• Home
  • About Me
  • Projects
  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact me

The Frugal Homemaker

Your guide to turning your house into a home... one DIY project and yard sale find at a time

Christmas movies, traditions, and making a memory-filled Christmas (+ a $100 giveaway!)

December 16, 2014

Post and giveaway sponsored by XFINITY, but all opinions are my own. Please see below for additional disclosure.

After blogging about having a stress-free Christmas for 31 days back in October and some disappointments in past years Christmas seasons, I have really made making memories, starting and continuing meaningful traditions, family time, and just ENJOYING the season (instead of stressing!) the forefront of my focus this year.  It hasn’t always been like that and the season ends and I feel frustrated at myself for rushing through it, for things I wanted to do that didn’t get done, for feeling exhausted because I stressed too much over the mile long to do list, and losing the true meaning of Christmas in all the “stuff”. 

I think we all want that right?  We want to look back at the Christmas season (or really any season of life) and have a memory bank full of memories – new traditions we started, traditions we continued, events we went to, fun nights just as a family at home, decorating the tree together, whatever it is that warms your heart and makes you smile when you think back over the season.  I already have so many wonderful memories from things done this December and Christmas isn’t even here yet.  And let’s be honest, as the homemaker/mom/wife/manager of the home many of those activities/traditions/memories are up to us to make happen!  That is why I created a bucket list of things we wanted to do this Christmas and why I created a countdown calendar breaking down those activities down on certain days – yes we have missed a day here or there and either caught it up or put it aside BUT we have done most of them and made some amazing memories.  We have kissed under the mistletoe as our nieces giggled Smile, we have shopped for and donated a toy to needy children, we went to a big Christmas light display, got donuts for breakfast, wore Santa hats, watched movies together, and looking forward to making even more memories to come with our big church Christmas program this weekend!  

We even watched Frosty the Snowman on a big screen in our town square with fake snow machines going – it was completely magical!

10675594_988092011204233_5850037383169483481_n

Last week was a crazy busy week of work and activities – 2 Christmas parties, my husband and I put in some crazy hours for deadlines at work, and we spent the weekend doing some fun things with my nieces and nephew for Christmas.  So when we settled down after church on Sunday quite tired, I was glad to pull the tag that said – “Watch Elf” from our countdown calendar. 

DSC_0901

It was the perfect evening to just spend some down time recovering from a past busy week and recharging for a busy week ahead.  To put the to-do list aside and laugh and spend time together with my husband.  We sipped some yummy hot chocolate (this homemade mix is becoming a fast favorite!  Going to need to mix up another batch tonight! Smile).

DSC_0199

One of the things we have enjoyed most about our new XFINITY X1 service is the DVR and the On Demand option.  Especially right now during the busy Christmas season.  We don’t own very many movies so we would have just had to wait for Elf or Home Alone or any of the movies we enjoy watching at Christmas to come on TV and hope that it worked in our schedule that night to sit down and watch it.  BUT with On Demand – no more rearranging our schedule to watch a movie coming on tv that night – we now can watch it whenever it works for us! 

DSC_0191

XFINITY On Demand has a whole section of family holiday movies to watch too.   All controlled right from your remote with the push of a button while you snuggle on the couch!

10604524_376094165898084_531377494075445674_o

And if you are hooked on a certain series (we enjoy NCIS) but a Christmas party or something else happens that night and you miss the new episode or the season finale, you can catch it the next day (or whenever works for you) on On Demand.    We have really enjoyed that feature too – making tv fit into our time and schedules– not vice versa. 

Plus if you are traveling this season, the TV Go app allows you to download your shows and watch them wherever you’d like. Best of all, you can take them on the go to entertain you during a long trip home or to see family for Christmas.

The Fast Life with TY has been sharing some fun tips on facebook too.  Like this tip on how to dress up a sweater if you are headed to an ugly Christmas party!  (Those have been popping up everywhere this year!)

16699_379769282197239_2348635544291423094_n

Follow Ty So Fast on Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest for even more tips.

So what memories have you made this Christmas?  Made any new traditions/continued on with some old traditions?  

And who could use a $100 gift card?  Seriously with all the shopping, baking, traveling, and decorating, I am sure we ALL could. 

Enter to win a $100 AmEx gift card in the rafflecopter widget below.  Winner will be chosen December 23rd and notified by email. 

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: XFINITY partnered with bloggers such as me for their Fast Life program. As part of this program, I received compensation for my time. They did not tell me what to purchase or what to say about any product mentioned in these posts. XFINITY believes that consumers and bloggers are free to form their own opinions and share them in their own words. XFINITY’s policies align with WOMMA Ethics Code, FTC guidelines and social media engagement recommendations.

