Well, it’s almost February, which means the “holidays” are over. The temperature is getting warmer and those giant piles of snow in the parking lot are getting smaller and smaller with each day. As I see Christmas trees finally being taken down and left on the curbs, it gave me pause to think about what I enjoy so much about the holidays (other than the days off of work, which are always awesome.) It also made me start to wonder why there are certain excellent holiday traditions that are only present during the holidays. With the idea of extending my favorite Christmas traditions throughout the year, I came up with a list of 5 things that I believe should not be restricted to the Christmas season.
1. Eggnog – Why don’t we drink eggnog year round? I understand that it’s full of calories and isn’t exactly healthy for you, but it’s so good! Surely it shouldn’t be a crime to indulge in a little ‘nog once or twice a month during the non-winter months?
2. Gift Giving – The occasions for giving someone a gift are too far and few between. Christmas, birthdays and anniversaries are pretty much it. Out of 365 days, we’ll only give someone a gift on 3 of them? That’s less than 0.1%. We should give more gifts – whether it’s a gift of time, a wrapped gift you bought at the store, or even a hand-made card. Gifts rock.
3. Christmas Lights – There’s something that is so happy about Christmas lights. They come in different colors or are simply white. Some of them blink, others flash in fun patterns, and some are on as constant beacons of light to shine light in the darkness. Having Christmas lights up is like bringing the stars down to street level. Nights are much prettier with Christmas lights and I would support a petition to start a new line of Spring, Summer, and Fall lights. Or “Just because I like lights” Lights.
4. Celebration of Jesus – As they’ll say in Christmas commercials, “He’s the reason for the season.” But He is really the reason for everything, not just for Christmas. The whole reason many of us continue in our walks to grow closer to God, and the path for us to walk to grow closer to God, is through the big JC – Jesus Christ. That’s cause for celebrating Christ for more than just the 4 weeks before December 25th. It’s even bigger than celebrating Him every Sunday. I believe that as Christians who are walking in Christ, we should celebrate Jesus every day, every hour, with everything we do. All unto the Lord!
5. Peace on Earth, Good Will Towards Man – Why do we say this only during the holidays? This should be a constant desire and prayer for all of us. Otherwise, it’s “war on earth, hate men.” That is not good. The spirit of loving others and having peace and harmony on earth (heaven on earth anyone?) is a desire of my heart. Let’s strive to achieve this all year. Let’s put forth the thoughts ad prayers that this can be attained NOW and can be ever-lasting.
So, in honor of the holiday spirit, which I think we should continue throughout the entire year, here’s a gift from me to you! It’s a very special What’s Cooking at DD Christmas Spirit Giveaway!
The Prize:
One winner will receive the Bath & Body Works Signature Collection Triple Moisture Body Cream and Fragrance Mist in the Twilight Woods scent. (ARV $24)
To Enter:
I’m doing this a little differently so we can share each others favorite holiday traditions. Your qualifying entries must be posted as a COMMENT. To get your extra entries you must use THIS ENTRY FORM. I will be diligently removing non-qualifying entries from the comment section, so if you don’t use THIS ENTRY FORM FOR EXTRA ENTRIES, they will all be deleted. Consider yourself warned. 
Ways to Earn Entries:
Make sure you use this ENTRY FORM for your extra entries to count!
- THIS ENTRY IS REQUIRED FOR ALL OTHER ENTRIES TO BE VALID (+1): Remember to post this as a comment.Tell me what Holiday tradition you wish was year round.
- Post this giveaway on your blog (+3)
- Tweet about this giveaway using the “retweet” link at the top of this post or by tweeting “I’m keeping the holiday spirit alive all year long in the @WCatDD Christmas Spirit Giveaway! http://bit.ly/74zeSC” (+1)
- Subscribe to WCatDD (+1)
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- ONE TIME BONUS: Vote for us for the Web’s Top Giveaway Blogs (+2). After voting, don’t forget to comment on this post as well for your chance to win $100 if we win!
The Rules:
One winner will be selected at random for this prize.
Giveaway ends at 11:59 PM EST, February 1, 2010.
Visit our Giveaway Rules page for general giveaway rules that also apply to this giveaway.
Disclaimer: No compensation was given for this review/giveaway. I did NOT receive any free product and the prizes are provided by me!
I wish that the spirit of Valentine's Day was year-round, with both romance and friendship love tugging at people's heartstrings!
I wish that the spirit of Valentine's Day was year-round, with both romance and friendship love tugging at people's heartstrings!
I like the big dinners with leftovers and holiday baking, and I would like them all year!
I like the big dinners with leftovers and holiday baking, and I would like them all year!
