How To Prepare Your Home for the Christmas Season

Christmas is on the way – Let’s get ready to clean, bake and cook for the lovely holiday season

How to Get Your House Ready for the Christmas Season

You know that Christmas is coming. It’s right around the corner as my brother would say when we were kids growing up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 

My family and I lived across the street from my famous high school, Overbrook, also home of the spectacular Wilt Chamberlain. My Christmases were blessed and my childhood memories of Christmas are lovely. 

I find myself preparing for the holiday season the same way my parents did. My siblings and I enjoyed an immaculate home with all of the whimsy and trimmings that Christmas brought into our home. 

I’ll never forget the food that my mother cooked and the desserts she baked. Looking back to those amazing days I realize that my mother could have been a chef.  Seven days a week she prepared loving and I mean delicious meals for us all year round. 

I remember watching her make her special crust for her famous sweet potato cobbler. Our neighbors, family and friends raved about the deliciousness of all of her food. She was gifted with a loving heart, soft caring hands and we tasted that love with each and every meal that she lovingly prepared for us.

My mother kept our house spotless everyday of the year. My father and oldest brother washed windows twice a year and my sister and I dusted the coffee table and end tables every Saturday morning. Our family home was a loving environment. 

And now that I have my own home and family I thoroughly love cleaning and keeping my home clean just like my mother. 

Here’s How to clean your home for the holiday season

With Christmas being my favorite time of the year, I make sure that my home is properly ready to receive Christmas joy. 

Would you like to know how I do this. Well, grab a cup of your favorite happy and keep reading for this is how I get my house Christmas ready. 

To begin, I have to tell you what I use to clean my home. I recently saw a youtube video about using healthy cleaning supplies for the home. 

One of the best cleaning solutions that I discovered is alcohol. Well, I had a few bottles of it in my home already and decided to give it a go. I won’t be using anything else. 

Turn On The Christmas Music and Clean Your Home 

I went on Walmart’s website and found exactly what I need. I purchased ten bottles of alcohol to clean my sinks and the private areas in my bathroom. All of my bathroons and sinks now sparkle with a fresh scent.

Starting in my living room, I wash all windows and walls. I also clean the wood trim throughout my house and I sponge down all the doors in my home. 

I dust all of the furniture in my home, but I do that once a week already. Laundering bed linen and clean comforters is something that I love to do because I love the smell of fresh linen in all of my bedrooms of which there are four.

I also clean out my fridge and freezer to make room for my Christmas desserts, treats and mouth-watering goodies. Storing some of my cookies, cakes and brownies makes it easy on me. Baking treats early and storing them in the freezer gives me more time to relax during the holidays. 

Another thing that I do is I throw out old spices to welcome in new spices. Everything in my kitchen gets a refresh. 

I add clean fresh tablecloths on my dining room and kitchen tables making sure that each tablecloth has a  Christmas theme. 

The four bedrooms in my home get a refresh and all of my bathrooms too. I place Christmas hand towels for guests in a lovely basket with a candle next to it. 

After all of the cleaning that I do, my house is ready for Christmas. My home is clean from top to bottom and I love it.

And I think that’s everything. What about you. Do you deep clean your home from top to bottom when the Ber months arrive or do you do a light cleaning?

Well, I’ll be back with more cleaning tips next month.

Merry Christmas everyone.

Sincerely,

Cyn,

www.achampagnechristmas.com

www.christmasevermore.com

 

The Round Little Man In The Bright Red Velvet Suit

Santa Claus Stopped By for a short visit and Decided To Take a Nap

The Christmas Eve Visitor

There was something different about Christmas Eve and the vibes could be felt all evening long.

My husband and I had just come home from the most wonderful Christmas party ever. It was midnight and we were both ready for bed. 

We dined and partied with close friends and a few family members. 

Giving a toast to Christmas the pink champagne was excellent and the food was beyond delicious. 

The lobster was cooked to perfection and the crab cakes were 100% crab meat and I mean premium lump. 

We were also treated to baked potatoes and asparagus. I was more than pleased with my meal and enjoyed it all. 

After dinner we received Colombian cups of coffee and tea. I opted for green tea only because I’m not a coffee drinker. 

