grateful for what I have and to be joyful for it!
ReplyDeleteThank you for this wonderful giveaway chance!
Happy Holidays!
Gena Robertson
robertsongena@hotmail.com
Putting up the Christmas tree with the kids, snow and knowing my family my family is all together where they belong :D
ReplyDeleteThe movie White Christmas! No snow here, so have to watch it on tv. Merry Christmas to Carina Press and authors!
ReplyDeleteI love Christmas...All the lights and songs, it tends to put everyone in a good mood, just wish the holiday spirit could last all year.
ReplyDeleteThe food! The fruitcake (there, I said it), oyster stew, Christmas cookies--things that only make their appearance this time of year. And the general effort by most everyone to be happier.
ReplyDeleteElizabeth.steininger@gmail.com
@misanthr0pegrr1
I don't feel like the holidays have arrived until the Christmas tree is up and there are lights on the houses outside. I love going for drives to look at the Christmas light displays.
ReplyDeletePuts me in the Christmas mood? The lights! I love to drive around and see all the holiday lights.
ReplyDeleteSo far, so good! This is a great place to see what others are thinking/saying! I would highly recommend to all! Enjoy, read and give back - that's what the holidays are all about!
ReplyDeleteKay Cardwell
i like christmas music and eggnog it makes me very happy
ReplyDeleteHonestly, not a lot put me in the Christmas spirit for a long time. I always try to be cheerful around the holidays just to improve the mood of everyone else. However, this year has been amazing for me. I have so much to be happy and thankful for. Even in spite of my back literally being a pain in the butt LOL! It's not everyday that you do something that you just feel is right and is exactly what you should be doing. I'm thankful for so many friends I've made, amazing books I've read and people I've made happy. That's enough I think to get anyone in the Christmas spirit.
ReplyDeleteHearing christmas music does it for me. Love hearing old and new tunes. Seeing all the holidays lights going up too
ReplyDeleteJudy F
I love Christmas and this is so nice of you to do this. I think people forgot the true meaning of Christmas. I think giving is always better than getting because when you give you always get a warm fuzzy feeling inside.
ReplyDeleteMERRY CHRISTMAS
Putting up my many Christmas decorations gets me in the spirit. I love sitting by the fire in the glow of the tree and the many lights illuminating my Santa collection.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThe one thing that never fails to put me in the holiday spirit is taking my girls to pick out the Christmas tree, bringing it home & decorating it with the lights down low & our favorite Christmas music playing in the background. It's become a tradition that we all cherish!
ReplyDeleteemail: mlx395 (at) msn (dot) com
Drinking spiked eggnog while watching Love Actually puts me in the holiday mood. So does watching Muppets Christmas Carol with the kids while drinking cocoa with peppermint sticks. And my punk covers of Rankin/Bass songs make the season bright. ;)
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas!
careycorp(at)fuse(dot)net
@erin_innes Enjoying eggnog beside a roaring fire!
ReplyDelete@flemingkaren Baking cookies while the carols blast through the house
ReplyDeleteThe Christmas music, the lights and reading books with a Christmas theme always gets me into the holiday spirit
ReplyDeleteWe have a Christmas tradition in our house that started one year when the boiler broke down. Freezing cold and wondering how we were going to keep warm, we decided to drag all of our matresses, quilts and pillows into the livingroom. We built a kind of nest in there and kept it there until Boxing Day when the boiler finally got fixed.
ReplyDeleteWe do this every Christmas Eve now, that's when I know it's Christmas proper. We all wake up in the livingroom, wrapped in blankets, in our 'Christmas nest'. The kids love it. :-)
emma.c.shortt(at)googlemail(dot)com
Wrapping the gifts. nothing says Christmas like a pile of well wrapped gifts waiting to be handed out.
ReplyDeletefelinewyvern at googlemail dot com
Lights on the tree, and sitting by the fire watching them - makes me think of Christmas cookies and Santa :)
ReplyDeleteI love the snow and the light blue lights I see all over the city.
ReplyDeletejaleelmalik1 (at) gmail (dot) com
music going through speakers going from store to store. I don't go out often so it's wonderful when i hear it. puts a bounce in my step.
ReplyDeleteJulie
I love, love, love buying presents for people. But the mood is set by strangers being kind and holding doors and smiling.