I would like Christmas to be a holiday all-year round! I just love the food and giving gifts and being with families.
I would like Christmas to be a holiday all-year round! I just love the food and giving gifts and being with families.
I actually look forward to out work party..we actually hardly ever get to see much of each other face to face if we are in different departments so it gives me a chance to put a face to the voices I deal with daily.
I actually look forward to out work party..we actually hardly ever get to see much of each other face to face if we are in different departments so it gives me a chance to put a face to the voices I deal with daily.
I wish the tradition of getting together with family stayed throughout the year.madamerkf at aol dot com
I wish the tradition of getting together with family stayed throughout the year.
madamerkf at aol dot com
The tradition I wish was year round is having my kids come over for dinner and going to church together. I'd love to do that every week.
The tradition I wish was year round is having my kids come over for dinner and going to church together. I'd love to do that every week.
My favorite holiday tradition is looking at all the Christmas lights, I would love to see them year round!
My favorite holiday tradition is looking at all the Christmas lights, I would love to see them year round!
I wish stockings were year round. I love the little gifts that are hidden and how festive it makes the mantle look. Thanks so much! pamelashockley(AT)netscape(DOT)net
I wish stockings were year round. I love the little gifts that are hidden and how festive it makes the mantle look. Thanks so much! pamelashockley(AT)netscape(DOT)net
All the holiday baking!! Ymmmmm. Of course, I would definitely be 300 lbs, but it would be delicious.
All the holiday baking!! Ymmmmm. Of course, I would definitely be 300 lbs, but it would be delicious.
That families “got together more often than just on Christmas
That families “got together more often than just on Christmas
Ours is every christmas eve,we get the whole family new jammies&watch christmas movies&order chinese!ardelong2(at)gmail(dot)com
My favorite holiday tradition is going to my mother's home with my children and baking cookies and decorating them.[email protected]
Ours is every christmas eve,we get the whole family new jammies&watch christmas movies&order chinese!
ardelong2(at)gmail(dot)com
My favorite holiday tradition is going to my mother's home with my children and baking cookies and decorating them.
[email protected]
Getting together as a family. We don't get to do that often enough because everyone is so scattered around the country.
Getting together as a family. We don't get to do that often enough because everyone is so scattered around the country.
I wish we could have Christmas lights up on our house year round! I think they are so beautiful!
I wish we could have Christmas lights up on our house year round! I think they are so beautiful!
Even though it's outdated, I wish caroling was a year long tradition. Wouldn't you love it if you heard a choir randomly singing a Beatles song while your shopping in the mall in the summer?
Even though it's outdated, I wish caroling was a year long tradition. Wouldn't you love it if you heard a choir randomly singing a Beatles song while your shopping in the mall in the summer?
I wish decorated trees would last longer, but our tradition is to do a white elephant game
I wish decorated trees would last longer, but our tradition is to do a white elephant game
Another thing I wish was available year round … candy canes! They are so cheerful and so much fun, I think it would be great if we could enjoy them all the time.
Another thing I wish was available year round … candy canes! They are so cheerful and so much fun, I think it would be great if we could enjoy them all the time.
I wish decorated trees would last all year
I wish decorated trees would last all year
id have to say decorating the yard with christmas decorations..actually one year my hanging icicles stayed on the roof until easter lol
id have to say decorating the yard with christmas decorations..actually one year my hanging icicles stayed on the roof until easter lol
Our outdoor lights are still up, and I would like that to stay that way!
Our outdoor lights are still up, and I would like that to stay that way!
I wish people were nice and cheerful all year long.
I wish people were nice and cheerful all year long.
The smell of Christmas all year long!
The smell of Christmas all year long!
I would love to see Christmas lights up all year round. I wish that someone could help me find the true spirit of Christmas again. My mom died December 19, 2002, and things have not been the same since. I have not even put up a Christmas tree since moving to this town ten years ago. There was a massive snow storm on Christmas Ever this year, and I lost all power in my home. A former student came and asked me to stay with them in their warm home. I even ate Christmas dinner with them as not one of my five brothers and sisters asked me to have Christmas with them. They all have families. It is kind of sad for those of us who are alone.
I would love to see Christmas lights up all year round. I wish that someone could help me find the true spirit of Christmas again. My mom died December 19, 2002, and things have not been the same since. I have not even put up a Christmas tree since moving to this town ten years ago. There was a massive snow storm on Christmas Ever this year, and I lost all power in my home. A former student came and asked me to stay with them in their warm home. I even ate Christmas dinner with them as not one of my five brothers and sisters asked me to have Christmas with them. They all have families. It is kind of sad for those of us who are alone.
Watching my boys play in the snow makes me smile.
Watching my boys play in the snow makes me smile.