For dessert we had red velvet cake and cream cheese pound cake that was out of this world. I had a slice of each because I love cake. Besides ice cream it is favorite thing to eat. 

After dessert we all danced while a few played chess. The night felt amazing. It felt like it was never going to end. We all had a fantastic time and I was grateful to be in the company of such lovely and truly wonderful people. 

When the evening was over we all hugged and engaged in quick conversations because it was late. I was excited to get home and I was delighted to have spent quality time in love. 

Hubby and I got home around 12:30. I immediately checked on Max our German Shepherd and he was fine.  I went up stairs to get ready for bed while my hubby secured our home. 

Max joined me, as he always does, and I prepared for bed. 

As I laid down I heard somewhat of a strange sound. It was coming from the bedroom next to mine. I knew it wasn’t my husband because I had just heard him downstairs still stirring around. 

I tip toed into the hallway to see what I was hearing. I peaked into the bedroom and saw a husky body sound asleep on in our guest bedroom. Frightened out of my mind I flew downstairs to get my husband. I suddenly o thought to myself how come Max didn’t tell me that someone was in our home. 

After flying downstairs and grabbing my husbands hand he immediately ran upstairs with a baseball bat in his hand. 

I stood back as he approached the room. He gave this husky-bodied man a nudge. He didn’t move of course so he shook him again but this time with much more force. The man, whose back was to us, rolled over and said hi ho ho merry Christmas. Hubby and I both shouted ever so lightly, Santa Claus! What are you doing here? 

Santa explained to us that he was so tired after delivering toys to our neighbors house he decided to stop by our house for a quick visit. When he noticed we weren’t home he went down the chimney, grabbed a bite to eat and made some warm milk. Santa said he needed a nap and went upstairs and jumped into bed. He didn’t mean to sleep so long because he had a busy night ahead of him. 

Well Santa got up, washed his face and hands. He then left our home, walked back over to our neighbors house, hopped in his bright red sleigh where Rudolph., Donner and Blitzen were waiting.

We stood in our door entry way as Santa took flight. It was such fun seeing Santa on this cold winter night. 

Hubby and I locked our front door and headed for bed.

The Christmas Eve visitor was the best Christmas gift ever and this is one Christmas we will never ever forget. 

Story written by Cyndi

www.christmasevermore.com

My Home Is Alive On Christmas Eve

My Heart Beats with Christmas Tradition, Spirit and Peace

The Spirit of Christmas came to visit my home and decided to stay.

Whenever I hear the first sounds of Christmas I smile. I am smiling knowing my heart will be filled with more love than the days before. 

Radiance fills my heart and I illuminate like lights on a tree. 

Ornaments of grace and a crown of glory brighten my home. I am forever gifted with treasures and trinkets. 

In my living room there are two subtly scented candles. Sweet gingerbread and decadent apple cinnamon. They lend light along with a touch of elegance when evening falls and light and lamps have been dimmed. 

And as I feel the embers and see the glow from the fireplace and how it glows in every space in my place, I am still smiling.

I have always believed my home is like nature. It is peaceful and overflowing with calm. It is a place for all who enter to relax and dream. 

The Spirit of Christmas Surrounds my home day and night and This story tells a tale all about the beauty of the christmas season and how it makes me feel loved

As I am entering into more of the same Christmas meets me so that I receive more love. I will welcome it and I shall embrace it. The feeling is like a fleece-lined comforter that comes to bring me comfort and joy just like Santa when he comes to deliver Christmas presents for girls and boys. 

And now as I make my way into my beautifully decorated breathtaking dining room I invite family and friends to gather and glow. Right here we will converse, talk Christmas and of speak of love. 

There will be plenty of champagne. We shall toast the evening. 

Our dinner will be the most delicious fare where recipes will be shared and thoughts of guests will be given. 

When dinner has been served and dessert enjoyed and loved to the fullest we will enter into the living room to exchange handcrafted Christmas cards and LV gifts.  Every card will contain heart written messages of Christmas joy. 

Gifts will be both large and small to suite each guest to the tee. And yes, we will sip on tea. We will share Christmas stories from years past and create new memories that will forever last. 

