Hallmark Channel Original Premiere of “A Royal Queens Christmas” #CountdownToChristmas

If you are anything like me, you are always up for a Christmas movie. From November to January, that’s pretty much all I’m watching. There is a new Hallmark Christmas movie coming out this Saturday, called  “A Royal Queens Christmas and I hope you decide to watch it. This time, not only is there a movie, but also a twitter party where you can win awesome prizes.

Of course- this being Hallmark, there are 41 new and original movies premiering this year on Hallmark and the Hallmark Mysteries channels.

Premiere Date: Dec. 11, 2021, 8/7c
Original Network: Hallmark Channel
Programming Event: Countdown to Christmas
Lead Actors: Megan Park, Julian Morris
ARoyalQueensChristmas

About “A Royal Queens Christmas”

“Dee Dee works at a well-established bakery in Queens, New York after returning home from a tour of duty in the army. The bakery is commissioned to supply desserts for an international Christmas gala and fundraiser in Manhattan. When she goes to meet with the chef, Dee Dee has a run in with Colin in the lobby, and he knocks over her plate of precious pastries. When she learns Colin plays piano and could play in the local Christmas show, she asks him to help as payback. Dee Dee assumes he works for the hotel but really…he’s a prince!

Colin conceals his identity as he feels at home in the Bayside community among Dee Dee’s family and friends, participating in the neighborhood’s holiday activities. All is going well until his parents, the King and Queen of Exeter, show up in New York with a princess they hope Colin will marry, ruining Colin’s cover story.”

You can learn more about the movie on the Hallmark Channel website.

hallmark movies

You can find and follow Hallmark on these links-

-HMNow- (Hallmark Movies Now service)- https://www.hmnow.com

-Hallmark Movie Checklist App- https://www.hallmarkchannel.com/hallmark-movie-checklist-app

Hallmark Channel Wines– https://hallmarkchannelwines.com

Holiday Cookbook– https://hersheycookbook.hallmarkchannel.com

The Holiday Home Decoration- https://holidayhomedecorationsweepstakes.hallmarkchannel.com/

Very Merry Giveaway- https://verymerrygiveaway.hallmarkchannel.com

win prizes

Make sure you join us on Saturday, Dec. 11th at 8pm/7c for the Twitter party– you can win some great prizes. See you there!

PRIZING: 

(1) “Holiday Happiness” Package includes:

(1) One Hallmark Channel Gift Wrap Package

(1) Hallmark Channel Wines digital gift card (https://hallmarkchannelwines.com/)

(1) Holiday tea tin from Republic of Teas (https://www.republicoftea.com)

Adorable Holiday Clothing with #CastawayNantucket @CastawayACK

Do you love to wear festive clothing? If you follow me on any social media channel at all, then you know I do. I really, really do. It’s madness, according to my teenagers- but I love it. We recently discovered Castaway Nantucket, which has not only fun holiday items (think Christmas, Hanukkah, Halloween, etc) but also great year round items. Summer or shore dreaming with lobster prints, margaritas or wine- so many things to choose from. And super cute- tiny little embroidered prints, nothing too big or flashy.

holiday prints

Did you know that more than 52% of Americans put off their holiday shopping to the last minute? With all the delays expected this year, you should consider jumping on it, even if you typically fall into that category. As you start to shop for those on your list, or you are picking out your own holiday ensemble, look no further than Castaway Nantucket.
Castaway Nantucket features hundreds of styles for men and women, and even has matching (and adorable) styles for families. From seersucker to madras, to gingham and plaid, Castaway Nantucket offers beautifully crafted, elevated styles for every member of the family.
holiday clothing
Fashion is a personal choice, but there are some outfit staples that we can all agree look good on everyone- and make great gifts. For a classic, fresh look for men, women and kids, look no further than Castaway Nantucket for you and every fashion lover on your list. (And how cute would a Holiday card be this year in these? Everyone in matching gear that they actually liked!)
cute pants
About Castaway Nantucket 
For four generations, the Bridier family has run the Murray’s Toggery Shop on Nantucket. Brothers Matt and Andrew worked countless summers, vacations, and weekends at Murray’s honing their skills and learning the haberdasher trade, going on to start Castaway Nantucket in 2005. Castaway Nantucket features truly-preserved American style for men and women buoyed by tradition, quality, and the ideals of life by the sea. Castaway Nantucket features hundreds of men’s and ladies fashion staples and accessories to complete a refined look for any style.