ReplyDeleteFor me, it's when people start treating each other nicely, although I wish that would happen year round. This year, the trigger was hearing about the folks who are paying the layaway accounts of strangers at K-Marts.
ReplyDeleteLooking at Christmas decorations, espicially lights on houses and Christmas trees get me in the holiday mood
ReplyDeletes2s2 at comcast dot net
I work retail so unfortunately few things give me the holiday spirit. Having lit candles and certain scent in my aromatherapy lamp help to make me think of the holidays in a less cynical way:).
ReplyDeleteNever failing is time spent with family and friends in gift exchanging and shared meal and memories.
ReplyDeleteIt's not the holidays for me until I see The Bishop's Wife...I also get in the mood with Manheim Steamroller music.
ReplyDeleteHo, Ho, Ho...
Catherine
@capefearlibn
catherinelee100[at]gmail[.]com
Decorating the house and putting up the tree gets me in the Christmas mood!
ReplyDeletebooks4me67 at ymail dot com
Finding the perfect gift for someone. Not just any gift, but the one that will make them squee! when they open it. That's what does it for me :-)
ReplyDeleteWhat puts me in the holiday mood is music by TransSiberian Orchestra and planning how I'm going to surprise my husband this year!
ReplyDeletebreit40@yahoo.com
@JerrilynnA
Thanks so much for the giveaway! What puts in the holiday mood is decorations and spending time with family.
ReplyDeletetirachii(at)yahoo(dot)com
making my shopping list for my mother's mecret fudge recipe and for sugar cookies gets em in the mood. Also, movies--White Christmas, Elf, It's A Wonderful Life, A Christmas Story. We watch them every year.
ReplyDeletemelisseaires@gmail.com
The smell of wood smoke lingering on the crisp mountain air. A fresh layer of powdery snow. Light displays put up by our neighbors. Those wonderful old black and white Christmas movies. The tantalizing aroma of goodies baking. The scent of a fresh cut pine tree. The Trans Siberian Orchestra's Christmas albums. Last but not least, Christmas cards from our family and friends.
ReplyDeleteAll of these things inspire me to a frenzy of decorating our home for Christmas. I couldn't stop myself from getting into the mood of the season if I wanted to...
d1pat1981@gmail.com
The one thing that never fails to get me in the mood for a holiday celebration is sparkling cider. There's just something so clean and fun about it that it can't help but lift your spirits!
ReplyDeleteALDavroe@gmail.com
Hearing the Trans-Siberian Orchestra playing "Christmas Eve Sarajevo," a rock-and-roll Carol of the Bells, puts me instantly into the holiday spirit.
ReplyDeleteThere are multiple versions of that spirit, though. For the last several days it's been the "OMG-it's-already-THAT-close-to-Christamas-I'll-never-get-everything-shipped-in-time!" version.
Tonight, as I ran a final spate of errands, I fell into the peaceful, content version always inspired by the towns' and homes' holiday lights.
natalie@nataliedamschroder.com
I love putting my decorations up to Bing Crosby and Perry Como Christmas music. But the absolute "it's Christmas" feeling for me is the White Elephant Gift exchange with my family. We all find some "treasure" sitting in our basements, closets, etc and wrap it up in different types of packaging, then we play a game to distribute the gifts. We end up laughing for about an hour, and it's so nice to have such fun interaction with family!
ReplyDeleteThank you for such a nice giveaway opportunity!
Lisa@inner-dancer.com
I'm going to have to say getting all the presents ready for friends and family. I try and make everything by hand. This year it's hotpads and keyrings, beaded angels and necklaces :D
ReplyDeletemagicalbookworm@gmx.com
The good will for people and, of course, the Christmas songs (which I start singing before Thanksgiving).
ReplyDeleteironss [at] gmail [dot] com
Watching Lord of the Rings with my family!
ReplyDelete@ wordvagabond on Twitter
Seeing outdoor Christmas lights while driving in the car listening to Christmas music. I love seeing other people's Christmas spirit on display!
ReplyDeletesoluckyducky at gmail dot com
Putting up my Christmas lights outside puts me in the holiday spirit. Whenever I drive up to my house, it's really a pick me up to see the lights. And of course, when I see pumpkin pie on sale at the market, it really puts me in the holiday mood because I know I'm going to get some to eat at Christmas.
