Thursday, December 24, 2009

'tis the season to be jolly

Would you please take a look at what I bought today...

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Because this is the most wonderful time of year ... and because these little cookies are one of the most wonderful things to ever be created (at least in my opinion) ... and because I feel like spreading holiday cheer here there and everywhere ... I picked up a few extra boxes for you, wherever you are.

But first - to score this awesome prize - you must answer these three questions:
  • What is your favorite Christmas song?
  • What is your favorite Christmas movie?
  • What is your favorite holiday tradition?
The day after Christmas we'll be heading out of town for a week and by order of Sir Charlie, I'll have limited access to a computer. So three (3) winners will be selected via Random Generator and posted on or about January 5, 2010.

(Whoa 2010. How did that happen? Are we in a time warp?)

Whichever three people win this chocolaty prize will receive their box of Joe-Joe Candy Cane goodness right about the time they're ready to crack on their New Year Resolution of eating no more sweets.

Totally unrelated, here are my quartet of preschool singers serenading our favorite band of neighborhood triplet boys.

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I think singing Christmas carols around the neighborhood might be my new favorite holiday tradition. At least while the children are young enough to think that it is fun.

Seeing as I'm caught in a crazy time warp, I'm sure it's only a matter of time before they try to distract me from dragging them along on my caroling adventures, by throwing handfuls of Joe Joe's in the air.

41 comments:

  1. You know I'm Jewish... but here goes:
    Fave XMAS Song: I'll Be Home for Christmas
    Fave Movie: A Christmas Story (you'll shoot your eye out with that, kid!)
    Fave Holiday Tradition: Spending time with the in-laws and having cioppino for dinner, every year on Christmas Eve! Made the trip up to NorCal - 35 weeks preggo - I should get 2 boxes!

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  2. I really can't name a favorite song or movie. Christmas is my favorite time of year and I love them all. As far as traditions...use to be opening one gift on Christmas Eve with the children (always new pj's) and then putting out food for Santa. Next reading the Christmas Story and putting them to bed. Then a frantic search for everything I had hidden. Ha there were times that I found things later in the yr. Now with the kids older and moving out (and one with a child of his own) it is a juggling act to try to make a new tradition around all the in laws, outlaws, and other grandparents. Hopefully we will figure it out soon but I am sure we will have many happy memories.
    Hope you all have a wonderful, safe Christmas.
    Kathy

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  3. My favorite song is I want a Hippo by Shirley Temple

    My favorite movie is A Christmas Story

    My favorite tradition is decorating our tree. The kids have so many of their own decorations that they have made throughout the years that they put those on the tree.

    Merry Christmas to you and your family!

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  4. Merry Christmas Jen!!!

    Fave holiday song - oh Holy Night.

    Fave holiday movie - Santa Claus is Comin' to Town

    Fave tradition - reading "The Night Before Christmas"

    Where are you going?? Have a great time!!!

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  5. Mmm....
    Favourite song is Fairytale of New York by Shane Mc Gowan and Kirsty Mc Call.
    Favourite movie is Miracle on 34th Street.
    Favourite tradition is taking the kids to Mass on Christmas Eve.
    Have a lovely Christmas.
    Its 1:48 in the morning and we are just heading off to bed. Santa visited and Mammy and Daddy are wrecked tired. Nite nite.

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  6. Song: Little Drummer Boy, only because when I was like 8, I got to be the Little Drummer Girl at church and walk around pounding an upside down tin can singing the song!

    Movie: OF COURSE...A Christmas Story. For all the right reasons! "Fra-geeelie!" haha.

    Tradition: We do the EXACT same thing since I can remember. Wake up, look in our stockings, then the "Christmas elf" (youngest person who can read) picks the presents for everyone to open ONE AT A TIME, from youngest to oldest. After kids and marriages and more kids, we Still do it every single year. Then we eat a bunch of moose sausage, boiled eggs and sourdough hotcakes. And watch A Christmas Story!

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  7. Jen, I was in TJ's today and IMMEDIATELY thought of you as I passed by the Christmas goodies table.

    Favorite song - Well of course it's Handel's Messiah but high on the pop list is Jingle Bell Rock followed by Santa Baby with Cyndi Lauper and Frank Sinatra.