Christmas 2021 Planning (& No, It’s Not Too Early After Last Year’s Disappointment)

Let’s face it; Christmas 2020 wasn’t our greatest. While normality hasn’t truly returned, there is no doubt that this festive period is set to be far better. 

If you truly want to make up for last year’s subdued celebrations, now is the time to get planning. Here are some items that should be on your checklist to ensure that this festive period is just like the ones you used to know.

Dress To Impress

Looking festive will put you in a festive mood. So, checking out Christmas t shirts for women, men, and children is highly advised. You can also wear festive hats and jewelry to heighten the experience. In truth, a lot of families couldn’t see the point in wearing festive items last year, especially if they couldn’t see friends. However, it’s one of the best ways to spread some cheer in the weeks leading up to December 25th. 

It is very likely that there will be a rush. So, it’s probably wise to buy the items in advance.

Decorate The Home

You probably added some home decorations last year, but it’s likely that you were a little more subtle than usual. After all, you wasn’t going to host anyone else. The situation has changed for 2021, which makes it a great time to think about getting a new tree and decorations. Festive garden lights and wreaths are great too. Last year, seeing those items actually felt disappointing. This year, it will fill you with joy.

Family meals and watching festive films will feel better than ever.

Make The Most Of Markets

Many attractions were closed last Christmas for obvious reasons. They will return in 2021, however, and their previous absence has made the heart grow fonder. Visiting Christmas markets can provide some truly magical moments. Cocoa, handmade gifts, and carol singing recitals will all bring the magic back to our lives. And it will go a long way to making life feel normal once again after what has been a very testing 18 months.

Local events that promote a united community should be a key feature of Christmas 2021.

Plan The Ultimate Meal

Whether it’s Christmas Day or another date in December, the big group meal is vital. You may find that you want to do something completely different with a winter BBQ. Even so, being surrounded with people that you saw very little of in 2020 will feel extra special. And knowing that members of your household are back to enjoying life to the max is rewarding too. It’s something we took for granted before, but will adore this festive season. 

You may also want to think about purchasing some games for the festivities.

Giving Back 

While last year’s festivities were subdued, they taught us to gain some perspective. The heightened sense of gratitude and appreciation for what we have should encourage you to give back. Families have lost loved ones while refugees have had to flee warzones too. There are many ways that you can show altruism this festive season. And when you do, the benefits for your personal mindset are clear.

And when you end 2021 in such a positive way, it’ll help you start 2022 in style too.

Adorable Holiday Fun for Kids

It’s the most wonderful time of the year- and with it, comes gift giving. Why give boring gifts when you can give something the kids will actually play with- without breaking the bank? It doesn’t ALL have to be screens (and lets face it, this year especially, they can use some screen distraction). My kids had fun with these, and my guess is that yours will as well.

kids activity

Gross Anatomy: Make Your Own Squishy Human Body – from Thames & Kosmos

Anatomy has never been so fun! Make a model of the human body by casting organs out of colorful slime and putty, and then arranging them in a clear plastic torso. Learn about the major organs as you mold each one: heart, brain, lungs, kidneys, stomach, large intestine, small intestine, and liver. You can even pretend to be a doctor by experimenting with a safe plastic scalpel. MSRP: $19.95; Ages 8+

fun toys for kids

Mini Tin’s Thinking Putty – from Crazy Aaron’s

Light up Halloween night with our glowing MINIs. Ectoplasm glows a speckled green: Jack O’ Lantern glows a bright orange; and Trick changes from purple to green and glows a solid green in the dark. There are also scented, magnetized, and so many other options. MSRP: $2.99 each; Ages 3+

best toys for kids

Camping Adventure Set – from Magformers

Magformers Camping adventure toy set allows your little builder to immerse themselves in the excitement of a summer camping experience. Use Magformers squares and triangles to build campfires and tents. Add Mason and Mutt to your scenes and create your own stories! MSRP: $39.99; Ages 3+.

fun games for families

EXIT – from Thames & Kosmos

EXIT: The Game is a series of party games for up to four players that offers a unique, unforgettable gaming experience. These games allow you to bring the excitement, intensity, and team spirit of an escape room to your living room. In each EXIT game, your team starts out locked in an imaginary room, or trapped somewhere. You must solve a series of riddles and puzzles in order to unlock doors and reveal new riddles. Each correct solution brings you to another riddle and eventually to freedom. EXIT is constantly expanding with new stories. MSRP: $14.95; Ages 10+

putty

Ghostwriters 4″ Hocus Pocus – from Crazy Aaron’s

Cast a spell with this fun Phantom! It turns from orange to magenta with the included Glow Charger(R) and glows an eerie green in the dark. MSRP: $14.99; Ages 8+

How To Save Money On Wrapping Christmas Presents

Giving gifts to special people in your life on Christmas Day doesn’t stop at buying the best gifts ever. Typically, you need to wrap your presents so they look nice and presentable when given to the receivers. This means you may have to spend some money on buying gift wraps for your Christmas presents. 