ReplyDeleteBarbed1951 at aol dot com
Shopping for Christmas Cards! It doesn't feel like the holidays are here unless I'm surrounded by glittery or metallic pieces of paper.
ReplyDeleteccbridges10 at gmail dot com
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation watching party with the family. The movie was made when I was a spritely one-year old and I grew up watching it with family every year and talking about how much my aunt looks like Beverly D'Angelo and yelling at each other "Why's the carpet all wet TODD? I DON'T KNOW MARGO!"
ReplyDeleteEven though I'm now separated from all of my family (they're in Michigan, I'm in California) I think I'll curl up with some hot cocoa and watch the movie... maybe put something on the stereo in the background so it seems just like I'm in a house full of cousins who won't stop talking. Maybe I'll even Skype the family and have them pass the phone around so I can say "Merry Christmas. Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas, kiss my ass. Kiss his ass. Kiss your ass. Happy Hanukkah." Just for old times sake.
Oh goodness I did forget contact info I am @Julie_Butcher on twitter. Or jimsissy (at) yahoo (dot) com.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas from one Michigander to another Jeanette!
ReplyDeleteWhat puts me in the Christmas mood is the day after Thanksgiving. Black Friday and Christmas is on it's way!
Happy Holidays to all!
thewildtwo {@} sbcglobal {DOT} net
Catching Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and the Island of Misfit Toys on TV - to this day I'm amazed by claymation
ReplyDeletePutting up the tree and decorating it, baking gingerbread cookies, caroling, and then watching A Christmas Story with the family never fails to put me in a Christmas mood. :)
ReplyDeletedeeg131 at gmail dot com
One thing that never fails to put me in the mood is the music. We have a radio station up here that starts right after Thanksgiving. I love it and it plays none stop till after Christmas.
ReplyDeleteMary
mary_reiss @ hotmail.com
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteChristmas music does it for me. I could listen to it all day long. :)
ReplyDeletedamiriji(at)yahoo(dot)com
I used to love the smiles that lit everyone's face. The overall feeling of cheer and happiness that you could feel in the air. It wasn't the gifts that were given or received just the feeling of happiness knowing you were going to spend time with family and friends. I miss those days. It was much easier to get into the spirit then and I used to stay in it most of the year.
ReplyDeleteTammatha
thewritebusinesssolutions@yahoo.com
Baking Cherry Chocolate Chp Cookies makes it feel like Christmas to me. I've baked 14 batches so far this season, I expect to add a few more batches to that count before it's over. Christmas decorations, music, and movies also help to get me in the Christmas spirit.
ReplyDeleteTwitter: StephanieJS
sjstaton@alumni.unc.edu
Eggnog. Does it EVERY time! :)
ReplyDeleteExcellent contest! My 2 fave Christmas things are A Christmas Carol ( nearly any version) and the very first "Very Special Christmas" CD. Christmas in Hollis by Run-DMC and Bryan Adams' version of Run Run Rudolph always make me happy.
ReplyDeleteDecorating the house while watching National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation always gets my Christmas cheer going. I keep it going by listening to lots of Christmas carols and reading Christmas themed romances!
ReplyDelete@Mimi_Tremont
Driving around looking at Christmas lights with our kids always makes me feel festive. It's one of my favorite things to do.
ReplyDelete(@LoriNKY on twitter)
Scary and early as it is... When the local radio station switches to the all holiday music format. I like to listen in the car.
ReplyDeleteJenn @porschej96
I would say Christmas music and the scent of cinnamon/spices really make me feel in the Christmas mood. Thanks so much for the awesome giveaway!
ReplyDelete@GeishasMom73 on Twitter
geishasmom73 AT yahoo DOT com
My Christmas mood starts when i see the first Salvation Army bell ringers and i see ITS a Wonderful Life on tv...
ReplyDeleteleodoriaste@gmail.com
What puts in the holiday mood is decorations and spending time with family and Mall have a lot new item. Thank you for the awesome giveaway!
ReplyDeleteI start to get in the holiday mood after Thanksgiving when I listen to Christmas music or watch the holiday movies. But its wrapping the gifts that firmly put me in the complete holiday mood.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the chance!
Happy Holidays!!
bacchus76 at myself dot com
Seeing Main Street decorated with Christmas lights puts me in the holiday mood.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all congrats to your blog! I just found it and absolutely love it!