    Favorite Movie - A Christmas Story adapted from a story written by Jean Sheppard

    Favorite holiday tradition - 1, dungeness crab for Christmas dinner and Giving. I so get into giving, to watching people's faces light up when they open up a present that is absolutely perfect for them. Getting is nice but giving far surpasses it.

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  8. My favorite Christmas song -- "Breathe of Heaven" by Amy Grant

    My favorite Christmas movie --
    Charlie Brown's Christmas especially when they talk about the real reason of Christmas.

    My favorite Christmas tradition -- Making Christmas cookies with my children.

    I would love to try these cookies -- we don't have a Trader Joe's near us so those treats that you always find look soooo yummy! I hope that Random Number Generator picks me! :)

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  9. •What is your favorite Christmas song?
    Same Auld Land Syne it's just not the holidays until I've heard it.

    •What is your favorite Christmas movie?
    Has to be A Christmas Story - the 24 hour marathon on TBS is awesome. We usually watch it more than once.

    •What is your favorite holiday tradition?
    This one is hard for me. We had Christmas when I was little and then stopped celebrating (by family vote) when mom converted to Jehovah's witness when I was about 12. It's only since moving in with DH that I've started doing anything again. I'm really feeling drawn towards creating some sort of Christmas tradition for Taylor (27 months), so I think we're going to do special Christmas pajamas to be opened on the 24th.

    My favorite tradition/memory from when I was little was staying up late on Christmas eve with my little brothers and watching out the window to see santa walk through the fields on the farm. Then it was a race to get in bed before he made it to our house. Sadly, it was only within the last 2 years or so, that DH pointed out, to my utter shock, that IT WAS MY DAD/MY UNCLE (who lived next door) who was dressed as santa. Yep. totally had no idea about that. Even 20 some years later. But it's an awesome memory.
    Sarah

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  10. •What is your favorite Christmas song?
    Oh Holy Night
    •What is your favorite Christmas movie?
    It's a Wonderful Life
    •What is your favorite holiday tradition?
    Hmmmmm - Wrapping presents until 3 AM while drinking lots of red wine?? No, no - decorating the Christmas tree, yes, that's it! :)

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  11. Ooh I hope you mean anywhere...like Australia...LOL!
    My favorite Christmas song is God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen...love it so much!

    My favorite Christmas movie is so daggy...when I was little I'd watch A Very Brady Christmas every year, the reunion one where they're grown up. Must hunt it out on DVD!

    My favorite holiday tradition is watching the big Carols concert from Melbourne on TV on Christmas Eve whilst wrapping presents. Nothing like watching a pile of TV celebs and musical stars sing carols!

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  12. O Holy Night
    Christmas Vacation
    Going to the city Christmas program then coming home and opening pajamas.
    Fun giveaway!

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  13. What is your favorite Christmas song?
    I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas. so,so soothing

    What is your favorite Christmas movie?
    the Grinch HANDS DOWN

    What is your favorite holiday tradition?
    umm... does eating my Mom's butterscotch-chocolate fudge count?

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  14. Okay, I have a cupboard full of Joe Joes, but just for fun.

    Away in the Manger
    A Christmas Story (I triple dog dare ya!)
    Leaving cookies for the big guy to eat. (Greg is the big guy)

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  15. My favorite Christmas movie is Muppet Family Christmas (best movie ever), my favorite Christmas tradition is making marzipan (a German almond candy), which is a tradition passed down from my grandmother. My favorite Christmas song is more difficult- I guess it's the ones that goes "Do you see what I see?"

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  16. My favorite Christmas song: I'll be home for Christmas..I can't imagine being anywhere else.
    Favorite movie: Muppet Christmas Carol
    Favorite Holiday Tradition: Beginning the Christmas season the day after Thanksgiving baking cookies with my mom and my kids...ALL DAY LONG while listening to every Christmas CD we have and singing while baking.
    bevvreeland@yahoo.com

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  17. Oh I would LOVE these. We don't have a TJ's in our State at all.

    My favorite song is "Dreaming of a White Christmas" because I'm originally from Canada & now in Florida because hubby is active duty & this is where we're stationed... it's beautiful but so unlike the Christmas's I grew up with. I sure miss those!

    My favorite Christmas movie right now is sadly "Dora's Christmas Adventure" because my kids love it & everything becomes peaceful & quiet the moment I turn it on.