88 Comments LABELS ~ Uncategorized

SHARE >>
« Christmas front porch and an easy layered Christmas wreath
Cinnamon Scented Ornaments »

RELATED POSTS

  • How to make a DIY Christmas music wall hanging or mini Christmas music sheet ornaments!
  • Classic Cozy Christmas Front Porch
  • DIY Christmas Skis made from Picket Fence Pickets
  • 2013 goals

Comments

  1. Wendy Boyd says

    December 16, 2014 at 12:38 PM

    I love Home Alone – all of them 🙂

    Reply
  2. Rita says

    December 16, 2014 at 12:40 PM

    Every year the original Miracle on 34th Street is a must!!!

    Reply
  3. Jennifer Creech says

    December 16, 2014 at 12:50 PM

    I live in an area that doesn’t get cable (yet), but I love ELF and own a lot of Christmas movies. I especially love the Hallmark ones.

    Reply
    • Christina says

      December 17, 2014 at 10:48 AM

      I LOVE the Hallmark ones too. Let’s just say my DVR is at 100% capacity and 90% of it is Hallmark movies. I will be watching them until February 😉

      Reply
  4. Cate Hoepner says

    December 16, 2014 at 12:52 PM

    I would watch How The Grinch Stole Christmas!

    Reply
  5. Lisa Brown says

    December 16, 2014 at 12:52 PM

    i want to see: A Princess for Christmas

    Reply
  6. Elle P. says

    December 16, 2014 at 1:20 PM

    Home Alone is a favorite in our house.

    Reply
  7. the cape on the corner says

    December 16, 2014 at 1:23 PM

    always elf!
    thanks,
    b

    Reply
  8. Maria R says

    December 16, 2014 at 1:31 PM

    My favorite would be A Christmas Story…you’ll shoot your eye out, kid!!

    Reply
  9. Sherri S. says

    December 16, 2014 at 2:01 PM

    Thank you for sharing this giveaway. I would be blessed to win.

    🙂 Sherri

    Reply
  10. Rita says

    December 16, 2014 at 3:40 PM

    Thank you for all your wonderful posts!!

    Reply
  11. Amanda L. Paige says

    December 16, 2014 at 4:57 PM

    A Christmas Story (it isn’t Christmas without it).

    Reply
  12. Megan says

    December 16, 2014 at 4:58 PM

    Elf is my absolute favorite… all year long! 🙂

    Reply
  13. rachel says

    December 16, 2014 at 5:37 PM

    Elf and Home Alone are our favorites too! =)

    Reply
  14. Nataly Carbonell says

    December 16, 2014 at 7:02 PM

    I like A Christmas Carol! ^_^

    Reply
  15. Heather B says

    December 17, 2014 at 6:56 AM

    Thanks for the giveaway! I would be watching “Elf” as it is one of my favorite contempory Christmas movies!!

    Reply
  16. Mami2jcn says

    December 17, 2014 at 7:11 AM

    Elf is my favorite to watch at Christmas.

    Reply
  17. Jacki says

    December 17, 2014 at 7:21 AM

    Husband likes A Christmas Story, and I like A Christmas Carol. Merry Christmas to you and your family. Thanks for a great blog!

    Reply
  18. Nancy Shaw says

    December 17, 2014 at 7:21 AM

    Our favorite holiday movie is Scrooged- I don’t know about Xfinity on Demand but we NEVER miss Carol Cane and the Toaster. Ouch!

    Reply
  19. Nikki says

    December 17, 2014 at 7:40 AM

    We usually watch the Grinch with our kids every year, and Polar Express is fun too!! Ready to be done shopping and just enjoy!

    Reply
  20. Julia says

    December 17, 2014 at 7:51 AM

    My new tradition this year was to make the presents, not buy them. As far as movies go – The Grinch and the original version of Miracle of 34th Street are always the first movies watched at my house! 🙂

    Reply
  21. Kathleen says

    December 17, 2014 at 8:10 AM

    In Mexico for the holiday s. We celebrate Niche Buena, Christmas eve here.

    Reply
  22. Amanda Sakovitz says

    December 17, 2014 at 8:24 AM

    Elf is my favorite. It’s hysterical!

    Reply
  23. Lisa S says

    December 17, 2014 at 8:28 AM

    Definitely Elf!!!

    Reply
  24. Shelley says

    December 17, 2014 at 8:47 AM

    Great ideas!

    Reply
  25. Michelle O says

    December 17, 2014 at 8:52 AM

    Definitely the orginal Miracle on 34th Street for me. My husband’s favorite is It’s a Wonderful Life. My kids like The Santa Clause.

    Merry Christmas!

    Reply
  26. Phyllis says

    December 17, 2014 at 10:00 AM

    I watch Charlie Brown Christmas. I watched it with my mother when I was a child & then watched it with my son. So now I am 57 years old & still watch it & it brings warm memories. Mom is in heaven now & my son lives away, but for that half hour we are all together.