ReplyDeleteTo answer your question what puts me on xmas mood...well, a few years ago I created my own "Christmas tradition"..I don't know why but I watch the movie "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" every single year before xmas, and this movie is my christmas mood starter :)
Than on Christmas Eve of course the tree decorating, the smell of the xmas dinner and the music from the street speakers lol (yeah, I know...I live in a small town, and they're always playing christmas music)
Happy Holidays!
verusbognar (at) gmail (dot) com
My favorite holiday traditions are: eggnog, homemade Christmas cookies, craft bazaars, hanging our unique Christmas socks on the mantle, singing carols like "Silent Night," hearing a bell choir, watching "It's a Wonderful Life," finding a "perfect gift" for someone I love, and of course, sharing time with my family.
ReplyDeleteOooh! Enticing give-a-way! Crossing my fingers....
ReplyDeletemonique@poolerpeach.com
My mom and her sisters get together and make tamales. The smell of masa never fails to put me in "the spirit"!
ReplyDeletemonique@poolerpeach.com
All the cooking and baking help, but I love watching all the holiday/Christmas movies. They just seem to set the tone to put me into the holiday spirit. After I start watching, I want to decorate the tree, the fireplace, and all the house. Lovely post, everyone.
ReplyDeleteIt's not really Christmas until I've watched It's a Wonderful Life. =) The ending is so uplifting, it brings me joy. Oh, and chocolate fudge with walnuts never hurts either!
ReplyDelete@carriecspencer
carrie at smartassromance dot com
I always find the Peanuts Christmas album and listen to that, especially when our first big December snowfall hits. That says innocence to me.
ReplyDelete@runemima
I always find the Peanuts Christmas album and listen to that, especially when our first big December snowfall hits. That says innocence to me.
ReplyDelete@runemima
holiday movies always get me into the spirit!
ReplyDeleteStarting the coordination of the annual Christmas Eve trip to my aunt's. Finding out who is going, who wants to ride with who and when we EAT! (Ham biscuits are a must)
ReplyDeleteChristmas romance movies do it for me. Love them and they're so mushy..
ReplyDeleteKids carolling, out of tune and all! I just love kids singing :)
ReplyDeleteCherry Mischievous
cherrymischif-darkward (at) yahoo (dot) com
(international)
Holiday music and the smell of a fresh pine tree. Ahhh... Oh, and sparkly (but not crazy blinking) lights on houses at night. That all makes me feel very holiday-ish inside. :)
ReplyDeleteCool giveaway!
@_JKHarper
Christmas music the week before Christmas. Any sooner than that, and it turns me into a Grinch.
ReplyDeleteDecorations, songs & foods always set the mood.
ReplyDeleteMalvina
darkenf(at)rocketmail(dot)com
Holiday mood boosters: putting up the lights and decorations on our tree! @elizamicmac
ReplyDeleteelizamac@fuse.net
I need to be able to laugh at the shenanigans of this time of year. Wendell Ferguson's Cranky Christmas music is my friend in this regard.
ReplyDeleteSinging along to this song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjX4gGUSkA8 at top volume is especially helpful. :)
laura at rainbowdragon dot ca
Gift giving. it just warms my heart to see someone else light up. :)
ReplyDeletedawnhebein (at) gmail (dot) com
Putting up the tree and decorating never fails to get me into the spirit. :D
ReplyDeleteericon_22 (at) hotmail (dot) com
@ekendall
Reading all these answers puts me in a better mood. Good luck to everyone!
ReplyDeleteChristmas songs gets me in the holiday mood.
ReplyDeletejmesparza821(at)gmail(dot)com
@jmesparza821
What puts me in the holiday mood is decorating and lots of lights and colors. The other thing that puts me in a holiday mood is listening and watching young children talk about Christmas and Santa and all of the great things they hope they get for Christmas. I always make sure that I donate to Toys for Tots because I think that every child should have an exciting day! @njsunbunny
ReplyDeleteChristmas music always gets me into the Holiday Mood. But, the very first thing to do it is Celebrating Thanksgiving!!! @DeftonesGirly81
ReplyDeleteOh..and email is DeftonesGirly@Gmail.com :)
ReplyDeleteI think it takes a combination of things for me. Music is usually the start, and then that makes me want to watch movies (The Muppets Christmas Carol and Love Actually are traditional for Hubby and me) and then comes the baking and candy making. Yum! The smells are definitely the final thing that puts me into the Christmas Spirit.
