Christmas... in the News: 2024 Amazon's Toys We Love List, Dollar Tree & Costco Gifts for Retirees & Capital Christmas Tree Ornament Deadline

 

Welcome to this week's edition of Christmas... in the news. This is a weekly review of some of the Christmas articles and news over the last week. 

Welcome back! Despite my crazy schedule, I can't wait to share Christmas news with all of you. The outside of the house is decorated for fall, but inside the Christmas carols are running through my head. Here are some tidbits from the last few days.

CBS News reported that this year's Amazon's Toys We Love list has been released. It is broken down into three categories: babies and toddlers, kids, and teens. You can read the article and find links to each category by clicking here.

Costco and Dollar Tree released lists of gifts that are good for retirees. The Dollar Tree list--with photos--was syndicated to AOL. You can view it here. If you click here, you will see the Costco list at GOBankingRates--without photos. 

The Petersburg Pilot reported that Alaskans have more time to make ornaments for the Capitol Christmas Tree. The deadline has been moved to the end of September. Click on the article to read more.

See you next time!

Looking to Review Your Christmas Books, Movies, and Products

 

Photo credit: freepik

Looking to review your Christmas products! Being a lover of all things Christmas, and as someone who has been reviewing products since 2007, I am looking to help you spread the word about your seasonal book, family-friendly movie, home decorating or cooking/baking products.

Here is a short list of what I'm most interested in, but I'm open to other inquiries:

Books

• Picture books
• Chapter books
• Clean romance novellas

Movies

• Animated 
• Drama
• Clean romance
• Clean comedy

Decor

• Modern farmhouse
• Traditional
• Country/Rustic
• Indoor and outdoor

Cooking/Baking

• Supplies--speciality pots and pans, utensils, cookie cutters, aprons, tools, etc.
• Ingredients
• Cookbooks

If you would like me to help spread the word, please reach out to me at ccmal(at)charter(dot)net, replacing at and dot with the appropriate symbols. 

Below are the stats from personal social media accounts. Books might be cross-posted to The Book Connection or The Children's and Teens' Book Connection, so I am including that information as well.

Facebook friends 2.3K
Author page followers 589
Twitter followers 3,633
LinkedIn Connections 2,183
Instagram followers 1,462

Pinterest followers 228

Goodreads Friends - 792

The Book Connection - Average Monthly Visits 11,435

The Children's and Teens' Book Connection - Average Monthly Views 53

Christmas... in the News: Coca-Cola Classic Christmas Event, Google Recommends Best Time to Buy Holiday Flights & U.S. Capital Christmas Tree

 

Welcome to this week's edition of Christmas... in the news. This is a weekly review of some of the Christmas articles and news over the last week. 

Joy to the world! We have some fun Christmas news this week. Let's start off with my favorite beverage's (Pepsi's) rival, Coca-Cola. FOXSA out of San Antonio, Texas is talking all about the Coca-Cola Classic Christmas event being held at Toyota Field. [Side note: Is it only me who hates that every field and building is named after some business these days?] Back to Christmas... this cool event runs from November 22 - December 29. There are Classic Christmas events in other areas of Texas as well. Check out the Coca-Cola Classic Christmas website.

USA Today and other media outlets have released an article about Google Flights. GF released new data last week to help travelers save money on their holiday travel plans. Check out the article here.

Alaska's News Source proudly announced that this year's U.S. Capital Christmas tree has been chosen from the Tongass National Forest in Juneau. That is so neat. You can read about it here.

There were more fun tidbits this week, but I am off to read a new children's book titled In the Winter. Look for my thoughts on that one coming soon. 

Cookbook Review: Wanda E. Brunstetter's Amish Friends Comfort Foods Cookbook

 

Are you in the mood for some comfort foods? Then you need to check out Wanda E. Brunstetter's Amish Friends Comfort Foods Cookbook. 

Though not a Christmas cookbook, comfort food and the holidays go hand in hand. Brunstetter, a bestselling author of Amish fiction, has compiled hundreds of comfort food recipes submitted by Amish and Mennonite friends who live in plain communities around the country. 

In between, readers will find a personal story, Scripture verses, Amish sayings, and stunning photography. This cookbook includes everything from beverages to desserts to main dishes and sides and so much more! I'm eager to try some of the "cozy and crusty breads."

