My daughter recently told me about an assignment her six-year-old got at school. She was asked what traditions her family had. After careful consideration, my grandaughter couldn’t think of any and asked her Mom. My daughter also couldn’t think of any traditions they have in their family. I’m not sure how they ended up completing that assignment.  

Then a few weeks later, my daughter was preparing Elf (on a Shelf) for his nightly visits in December and realized that that is a tradition they have each Christmas. That got me to thinking about the traditions I still have. 

One tradition is that I get the house decorated around November first. No judgment, please. I put up a lot of decorations and want to enjoy them as long as possible.  There are several decorations I lovingly pull out each year and put in their special spot. Christmas cards are another tradition I still do. I love to choose, write in, and mail out cards each year to family and friends.  

I also like to have a special day with my grandchildren baking cookies. The more I thought about it, the more I realized there were numerous traditions that we have in our family. While Elf is only an occasional visitor here, we do have several advent calendars and I open them each day with my husband. We also do some version of Secret Santa each year. This year I’ve included a fun #12 Days of Christmas Giveaways on my social media.  

That brings me to the other purpose of this particular post. I’m sharing the secret word for today’s Giveaway. Now you’re going to have to think about this one, because it’s coming in a riddle. Hanging this in my house is also a tradition at Christmas. I’m a plant seen at Christmas, which people hang above. And then they stand beneath me and kiss someone they love. What am I? 

Comment on today’s giveaway post on Instagram or Facebook at Christina Romeril Writer with the answer to have a chance to win a hard cover copy of A CHRISTMAS CANDY KILLING. While you’re there also feel free to tell me about a Christmas tradition you enjoy in your family. Happy holidays to all! 

Did you guess? Yup, it’s mistletoe!

‘Twas the week before the 12 days of Christmas giveaways and Chrissy was scurrying all around the house. She was driving everyone crazy, especially her spouse.

The prizes had been organized with a great deal of care, so there would be festive fun for all to share.

Everyone knows the holidays can leave us a bit frazzled. So she wanted to make sure you would be thoroughly dazzled.

With a little something fun to brighten up each day just keep heading to her socials and website. Give her a sec and she’ll point out the way.

So from the 13th to the 24th drop in for a bit of merriment and good cheer, whether you are far, far away or ever so near.

Just remember to enter before the end of the night, with a fun little comment before the next day’s first light.

I hope you enjoyed the little rhyme to tell you about the 12 Days of Christmas Giveaways. I decided to wait until the last 12 days before Christmas for my giveaway because I knew there were some other wonderful 12 Days of Christmas events on Instagram and Facebook and I didn’t want to compete with them for attention. Hopefully, as you cozy up for the 12 Days of Christmas Giveaways you’ll give some thought to someone who might need a little extra cheer this holiday season and tag them in a post so they can enter the giveaway.

Head to either my Instagram or Facebook ChristinaRomerilWriter pages and enter by commenting on the giveaway post each day. The exception is on the two days that I will be doing a Facebook Live. On those days, you must watch the Live, either, well, live, or the replay before the next morning, to get the secret word to enter the giveaway. Winners will be randomly chosen, and whether it’s open to the USA, Canada, or both will be shared in the giveaway post. Wishing you all a happy holidays!

Hallmark Christmas movies are wonderful, but they can set us up for some totally unrealistic expectations. They provide a vision for the holidays that includes wonderful family moments, perfectly set tables with delicious, homemade food, and possibly a few romantic moments. While that makes for great television, expecting to have it all is a recipe for disaster in real life (IRL).  

Most of us don’t have a staff of assistants to ensure everything is perfect. We are juggling jobs, family and other commitments, health issues, and financial problems just to name a few. So how does the average person have the Hallmark Christmas and stay sane?  

First, and this is very important, you throw out the idea of a perfect Hallmark Christmas. It’s not real. Then you forget about perfection. Yes, we’d all like to have a perfectly clean and tidy house, with clean and tidy children. We’d like to have wonderful dinners on the table every evening, time to read stories, play games, watch a movie or two, volunteer, write lovely Christmas cards for loved ones far away, shop for the perfect Christmas gifts, bake homemade goodies and deliver them to our elderly neighbors, and maybe knit a blanket for the hospital NICU. But is that realistic? I’d hazard a guess for most of us that is a pie in the sky list.  

Here are a few tips to try and get you through the holidays without going crazy, having a melt down, or drinking all the cooking sherry, but still checking off some of those items on THE LIST. 