    Reply
  27. Alison says

    December 17, 2014 at 10:08 AM

    My all time favorite Christmas movie – A Christmas Story! You’ll shoot your eye out!

    Reply
  28. Joanie says

    December 17, 2014 at 10:18 AM

    New fav Christmas Movie I recently saw – Christmas in the Clouds. Thanks for a chance at the giveaway.

    Reply
  29. Sonya says

    December 17, 2014 at 10:32 AM

    As always: ELF!

    Reply
  30. Sonya says

    December 17, 2014 at 10:32 AM

    As always: ELF!

    Reply
  31. Michelle says

    December 17, 2014 at 11:17 AM

    National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation – watch this every year on Thanksgiving and Christmas!

    Reply
  32. Cindy says

    December 17, 2014 at 11:19 AM

    I love Christmas movies. Any good Hallmark ones you could recommend?

    Reply
  33. Rosa says

    December 17, 2014 at 11:20 AM

    It’s a Wonderful Life is my favorite!

    Reply
  34. Julia says

    December 17, 2014 at 11:26 AM

    The grinch who stole Christmas with Jim Carey !

    Reply
  35. Melissa M says

    December 17, 2014 at 11:32 AM

    Home alone.

    Reply
  36. Martha W. says

    December 17, 2014 at 11:44 AM

    A Christmas Story. I really love ALL the Hallmark movies!!

    Reply
  37. Holly E says

    December 17, 2014 at 12:01 PM

    I would watch Home Alone.

    Reply
  38. Julie Honea says

    December 17, 2014 at 12:15 PM

    The Velveteen Rabbit is a movie? I want to see it!

    Reply
  39. HS says

    December 17, 2014 at 12:35 PM

    I like Elf.

    Reply
  40. Kristen says

    December 17, 2014 at 1:00 PM

    Probably Jingle All the Way! We love Sinbad!

    Reply
  41. Dana says

    December 17, 2014 at 1:46 PM

    There are so many good ones! I love the Hallmark movies. But I think It’s a Wonderful Life tops my list.

    Reply
  42. Debbie says

    December 17, 2014 at 1:53 PM

    A Christmas Carol is my favorite movie. Pick any year and I have seen it!
    Merry Christmas!

    Reply
  43. Telena Reynolds says

    December 17, 2014 at 1:59 PM

    It’s a Wonderful Life.

    Reply
  44. Veronica VatterI love says

    December 17, 2014 at 2:54 PM

    I love the original Christmas in Conneticut 🙂

    Reply
  45. Cheryl says

    December 17, 2014 at 4:26 PM

    My favorite Christmas movie, is “It’s a Wonderful Life”. I cry every time.

    Reply
  46. Lisa says

    December 17, 2014 at 5:35 PM

    White Christmas is #1 and The Bishop’s Wife is #1.5

    Reply
  47. Linda Bradshaw says

    December 17, 2014 at 7:30 PM

    My favorite movie now is ‘GRUMPY CAT’S WORST CHRISTMAS EVER’. We watched it last week. I would love to have it for my nieces.

    Reply
  48. kathy w says

    December 17, 2014 at 8:14 PM

    The Christmas Story is the movie we watch every year.

    Reply
  49. MARY T says

    December 17, 2014 at 9:47 PM

    It’s just not Christmas until I watch White Christmas!

    Reply
  50. Tiffany says

    December 17, 2014 at 9:58 PM

    Elf is very high up on my “to watch” list every holiday season!

    Reply
  51. Barbara Consbruck says

    December 17, 2014 at 10:30 PM

    We always watch National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. My husband loves decorating outside with lights and other things.

    Reply
  52. Christa says

    December 17, 2014 at 10:46 PM

    Definitely something hallmark and cheesy. 🙂

    Reply
  53. Dianne Hall says

    December 17, 2014 at 11:20 PM

    Home Alone is my favorite:)

    Reply
  54. Sheena says

    December 17, 2014 at 11:28 PM

    Home Alone 2!

    Reply
  55. julia says

    December 18, 2014 at 12:34 AM

    It’s A Wonderful Life will always be a favorite during the Christmas season.

    Reply
  56. Leah says

    December 18, 2014 at 2:16 AM

    I really love Miracle on 34th Street!

    Reply
  57. Linda F. says

    December 18, 2014 at 1:03 PM

    Our favorite is Home Alone!!!

    Reply
  58. Kelly Palmer says

    December 18, 2014 at 2:32 PM

    I love Christmas movies but the top two would be It’s a Wonderful Life and Elf. Also any of the Hallmark movies because they are all great and very tastefully done. Merry Christmas to you and your husband! 🙂

    Reply
  59. Kim Henrichs says

    December 18, 2014 at 2:40 PM

    I would say Elf! Always a fun one to watch!!