    My favorite Christmas tradition is letting the kids open one specific gift on Christmas eve which is a new pair of PJ's for them to sleep in & wear for the Christmas morning festivities.

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  18. Are those anything like the candy cane oreos? Those are delicious!

    My favorite Christmas song is probably O Holy Night, however Frosty is coming in a close second because Chase adores it. I also really like All I Want for Christmas is You.

    I love the movie A Christmas Story. Cracks me up every time I see it. We even have a mini-leg lamp... seriously. How dorky are we? Not to mention I've heard a hundred times that Chase looks like Ralphie. I don't see it but I'm guessing it's the baby blue eyes and glasses that people pick up on.

    I love putting the snacks for Rudolph and cookies for Santa right before Chase goes to bed. He gets so excited and we have special plates made out of his feetprint from when he was a baby. I want to start the book tradition like ya'll do next year, that's a goal for me!

    Hope ya'll have a fantastic Christmas and the trip are acting better soon (we are kinda going through the same thing... I think it's the age... or at least I hope it is!)

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  19. Song: A toss up between O Holy Night and Silent Night
    Movie: A Claymation Christmas
    Tradition: the giving/receiving of an ornament from parent to child EVERY year.

    Merry Christmas!--Tari in NJ

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  20. * What is your favorite Christmas song? You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch by Thurl Ravenscroft... Thurl Ravenscroft is one of my favorite people ever. Not only was he Tony the Tiger, but he also did oooooodles of Disney voices.

    * What is your favorite Christmas movie? Elf! I know it is a newer one, but there are just too many moments in it that bring me to tears from laughing so hard.
    * What is your favorite holiday tradition? This is my first Christmas being married, and as a result of marrying into the Navy, my first Christmas away from home. When I started dating him, we started a Secret Santa where we are required to make a gift for the person whose name we drew. This year for the unveiling of gifts, we Skyped a video call. It was amazing that we could keep the tradition so alive even though we are literally a thousand miles apart. This year my sister-in-law made me a pretty amazing little robot, and his grandfather made him an airplane whirly-gig. I made his grandmother a shadowbox of a lighthouse in a driftwood frame and he wrote his father a short story. The gifts vary greatly, but it is a lot of fun seeing what everyone comes up with.

    P.S. We are stationed on an island without Trader Joes. Boo.

    Merry Christmas :)

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  21. Merry Christmas! Hope Santa didn't have to turn the sleigh around after all.

    My favorite song is O Holy Night.
    My favorite movie is A Christmas Story. It's a tradition to watch that on Christmas Eve. It use to be a tradition to watch It's a Wonderful Life but I finally had to veto that one -- I'm not at all a fan but my husband is. Luckily, he's not mentioned it at all and Christmas is half way over. Hoping we make it through the rest of the day without having to watch.

    Other than that, my favorite tradition is decorating the tree, usually the weekend following Thanksgiving. By New Year's I'm ready for it all to come down, so my 2nd favorite tradition is to pack it all back up! I love shopping for presents, too.
    So much fun!

    Hope your family had a great Christmas.
    --Laura in Indiana (myers.laura AT hotmail DOT com)

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  22. #1: Oh, Holy Night
    #2: It's a Wonderful Life
    #3: Giving our kids an ornament on Christmas Eve.
    Just heard of a new tradition, though, and think we might start it next year... sleeping around the Christmas Tree the night you set it up. The kids also get new holiday jammies the same day, so they can wear them leading up to Christmas!
    I have never tried these TJ's treats (don't have a store anywhere around us!). Fingers crossed that 2010 will start out on a very sweet note!

    Merry Christmas!! Safe Travels!

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  23. I WANT THOSE!!!!

    Song: O Holy Night
    Movie: The Nativity Story
    Tradition: How to pick one? Making all the goodies.

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  24. Alright, here it goes:
    1. Favorite Song: Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree by Brenda Lee.
    2. Favorite Movie: Home Alone
    3. Favorite Holiday Tradition: Going to my parents house on Christmas day for our big party and seeing all of my relatives.

    Merry Christmas!!!

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  25. Merry Christmas!

