What I Got For Christmas/My Birthday From My Boyfriend/ His Family

Hey guys,

I meant to get this post published earlier but then I got hit with a really bad stuffy nose, which hopefully is going away and all I wanted to do was take it easy and sleep. A few days after Christmas, I spent a few days with my boyfriend and his family to celebrate Christmas and also my birthday (the 28th). I wanted to show you guys what I received from them. By all means, I'm not showing off in any ways. I am grateful for everything that I received. If I know where the items are from, I'll mention it.


From My Boyfriend <3

The blue box was for Christmas and the black box was for my birthday. So pretty!  :)

From His Sister:

Chocolate (there were more. lol)  :)

From His Dad And His Girlfriend:

From His Cousin And Her Family:

From His Other Cousin:

From His Aunt:

The boots came from Wal-mart and I'm pretty sure the other items came from Kohls (I remember cutting a Kohls tag off).  The leggings and black jacket were for Christmas and the rest was for my birthday.

I Don't Remember Who This Was From:

If my boyfriend or his family is reading this, I just wanted to say thank you for making me feel special and loved on my birthday. I had a great day!

<3 Amanda 

What I Got For Christmas From My Family Including Neighbor

Hey guys,

I hope you all had a good Christmas.  I have seen Blog posts and YouTube videos showing what they received for Christmas and I needed a blog post for today so I decided to show you what I received for Christmas. We unfortunately couldn't spend time with my oldest brother and his partner due to the weather so I'm unable to show you what they got me. Disclaimer- My favorite part about Christmas is giving and making others happy. I am grateful for everything that I received

Brother and his fiance:. 

Dear John** One of my favorite movies

Mona Lisa Smile

The Notebook

Must Love Dogs

The Lake House

Nights in Rodanthe 

Mom:

Popcorn tin 

A neighbor:

Mini Kit-Kats

Andes Mints

Chocolate Bar

Some glittery Socks

BBQ Pringles

Sour cream and onion Lays

Some snack mix

What was your favorite thing you received this Christmas? 

<3 Amanda 

Christmas Tag

Hey guys,

I thought I would do a Christmas Tag today as Christmas is tomorrow. After searching on Google, I found a Christmas Tag that I liked.  The blog that I located this tag on was Rachel Weiland and the link to her blog is here. You should go check out her blog. She posts about recipes, DIY projects and more. The tag questions are followed:

1. Do you like to stay in your PJ’s, or dress up for Christmas?  The past few years we haven't gone anywhere so I just stay in my pajamas (leggings, yoga pants).

2. If you could only buy one person a present this year, who would it be? My boyfriend because even though we have only been together for a short time, he has made me really happy.

3. Do you open your presents Christmas Eve or Christmas morning? It depends on when my brother and his partner comes over because they have like 4 different places to go on the holidays. This year, I'll open them on Christmas day.

4. Have you ever built a Gingerbread house? Yes, and they never turn out for me.They either look terrible or the walls/roof fall apart as I'm putting it together.

5. What do you like to do on your Christmas break? Well, I don't have Christmas break anymore because I'm out of school but I used to sleep in .

6. What’s your favorite Christmas meal or treat? Hmm.. probably those little peanut butter chocolate things. I forgot what they are called.

7. What’s your favorite holiday movie? Either "The Family Holiday" or "Christmas Shoes".

8. Candy Canes or Gingerbread Men? I'm not a fan of either. I guess I'd go with candy canes but a good flavor unlike Peppermint.

9. Have you ever made a snowman? Yes, who haven't?

10. Which do you like better, Christmas Eve or Christmas Day? Hmm.. if I had to choose, I'd say Christmas Day, although it's just not the same anymore honestly (I'm not going to get into why but it's because of some personal family things).

11. White lights, or colored lights? I like colored lights better.


Again, you should go check out Rachel's blog. She also has a Youtube Channel, Facebook Page, Twitter,and Pinterest .


<3 Amanda 

Christmas Songs Playlist

Hey guys,

Here are songs that I listen to during the month of December:

1. "Where Are You Christmas" : Faith Hill
2. "Baby, It's Cold Outside" : Lady Antebellum
3. "All I Want for Christmas Is You" : Mariah Carey
4. " Santa Looked A Lot Like Daddy" : Brad Paisley
5. "Do You Hear What I Hear" : Carrie Underwood
6. " O'Holy Night" : Martina McBride
7. "Put A Little Holiday In Your Heart" : LeAnn Rimes
8. "I  want a Hippopotamus For Christmas" : Gayla Peevey 
9. "I'm Getting Nuttin' For Christmas" : Relient K 
10. "Sending You A Little Christmas" : Jim Brickmen ft. Kristy Starling
11. "My Grown Up Christmas List" : Kelly Clarkson
12. " Bring Him Home Santa" : The Song Trust
13. " Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas": Martina McBride 
14. "Reason For The Season" Lonestar
15. " This Christmas Time" : Lonestar
16. "The Angel On The Top Of My Tree" : Kenny Chesney
17. " Paper Angels" : Jimmy Wayne
18. "Christmas Shoes" NewSong
19. " When Christmas Comes To Town" : Polar Express (Meagan Moore, Matthew Hall)
20.  "Warm And Fuzzy" :Billy Gilman

What songs do you have on your Christmas playlist?