Luckily, holiday gift-wrapping doesn’t need to be costly. There are a few ways to keep gift-wrapping costs down and save money. Here are some tips to help you get started:

Reuse Wrapping Paper

Reusing gift wrappers is becoming increasingly popular. While some people have no problem buying new wrapping papers, many others are still looking at the idea of recycling the wrapping papers used during last year’s holiday season. After all, reusing these papers can be a great way to cut down on the number of wrappers you need to purchase. 

Therefore, if you happen to have leftover wrapping papers from previous Christmases, then, you can use these to wrap this year’s Christmas presents. Consequently, you can save more money in the long run. 

Buy Wrapping Paper In Bulk

With the Christmas season fast approaching, you may find yourself in need of some great wrappers and decorations for your home or office. However, if you’re looking to save some money on these Christmas expenses, buying wrapping paper wholesale can be a great idea. When you buy wholesale, you’ll be able to buy larger packages at a lower price, helping you save more money.

To find the best deals at the most affordable prices when it comes to bulk wrapping paper, you’ll want to search the Internet. There are many sites out there that offer wholesale wrapping paper, and you won’t even have to worry about their quality. 

Make Your Own Gift Wrap

Ideally, you can make your own gift wrap to help you save more this Christmas. The best part about this money-saving idea is that you can make your own Christmas wrapping paper, which means that you can customize it any way you want. You can inject your personality into it, making your presents feel more personal and sincere.

You’ll be surprised at how quickly you can put together some great-looking gift wraps all by yourself.  All you need to do is take some extra time to do some research and look through the different stores that offer the materials you need for your DIY project. On the other hand, if you have lots of leftover papers in your house, you can make use of them to come up with your own wrapping papers. 

Buy Gift Wraps From Clearance Sales

Now that you have the best gift ideas in mind, the next step is to plan out your packaging without overspending. Hence, if you’re looking for affordable gift wraps for the holiday season, it’s best to consider buying them from clearance sales. In most cases, stores will have their items on sale due to inventory shortages or to simply bring in more customers and generate more sales. Regardless of the reason, it should be in your best interest to shop for gift wraps at these events. Because you’re paying less, you can save more money, which you can use to buy more gifts or keep in your savings account!

Make Wrapping Part Of The Gift

Instead of buying a gift wrap, why not make the wrapping part of the gift itself?  This means buying something that can both serve as a packaging and a gift at the same time. For example, if you’re planning to gift your father with a gourmet coffee bag and a mug, you can place the mug inside the bag and, then, add a bow—it’s like you have two gifts in one. By doing this, you no longer need to worry about wrapping an awkwardly-shaped gift for your loved one. 

On the other hand, you can also buy baskets, dish towels, and throw blankets that can be used as packaging. Instead of buying a wrapping paper that will be tossed afterward, you can use these items as your packing. Aside from being able to save money on your wrapping needs, you’re also able to gift something that will last longer and bring happiness to your receiver. 

Look For Free Gift Boxes And Wrapping

During this holiday season, there are plenty of stores who offer free gift boxes and free wrapping services when you buy items from them. They usually have a wrapping station where you can utilize their supplies and get your gifts wrapped without spending anything. 

Hence, if you’re on a tight budget this Christmas, why not avail of some stores’ free wrapping services. If you don’t know anyone who offers this, try to go to Google and find one near your area. You might have to spend some money on your holiday gift, but you can save money on your wrapping needs. 

Buy High-Quality Gift Wrap 

Although this tip might sound counter-intuitive, it’s important to note that saving money on wrapping Christmas presents begins with a high-quality gift wrap. Realistically speaking, you might love to buy wrapping papers at a cheaper price without any regard to quality. Unfortunately, you end up getting frustrated, knowing that the paper is torn, ripped off, or looks horrible by the time you’re finished with wrapping. Not only that, but some low-quality wrapping papers are see-through, which means you need to use up more supplies to come up with a great packaging. 