This NetGalley digital copy was only a sample of the text, but if the rest of the book is like the sample, I'll be hooked. And so will you! It's like taking all the comfort food recipes from your favorite Amish novels and compiling them in one sweet spot. 

Highly recommended!

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Barbour Publishing (November 1, 2024)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Spiral-bound ‏ : ‎ 224 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1636099734
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1636099736

I downloaded this digital sample from NetGalley. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in anyway.

Christmas Picture Book Review: Hooray, It's Three Kings Day! by Annette M. Clayton

A book that celebrates family traditions and the meaning of a special holiday is what you will find in Hooray, It's Three Kings Day! by Annette M. Clayton.

Sofia is excited because it is Christmas Day, which means Abuela leaves Puerto Rico to celebrate the Christmas season with Sofia and her family. Sofia hops onto Abuela's lap to learn the story of the Three Kings and Three King's Day--El Día de Reyes. Filled with activities, special food, and an unexpected gift from Abuela, Sofia is eager to share all about Three King's Day when she grows up.

With charming and colorful illustrations by artist Jone Leal, Clayton brings the history and traditions of Three Kings Day to young readers. As Sofia learns more about her Abuela's santos, she enjoys all the special things about the Christmas season: spending time with relatives, wintertime outdoor activities, eating special desserts, and Three Kings Day traditions. Clayton provides resources for the reader, like an explanation of Three Kings Day, a helpful glossary, and a fun recipe. A touching Author's Note shares a personal experience.

Hooray, It's Three Kings Day! is an adorable picture book that will enchant young readers.

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Familius (November 12, 2024)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 32 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 164170957X
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1641709576
• Reading age ‏ : ‎ 5 - 7 years
• Grade level ‏ : ‎ Kindergarten - 2
• 
  

I downloaded a digital copy of this book from NetGalley. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way. 

Christmas Picture Book Review: Christmas by Annette Whipple

If you're looking for a sweet and colorful way to share the meaning and spirit of Christmas with your youngster, then Christmas by Annette Whipple is the perfect choice.

Told from Charlie's point of view, this story shares one family's Christmas traditions, like lighting the Advent wreath, making treats to share, driving to the tree farm, volunteering at the shelter, going to church, and reading the Christmas story from the Bible. Whipple has put together a delightful story that shares the joy of faith, family, and community. The vibrant and fun illustrations by Emma Randall will have little ones turning page after page to see what this family is up to next during the Christmas season. The story is followed by additional resources and activities to continue the reader's enjoyment.

Christmas is a picture book you will want to take out and read time and again. Highly recommended!

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ words & pictures (October 1, 2024)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 48 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0711290008
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0711290006
• Reading age ‏ : ‎ 5 - 7 years
• Grade level ‏ : ‎ Kindergarten - 2

I downloaded a digital copy from NetGalley. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

Christmas...in the News: Allston Christmas, LEGO Christmas Botanicals, Yellowstone Christmas in August & Christmas Con

 

Welcome to this week's edition of Christmas... in the news. This is a weekly review of some of the Christmas articles and news over the last week. 

Wow! Tons of fun Christmas news this week. Are you getting eager to start decorating yet? 

First stop is in Boston. Santa visited the Stop & Shop stores at Allston Yards and Mission Hill to hand out special edition shopping bags for the annual Allston Christmas event. You can read the WCVB5 news report on Santa here. MassLive shares more about the Allston Christmas event on their website. 

Hey, LEGO lovers, Falconbricks.com shared that LEGO has released two new botanicals for the holiday season. Check out the wreath and poinsettia boxes that will be released in October. They are available for pre-order on the LEGO website.  

Did you know that Yellowstone National Park celebrates Christmas in August? I didn't, but the Cowboy State Daily talks all about the tradition and its origins here. 

People shared this information back in May, but I don't recall seeing it until tonight. Taking place at the NJ Expo Center in Edison, NJ is Christmas Con, which runs from December 13-15. That's 4 Entertainment has tickets available on their website. They have a list of celebrity guests listed there, too. If I hadn't been to the Little House on the Prairie 50th Cast Reunion this weekend, I would probably go. 

Hope you get a chance to check out the news this week and share a link to this blog with your friends.