<3 Amanda 

The Act Of Giving Back (Operation Warmth)

Hey guys,

My father taught my brothers and I the act of helping others and paying it forward at an early age. When he got laid off in the winter months of 2004, he decided to start a charity that helped the homeless stay warm during the winter months. As he was driving home, he passed people living on the streets and knew he had to do something about that; he had to make a difference. When he got home, he asked my second older brother if he wanted to help him with making a change and making a difference, and he quickly said "Yes". My dad then asked me and my other two brothers and we also quickly said "Yes". My dad and (second) older brother came up with the name ; "Operation Warmth". 

Our first year was December 2005, the Saturday morning before Christmas. We collect winter clothing and items throughout the year. We go downtown with all of the donations and set up all of the banana boxes full of clothing on the sidewalk and other items, and the homeless come and get what they need. You might think they would be pushing each other and grabbing everything that they could hold, but no they are really polite and pretty much stand in a line.

How do we get all of these donations?  We let our friends and family know on Facebook where to drop off their donations, we post about the charity on online garage sales groups, we make boxes and place them around the community (at schools,businesses, churches,etc.). We also go to garage sales throughout the summer and purchase items that way as well.  

One year we made Christmas cards for the homeless. We went to a local elementary school and talked to the art teacher, and she had the students make Christmas cards for the homeless. Another year we made little (Christmas trees, Stars, and more) ornaments out of construction paper and etc.  Each year we try to also pass out candy canes to the homeless. Even though we already have winter clothing and necessities for them, we still want to make them feel remembered more. 

I still have memories from when I actually went down there that morning. I still help by donating, spreading the word on social media and etc. One memory that I still have to this day is one year a homeless man gave me a stocking filled with a variety of items. There was gum, a toothbrush, toothpaste,socks and more. He could have kept it for himself to have his feet stay warm but he consisted that I take and keep the stocking. Another year, a homeless man gave my younger brother a backpack. He could have kept it for himself to store things but again, he wanted my bother to have it. Some homeless people are really nice and even though they are in a tough situation, they still put others before themselves like the two men that I have just talked about.

Garage filled with banana boxes of clothing and etc.

Living room filled with more banana boxes filled with clothes and etc.

December of 2015 was supposed to be our last year doing this charity as my dad, the founder,moved out of state earlier in 2015 but he didn't want that to be the end of "Operation Warmth". This year he once again came back a few months before this year's date (the 23rd of December) because he doesn't want to stop helping the homeless stay warm through the winter months.

Vans and trailers used to transfer banana boxes downtown

You could ask "Why don't we do this earlier into the winter months"?  We always do it the Saturday before Christmas because we want them to feel like they are not forgotten and loved. It also like they are receiving Christmas presents for us if they sadly don't receive any.  We want them to know that they are being thought about especially during the cold and snowy months. We also want them to know that it doesn't matter what your story is and the reason why they are homeless, we just want them to stay warm and know whatever their story is, that they are worth it.

<3 Amanda 

Stocking Stuffers for Teen Girls/ Women

Hey guys,

When I was younger, I loved seeing what was inside my stockings. The stocking that all of us grandchildren received each year from my grandparents on my dad's side always had at least an apple and an orange in it. That was just something that they did. Are you stuck on what to put in your teen girl, young adult daughter, or wife's stocking? Here are some ideas that I thought of:

Candy (Who doesn't like candy):

The Reese's pretzels have been my recent favorite, so I definitely recommend them. You could always do other candy like M&M'S, Skittles, or the candy canes filled with candy.

Adult Coloring Books, Markers and Pens:

I got the coloring books off of Amazon last year and the Twin Top Markers from Five Below but I'm sure you can find them at other places as well. The pens are Paper Mate Flair Pens, which are my favorite. They make my penmanship look so good. That's only one drawer of the pens I own.

Hair/Beauty: 

I know that the three scents from Bath and Body Works are not winter scents but a good idea for stocking stuffers are small bottles of lotion to put into a purse or backpack.  A bigger bottle from Victoria Secret as an example is a great one to leave at home. The Wet brush really does make brushing out your hair much easier at least it does to my hair. I definitely recommend you to try it.

