The month of November is all about giving thanks. It’s easier to focus on what we’re thankful for when others around us are sharing what they’re thankful for. This leads up to the BIG day of Thanksgiving – a day where everyone seems to slow down and reflect on the blessings in their lives.
 
Then, the day after Thanksgiving comes. After a month of giving thanks, a switch seems to flip, and it’s all about getting the best deals and buying more stuff.
 
There’s nothing wrong with shopping (I love the convenience of online shopping), but for me, the idea of standing in lines and spending lots of money is not the way I want to begin the Christmas season.
 
Instead, the day after Thanksgiving usually involves putting up my Christmas tree, listening to Christmas music (this is the first day I will listen to Christmas music), and watching Christmas movies. 

​Here are some of my favorite Christmas movies:

• Elf - "The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear."
• Home Alone - This was my favorite Christmas movie growing up. I still watch it every year.
• National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation - It's impossible to watch this movie without laughing.
• Family Stone - A touching movie - have tissues nearby. 
• Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer - Proof that stop-motion animation is still fun to watch.
• Santa Clause (1&2) - Surprisingly, Tim Allen makes a great Santa. 
• A Christmas Story - "You'll shoot your eye out!"; This movie made leg lamps popular. 
• Frozen - Years later, these songs are still stuck in my head. 
• A Charlie Brown Christmas - A classic; Linus shares the true reason we celebrate Christmas.
• Frosty The Snowman - This movie makes me feel like a kid again. 

What are you favorite Christmas movies?

Dear Childhood Home,
 
For 34 years, I called you home. Within your walls, memories were made:
 
baking cookies, brownies, pizzelles, and bread in the kitchen, family dinners and birthday celebrations around the dining room table, watching TV in the living room, helping mom grade papers on the sofa, opening presents underneath the Christmas tree, my brother and I throwing toys down the laundry chute, singing and playing instruments (and Dad playing the piano every Sunday morning to wake us up), playing Oregon Trail on the computer, setting up trains in the basement, and spending time just hanging out with family, friends, and neighbors…
 
Within your walls, I felt safe.  
 
Within your walls, my family grew closer.
 
Within your walls, love was found.  
 
And for that, I will forever be thankful.
 
Now, it is time to move on.
 
Now, it is time for another family to call you their home.
 
Now, it is time for someone else to make lasting memories inside your walls.
 
I never thought it would be so hard to say goodbye.  
 
I never thought I would grieve a house, but you aren’t just a house. You are a home full of memories.
 
Memories of people I love.
 
Memories of people I miss.
 
Memories of my family.
 
Even though it's time for us to leave, you gave my family these memories to take with us to our next home. 

Thank you for this gift. Thank you for being such a wonderful home. I hope this new family will also find joy and love within your walls. 
 
                                                            Love,
                                                            Julie

P.S. The great thing about memories is that you can create them anywhere you go. I look forward to visiting my family and making new memories along the way.