For these reasons, it’s a better idea to buy a high-quality gift wrap from the start than buying more supplies in the long run. When you choose a high-quality wrapping paper, you can make sure that the product is thick and easy to work with. Hence, you can finish wrapping Christmas presents without getting your gift wrap torn or wrinkled. This can be one of the best ways to get more savings on your wrapping needs. 

Conclusion

If you want to make your life a little easier and reduce your holiday spending, keeping the tips mentioned above is the way to go. It will help you save on wrapping costs, as well as give you the convenience of having extra money in your pocket even after Christmas. 

Castaway Bay for Fun Holiday Clothing (and seasonal specialties)

Do you love to wear festive clothing? If you follow me on any social media channel at all, then you know I do. I really, really do. It’s madness, according to my teenagers- but I love it. We recently discovered Castaway Nantucket, which has not only fun holiday items (think Christmas, Hanukkah, Halloween, etc) but also great year round items. Summer or shore dreaming with lobster prints, margaritas or wine- so many things to choose from. And super cute- tiny little embroidered prints, nothing too big or flashy.

holiday prints

A recent study showed that more than 52% of Americans put off their holiday shopping to the last minute. So whether you’re still shopping for those on your list, or you’re trying to level-up your fashion as we head into the new year, look no further than Castaway Nantucket.
Castaway Nantucket features hundreds of styles for men and women, and even has matching styles for families. From seersucker to madras, to gingham and plaid, Castaway Nantucket offers beautifully crafted, elevated styles for every member of the family.
holiday clothing
Fashion is a personal choice, but there are some outfit staples that we can all agree look good on everyone- and make great gifts. For a classic, fresh look for men, women and kids, look no further than Castaway Nantucket for you and every fashion lover on your list. (And how cute would a Holiday card be this year in these? Everyone in matching gear that they actually liked!)
cute pants
About Castaway Nantucket 
For four generations, the Bridier family has run the Murray’s Toggery Shop on Nantucket. Brothers Matt and Andrew worked countless summers, vacations, and weekends at Murray’s honing their skills and learning the haberdasher trade, going on to start Castaway Nantucket in 2005. Castaway Nantucket features truly-preserved American style for men and women buoyed by tradition, quality, and the ideals of life by the sea. Castaway Nantucket features hundreds of men’s and ladies fashion staples and accessories to complete a refined look for any style.

Christmas Markets Tips for Families

Christmas markets are an absolute joy to visit during the Holiday season. As someone who considers themselves a Christmas market aficionado, I have come up with a list of the best possible tips to get the most from your Christmas market visits. 

 

Tips For Getting The Most From Your Christmas Market Visits: 

  1. Visit At Night. 

 

One of the things that you should do is schedule your Christmas market visits at nighttime. While you can visit them during the day as they are typically open, they are going to be much prettier to visit during the later hours of the day. That way, you can experience the sparkling lights in the dark and experience the changed festive atmosphere at night. 

 

  1. Visit Different Markets. 

 

While it might be tempting to visit one and be over with it, you will want to broaden your horizons. Instead, you should look to visit at least three different markets. After all, each market has its own ambiance with its own decor and specializations. Because of this, you should be planning a trip to a minimum of three to get the most out of your entire experience. You will only be able to reach the one located at Fraueninsel via boat transportation. It is the only one that you will find in Germany on an island. Whereas, in Munich itself, you will find 17 unique Christmas markets each with its own specialization. Check out this list of the best top 10 traditional Christmas markets.

 

  1. Go Thirsty and Hungry. 

 

One of the best things about Christmas markets, in general, would be the food and the drinks. Because of this, you will want to go hungry and thirsty. You will find all kinds of different foods especially at a German Christmas market where you can find specialty foods and beverages that are only available during the Christmas time of the year. This includes must-haves like Lebkuchen which is gingerbread and even Kinderpunsch which tastes much like Kool-Aid. You will be able to take advantage of the regional specialties at the market which can really be a fun and rewarding experience. 

 

  1. Visit With Your Friends And Family. 

 

Another good tip to implement is to try visiting with both your friends and family. You will be able to have a much better overall time by visiting with your friends and family because you will be able to hang out with them in a great atmosphere and celebrate the time of year with them. If you are going to be hanging out for a long time with your friends and family, you should dress appropriately because the weather can get very cold. 

