Wrapping and Wine

 I've had fun supporting my local businesses and shopping online but it's time to wrap. Every year I end up wrapping gifts on Dec. 22 and 23 in a rush. This year is different. My goal is to find a little Romance of the Season. Wrapping gifts is all about LOVE. Grab a glass of wine, place some holiday tunes and wrap some love.

I suggest a sweet wine to pair with wrapping. 
Have a small dish of chocolates handy for energy.
Avoid salty or greasy items; they will leave marks on the paper.

I set up a wrapping station in my basement (close to where the gifts are hidden in totes).Bins of various sizes contain paper rolls, bags, boxes, bows and ribbons.

Wrapping the largest gifts first makes for easy organization.

Clothing is tucked into boxes with colorful tissue. I sealed each box with tape so nosy boys won't peak. On a corner of each box, in tiny print, I wrote the first initial of who the gift is for.

My "assembly line" is simple:

*One table is cleared so I may wrap the gift.

*Then I select a ribbon and bow. After I attach the decoration, I put the spool of ribbon back in its tote.

*Finally, I attach a tag. This year I found some "fancy" tags at The Christmas Tree Shop but I still have the old fashion stick-on tags.

I sort the gifts by size to be taken upstairs to the tree.

As gifts are wrapped, I place them under the tree. Some gifts are "Santa Gifts" and are set aside to be placed under the tree late Christmas Eve. 

I always thought it would be fun to have a gift wrapping party with my sister and niece or with my girls. 

Do you have any wrapping traditions?

#ThoughtsToPonder - The 12 Days of Christmas

People often think of 'The Twelve Days of Christmas' as the days preceding the festival. Actually, Christmas is a season of the Christian Year that lasts for the twelve days beginning December 25 and lasting until January 6 - the Day of Epiphany, when the church celebrates the revelation of Christ as the Light of the world and recalls the journey of the magi. 

Four Magi? Sure, why not.
Middle son and friends before a Christmas Pageant. c2006

Concerning the popular song 'the Twelve Days of Christmas,' 

I learned this legend behind the text from an article in a church newsletter. 

 From 1558 until 1829 Roman Catholics in England were not allowed to practice their faith openly. During that era someone wrote 'The Twelve Days of Christmas' as a kind of secret catechism that could be sung in public without the risk of persecution. 

The song has two levels of interpretation: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of the church. Each element in the carol is a code word for a reality of our faith. 

 The partridge in a pear tree is Jesus Christ. The pear tree is a reminder of the cross. 

 The two turtledoves are the Old and New Testaments. Two great gifts which each Christian receives. 

Three French hens stand for faith, hope and love. 

 The four calling birds are the four Gospels. Matthew, Mark, Luke, & John, which speak of Jesus. 

 The five gold rings recall the first five books of the Old Testament or the Torah. These books were treated by the Jews with great reverence and considered worth more than gold (Psalm 19:10). 

 The six geese a-laying stand for the six days of creation. Eggs are an almost universal symbol of new life. The laying geese God spoke the word and brought forth life. 

 Seven swans a-swimming represent the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit (Romans 12:6-8): prophesy, service, teaching, encouraging, giving, leadership, mercy. 

The eight maids a-milking are The eight Beatitudes of Jesus (Matthew 5:3-10) nourish us as milk does. Nine ladies dancing? 

The nine ladies dancing could be the fruits of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23): love, joy peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. 

 The ten lords a-leaping are the Ten Commandments. Lords were men who had authority in people's lives. (Exodus 20:3-17). 

 Eleven pipers piping stand for the eleven faithful disciples. 

 Twelve drummers drumming symbolize the 12 points of belief in the Apostles' Creed."

This legend has been around for a long time. It has been said the author of the song refuted any hidden meaning behind the song. 

One theory of the song is simply "it's a fun party song". A sort of "memory or forfeit" type game. It was popular with children as well. Folks would often sing the song much like we often sing "Row, Row, Row the Boat" in three parts.

No one may ever know if there truly is hidden meaning but the song is still fun to sing.

New Wines to Try

I stopped at one of my favorite local shops to pick up done Michigan-based gifts. I found a few red wines to try.

I often purchase extra wine to gift but this year I need to restock the wine rack.

Friday Holiday Funnies

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I swear the creator of Maxine knows my mom.