ReplyDeleteWhat puts me in the holiday mood? Christmas PJs. Yep, Pjs. Every year on Christmas Eve morning, my daughters and I put on new Christmas pjs and head to grandma's house. We spend the whole day in pjs. Then we put a new pair on Christmas morning. We've done it every year since my girls were 2; they're 16 and 18 now.
ReplyDeleteWatching "It's a Wonderful Life," the smell of real wood burning in a fire place and the first snow fall. I love the holiday season! Lotis01@hotmail.com
ReplyDeleteAfter choppinng down a tree anbd putting up decorations while listening to Andy Williams's Christmas album with my hubby and kiddo, I curl up on the couch with a hot cup of homemade cocoa and watch It's a Wonderful Life, my FAVORITE Christmas movie!
ReplyDeletebooks4me67 at ymail dot com
It's the music and gets me in the mood - mkatrankarmordotcom
ReplyDeleteHoliday music and the smell of cinnamon.
ReplyDeletet_wooddy@hotmail.com
Christmas music and eggnog always help put me in the mood. Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas to all and I hope you have a safe and happy holiday season.
pnc07 (at) aol (dot) com
@MamaCrab1
When the little kids get so excited it rubs off on you. You can't help but share in the Christmas spirit with them.
ReplyDeletehelldog3 at aol.com
It's kind of cheesy, but Mariah Carey's Merry Christmas album ALWAYS gets me in the holiday mood! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway!
ohmygoshbeck@gmail.com
curl up with a good book, God bless you all
ReplyDeleteShirley Moore
Thank you for the giveaway!!!
ReplyDeletelvnnyates@yahoo.com
Love the books!!
I love watching all the old claymation movies, Rudolph, The year without a Santa Claus, etc with my kiddos. We always finish up with the animation version of the Grinch.
ReplyDeleteAngiNicoleBlack(at)gmail(dot)com
or at twitter (at)AngiNicole722
The things that get me into the celebratory mood are the whiskey balls my mom makes each year, decorating the tree with my younger siblings and watching the first real snowfall. :)
ReplyDeletebaileythebookworm(at)gmail.com or
@the_author_ on Twitter
The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra's Yuletide celebration. We go every year and it is a delightful evening of singing and laughter and joy! The audience joins in the celebration, the orchestra is incredible and the singers and host are always talented and enjoyable. It puts me in the mood faster than anything.
ReplyDeleteTwitter handle is @NanReinhardt
ReplyDeleteWebsite: www.nanreinhardt.com
I love all of these responses! It really puts me in the spirit of things. Yay! Good luck to everyone!
ReplyDeleteI have a holiday music playlist on my iPod. I just turn it on and hear all my favorites. Then I'm in the Christmas mood. I've also become really fond of Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas starring Jim Carrey. What better ending to a love story than the Grinch getting the girl! @TRogTheWriter
ReplyDeletePutting up Christmas decorations and visiting relatives. Oh, and making Christmas cookies. Yum!
ReplyDeleteTami
My daughter always gets me in the holiday spirit, just seeing her face light up in joy as we decorate the tree. Also when I read the Night before Christmas to her as we eat cookies and drink milk.
ReplyDeleteStephanie
Sbodine07@gmail.com
Just being able to enter this contest and writing about this has put me in the holiday spirit even more. Thanks for the chance to win.
Sending care packages to troops stationed overseas - some I know and some I don't, and visiting nursing homes with my church to sing carols with residents.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteChristmas music does it everytime for me. I love to hear The Grinch Who Stole Christmas and Santa Baby. My Twitter handle is Brinda_Berry .
ReplyDeleteThe external stimulus is nice, but what puts me in the holiday mood is being able to do something for someone else. Presents are nice, but a kind gesture is worth so much more.
ReplyDeleteJoanne
jlhuspek@msn.com
Love a chance to win.
ReplyDeletekbmckee at mail dot com
The holiday spirit is all over! My eldest is giving most of her Christmas money to a charity for children. I'm so proud of her! Cheryl Ann Smith
ReplyDeletewritercherylannsmith@comcast.net
Seeing all the lights does it real quick! thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeletefingershankins@yahoo.com
December is a three-Friday paycheck month! This gives me extra money to get spirited with!
