Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Christmas Carols

Tuesdays are BUSY days for me! I volunteer at the high school in the guidance office till 1:00 and then I teach institute at 7:00. It seems that the time in between goes by so quickly! I don't seem to get much (if any) blogging done on Tuesday's! SO, when I finally DID get on line and read my fun comments I found out that I had been nominated.... Okay, WHO DID THIS??!!! You know who you are! Please stand up! Wait. I can't see you! Will you please email me and let me know! Anyway, I was nominated for the spotlight over at Mormon Mommy Blogs! WHAT??? I had NO idea until I read in my comments that a few of you voted for me! IF you are interested in voting... go HERE OR maybe you are interested in reading some other LDS bloggers! Go. It is fun... You can post your own blog and meet new friends! Anyway, thanks to who ever nominated me and thanks for those of you who voted for me...
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Okay, real post:

So. Last night at Institute the kids said that they would like to have a "Christmas gathering" next week. A party of sorts. So, they are meeting here at my house and I was wondering if you have any suggestions for a FUN PARTY??!!! I am thinking... we could go caroling and then take cookies around to those who might need a smile. And then I was thinking we could come back here and sit around the tree, share some Christmas stories and have some hot chocolate and donuts.... ANY other suggestions are welcome!!!! PLEASE share what you think would be fun!!!

Does your family go caroling? My family doesn't BUT, we DO sing Christmas Carols together on Christmas Eve! Last year one of my cute daughters in law played her violin while we sang! THAT was fun! They will not be here this year so we will be acapella again this year... Here are a few pics from last year... funny, they are reading the words from their phones on line!
So, speaking of Christmas Carols... what are your favorites??? Please share!!!

25 comments:

Shauna said...

Awesome! I will go vote for you right now :) ♥ Hugs!

Linda said...

When my kids were in Jr. High, we used to host a Christmas party at our home for the Jr. High group at church. We live in a neighborhood that is known for decorating so we would have a friend bring over a flat bed type thing, put hay on it, and would haul the kids around the neighborhood, looking at the lights, singing Christmas carols. Afterwards, we had treats and then always had a little devotional time too.

Also, at the beginning of the night, we always had a Christmas movie playing in the background. The kids used to watch it while waiting for everyone to arrive.

Fun times for sure!!

Melinda said...

Hi Shaila,
I voted. I love your blog. I especially love your spiritual entries. Somedays I just need a lift and I always am glad to read what you have posted. Our mission President just asked me and my husband if we would speak to the Institute Students at their New Year's Eve Celebration ( it is an all night event) for about 250 students from all over Ukraine. They would like us to speak on Dating. I was wondering if you could recommend any good talks or resources. We have never worked with the YSA's before so it will require alot of research. Any help would be appreciated, You can e-mail me at melinda_kinghorn@hotmail.com thanks alot and Merry Christmas. Have a great time Caroling. Sounds like fun.

The Kooky Queen--Rachel said...

That's neat that you all sing to the violin. My dad is a concert violinist and it makes me feel reminiscent when I think of Christmas with his violin! How fun! Good luck with your party! I always think good Christmas parties involve chocolate, hot chocolate, Santa giving chocolate, and caroling while eating chocolate!

The Kooky Queen--Rachel said...

Oh PS, I found you nominated before you posted this and had already voted for you! Of course. :)

Lisa Loo said...

You crack me up! As for the party--Linda's idea sounds great and your idea too. At Christmas it doesn't seem to matter so much about the plan but sharing the season. And hanging out at your house--DOUBLE TREAT!!

nikkicrumpet said...

I went and voted...then I asked them to sign me up. I didn't know about that place...very cool! I wish I could be of help with ideas...but I'm blank! I'm sure you'll come up with something fun to do!

Scrappy Girl said...

I voted for ya girlie!

I love the song "This Christmas."

Christmas charades are fun too!

heather said...

I would love to teach institute someday!

I think your idea of caroling & coming back for treats is perfect. I love getting friends together to carol, love it so much in fact that I invited a bunch a people to come with me tomorrow. I hope some people actually show up 'cause I am not singing alone. Thats for sure. :)

Have fun!

Cynthia said...