Tip 1 

Set Your Priorities 

While many of us would like to have it all, that really is a recipe for a stressed out Christmas. Remember Christmas With the Kranks? Better to decide early on what truly matters to you. And FYI, if skipping all the craziness and escaping to a sunny southern destination is your idea of holiday bliss, by all means, do that. But if that’s not going to happen, then read on. What those priorities will look like will be different for everyone. Is it family time? Do you want time to watch movies, play board games, do activities with the kids or grandkids? Is volunteer work important to you? Are you a baker at heart and want to share lovely goodies with everyone? Is it important to you to give special and personal gifts? Do you want to have a party at your house?  

Figure out what your non-negotiables are and start there. Prioritize those things when you are dividing up your time.  

I want you to get a small box. Put it beside your calendar, planner, list, whatever you’re using to schedule everything. Then put all your guilt for whatever it is you feel you “should” do, but simply don’t have time for, in that box and hide it at the bottom of your closet. Or better yet, write down all the things you’d like to do, feel guilty not doing, but simply can’t do, and then have a ceremonial burning to let it go, followed by a lovely holiday beverage. 

Tip 2 

Be Realistic 

Even Martha Stewart can’t do it all. Trust me, she has a lot of people making her holiday tips seem effortless. If you can, have others help you (and if that will just stress you out more, than don’t do it). If help isn’t on the table, then pick a few items off your prioritized list that you know you can accomplish and take a deep cleansing breath and let the others go. I know it would be great if we could do it all, but we’ve already established that’s not possible while retaining our sanity and cheerful disposition.  

Here’s a particularly helpful trick I’ve learned. Repeat after me. No. Come on. Say it out loud. NO. When someone asks you to do something that you know is beyond what you can reasonably do, just say no. And then perhaps, direct them to this blog post. This is supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year. Saying yes to something that is just going to stress you out, make you angry, or bitter is not worth it.  

Tip 3 

Start Planning Early 

While it’s a nice idea to wait until after Thanksgiving (US) or Remembrance Day (Canada) to start our holiday planning, that is really not a lot of time if the Hallmark extravaganza Christmas is your goal. It doesn’t mean you have to decorate your house the week before Halloween (like I do), but you could have a list of what you want your house to look like this year for Christmas (if that’s important to you). If you are a visual person, maybe set up a Pinterest board for inspiration. Ideally, you’ll shop the sales after the previous Christmas for any new holiday décor you’d like to incorporate. Unless money is no issue, in which case email so I can become your personal Christmas consultant.

You can buy your holiday cards the year before, or make them over the summer months when things are less hectic and maybe even address the envelopes so you’re way ahead of the game. Or dispense with cards altogether and send out holiday wishes by email. If you’re going to do a family holiday pic, then get that done in September or October. It’s a lot nicer standing outside when it’s 75 F then 7 F. 

Start knitting that special item you want to give to someone well ahead of time. Bake cookies ahead and freeze them. Think outside the box and do what you can in advance, so those precious weeks before the holidays can be devoted to the things you’ve prioritized. 

FYI it’s probably already too late to “start early” if you’re reading this and haven’t already started. But there’s always next year. Everyone’s prioritized list is different, but get creative in ways you can get things done early. 

Tip 4

Set a Budget and Stick To It 

Yes. Actually stick to the budget you set for yourself. I could make millions with that nifty bit of financial advice, right? If you want a stress-free holiday, you don’t want to be paying for it next July. I think we put way too much pressure on ourselves for how much we should spend on gifts, let alone decorations, food, charitable giving, etc.  

Again, look at your priorities. If you want to give some expensive gifts, then cut back elsewhere. If you want to give to a charity, but can’t afford it, see if you can volunteer your time instead. I’ll be honest. I don’t remember what I got for most of my Christmases growing up. What I do remember is the time spent with my family. But this is your holiday, so check those priorities and allot the budget in accordance.  

There are all kinds of tips and tricks not to spend money or to save money. Leave the credit cards at home. Freeze the credit cards in water so you have to wait for them to thaw to make a purchase. Disconnect your credit card from online shopping sites so you have to enter it manually each time. Put all your coins in a jar during the year. Set aside money each month in a separate account just for Christmas. But once your budget is set, stick to it. Remember that helpful trick from Tip 2? Say NO. 

Tip 5 

Be Flexible 

Having done all the above, remember to be flexible. If you realize it’s actually more important to have time with the family then to make homemade cards, then go buy some holiday cards, or skip them altogether. If you were going to make gingerbread houses and you realize you don’t have time to bake, then buy a kit from Walmart, or try using Pop-Tarts. Yup, I did that last year. That baby blanket you were going to knit for your third grandchild, and it’s December 20 and you haven’t even bought the wool, maybe it’s time to purchase something instead. 

If you were counting on getting a picture of your cat wearing a Santa outfit and your arms look like something from a horror movie for the effort, maybe just skip it. The same goes for getting all the kids to look at the camera while smiling. When my kids were little I wanted them to dress up like shepherds and angels and act out the nativity while I read it from the Bible. Let’s just say that I was the only one in the room that had that particular desire, and that included other adults. Sometimes you just gotta let go. 