I Give a Toast To  The Spirit of Christmas that forever shall reign in my heart

And now on this Christmas Eve we will share all of our good nights with kisses and hugs oh so tight. 

The festivities have been blessed and the celebration as amazing as my guests. 

All of my candles have melted down.  My eyes will now close and my body must rest as I give peace to my mind graciously flowing from the north south east and west. 

Good night to all and to all bright lights.

The Spirit of Christmas came to visit my home and I am forever thankful for friends who came to roam.

A champagne Christmas gives a toast to Christmas Eve.

Merry Christmas everyone,

Cyndi

www.christmasforevermore.com

 

There’s a Feeling of Christmas Everywhere

Christmas Is The Holiday That Sings To My Spirit

There's a Feeling of Christmas Everywhere

 

There’s a feeling of Christmas everywhere.

This phenomenal feeling is in my heart, blanketing my spirit and warming my soul.

I am over the moon just thinking about the upcoming holiday season. 

Hearts come together and loving warmth takes over.

The other day I began thinking about Christmas. Christmas is always on my mind. There was a slight jolt in my spirit and I jumped into the car and drove to Hobby Lobby. I had a feeling that they were stocking their shelves for Christmas.

When I got there all I could see was shelves were overflowing with autumn decor. I think it’s okay to say or even believe that their shelves will be full of Christmas soon. 

I’m going back there today (Monday, June 16, 2025) to see what they have on display for the most wonderful time of the year. 

I received an email over the weekend from Michael’s craft store that they are putting out their Christmas decorations this week. I’ll head there today as well to see what beauties they will be displaying for the holiday season. To say I am excited is an understatement.

The Christmas Season Is Beautiful, Warm and Wonderful

For me, there are so many things that make Christmas special. Even visiting the craft store, Home Goods and other home stores make me happy. I am not hard to please. Give me Christmas and you’ve given me the world. What can I say. I truly adore Christmas.

The decorations alone make spirits bright. The wonderful Christmas color palettes that illuminate our homes and songs that sing to our heart are amazing as well. 

And then there’s that cozy feeling that we all know so well and welcome with open arms that always shows up during the holidays while lovingly spreading good cheer everywhere we go. 

We can’t forget about the winter weather. Winter and Christmas go hand in hand. It’s the cold here up north that does it for me. 

Christmas Calls and Snowflakes Gently Fall 

I absolutely adore the cold and snowy conditions that always seem to show up when Christmas comes. 

Winter wonderlands make Christmas even more special every time I see a snowflake or two that sometimes turns into a real heavy snowfall. It’s awesome what those delicate beautifully designed snowflakes can do when they all fall to earth together. 

Looking forward to the 2025 holiday season I am preparing my home, once again, to receive love, joy and an abundance of good cheer followed by peace. 

As the Christmas season approaches I will be ready. Every year I look forward to preparing my home for this sensational season filled with love. 

I’ll slowly decorate every inch of my home with all of my beautiful Christmas decorations. My theme this year will be red and gold or perhaps silver and icy blue. Whatever colors I decide to use I will make it all come together like a picture on the front cover of a magazine. 

Christmas is such an amazing time of year. It fills every room and inch of my home and I love it. I look forward to enjoying the splendor and wonder of the season. 

This year I’m going to write a few Christmas songs and sing them to my family. I want to make sure each and every Christmas is special because I love my family and I love Christmas. Creating these These memories that can never be forgotten is extremely important to me.

What Christmas will you be creating this year that your family will cherish and never forget?

Merry Christmas everybody,

Sincerely,

Cyndi 

www.achampagnechristmas.com

The Reddest Ruby Christmas Gift

A Colorful Christmas story filled with friendships, family and treasures

The Reddest Ruby for Christmas

The reddest ruby for Christmas is a story for all to read and enjoy. 

My two best friends and I made plans to go Christmas shopping. It was Christmas Eve and I wanted to spend the day with Jenny and Amanda. We have been best friends ever since my husband and I moved into the neighborhood 7 years ago. They both had two children, but I was pregnant with my first child and we were all excited. I felt like this was going to be one of my greatest Christmas gifts I could receive. Having a baby in the holiday season.