Are the students high school or college age? I used to throw huge singles parties when I was at that point in life. One of the best things we did were the stupid mixer games- like "Do you love your neighbor". Anything where you might have the chance to end up in the lap of a cute guy! The guys didn't seem to mind either!

We don't go caroling- and the neighbors are thankful I'm sure.

Femin Susan said...

Hi,
Your blog is really interesting... Good Luck... You are welcomed to my blog…….
Wishing you in advance "A Merry X'Mas and A Happy New Year''

tammy said...

Um, it is better if my family does NOT sing. My musical talent is only in the form of piano playing. (and I am stressing because the bishop just asked me to be the organist is Sac. Mtg - pAnIc!)

MERRIANNE said...

that looks like wonderful Holiday FUN! :) Full of love & luaghter!!

and

some of my favorite Christmas Songs are:

JINGLE BELLS
FROSTY
ANGELS WE HAVE HEARD ON HIGH
AWAY IN A MANGER
BRING A TORCH JEANETTE ISABELLA
SILENT NIGHT
ONCE IN ROYAL DAVID'S CITY

Tara Bennett said...

Congrats on being nominated! I'm new to mormonmommyblogs, but it's fun getting to know everyone.

My favorite Christmas carol is Away in a Manger. The 3rd verse gets me every time.

Beth at Aunties said...

Such cute pictures! I voted and I too L♥ve your blog and the spiritual entries. You have a beautiful spirit and it shines through.
I am impressed your darling daughter in law would play her violin. We usually try to sing 'Away in the Manger' when our little ones are making their procession in to the family room all clothed in their nativity clothes but usually we are all trying to not crack up becaue they are all so darn cute.
Our new daughter plays the piano so maybe she can whip us all into shape! And Papa reads the account out of Luke and the kids TRY to act accordingly. Two years ago the angels all wanted to be princesses and fairys instead of angels. It made for some great humor;)

While I was growing up our whole family would go caroling on Christmas eve and deliver baskets of goodies to those in our neighborhood and ward who needed to be cheered up or who were alone on that special night. I will never forget the tender tears which would stream down their faces as they stood at the door. My dad played would play his harmonica while we sang. These memories are the best!



hugs,
beth

Robin Beck said...

Hey Shaila,
I saw that you were nominated over at Pam's blog and went right over to MM and voted for you! Too cool!

We used to carol with our church when we were in high school-It was so much fun-I could not pick one favorite Christmas song I love so many! :)

Robin~♥

Wonder Woman said...

Caroling parties are always SO much fun. We just did one with our cub scouts and it was a big hit. I LOVED caroling growing up, and still do.

The First Noel is definately my favorite "carol."

and I voted, too. xoxo

Jan said...

You got my vote girl. It was a pleasure to go and voice my opinion like that. Tell him who the best is. Show them who the blog boss is :)

This sounds so fun. We haven't done this for years. But I still love a good ole We wish you a Merry Christmas. It always just brings it to the table nicely. Love violins. So lucky.

SwainstonFam said...

I totally voted for you! I always LOVE your blog!!! That's why I want you to help me with mine!!! I love caroling... wish I could go! Have fun, sounds like you have a fun night planned!

Melissa said...

What a fun idea you came up with for the youth activity your planning. We did something similar at YW/YM this week and took all the youth christmas caroling and then went back to the church for hot chocolate... everyone had so much fun. I Love the idea of sharing Christmas stories though...Sounds like a fun night you have planned.
My favorite Christmas carols are...Carol of the Bells and Here we go a Wassailing.

Kaci said...

Jingle Bells is a favorite around here!!! =>

Melinda said...

Shaila,
I am not sure if I should respond on my blog or yours. I think the topic is probably suppose to be things prophets have said about dating. I don't really think I will give dating ideas. Remember many of these members are new to the church or joined as young adults so they didn't get all the great talks on dating that our youth in America get. thanks, so much. Melinda

Ashley said...

That sounds like such a fun night!!! Gift exchanges are always fun, especially white elephant ones with hilarious gifts. :)

Anonymous said...

they all look totally thrilled

Jen and Dave said...

Hi!
You are so fun!
Just to let you know, Martha Stewart has a downloadable Christmas Carols Book on her website (just do a search at the top) and it has a cute cover too.
Our family did caroling and delivering cookies every year with my best friend's family...it's a great memory making tradition.
I'll go vote for you...