Mom has the same wit.
I never know what she's going to say next!
But I'm certainly on my way to needing therapy.

 

 

#Thursday13 - Holiday Date Night Ideas

Christmas doesn’t have to just be for kids, but it can also be a time to relight that fire with your honey. This year makes getting together with friends and family difficult. There won't be the big holiday parties to attend. However, this simply means more QUALITY time with your honey.

Here are a few ideas to add some romance to your holiday.

1. Take a walk in the park
2. Go ice skating
3. Sip hot chocolate (or something a little stronger) by the fire
4. Rent a cabin in the woods for a weekend getaway
5. Share a dessert by candlelight
6. Cook a meal together
7. Have a leisurely breakfast in bed
8. Spend the evening "at the theatre". Get dressed up and pop in a drama or theatrical video. 
9. Take a drive to "nowhere in particular" and stop whenever inspired to enjoy the scenery
10. Park in a secluded spot (be sure to have lots of blankets) and gaze at the stars.

11. Watch a Christmas themed movie together. Enjoy popcorn and warm spiced cider.

12. Order take-out from a restaurant you've never been to.

13. Go to a local tree farm. Cut down a fresh tree. If you use an artificial tree, see if you can collect fresh greens and make an outdoor arrangement for your porch

Romance & Peppermint Choco Martinis

So many parties won't be happening this year. 

That doesn't mean you can't have a little "party" with your honey. 

Even if you have kids, a "party night" would be fun. Schedule a night for a "party". Everybody can dressed up in party clothes, play some music, nibble on a meat and cheese plate. 

Enjoy playing a party game of some sort.

Make a non-alcohol punch for kids and make a special adults-only drink for you and your honey.

Have fun making a party drink to share. 

Here's one of my favorites.

INGREDIENTS
1 1/2 parts KAHLÚA PEPPERMINT MOCHA
1/2 part vodka
 1/4 part half and half
 1/4 part chocolate milk
Garnish with whipped cream and small candy cane

Give A Sexy Gift

You've already picked up a practical gift for your honey, now it's time to pick up a little something, something to add some heat to your winter nights.

 

I often recommend my beloved Lover's Lane shop where the ladies know my name and tell me I'm their favorite author. They certainly know how to schmooz me.  But in all reality, the ladies certainly take good care of me. They have ordered in research material, answered my millions of questions, helped me select special prizes for giveaways, and fitted me for personal lovelies. The women are trained to measure your figure while helping you feel at ease with your own body as you select a soft little number that makes you feel amazing. They also will help you find products to support physical limitations or allergies.

Attending or hosting a Pure Romance holiday party is a great way to have some sexy fun with gal pals, win free stuff, and pick up some awesome tips. Products include a wide range of oils, scents, bath & beauty products as well as fabulous toys.

Have the best holiday with gifts that keep giving.

Random Positive Thoughts

Flying With A Little Love

 Flyboy has flown away but takes a bit of romance with him. He'll be gone for two weeks but I've hidden fun little love notes in his bag. As he unpacks throughout his trip, he'll find them. 

I picked up a booklet from Cary Ann's Hallmark that has easy tear-out pages. They are small enough to fit in luggage or lunch boxes but big enough to not be lost. A great way to keep romance alive. 

The book with the tear-our love notes is featured in lower left corner.
Available at your local Hallmark shop.

Find Couple Time During Holidays

During the month of December, there will be many demands on your time. 

Stress levels may rise. At the end of the day, exhaustion sets in. 

Even Santa and Mrs. Claus make time for alone time.

Here a few tips to "keep it together" during the holiday season.

* Try not to schedule to many things to do right after each other. Give yourself time between each one.

* Take time to sit with your honey and make a list of things you enjoy the most about the holiday. This will not only give you quality time together, but also help keep you in the Christmas spirit.

*Schedule certain things from your list to do together. Yes... write it down! Make a date of it.

*Speak with family members in advance. Schedule family face time or Zoom gathering with those you won't be able to be with in person.

* Plan meals in advance. Do meal prep with your honey.

*  Fight gifting stress. Limit gift giving, promote thoughtful giving. Take a day for you and your honey to visit local shops. Grab an adult beverage or hot cocoa and sit together to do online shopping. 

*Help each other. Spending time together and taking care of a "chore" at the same time.

*As a couple, think of a new family tradition you can create this year.