I've never gotten to do a Christmas Eve show until this year, AND I AM SO THRILLED ABOUT IT. I imagine this being the episode you listen to as you drive home, or cook for your people, or out on a walk with your pup to get a little break from family time, or driving to and from the golf course. Or maybe y'all turn on the tree and gather around, old school style, and listen together.

Loads of people on this one- the Downs Books team, lots of my #miniBFFs, Pastor Kevin, AND MY MOM AND DAD. This is a fun one. A little gift from me to you.

Merry Christmas, friend.

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My friend Nicolle Galyon throws incredible parties. Never stressful, never stuffy, always welcoming and incredibly fun. So when we planned our Hallmark Movie watching party for Saturday night (remember we're all watching Jingle Around The Clock on 12/22 at 8pm/7pmCT), I knew I wanted Nicolle to come and teach me how to throw a party like she does!

Also. I should mention. She is a Grammy-nominated, award-winning songwriter with five number one hits. CASUAL, NICOLLE. (Here is the playlist of the songs she's written.) And she's a wife. And a great friend. And a strong business woman. And a mama. 

You are about to fall in love with your new pal Nicolle. And throw the best girl party of your life on Saturday. :) 

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We've had some huge stars on the podcast this year, but today exceeds them all.

Santa Claus is here.

Parents- I *think* it's okay for your kids to hear this one, we didn't say anything that would lead to heartbreak, except for Santa's dislike for mall Santas. But just heads up that I know some of my pals who listen are under the age of 12 and I wouldn't want you to proceed without a tiny warning that, well, Santa tells us some behind the scenes of the North Pole and we hear from an angry elf.

(Also. Total side note. VERY unrelated. I'm a huge fan of Dave Barnes and Aaron Chewning. Just wanted you to know.) 

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2 things to remember!

1. We are tracking our time this week using Jessica Turner's Stretched Too Thin Time Log. Download it here and join us from yesterday (Dec 16) to Saturday (Dec 22)! 

2. We are all gonna gather with friends and watch Jingle Around The Clock on Hallmark on Saturday (Dec 22) and 8pm/7pmCT. Join us!

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I cannot keep up with my lists and calendars and THINGS TO DO before 2019. I don't want to miss the beauty of this season because of the crazy I feel in my schedule. So Jessica Turner was just the woman to call upon to help us all find a little mores space and balance.

Jess juggles a million things- family, full time job, author life, speaking, blogger, THE LIST KEEPS GOING. And somehow she still gets so much done and has a great spirit about her. I think you're gonna love some of her tips and ways that she has prioritized certain things to make space for other things. Already feels like my Christmas is getting less stressful.

Here is the Stretched Too Thing Time Log that we talked about in the show. If you want to do it with us, start on Sunday (Dec 16)! And make sure you grab Jess's new book Stretched Too Thin to gift to the women on your Christmas list.

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http://anniefdowns.com

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Epic may be the right word for this particular episode- in length as well as in content. :) Y'all know I love a Hallmark Christmas movie and talking about the 2018 offerings was bound to happen.

This show comes to you in four parts.

Part 1. My gals Jami and Jenn are back to tell you their thoughts on the new movies for 2018.

Part 2. Candace Cameron Bure joins us to talk about her new movie A Shoe Addict's Christmas, getting out of the Christian bubble, and the enneagram (and I PROMISE she brought it up not me!). 

Part 3. My buddy Drew tells us his thoughts on the ONE Hallmark Christmas movie he's watched from start to finish, Let It Snow.

Part 4. Jami and Jenn are back to complete a Hallmark Christmas mad-lib. :) 

It's a doozie, but that's what Christmas parties so fun- sometimes you get into the party and you planned to leave after an hour but you're having such a good time you're still there an hour and a half later! hahahaha! I love this episode. Hope you will too.

. . . . .

http://anniefdowns.com

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BUCKLE UP, PEOPLE.

This is that thing that happens at a Christmas Party where you and a dear friend pull to the side, maybe punch cups in hand, and GO DEEP. You talk about the real stuff, even while the hubbub keeps going around you. Banning Liebscher, founding pastor of Jesus Culture, is just that convo. I was moved to tears multiple times recording this one. Take notes. Tear up. Whatever you need. His book Rooted is absolutely one of my favorites- grab a few to gift this year!

If Christmas ever feels hard for you, or if you just need a reminder of who Jesus really is, phew. This is the one. Stick around for the prayer at the end- it's a doozie.

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Want to give an autographed copy of 100 Days to Brave as a Christmas gift? Head to your local Barnes and Noble to get one of the thousands of hand-signed copies from yours truly!

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http://anniefdowns.com

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He's back, y'all! Jon McLaughlin swings through our Christmas party again this year and no one is mad about THAT. He's a favorite around here- you guys tell me all the time. So he's back, and he's got a new album to tell us about- Angst and Grace. It's so so good. Merry Christmas to us, getting to laugh with this dude and listen to some amazing new tunes.

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Just a reminder that Advent started yesterday! Read alone with us at SheReadsTruth and HeReadsTruth. It's going to be a great Christmas season.

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Want to give an autographed copy of 100 Days to Brave as a Christmas gift? Head to your local Barnes and Noble to get one of the thousands of hand-signed copies from yours truly!

. . . . .

http://anniefdowns.com

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Many of you already feel the way I do about Ellie Holcomb: OBSESSED and IN LOVE. I know. She's wonderful. And there's no one better to walk into our Christmas party right after our SheReadsTruth friends than Ellie! 

We talk about life and friendship and the holidays and her new book for kids- Who Sang the First Song?- that you DEFINITELY need in your life. (And if you aren't already a fan of her music, start with Red Sea Road. It's my faaaaaavorite.)

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Want to give an autographed copy of 100 Days to Brave as a Christmas gift? Head to your local Barnes and Noble to get one of the thousands of hand-signed copies from yours truly!

. . . . .

http://anniefdowns.com

#thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :) 

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It's the most wonderful time of the year, you guys! No better way to officially kick off our Christmas Party than to have Raechel Myers and Amanda Bible Williams from SheReadsTruth on to talk all about Advent- why we celebrate it, how to celebrate it, what it means, and why it is important.

If you've been around for a Christmas Party before, you know these party animals are staples and always the first to arrive. MY KIND OF PEOPLE. Love these gals so much.

Remember to use the code THATSOUNDSFUN to get 15% off all things Advent from shopshereadstruth.com through the end of December! Grab the study and let's spend December together.

http://shereadstruth.com

http://hereadstruth.com

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Want to give an autographed copy of 100 Days to Brave as a Christmas gift? Head to your local Barnes and Noble to get one of the thousands of hand-signed copies from yours truly!

. . . . .

http://anniefdowns.com

#thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :) 

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Why wait until AFTER Thanksgiving to kick off our party?!? Instead I'm going ALL IN and bringing back one of your (AND my) favorite guests- Danielle Walker! We're talking all about cooking for the holidays, all the times we'll be in the same place over the next few months, and how we feel about turkey (and her BIG TIP on how to make the most delicious one your people have ever known). Only one episode this Thanksgiving week- so I had to make it a good one. 

Use that Black Friday deal and pre-order a copy of Danielle's new cookbook Eat What You Love... TRUST ME the biscuits and gravy are reason enough to own this one.

Happy Thanksgiving, friends. So grateful for you. 

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Thanks to Dave Barnes for making holiday music we all love! Make sure you've got his Christmas records in your listening rotation! 

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#thatsoundsfunpodcast ... join in the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome. :) 

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