DVDS and CD'S:

DVDs are a great stocking stuffer because you can fit a DVD into a stocking. You could get their favorite movie if they don't already own it, or get one for them if they are wanting to see it. Most people eat popcorn while watching movies, so you could always add some popcorn seasoning to the stocking and have them be a double gift; a movie night.  You can also include a CD too. Here are some that I would recommend:

Mariah Carey: Merry Christmas

Brad Paisley: Brad Paisley Christmas

Michael Bublé :Christmas

Kenny Chesney: All I Want for Christmas Is a Real Good Tan

Martina McBride: White Christmas

Blake Shelton: Cheers, It's Christmas

Misc:

Again, this scent is not a winter scent but candles are another item that you can add to a stocking. They are also nice to have on cold night to help keep a room warm so it's not as cold due to the winter temperatures. 

What kind of items do you put in stockings? Leave a comment down below if anyone is reading this for additional ideas.

<3 Amanda 

Elf On The Shelf

Hey guys,

Do you do "Elf on The Shelf" in your family? I am almost 27 and my younger brother is 19 so Elf on The Shelf wasn't a thing back when we, along with my older brothers were younger.  I think it's a good thing to do with children maybe starting at age 3. I say age 3 because they might not fully understand the meaning behind having an elf hiding in your house each day during December. When I have my own children and they are at the age of 3, I think it would be fun to do The Elf on The Shelf. I have seen pictures on Facebook, YouTube and Pinterest that looks like a fun thing to do for kids to make the holiday season more special. I will have to remind myself to move the elf each night before I go to bed though.

If you do The Elf on The Shelf, do you have any favorite places that you left your elf? What were they doing?

<3 Amanda

Gift Ideas For Your Boyfriend or Girlfriend

Hey guys,

Christmas is 18 days away. I thought I would give you guys some ideas if you're last minute Christmas shopping or need some ideas on what to get your boyfriend or girlfriend for Christmas.  I'll tell you what I got for my boyfriend. I told him not to read my blog until after he gets his presents so if you're reading this, close out of this!! 

For the gifts I have for my boyfriend are two that I found on Pinterest. Pinterest is a great site to check out if you're stuck on gifts ideas and much much more.  Pinterest has a ton of different categorizes.  The first idea was "Open When" Letters. I thought this was a great idea because we are kind of long distance and don't get to see one another that much. I should have taken a picture of it before I wrapped the box up. But I can still give you ideas if you want to do this for your significant other or this would also be a great gift for a long distance friend, or a sibling that lives out of state. I did 100 envelopes just so that he has envelopes to open for a long time. Some of the envelopes I did were "Open When You/re____"

• Bored
• Feeling Lonely
• Craving Chocolate (Added some chocolate in the envelope)
• Need To Hear Some Compliments 
• Sick (Added some Kleenex and cough drops)

My second gift is based on the movie series "Star Wars"  because he likes those movies. In the box I included:

• Some Star Wars Cheez-it's
• Some Pokemon Fruit Snacks (He also likes Pokemon)
• Some Takis because he likes spicy foods
• Some Cheese Pringles as "Drone Chips"
• Some Sour Punch Straws as "Light-sabers"
• Some spearmint gum as "Chewbaca"
• A Kraft Mac and Cheese, Star Wars Themed
• Some Star Wars cards

I have also wrapped up the box and everything inside with Star Wars wrapping paper. I haven't done this part yet but on the top of the box, I'm going to write on a piece of paper: "A long time ago in a GALAXY FAR FAR AWAY, I found a box full of goodies".

Here are some other ideas you can get for your boyfriend:

• His favorite candies/snacks
• A DVD. and popcorn gift set
• His favorite cologne
• A gift card to his favorite store
• If he likes sports, maybe a sport ticket for the upcoming year

Here are some gift ideas that you can get your girlfriend for Christmas:

• Chocolate (what girl doesn't like chocolate)
• Perfume
• A gift card to their favorite store
• Clothes
• Her favorite candies/snacks

Have you finished your Christmas shopping yet? I'm still waiting on two more things and then I'll be done!

<3 Amanda 

Christmas Wish

(http://articledge.com/christmas-ball-ornaments.html)

Hey guys,

It is the holiday season and I was just wondering if anyone had any Christmas wishes. My Christmas wishes would be:

1. Everyone would be healthy.Nobody would be diagnosed with any diseases or cancers.
2. Everyone would have food.
3. Everyone would have a place to call home.

What would be your Christmas wishes? Leave them down below in the comments.

<3 Amanda