So off to Neiman Marcus we went. It was cold and clouds covered the sky. It was my kind of day. I absolutely love the cold weather. 

We gave the keys to the kind gentleman working the valet station and made a beeline into Neiman. Amanda, Jenny and I went shopping confident that we were going to find the most thoughtful Christmas gifts that we set out to buy. 

Jenny immediately found her mom’s gift and Amanda bought two gifts for her hubby. I, on the other hand, took my time looking for a special gift for myself. 

Walking through Neiman I decided to head on over to the Louis Vuitton store because I knew I would find that very special Christmas gift to go under my beautifully decorated tree.  

Amanda, Jenny and I walked around LV until I found the perfect pocketbook. It had my name written all over it. I purchased it with love.

As the three of us sat waiting for my handbag to be monogrammed with my three initials, GTB, we sat eating macarons and drinking sparkling water that the store manager kindly offered us. The presentation of the macarons and sparkling water was lovely and we felt like Christmas queens.

After all, it was Christmas and we wanted to enjoy every second of the season.  

When the manager brought my beautifully packaged gift we went to a few other stores window browsing. 

We walked through the mall window shopping and had a ball talking and laughing. The mall was merry and bright and filled with Christmas shoppers from one end of the mall to the other. I loved seeing how happy the people were. Christmas has a wonderful way of pouring out love from the hearts of people everywhere. 

Now time was quickly passing and winding down as it always does when you are in the company of love.

Jenny, Amanda and I were hungry and it was time for us to have an early dinner and make our way home afterwards. I was tired and felt I needed to nap. 

We left the mall and went to Capital Grille for dinner. The food was incredible. I had lobster Mac and Cheese. Talk about delicious. Jenny and Amanda shared a plate of large crab cakes and their sides. They said it was more than delish. 

Right after my best friends and I engaged in an awesome conversation and amazing food we headed home. We had a fantastic time. Three close friends sharing, spending and showing love one to another is simply an awesome way to spend part of the holiday season and we appreciate one another and our friendship more than we could ever express with words. 

Amanda, Jenny and I hugged and they headed home. 

Now that we were all home safe and sound it was time for me to relax and enjoy a warm cup of chamomile tea. My husband was on his way home and I wanted his company for the rest of the evening. 

As I sat comfy and cozy awaiting my husband’s arrival I fell asleep. It wasn’t too long after I fell asleep that my husband came home and planted a warm kiss from his lips to my rosy red cheek. What a lovely way to wake up.

Not long after my husband’s sweet warm kiss woke me up we sat talking for a few minutes before we turned on Home Alone and fell asleep not long thereafter.

When we woke up I gave my husband his Christmas gifts and I opened mine from him. 

I still had another gift to open which was my Christmas present to myself.

Looking for my lovely gift I noticed that the packaging was completely different. However, I didn’t say a word, but I must say that I was scratching my head puzzled. I opened my gift that I bought from the LV store to show my husband. 

As I opened the gift I even noticed that the pocketbook had a little more weight to it than it did at the store. I opened my beautiful bag and found another gift inside. There was the most stunning red gift box inside my handbag. I nervously, but excitedly removed the gift box from my LV bag.

My husband said, Merry Christmas beautiful! Open your gift. When I opened the gift box my eyes saw the reddest Ruby ring I had ever seen in my life.  It was, indeed, the reddest Ruby to shine in my eyes. 

The day had dawned and Christmas was shining through the window of our comfortable living room. My husband and I enjoyed the day. I made brunch and then we had Christmas dinner. By the end of the night we were on our way to the hospital.

Little Baby Cyn was born. She was fine and healthy. My husband and I looked at each and said Merry Christmas. Love has come into the world. We are still smiling.

May the reddest ruby for Christmas warm your spirit and bless your heart.

Story Written by Cyn

www.wreathonmydoor.com

www.beautyandtheface.com

www.achampagnechristmas.com

 

 

 

Feeling the Christmas Vibes All Year Long

When Feeling the Vibes of Christmas You Plan for the Holiday Season

Happy Saturday Christmas Friends,

I am in my happy space, my bedroom office, feeling all warm, comfy, cozy and Christmasy.

Feeling the cold that February invited when she arrived I am loving this vibrant cold season. It reminds me of Christmas and its great wonder and splendor.