ReplyDeletemoniecawest@gmail.com
Movies, the Christmas lights and the Christmas tree put me in the holiday mood. Thanks so much for a chance to win. Wow, Santa couldn't have done better. :) Merry Christmas!!
ReplyDeletekmnbooks at yahoo dot com
Hey there! Hm. I have to say that the weather changing, finally, down here in Florida puts me in the holiday mood. There's just nothing quite like the bite of cold in the air.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
@DenaCeleste
shibari.manko@gmail.com
When I hear Sleigh Ride on the radio, I begin to feel the Christmas Spirit.
ReplyDeleteWatching my kids open their presents. It doesn't matter if I'll be in debt until next Christmas but when those little monsters open those presents, when there eyes brighten with joy, It's Christmas. :-)
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite things about Christmas is the lights; they're guaranteed to put me in the holiday mood. This year my toddler is joining me in the light appreciation with his often-heard exclamation, "iiight, iiight!"
ReplyDeleteThe one thing that get's me in the mood for Christmas is seeing the Hallmark and sweet Christmas commercials after Thanksgiving. I realize the Season is near and I'm so ready to spread my good tidings and Christmas cheer even more now.
ReplyDeleteI'm one who try's to have Christmas Cheer all year round. But there's something about Christ birthday that is extra special when it's coming up.
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and Happy Chanaka, May you and your families be blessed throughout the year. Happy New Year!
Twitter address @nutsaboutquinn
Teresa K.
tcwgrlup41(at)yahoo dot com
The one thing is watching "The Muppets Christmas Carol". I know it sounds like I'm kidding, but I truly believe it is the best of the Dicken's interpretations on film.
ReplyDeleteHappy holidays to everyone at the Here Be Magic blog!
Dani (at) DanielleMonsch (dot) com
I'm a US resident
The one thing that never fails to put me in a holiday is putting up my christmas tree. We don't have many decorations in our house but the tree is the one staple that is there every year.
ReplyDeleteI think this is one awesome contest please enter me!
~*Drea*~
dreabecraft(@)aol.com
What puts me into the holiday spirit is a good Christmas romance. I have several on my keeper shelf I go back to, even after the holidays are over.
ReplyDeleteemkem@wideopenwest.com
Spending time with my family for the holidays puts me in the Holiday spirit. We are spreed all over different states and its great when we can get all together!!
ReplyDeletelvnnyates@yahoo.com
Thank you so much!!
The scent Holiday Spice gets me every time. sarajanedrum@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteThe music, falling snow, and all the Christmas specials on tv get me into the spirit! Happy Holidays! :)
ReplyDeleteWhat puts me in the true Christmas spirit is seeing the look on the kids faces while the open their presents. Children embody the true meaning of the holidays: Giving, thankfulness, love.
ReplyDeleteGreat contest, ladies, and I'm wishing everyone of you a very blessed Holiday Season. May all your writing in 2012 bring you tons of success.
Oh, and I want that Kindle Fire. Repeat: I want that Kindle Fire.
I tweeted about your contest today! Good luck!
Best, Keta
httpp://ketaskeep.blogspot.com
Hearing White Christmas never fails to put me in the holiday mood (and puts a smile on my face)!
ReplyDeleteEmail: kimberlyFDR@yahoo.com
Twitter: @kimberlyFDR
My girls. I have a five-year-old and a six-year-old, and their anticipation is contagious. They love everything: the music, the traditions, decorating, family, giving, and receiving. How can I resist? Making memories for them makes great memories for me too. :) Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteSo many wonderful authors in this Holiday Line-up! Quite a few names I recognize. *waves* Hi Chris and Dee! Hey Ruth! Ya'll rock for doing this great give away.
ReplyDeleteMy birthday is just three days after Christmas so this is my favorite time of year for more than one reason. What puts me in the holiday spirit is a mix of things. Music, the movies, old time classics we watch with the grandkids. Mostly it's something I have trouble explaining. It's a feeling that over comes me when Dec 1 rolls around and the anticipation slowly seeps in. It grows the closer to Christmas we come. It's just a feeling of, I don't know how to say it... belonging? Coming home? All I know is that I miss Christmas season before it is half way over. It comes and goes too fast.
