HO HO HO and merry TWELFTH episode of 12 Weeks of Christmas the podcast! This is the final episode of the show and to wrap it all up, I talk about how my Christmas is looking this year and how my family is celebrating. I also throw on some classic Christmas songs for a jolly Christmas sing along! Lastly, we finish with our final story of Christmas hope and then a HUGE surprise for all of you lovely gingerbread people. Merry Christmas to you all and thank you for counting down the 12 Weeks of Christmas with me!

HO HO HO and merry 11th episode of 12 Weeks of Christmas the podcast! In this episode, I tell you how to get on the nice list! More specifically, we discuss four different charity organizations you can donate to during the holiday season, as well as the rest of the year. I also talk about what’s been new in my life, and we read a story of Christmas hope. I hope you enjoy this episode, and hit that follow button!

Organizations links:

https://www.toysfortots.org

https://www.onesimplewish.org

https://christmasspiritfoundation.com

http://www.childsplaycharity.org

HO HO HO and merry TENTH episode of 12 Weeks of Christmas the podcast! This week, I want to help you think of some ideas on how some festive activities you can do while staying safe! We talk about different fun holiday activities for you and the whole family during 2020 that’ll get you all in the Christmas spirit. Then of course we finish off the show with a story of Christmas hope. Please follow the show, and enjoy!

https://www.rd.com/list/christmas-miracles/

https://www.northpolellc.net

HO HO HO and Merry NINTH episode of 12 Weeks of Christmas the podcast! This week is all about the Christmas tree! We go over the history of the Christmas tree, some tree fun facts and then we discuss the long awaited debate: the real tree or the fake tree. Lastly we are going to listen to one of the best “stories” of Christmas hope yet! Please, if you don’t already, follow the show and enjoy!

Mika's Song:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0cUgoGeImc&ab_channel=MikaYoung

https://soundcloud.com/mika-young-722198836/nothing-quite-like-christmastime

Links:

https://www.history.com/topics/christmas/history-of-christmas-trees

https://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/10-interesting-facts-about-christmas-trees/339898

https://bestlifeonline.com/christmas-tree-facts/

https://www.statista.com/statistics/209249/purchase-figures-for-real-and-fake-christmas-trees-in-the-us/

HO HO HO and merry EIGHTH episode of 12 Weeks of Christmas the podcast! This week, we go through the joys of gift giving (even though it can be SO stressful). This episode is filled with information about the big box stores and their plans for handling Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales during the chaos of 2020 to get YOU ready for a successful holiday shopping experience. I go over how shopping at the stores is probably going to look this year. I also go through different stores' plans for Black Friday and Cyber Monday, my tips for shopping during the Christmas season, the tips of the listeners on how you all shop, and the hot gifts of 2020! We of course finish off with another story of Christmas hope. Please give this podcast a follow, and enjoy! 

https://www.northpolellc.net

https://www.popsci.com/story/reviews/cyber-monday/

https://www.cnet.com/news/best-black-friday-2020-deals-available-now-229-apple-watch-se-190-airpods-pro-30-pressure-cooker-and-more/

https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/money/a33754769/is-black-friday-cancelled-2020-date-hours-details/

https://www.thebalance.com/stop-making-holiday-shopping-mistakes-2385835

https://cafemom.com/lifestyle/194016-13_reallife_miracles_that_show

HO HO HO and merry SEVENTH episode of 12 Weeks of Christmas the podcast! This week, we discuss some of my favorite and least favorite Christmas traditions regularly practiced in America! We go into the history of these traditions, and how they came to be what they are today. I also read some of the traditions you all told me you participate in with your families! Then, I read the best story of Christmas hope so far (grab the tissue box for this one my little gingerbread people). Please follow the show, and enjoy!

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/krampus-could-come-you-holiday-season-180957438/

https://www.thespruce.com/christmas-traditions-etiquette-1216448

https://www.whychristmas.com/customs/cards.shtml

https://time.com/5471873/mistletoe-kiss-christmas/

https://money.cnn.com/2017/11/21/smallbusiness/elf-on-the-shelf/index.html

https://www.bustle.com/articles/198836-why-do-we-do-secret-santa-the-history-of-this-holiday-tradition-explains-why-its-so

HO HO HO and merry SIXTH episode of 12 Weeks of Christmas the podcast! This week, we discuss Christmas around the world! First, I talk about some new Christmas albums that came out since my Christmas music episode a few weeks back. Then, I talk about several countries and their strange/different holiday traditions. I learned a lot and I hope you do too! Lastly, I tell a story of Christmas hope. Please follow the show, and enjoy!

https://www.kids-world-travel-guide.com/christmas-around-the-world.html

https://www.whychristmas.com/cultures/germany.shtml

https://www.countryliving.com/entertaining/g4933/christmas-traditions-around-the-world/

https://www.whychristmas.com/cultures/mexico.shtml

https://www.wanderlust.co.uk/content/worlds-weirdest-christmas-traditions/

https://www.countryliving.com/entertaining/g4933/christmas-traditions-around-the-world/

https://www.countryliving.com/entertaining/g4933/christmas-traditions-around-the-world/

HO HO HO and merry FIFTH episode of 12 Weeks of Christmas the podcast! On today's episode I talk about Christmas food from around the world. We will learn about holiday meals eaten in different states in the US, as well as countries including Australia, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, Norway, South Africa and the UK! I also discuss what my family eats during Christmas, and what some of you guys eat! As always, we finish up with a story of Christmas hope. Please give this podcast a follow, and enjoy!

https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/explore/history/thanksgiving-traditions/

https://www.thekitchn.com/an-irish-christmas-christmas-around-the-world-198516

https://www.thekitchn.com/an-irish-christmas-christmas-around-the-world-198516

https://theculturetrip.com/europe/ireland/articles/a-guide-to-irish-christmas-foods/

https://www.thespruceeats.com/bunuelos-fried-mexican-food-2342985

https://www.visitoslo.com/en/articles/christmas-traditions/

https://www.whychristmas.com/cultures/south_africa.shtml

https://www.delish.com/food-news/g25134921/most-iconic-christmas-dish-in-your-state/?slide=1

https://www.theepochtimes.com/christmas-stories-told-in-food-2_2735528.html

HO HO HO and merry FOURTH episode of the 12 Weeks of Christmas podcast! On today's episode we are going to have a christmas music dance party! I discuss my least favorite to favorite Christmas music, who I think the king and queen of Christmas music are, and some of your favorite and least favorite Christmas songs. Then, I am joined by Cai Pigliucci and Cheyenne Ligon to discuss their opinions on different Christmas music. Finally, I of course read a story of Christmas hope submitted by one of you lovely gingerbread people! Please give this podcast a follow, and enjoy!

Sources:

https://www.songfacts.com 

https://www.npr.org/2010/11/19/131412133/the-story-behind-have-yourself-a-merry-little-christmas

https://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/music/a8534458/mariah-careys-all-i-want-for-christmas-is-you-facts/ 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wrapped_in_Red

Ho Ho Ho and merry THIRD episode of the 12 Weeks of Christmas podcast! This week, we will be discussing everything Christmas movies. I talk about when I watch Christmas movies, and what my least favorite to favorite holiday movies are. I will also be reviewing some listeners thoughts on the Christmas movies they like and don't like. After that, I am so excited to welcome the second guest on the podcast, my old film criticism teacher and new friend, Mr. Jeremy Doran. Mr. Doran is a film junky, and gives us some great insight on what makes a great Christmas film, and the ones he loves and hates. We will of course finish up with a story of Christmas hope. Please give this podcast a follow, and enjoy!

This is the article I read for my story of Christmas Hope!