The winter season is my favorite time of year. My plan is to enjoy every second of the season because it is going to hot enough, soon enough and long enough.

Embracing the winter months never fail to deliver tremendous joy to me every year. Ever since I was a child I have loved and adored the Ber months.

Starting in September when I decorate my home with Autumn, I patiently await winter’s arrival and the moment I feel its amazing presence I start decorating for Christmas. 

Although it’s a new year and I know that warmer days are ahead, as slong as it is still freezing and snowing out, I am going to bask in this wondrous time. 

Christmas Vibes Are In the Air

Deeply moved with Christmas vibes today, February is the month that I start planning for Christmas. I shop for Christmas gifts and I stock up on the essentials that I need for Christmastime.

One of the many things that make Christmas super special to me is baking. Stumbling upon this amazing website, Divas Can Cook, I have tried several of her recipes and I have not been disappointed. I am not the best baker in the world, but I still love to bake for my family and they appreciate my desserts. It’s a part of our Christmas tradition.

The reason I shop so early for Christmas gifts and stock up on staples for my home is because I don’t want to run around trying to find the things I need for the joyous holiday season at the last moment. 

Here’s what I’ll be buying in a few weeks for the holidays: Feeling the Christmas vibes is real and alive.

  • Pam Baking Spray
  • Olive Oil
  • Seasonings for Thanksgiving and Christmas
  • Mayo
  • Carnation Milk
  • Cranberry Sauce
  • Elbow Macaroni

Planning and preparing for the Christmas season early brings me immense joy. It’s all part of celebrating the most wonderful time of the year.

This year I’ll be incorporating a few new from scratch recipes that include a few pasta dishes. I think the Italian in me is longing for something with a twist for Christmas 2025. 

I need my creativity to flourish this year and I am going to see to it that it does in more ways than one.

Well, I hope everyone has a fantastic Saturday. It’s time for to create some new designs right now because Christmas will be coming up and over the hills soon and I have got to be ready.

Here’s wishing you a very Merry Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Cyn

www.godsvirtuouswomenentrepreneurs.com  

The Missing Christmas Gift

A Christmas Evening I Will Always Remember and Cherish Forever

The Missing Christmas Gift

It was Christmas Eve and it was time to wrap gifts. I had 7 pretty gifts that needed wrapping and I wanted to get them all finished by 3 pm because I also had to make butter cookies and a sour cream pound cake in addition to making my annual Christmas Eve dinner.

I headed to my bedroom and when I got there I went straight to my closet where my gift were stored. I took all 7 gifts out from the closet, laid them on my bed and spread them out to make sure that they were all there.

As I browsed over each gift I noticed that there were only six Christmas presents and I had bought 7. I immediately headed back to my closet to find the other gift, but to my dismay I did not see it nor could i find it. The most important gift of all was missing.

Carefully and slowly thinking back I went back to my bedroom closet and searched frantically to find the 7th gift, but it was nowhere to be found. I sat on my bed for a moment thinking back on the day that I put my presents away. Had I hidden the gift from myself and simply can’t remember where I placed it. My oh my. I was upset that I couldn’t think with a clear mind.

i keep asking myself – Where could the other Christmas gift be?

The Missing Christmas Gift

Since I was unable to find the missing gift I decided to wrap the other six Christmas presents hoping that I would remember where the other gift may have been. After I was finished wrapping all of my gifts I spent a few more quiet seconds in my mind and in my closet trying to understand what could have happened to the missing Christmas gift. I was still baffled at this point because there was still no thought or trace of that seventh gift.

Time was quickly moving on and I still had to cook Christmas Eve dinner for my family and a few dear friends. Preparing for the Eve of Christmas and all its warmth and wonder I hurried along with my dinner plans for my family.


It’s time to celebrate the love of Christmas while the missing gift is still in my thoughts

The Missing Christmas Gift

We were all super excited and could not wait for the Christmas festivities to begin in our home. I made a delicious dinner, baked a batch of moist butter cookies and a sour cream pound cake. I also made a basket of homemade dinner rolls to compliment all the flavors that helped make my dinner a Christmas feast my family would never forget..