Happy Holidays!
cmselfridge@gmail.com
seeing all the pretty Christmas lights all over town
ReplyDeleteHearing Christmas music all around Venice and Padova while it's snowing; knowing that I get to spend a few weeks with my parents; baking for the whole family huge meals, since everyone has its favourite; and watching old movies all together.
ReplyDeletelallyjx@libero.it
Watching National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation puts me in the holiday spirit. It cracks me up every time I watch it & some aspects of the family dysfunction is similar to my own family. Also looking at other homes' Christmas outdoor lights & decorations gets me every time. Some families are so creative & dedicated!
ReplyDeleteAlicia32a@yahoo.com
@alicia32a
Snuggling with my kiddos on the couch and watching The Grinch or Rudolph really get me in the Christmas spirit! Baking goodies for family and friends does the same. Thanks for a great contest.
ReplyDeleteI have a little porcelain baby doll ornament It is 85 years old It was my mother's baby's first Christmas ornament. Mom has passed. Every year when I hang the ornament on my tree I feel like she is here with me
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas to everyone
Kathie
Seeing the Marines at Walmart collecting toys and money for Toys for Tots.
ReplyDeleteMy two favorite Christmas movies every: The Grinch That Stole Christmas and A Christmas Story.
ReplyDeleteYou'll put your eye out!
Happy Holidays!
drkcherry AT gmail DOT com
A music is a must. The holidays just seem bland without it. Decorated trees and lights, snow, snow and more snow.
ReplyDeleteJean
@wickedromance
murray.jeanm at gmail dot com
"One thing that never fails to put you in the holiday spirit" -- I'm a sucker for holiday cards. I adore receiving them and then filling a door, hanging them up. @cayswann on twitter
ReplyDeleteBaking Christmas cookies, the warmth, the smell, the taste.
ReplyDeleteAnne
acm05atjuno.com
When March of the Wooden Soliders comes on TV, it puts me in the holiday spirit almost immediately. It reminds me of being a little girl and watching it with my mom during the holidays.
ReplyDelete- @jumpingtraci
For me its the music, I put on the old christmas songs and of course the movie "White Christmas" then it feels like christmas, even in Texas without any snow lol
ReplyDeleteSinging The Chipmunks's Christmas Song (...please Christmas don't be late...) with my sisters. Actually, seeing my sisters--there are 5 of us and we live in different states
ReplyDelete@elitsirk
elitsirk at gmail dotcom
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHonestly, my children put me in the holiday mood every time. I get so excited when they get excited. We decorate and make goodies together. So much fun.
ReplyDeleteauthorcheriemarks (at) gmail (dot) com
My favorite is baking all those yummy holiday goodies while listening to the Christmas music on the radio. Can't beat that!
ReplyDeletePatti Shenberger
pattishenberger@comcast.net
Every year my friends and I, just at dusk, would get out the horses. We'd put a few bells on the saddles, just enough to make a soft jingle. In the Upper Midwest, snow during the holiday season was almost a given. We'd ride down the roads, hooves muffled by the snow, and look at the Christmas lights of our neighbors. The stars, the decorations, and the company made it the best season ever. No matter the aggravation of our daily lives, nights like that guaranteed there was never any room in our hearts for hatred or churlishness - just love and happiness. Sometimes we'd even have spontaneous caroling on horseback. The best days ever!
ReplyDeletelaramcgill@gmail.com
Wow, this is so hard for me to answer. I would say my mom always put me in the Christmas spirit. Even in our hardest times and darkest days, her spirit never failed. Now that she is gone, I try to remember the happiness she tried to infuse in all of us even if she didn't have it herself.
ReplyDeleteShe was always so selfless and I fear that I did not appreciate it like I should have. So out of all the Christmas traditions I follow(Must watch 'White Christmas' and 'It's a Wonderful life', must have eggnog and fresh greens in the house) I think for me, the spirit of Christmas will always be for me my mom.
You can follow me or reach me @LizWalkbttrfly
Christmas carols always put me in the Holiday mood. Even through the crowds of people between me and the cash register make me grind my teeth, when I hear, "We wish you a Merry Christmas," I calm down and enjoy the season.
ReplyDeleteSteph Berget
Burl Ives Christmas carols!!
ReplyDeleteI get the same goose bumps as I did when I listened to him as a child!