 

  1. Look For Local Specialties. 

 

Whenever you are going out to Christmas markets which specialties, you should be seeking them out. You want to look at each market individually and try the specialties it offers. For instance, the one in Nürnberg specializes in gingerbread. Therefore, you want to ensure that you try it. Whereas, other markets specialize in other foods. 

 

  1. Wear Gloves. 

 

Wearing gloves is a good tip because these markets can get very cold. However, you do want to be sure that you are going to be able to hold objects like cups while at the market. The best way to ensure that you remain warm but don’t lose the inconvenience of having a strong grip without gloves is by wearing finger-less mittens or gloves.

Ideas for your next Christmas card

Tis the season once again and you must be riveting from all the Christmas card ideas that you have in mind. Whether you choose a theme such as construction Christmas cards made especially for your builder husband, or an astronaut theme for your little dreamer, this article offers some of the freshest ideas on exactly what you should write inside.

 

First things first

 

It can be tricky to let your loved one feel how special they are through Christmas cards. As it is tradition, almost every one of them can seem repetitive. When you think about it, at least 9 of 10 cards that you have received last Christmas probably read something along the lines of “Dear Mom, Merry Christmas. Love from all of us.”. Christmas cards have become predictable and, worst case, insincere. So if you are writing a Christmas card, try to find inspiration to show your loved one how much Christmas together means for you.

 

The first thing you ought to do is to choose a Christmas card design. This is not always easy given possibly the million choices that you can select from. You can start by narrowing it down to themes that you think fits your the one you are giving the card to perfectly. There are some considerations you have to take into account as well like religious beliefs, stature, relationship with the receiver and even cultural background. From cute to formal, from straightforward to touching, there is a design that will fit each one. But, if you think you are up to the task, you can also design one yourself. Keep in mind however that it may take a few skills with the photo editing tool and a lot of work and patience if you are not used to it. But that extra mile you do will definitely be appreciated by the receiver and you should do that if you could.

 

As is tradition, Christmas cards often come with pictures with families or loved ones. You pick the most gorgeous one you have in stock, or better yet, make a new one each year so you can commemorate each Christmas how much things have changed since the very first Christmas.

 

Now with all of the preliminaries out of the way, it is time to write your Christmas card message. Here are some tips for you that will hopefully add to the joyful spirit that is Christmas.

Brevity is key

 

Whilst you want to tell your recipients all about the entire year your family has went through, you have to keep their attention and a lengthy message will not afford you that. Keep it short and think of a feeling that you want to convey rather than a story that you want to tell. Typically 2 to 5 lines should be enough with no more than 15 words. Keep in mind that a picture already speaks a thousand words but would not take as long to read.

For your parents or grandparents

 

Sometimes when making cards for close family members, you might think there might be nothing else you could say, after all you call your mum and dad every day. You may be right, but it does not mean that you can’t give your loved one something a bit more special. Our suggestion is to recreate some of the pictures that your parents or grandparents have of you. As you may be living far away from them now, these pictures are all they have of you to remember you by, and now they will have the grown up version. Print the original photo in front and put the recreated photo in the back. You can then choose to have a printed message inside or you can leave it blank so you can personalize it for each recipient.

For your colleagues at work

 

There is a certain balance that you have to maintain when writing construction Christmas cards for your coworkers. While you would not want them to seem bland and generic, you do not want it to be too personal as it may seem insincere. Either way, the most important thing is that you give each one a card as anyone missing a card might feel like he/she is being targeted. You can have different cards for your close workmates like the ones that sit beside your desk or those you know well enough and you can do a different one for your boss. You can add a little personalization in it as well as long as you do not feel like you are overstepping any bounds. All in all, these people are probably the ones that you will be mingling with the longest throughout the year so it is important to show them that you remember them for Christmas.

Make the cards sing

 

When you are all out of ideas, there is nothing that feels a lot more like Christmas than sharing Christmas song lines. Pick a favorite one of better yet pick the recipients favorite line and make that the message of your card. While it may not feel as personal or as original as most would rather have it, it is a sure way to let them know that you are one with them in celebrating Christmas.

For close friends

 

Friends are the easiest people that you are going to talk to in your entire life because as they say friends are family that you get to choose. There is no issue in keeping it casual when talking with your friends. Write long cheesy lines to make sure that they know how you feel about them. To let them know just how exclusive is the friendship between the two of you, make sure to add a few touches that only the two of you would understand. This will make them realize that you have especially written the construction Christmas card for them. And most important of all, send them Christmas love by sending them a picture of you both.