Remember, deep calming breaths. Ask yourself, will this matter in 5 weeks, 5 months, 5 years. Another phrase to put on repeat: It doesn’t have to be perfect to be okay.  

Tip 6 

Schedule Down Time 

We all need to have time to relax and unwind. Are you getting enough sleep? Are you eating right? When was the last time you exercised or took a walk? How you relax is a personal thing. One person might need a soak in a tub, while another person goes for a five-mile run. Whatever you need, schedule some time for it. Your family and friends want the happy, sane person you are January through October showing up for the holidays. 

Once again, let’s repeat that ever-helpful word I taught you earlier. NO. Giving up all your time to eat, sleep, exercise, and relax, so you can do more for others is not going to contribute to a less stressful holiday. Just because someone asks you to do something does not in any way require you to agree to do it. And don’t feel you have to make excuses if you say no. A simple, “I’m so sorry, I have previous commitments,” or “I’d love to help, but I’m not available.” And please, no guilt. Go get the box from the bottom of the closet. 

Something I noticed in my banking days that really opened my eyes to the difference between men and women regarding schedules. When one of the guys in the office left early, they just said, “See you later.” When a woman left early, she’d give a laundry list of all the reasons why she needed to go and how she’d come in early or work late to make up the time.  

Well, that’s it, my 6 tips for having a less stressful holiday. Let’s be realistic, you’re probably still going to stress about things. But I truly hope you’ll stress a bit less if you manage to incorporate just one thing from the above, even if that one thing is to buy a better quality cooking sherry. 

I am so excited to have Sarah E. Burr on the blog this month! In addition to writing four different mystery series, she hosts The Bookish Hour with J.C. Kenney. It’s a YouTube web series where they chat about the writing process, their books, characters, and what’s on their bookshelves with special guest authors. Her second book in the Glenmyre Whim Mystery series, Too Much To Candle, just lit up bookshelves on October 13. Buried treasure, ancient spells, family secrets, murder, and a witch! This is the perfect Halloween read!

Thank you so much for having me here today, Christina. It’s a delight to connect with you and your readers. Hi, everyone. I’m Sarah. I write several mystery series: the Glenmyre Whim Mysteries, the Trending Topic Mysteries, and the Court of Mystery series. That’s a whole lotta murder and mystery, but I like to keep it lighthearted. One of the many things I love about the cozy mystery genre is that good triumphs over bad, all while having a grand ol’ time.

I also love that cozies know how to make use of a good theme, and one of my favorites is holidays. While I’ve read so many fantastic cozy holiday mysteries (Christina’s A Christmas Candy Killing being one), I’ve never published a holiday-themed cozy of my own—until now! Too Much to Candle, book two in my Glenmyre Whim Mysteries, takes place in October,and the town of Crucible, New York, is busy preparing for Halloween.

This means festivals and fun events! As a writer, I love coming up with fun (and punny) names for the events in my books. Crucible is gearing up for two special occasions:Spookshow and the All Hallow’s Eve party at the historical society. When I first began outlining and working on the plot of Too Much to Candle, everything was focused on the All Hallow’s Eve party. Spookshow didn’t come to me until I was writing, mid-way through the book, and decided my main character, Hazel Wickbury, and her new love interest, Ezra, needed a cute date-night activity. Hence, Spookshow was born!

The scary movie Creepshow inspires the name; I love scary movies—I will watch them anytime during the year—and my parents have long recommended that I watch Creepshow.Funnily enough, I’ve never gotten around to it, but the name is always in my mind. It’s so wild how inspiration works while writing. Spookshow—an outdoor Halloween movie night for the whole town—came together pretty quickly once I realized I needed another activity in which Hazel and her friends couldparticipate. It also makes for the perfect place to question any suspects lingering around Crucible Commons.

Crucible has quite a fascinating history; located in upstate New York, five influential families founded the town over three hundred years ago. Hazel and her bestie/aunt, Poppy, are members of the Glenmyre clan. Their ancestors first came to Crucible in the 1690s from Salem, Massachusetts. Can you see where this might be going? Yes, Hazel’s ancestors had strange, supernatural abilities and could attune with nature to do all kinds of mystical things. As the centuries wore on, the power associated with the Glenmyre clan dwindled, and now, all their family members are left with are little gifts called “whims.”Although, Hazel doesn’t consider her ability a “gift” at all. Her whim allows her to see a glowing clock hovering above the heads of everyone around her, counting down the time they have left on Earth. Knowing when someone is destined to die is a weighty burden for Hazel, but it does come in handy when a murder occurs in her peaceful, lakeside town.

