The 12 Days of Christmas

I run to the mailbox every single day after Thanksgiving….like I am a 6 year old waiting for Birthday money.

Instead I am 30 - something - and every day leading up to Christmas feels a little like the morning of the 25th.  I love to give, and quite honestly, I love to get.  Christmas cards, concealed in brightly colored envelopes, names scratched across the front are torn open to reveal some of the faces I love most in the world.  I marvel at how much the kids have grown, how they look *JUST* like their mom and how long it has been since we have seen each other in person.

But this past week, a little something *extra* arrived in the mail. From my sweet friend, Sarah.

For the first time in my life (I know, shocking) I am actually celebrating the 12 Days of Christmas.  I won a contest on Sarah’s site.…and Sarah - because she has a heart the size of Minnesota, and because she truly LOVES to give, has sent me this amazing array of packages.  All wrapped.  All numbered. One for each day between now and the 25th.

The 12 Days of Christmas is a tradition in Sarah’s house - and it started with her husband.  Can you stand it?  He would give her a small gift every day leading up to Christmas. They now do it for every member of the family.

And for me.  But just this year.  I am an honorary member of Sarah’s family.

Want to see my first gift?  With my kids leaning over my shoulders, I tore into it like that same 6 year old I mentioned at the top.  And, sigh, I am in love.

Who doesn’t love Christmas cookies?  And they are personalized!  Can you imagine? There were snowflakes with my name on them (the kids broke them before I could grab a picture), ornaments with a Merry Christmas message, and the super-darling gingerbread men announcing Sarah as the head chef.

Day three has arrived - what did I get?

Three rolls of scotch tape - simply perfect, because I am going through it like crazy.

And this?  This is Day 4.  Big day for me

She got me FOUR pink pens.  I love pink.

Too much fun.  Does she know me, or what?

Day 5 - the PERFECT gift - 5 ounces of Dark Chocolate.

Day 6 - Fun for my kids AND me

Day 7 (Sarah KNOWS I love the beach)

Day 8 - Decor for the Tree

Day 9 - To prepare me for Tears of Joy

Day 10 - 10 Ways to ‘make it all better’

I am having too much fun - Sarah - you are heavenly!  Thank you for the little bits of joy you are bringing to my life every day.

Stop by every day between now and Christmas for an update!  Can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings!

Thank you, so very much, Sarah, for such a thoughtful, uplifting series of surprises.  I will go to bed each night with that tickle of anticipation in my belly.  You and that Elf on a Shelf are making me feel like a kid again!

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