    Reply
  60. Jennifer OBrien says

    December 18, 2014 at 5:47 PM

    The Polar Express is one of my favorites!

    Reply
  61. Kenny Hall says

    December 18, 2014 at 8:14 PM

    My favorite Christmas movie is Christmas Vacation..hilarous!

    Reply
  62. livivua says

    December 18, 2014 at 10:04 PM

    i like the christmas story

    Reply
  63. Jessica Beard says

    December 19, 2014 at 11:44 AM

    I’d like to watch Home Alone with my family.

    Reply
  64. Darla Bunyan says

    December 19, 2014 at 6:08 PM

    The Christmas Story! I could sure use this!

    Reply
  65. Elena says

    December 19, 2014 at 7:07 PM

    I like Home Alone

    Reply
  66. Susan DeVaux says

    December 19, 2014 at 10:09 PM

    Home Alone 2 Lost in New York!

    Reply
  67. Julie says

    December 20, 2014 at 1:27 AM

    For years and years my favorite Christmas movie has been “It’s a Wonderful Life” – I adore Jimmy Stewart. However last year for the 1st time, I saw “White Christmas” – how great is that movie?!
    And yes, all of the Hallmark movies!

    Reply
  68. cathy J says

    December 20, 2014 at 3:56 AM

    I love White Christmas, hubby is all for It’s a Wonderful Life and goddaughter loves Polar Express (Next year we hope to take her on one locally-save up for it). I also like Yes Virginia there is a Santa Clause but did not see it listed.
    w

    Reply
  69. Ashley Steele says

    December 20, 2014 at 9:38 AM

    I love the idea of the countdown! It is so easy to get caught up in the hustle of the season and run out of time to do the things that make the season so special to begin with!!

    Reply
  70. Kelly D says

    December 20, 2014 at 11:33 AM

    I would like to watch Elf and Jingle All the Way.

    Reply
  71. julie says

    December 20, 2014 at 4:05 PM

    always watch home alone for christmas.

    Reply
  72. Prasert says

    December 20, 2014 at 9:49 PM

    my kids love elf

    Reply
  73. Laura J says

    December 21, 2014 at 1:07 AM

    Oh would love to watch The National Lampoons Christmas Vacation! A must every year!!

    Reply
  74. Emily says

    December 21, 2014 at 2:42 AM

    I want to finally watch Eight Crazy Nights during Hanukkah this year.

    Reply
  75. Deb Jackson says

    December 21, 2014 at 8:42 AM

    Oh I would love to see How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

    Reply
  76. D Schmidt says

    December 21, 2014 at 10:48 AM

    Visited and I would like to watch Guardians of the Galaxy

    Reply
  77. shaunie says

    December 21, 2014 at 6:23 PM

    My favorite is “Santa’s Summer House”

    Reply
  78. Julie Raye-Rod says

    December 21, 2014 at 7:31 PM

    miracle on 34th street.

    Reply
  79. Susan Christy says

    December 21, 2014 at 11:19 PM

    It’s not a Christmas movie, but I want to watch 22 Jump Street.

    Reply
  80. Dawn Keenan says

    December 22, 2014 at 1:40 PM

    We would love to watch National Lampoons Christmas Vacation.

    Reply
  81. Ann says

    December 22, 2014 at 10:57 PM

    a christmas story is my favorite

    Reply
  82. Donna says

    December 23, 2014 at 12:44 AM

    Jingle all the way!

    Reply
  83. ashley casas says

    December 23, 2014 at 1:45 PM

    This is my husband and my first Christmas together married, we decided to start hand painting a Christmas village. We’re starting this year with Santa’s toy shop.

    Reply
  84. marie says

    December 23, 2014 at 3:02 PM

    white christmas is my favorite.

    Reply
  85. Nan says

    December 23, 2014 at 10:06 PM

    Elf.Is.The.Best!

    Reply
  86. Thomas Murphy says

    December 23, 2014 at 10:42 PM

    I like National Lampoons Christmas Vacation.

    Reply
  87. Vivian says

    December 24, 2014 at 9:00 PM

    I love Its a wonderful life because its about the gift of life and how we share our gift unknowingly. How the whole community pulled together to celebrate a mans life who cared so deeply for their lives. Merry Christmas!

    Reply

Leave a Reply to Jennifer OBrien Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Follow me:

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Hi!  My name is Christina . . .

I love doing simple, frugal things to make our house feel like HOME! Come learn along with me how to have a beautiful home on a budget.

Recent Posts

  • Enjoying summer at home! (Essentials for entertaining or having a fun family night)
  • Simple build series: How to build a DIY centerpiece box
  • How to create a cozy outdoor space step-by-step
  • Spring DIY Projects
  • 2022 Word of the Year





THEME BY ECLAIR DESIGNS