It was six o’clock and the festivities were under way!  We happily started the festivities adorning our bright and beautiful red and green attire. We were surprised to see that it was snowing too!

The tree in our living room was brightly lit. Gifts were tucked underneath the tree, dinner was hot and ready to be served. Songs of the season were the perfect backdrop for a joyous holiday celebration. Dessert was lovingly spread out on the elegantly decorated serving table and of course we were elated for the sparkle of the night which has always been that special moment of our yearly tradition that the kids look forward to on Christmas Eve which is the one-gift opening moment!


After celebrating such a wonderful evening our home became a silent night

The Missing Christmas Gift

I must say that it was a miraculous evening as it always is. Even though I still hadn’t figured out what happened to my other I had a joyous time with my family.

By the time the night was done, my kids were in bed dreaming of Santa coming down the chimney, eating a warm plate of homemade butter cookies and a chilled tall glass of milk.

Feeling blessed, warm and renewed my husband joined me as I sat in silence with peace in my spirit. We had a conversation with thanksgiving in our hearts for each other, our children, our warm and loving home and most importantly Jesus. He has always been and always will be the Reason for the Joy in the Season.

Talking to my husband I mentioned the missing gift to him. I asked him had he seen it and of course I knew the answer before he spoke. He had not seen nor did he know anything about any of the gifts and honestly I didn’t expect him to.

Close to midnight, it was now time for hubby and me to go to bed and let Santa come in and do what he does best, delivering smiles to homes on this cold winter night.


We snuggled into bed and quickly fell sound asleep

Before I knew it our precious pearls, our sweet little kids came running into our room at the break of dawn.  I somehow managed to get up and embrace Christmas morning while my kids opened their presents. My husband and I also exchanged gifts.

After we all had opened all of our Christmas gifts I noticed that there was one gift under the tree that no one had opened. My husband went under the tree and grabbed the gift. He said, honey, this gift is for you. He handed it to me and said, open it. I surprisingly opened the colorful radiant red Christmas wrapping paper and was in awe of what I found in the small little gold box.

You see every year I treat myself to a special trinket at Christmastime. This year I decided to treat my husband to a special trinket which was the missing gift that I could not find in my closet. My husband took the special trinket that I bought for him and replaced it with a diamond necklace for me. Was I surprised? I was shocked to say the least. What a beautiful Christmas gift he had given me and he softly spoke and said, because you deserve it. Merry Christmas my darling were the loving words that he spoke to me. I’m still smiling.

Merry Christmas Luminaries

Cynthia

www.beautyandtheface.com

www.wreathonmydoor.com

 

Happy Thanksgiving

Christmas is on the horizon but First Thanksgiving

 

Thanksgiving is Thursday November 28, 2024.

Happy Thanksgiving to all. 

Thanksgiving is coming soon. Yes and here at my house we are overjoyed. It doesn’t take much to get me excited so when I hear the word Thanksgiving I’m ready to get busy cooking.

The supermarkets all have their Thanksgiving items on display and I love it!

I started shopping for my thanksgiving dinner in October. I always want to be ready way before the day because I don’t want to run to the store when they are jam packed even though I must admit it is so much fun seeing people prepare for this special holiday.

This year I’ll be making my traditional Thanksgiving dinner that my mother handed down to me.

Here’s my Thanksgiving day dinner menu,

  • Turkey
  • Dressing
  • Potato salad
  • Mac n cheese
  • String beans
  • Candied yams
  • Cranberry sauce
  • Dinner rolls
  • Water

For dessert we will enjoy homemade sweet potato pies.   

This is the famous dinner that I prepare each and every year for my family and they love it. I just thought of something. Instead of potato salad I think I’m going to make scalloped potatoes this year. Yes, that’s what I’m going to do.

After dinner my family and I will enjoy each others company and watch the NFL. I’ll check to see what teams are scheduled to play on Thanksgiving Day.

I’m looking forward to cooking and spreading holiday cheer all day long for Thanksgiving 2024.

Thanksgiving is a wonderful time to get together with family and sometimes friends.

Happy Thanksgiving to all.

Oh, and Merry Christmas too.

Cyn

www.beautyandtheface.com

www.purplepaperpoetry.com