Listening to any Christmas music does it for me.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the contest. Please enter me.mcv111@hotmail.com
Popping in to say hi and thank you to our commenters. This must be the cheeriest thread on the internet! Some of you have some really cool holiday traditions. Good luck in the drawing--we've had a lot of fun putting it together.
ReplyDeleteMe three on the eggnog. I hardly even drink milk the rest of the year; add a little bourbon and it does double duty as Grinch chaser.
ReplyDelete@amgamble
Wow what a way to get into the holiday spirit!
ReplyDeleteAs for me once I get into Christmas I really love it! It takes me a few weeks to get into the Christmas spirit. Once I get there though I really like hearing Christmas songs and watching holiday movies and they hardly ever fail to keep me in the Christmas spirit!
Baby It's Cold Outside is one of my favorite holiday type songs, I love hearing Zoey Deshanael and Leon Redbone sing it!
The Year Without a Santa Clause and Santa Clause is Coming to Town are two of my favorite Christmas movies!
Thanks so much for the awesome prizes, and good luck to everyone who enters!
Happy Holidays!
Seeing everyone's homes and yards decorated with Christmas lights puts me in the Christmas mood:)
ReplyDeleteVal Clarizio
valclarizio@yahoo.com
Normally placing all the handmade ornaments from my kids on the tree puts me in the holiday mood. However since I lost my home and everything in the tornado that devastated my hometown in May I don't have any of them anymore. I'm living with my youngest daughter's family now so I can enjoy her decorations. I also love Christmas music. O Holy Night is my favorite, especially by Josh Groban. I hope everyone has a joyous and safe holiday season.
ReplyDeleteTwitter as @BookOwner
seriousreader at live dot com
Getting into the Christmas mood, starts with the lights and decorations. Then the music and my favorite movie the original 'Grinch'.
ReplyDeleteI start geting in the mood when I start to see the xmas light go up and then there is a radio station in our town that plays xmas music from after Thanksgiving until Christmas day. Whenever I feel grinchy I tune it in and sing out loud much to my boys chigrin. lol.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great giveaway
scrtsbpal at yahoo dot com
Pamk258 twitter handle
Just when I start seeing all the decorations up is when it hits me the most. Also when my neice and nephews start getting really excited for Santa. Thanks! :)
ReplyDelete-Amber
goodblinknpark@yahoo.com
Chocolate chip pancakes! They definitely put me in a good mood and remind me of my childhood!
ReplyDeleteinsanityisnormal(at)gmail(dot)com
The beginning of Advent, the lights, and the music of the season. Today it began to snow so looks like Christmas.
ReplyDeleteThe holiday truly starts when the hubby and I have our The Santa Clause marathon (the one starring Tim Allen). We set up the table-top tree and watch the movie by light of it curled up on the couch. It's campy and silly and gets me in the mood to make cocoa, decorate the house and bake.
ReplyDeletealliesanderswrites[at]gmail[dot]com
Eggnog and Sleigh Bells :) They just fill me with warmth and joy.
ReplyDeleteJulie
phoenixfirewolf [at] gmail [dot] com
US resident.
Christmas music :)
ReplyDeleteThalia
museclues08 AT yahoo DOT com
Decorating a gingerbread house and the Xmas tree with my kidlet always puts me in that warm n' fuzzy holiday mood. That, and listening to her sing Xmas carols in her sweet, little voice, inventing more than half the lyrics herself.
ReplyDeletehappy holidays,
Anne
@mmefran
The one thing that ALWAYS puts me in the holiday mood is the Christmas tree - when everything is all set up and the boxes put away, it's dark, and the lights are all turned on. That's the best. (During and before are often stressful) - but once it's all quiet and the multicolored lights are twinkling, I feel happy. (And I grew up with colored lights so I love them best.)
ReplyDeleteOne thing that always puts me in the holiday mood is seeing my nieces & nephews get excited about the holidays. Reading holiday books also help.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful holiday season.
June M.
manning_j2004 at yahoo dot com
Christmas music puts me in the holiday mood. I start listening to it early. There is a station on the radio that plays christmas music only from Thanksgiving until Christmas.
ReplyDeleteTina
tlstringfellow@hotmail.com
What puts me in the holiday mood is Christmas lights -- once they start going up in the neighborhood or at stores, I start humming Christmas tunes.
ReplyDeleteWendy
Twitter: @wendychenbooks