    Favorite Christmas Song: Away in a Manger

    Fave Christmas movie: The Nativity

    Fave Holiday Tradition: Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

    Hope you all had a blessed Christmas!
    ~Allison

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  26. I wish I lived close to a TJs I love theses cookies, silent night, a christmas story and playing games non stop through the holidays whens the last time you played guess who? hope you had a very merry christmas

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  27. song - white christmas
    movie - miracle on 34th stree
    tradition - the advent candle

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  28. Favorite Christmas song: Pretty Paper by Roy Orbison

    Favorite movie: A Christmas Vacation

    Favorite Holiday Tradition: FRUITCAKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  29. Hmmm,
    song: O Come, O Come Emmanuel
    movie: original Grinch
    tradition: my mom makes prime rib and yorkshire pudding. SOOOOO good.

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  30. Favorite Christmas song: Do They Know It's Christmas? by Band Aid. I'm an 80's child. I LOVE that song. Favorite tradional song: What Child is This?

    Favorite Christmas Movie: It's a Wonderful Life

    Favorite Tradition: Making tamales w/ my mom. Been doing it since I was a kid and can't imagine a Christmas w/ out it.

    Socorro

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  31. •What is your favorite Christmas song? > pacabells cannon <

    •What is your favorite Christmas movie? > Charlie Brown Christmas <

    •What is your favorite holiday tradition? > Making Little Sizzlers sausage and eggs on christmas morning <

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  32. Hope you had a great Christmas!!!!

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  33. I have never been in a Trader Joe's before -- we don't have them in the great white north of Canada!! We don't have igloos either, in case you were wonderin'. They sound delicious though!!

    * What is your favorite Christmas song?

    I love all the church Christmas carols -- but my favourite is Joy to the World.

    * What is your favorite Christmas movie?

    Hands down this is "A Muppet's Christmas Carol". My family always watched it after the Christmas Eve Service.

    * What is your favorite holiday tradition?

    My favourite holiday tradition is my family Euchre party. It's always a blast and a great way to see everyone during the holiday season.

    Thanks!

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  34. My Favorite Christmas Song is Oh Come All Ye Faithful

    My Favorite Christmas Movie is Just Friends for the funny minded adults and A Christmas Carol with Mr. Patrick Stewart as Scrooge for teh serious minded

    My Favorite Christmas Tradition is making egg nog french toast on Christmas morning.

    have fun!!

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  35. Favorite Song: I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas (I always am, haven't had one in a while)
    Favorite Movie: Christmas Story although close behind is National Lampoons Christmas Vacation
    Favorite Tradition: Big Christmas Eve dinner with holiday poppers & 1 present per child.

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  36. Fave Song: Winter Wonderland
    Fave Movie: Christmas in Conneticut the old black & white version
    Fave Tradition: Christmas Eve Dinner by candlelite, Singing "Happy Birthday, Jesus", and Opening up PJs Christmas eve...OK so that's 3! Oh, well!

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  37. favorite christmas song - silent night
    favorite christmas movie - national lampoon's christmas vacation
    favorite tradition - that is a tough one - i have many favorites - decorating the tree and remembering and retelling the story behind each ornament

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  38. Favorite Christmas song is Carol of the Bells. Fav Christmas movie is A Christmas Story. Fav tradition is decorating the tree while listening to Christmas music. I was introduced to Joe-Joe's yesterday. We don't have a Trader Joe's locally, so I have one box and I have been savoring them!!! Love reading your blog!

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  39. wow. is it too late to get in on this, even if i'm jewish?? my fave christmas song is "i saw mommy kissing santa claus."

    my fave movie is ... oh i dont know. "it's a wonderful life" maybe?

    and my favorite ever holiday tradition is our traditional christmas morning movie with all the kids and their significant others. we debate the choice of movies for at least a month before christmas, and everyone gets into the act. i *love* it!

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  40. Christmas Song: Let it Snow
    Movie: White Christmas
    Tradition: It's hard to pick just one... Last year was the first year we didn't travel for Christmas so I feel like we are just starting to develop our own family traditions. For two years now we've had our best friends and their daughter over for dinner Christmas Day. That is shaping up to be my new favorite tradition.

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  41. OK, let's see...
    Favorite song- Carol of the Bells
    Favorite movie- Christmas Vacation
    Favorite tradition- opening gifts from my sisters (we always open ours to each other early, it's just a great tradition now)

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