I had so much fun creating the lore surrounding the Glenmyres, and I can’t wait for readers to explore more of Hazel’s world in Too Much to Candle. Weaving the paranormal aspect of Hazel’s background into a story centered around Halloween just felt right, and I had a blast spreading Halloween holiday cheer throughout Crucible. So much so that I’ll definitely be writing more holiday-themed cozies in the future! When it’s this much fun, how could I not?

What’s your favorite holiday to read about in a cozy mystery?

Bio: Sarah E. Burr is the award-winning author of the Glenmyre Whim Mysteries, Trending Topic Mysteries, and Court of Mystery series. She currently serves as the social media guru for the New York chapter of Sisters in Crime and is the creative mind behind BookstaBundles, a content creation service for authors. Sarah is the co-host of The Bookish Hour, a live-streamed YouTube series featuring author interviews and book discussions. When she’s not spinning up stories, Sarah is singing Broadway tunes, reading everything from mystery to manga, video gaming, and enjoying walks with her dog, Eevee. Stay connected with Sarah via her newsletter: https://bit.ly/saraheburrsignup

Website: www.saraheburr.com

Newsletter: https://bit.ly/saraheburrsignup

Socials: https://bit.ly/sarahsocialmediahub

Glenmyre Whim Mysteries on Amazon: https://bit.ly/glenmyrewhimmysteries

I am so excited to have Rose Kerr on the blog this month! She is the author of The Brenna Flynn Mystery series. Death on the Set is her debut cozy mystery and is such a fun read. If you love reality cooking shows, then this is for you!

Since it’s September now I thought it would be the perfect time to talk about fall! I don’t know about you, but I love all things pumpkin spice. There is nothing better than that first crisp morning when you can put on your sweater and grab a steaming mug of pumpkin spice something and settle down with a cozy mystery.

*******************

Hi Everyone, 

Thank you, Christina, for inviting me to stop by.  

I’m so happy to be here chatting with you about my favorite season of the year… fall! Honestly, I like all the seasons, but fall has a special place in my heart. To me, it’s the season of fresh starts. 

The start of a new school year.  

Crisp fall mornings with just a hint of frost in the air. 

And pies baking in the oven… 

A new school year meant new school supplies. Fresh notebooks, pens, pencils, markers, and colored pencils were always a hit in our house. Our kids are adults now, but I’m still picking up some supplies. And I use them all as a writer. When I’m starting a new book, I break out a notebook and start writing the characters, plot, setting, and twists that I may want to include. I take a few minutes at the end of each writing session to journal about what is going to happen next. 

Picture of journal and pens 

The crisp fall evenings and mornings mean that Mother Nature is changing her colors. We live in Ontario, Canada and we’ll drive to Algonquin Park and Muskoka to take in the stunning scenery. I love spending a day walking the trails and seeing what nature has to offer. Settling in by the fire with a good book and a cup of hot chocolate is a relaxing way to end the day.

Photo of Muskoka 

It’s a great time of the year to get back into baking. Pies are a favorite in our house, especially apple and pecan pies. And with the cooler weather, we don’t have to worry about heating the house too much. My husband’s favorite pie is pecan.  

What do you like most about fall? 

The first book in my series, Death on the Set, A Brenna Flynn Mystery, takes place in September.  

Death on the Set, A Brenna Flynn Mystery 

Former high school guidance counselor, Brenna Flynn, returns home to Bayview City after the sudden death of her husband. Unable to find work in her field, she signs up with a temp agency to find employment. Sent on an interview for a cooking reality show, she aces it and gets the job of a production assistant. 

On her second day at work, Brenna discovers a body in the studio. She soon learns she’s the police’s primary suspect. Determined to clear her name, she uses some skills she’s honed as a guidance counselor to learn more about the victim. Drawing people out comes naturally to Brenna, and she becomes a confidante to the cast and crew on the show. 

The stakes are raised with threatening notes, poisonings, and blackmail. Can Brenna uncover who the killer is before someone else dies? 

Book 2 is scheduled for release in 2023. 

Purchase links: 

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3zVa7Nv 

Kobo: https://bit.ly/3pkGeRT 

Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/3dxhSBU 

Author Bio 

Rose Kerr lived most of her adult life in small towns. She and her husband raised their family in a small town in Northern Ontario. The town was on the shores of Lake Superior. Currently, they live in Southern Ontario with their dog, Jake. Rose is a member of Sisters in Crime, the Guppy Online Chapter of Sisters in Crime, and Crime Writers of Canada. For more info visit www.rosekerr.com 

Author contact links: 

Website: www.rosekerr.com 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RoseKerrAuthor 

Instagram: @r.m.kerr 

Twitter: @rkerrwriter 

Pinterest: @rosekerrauthor 

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/rosekerr