Category: Christmas in Peaks

Christmas Movies

Posted on by Katie Ganshert

Today’s Giveaway Includes:

All to keep for yourself or give away as gifts to people you love!

Now let’s head to Peaks and see what Christmas movies my two leading ladies enjoy.

First, I asked Bethany, the main character of Wildflowers from Winter, to tell me about her favorite Christmas movie:

I can’t help it. The Christmas Story. That movie slays me. My brother and I used to watch it on VHS the entire week leading up until Christmas Eve. One year I even asked my dad for a Red Ryder BB gun. He laughed, but I was completely serious. And then in 1997, David and I discovered TNT was airing an entire Christmas Story marathon. I think we watched it five times in a row that first year.

I asked Robin, the main character of Wishing on Willows, the same thing:

Bethany has tried to open my eyes to the merit of The Christmas Story, but I’m just not there yet. The leg lamp? Ralphy and his mashed potatoes? I don’t get it.

Choosing a favorite movie is almost as challenging as picking a favorite song. If you read about my childhood tradition, you should know that I’ve watched almost every Christmas movie ever made. With that said, I’d probably have to go with A Christmas Carol–the old, black and white version. That’s my dad’s favorite. He always loved when me or Mom would choose that one to watch on Christmas night. The ghosts are a little freaky, but something about the way Ebenezer Scrooge changes at the end always gets to me.

To be entered in today’s giveaway, all you have to do is tell us about your favorite!

You will have until nine p.m. on Thursday to leave a comment. At which time, all names will be written on a scrap of paper and my husband will draw the winner. The winner will be announced on Friday.

To be entered to win the grand prize giveaway, you have to answer every “What Does Christmas Mean to You?” question. (Check out the first, second, and third.) To see the complete list of items included in the grand prize, please click on the link. The winner will be drawn tomorrow!

Let’s Talk: What’s your favorite Christmas movie?

I was very excited and honored to learn that Wildflowers from Winter made LifeWay fiction book buyer, Rachel McRae’s Favorite Novels of 2012! If you’d like to sample the story, you can read the first three chapters. 

Christmas Music

Posted on by Katie Ganshert

Today’s Giveaway Includes:

Without further ado, let’s hightail it to Peaks and talk to my two leading ladies about Christmas music.

First, I asked Bethany, the main character of Wildflowers from Winter, to tell me about her favorite Christmas song:

Without a doubt, Little Drummer Boy. It’s beautiful. All of it–the melody, the instruments, the lyrics. If I close my eyes, I can hear Grandpa Dan singing it down the hall in the shower. As a little girl, I always felt so sorry for that little boy, with nothing to give the King but some taps on his drum. Something about those words pinched my heart. As an adult, they still do.

I asked Robin, the main character of Wishing on Willows, the same thing:

Oooo, that’s a hard one. There are so many great ones! As a kid, Mom and I always used to dance and sing to Up on the Rooftop. It was one of the first songs she taught me on the piano. And then in high school, we used to dance and sing to All I Want for Christmas is You. But now, as an adult…

I guess if I had to choose, it would probably be O Holy Night. “A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices…” And then when that chorus rises and we belt out, “Fall on your knees! Hear the angel voices!” I can’t sing it without getting choked up. To think of this Jesus we celebrate–the Light of the World, coming to earth as a helpless infant, all for love. It truly is incomprehensible.

To be entered in today’s giveaway, all you have to do is tell us about your favorite Christmas song!

You will have until nine p.m. central time on Thursday to leave a comment. At which time, all names will be written on a scrap of paper and my husband will draw the winner. The winner will be announced on Friday.

To be entered to win the grand prize giveaway, you have to answer all four of the “What Does Christmas Mean to You?” questions (here’s the first, and the second). To see the complete list of items included in the grand prize, please click on the link.

Let’s Talk: What’s your favorite Christmas song and why?

If you’d like to sample Wildflowers from Winter, you can read the first three chapters.

If I haven’t already sent you a welcome packet, I sure would love to! The sign-up button is at the top and bottom of this page!

Christmas Traditions

Posted on by Katie Ganshert

Today’s Giveaway Includes:

If you’ve ever felt that Jesus gets lost in the middle of the craziness of Christmas, then this book by Lisa Welchel is just for you! For each of the twenty-four days preceding Christmas, The ADVENTure of Christmas not only helps you keep your children’s focus on Jesus, it invites you to join them in the wonder of the celebration. The book is a fun and handy guide that describes the significance behind all the popular traditions–hanging lights, wrapping gifts, decorating the tree, the jolly fat man in a red suit, and so much more!

It’s my first year going through it with Brogan and it’s already making for a magical season. I’ve been posting pictures of the crafts/activities we’ve been doing each day on my Facebook Page.

Without further ado, let’s head to Peaks and see what Bethany and Robin have to say about holiday traditions.

First, I asked Bethany, the main character of Wildflowers from Winter, to talk about a favorite Christmas tradition from her childhood. This is what she said:

Every Christmas Eve, my mom, who is no better at baking than I am, would go to the local Piggly Wiggly and purchase one of those cookie dough logs. The kind with Santa or a candy cane stamped in the center. She’d play Christmas music on Grandpa Dan’s old phonograph and bake cookies while Dan read Luke chapter two out loud and David and I shook our presents under the tree.

As a kid, I remember thinking that Christmas Eves were magical. Something about the smell of those cookies and Grandpa Dan’s voice, and the crackling of that record player made me feel like the whole world was waiting for something incredible.

I asked Robin, the main character of Wishing on Willows, the same thing:

On Christmas night, Mom, Dad, and I would change into our pajamas, get in the car, and drive around town looking at all the beautiful lights. Then when we got home, we’d snuggle up together on the couch with hot chocolate, a snack, and a Christmas movie.

I used to get more excited about Christmas nights than all those presents on Christmas morning. Proof that in a kid’s mind, toys really aren’t everything.

To be entered in today’s giveaway, all you have to do is tell us about one of your favorite traditions.

You will have until nine p.m. central time on Thursday to leave a comment. At which time, all names will be written on a scrap of paper and my husband will draw the winner. The winner will be announced on Friday.

To be entered to win the grand prize giveaway, you have to answer all four of the “What does Christmas Mean to You?” questions (you can find the first one here). To see the complete list of items included in the grand prize, please click on the link.

Your Turn: Tell us about one of your Christmas traditions!

If you’d like to sample Wildflowers from Winter, you can read the first three chapters.

I love sending out those welcome packets! You can sign up by clicking on the Welcome Packet button at the top and bottom of this page.