shopping Archives - Tena Stetler

Nov 30th Finding the Holiday Joy

Poinsetta clip art

Over the years, joy of the holiday season seems to be fading. Each year it seems harder and harder to get excited about putting up the brightly colored Christmas decorations inside and out. In search of the joy, I joined holiday blog hops, took the elf name of Twinkle Bright to participate in holiday events. Results, only a slight bump in the holiday joy meter. Huh.

Shopping, now that’s a real experience these days. Black Friday deals most of November, then the real Black Friday, Cyber Monday, harried shoppers looking for the elusive super Merry Christmas Tree 2 bargain. It’s nuts. I shop most of year for just the right gifts, so my shopping is nearly done by the above events. One thing missing from these shopping experiences is the Christmas Cheer. Yes, I know the reason for the season, but it’s lost among the boxes, bows, and lack of goodwill toward anyone. Not to mention, the change in greeting of Happy Holidays rather than Merry Christmas and Happy New Year for fear of offending someone. Call me a rebel, but I still sing out Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

My hubby and I dared a visit to a big box retailer on Sunday after Black Friday. We talked with an employee there. His description, including entertaining animated gestures was blood bath, enormous crowd, grabbing, pushing, climbing over others, and shoving to get just the right popular computer watch (he worked in electronics). He buried his head in his hands on the counter at times during the discussion. We couldn’t help but laughed at his antics. Encouraged, he look up and grinned. At which time I dared to ask, “Do you have any of those second series watches left?” Wide eyed he laughed hysterically and shuffled to a locked glass case. He stared down at the one lonely box and pointed. “That’s it.” Just so happened the watch was a rose gold cased sport with a pink sand band. “Exactly what we are looking for,” I squealed. No waiting in line, no blood spilled, and the look on the clerk’s face was priceless. “Really?” He grinned wide and handed the box to us. “Fate,” he said, “Enjoy.” As we paid for our treasure, we chimed, “Merry Christmas.”

The fun of the holidays began to build with the first spark of goodwill. December 4th-17th, I am participating in Joy of the Season Blog Hop and December 5-7th Highway Café Christmas Blog Tour with prizes, giveaways, fun and games. You don’t want to miss out!

My contribution to holiday joy, A Witch’s Holiday Wedding, preorder today and it’s will be on your ipad or kindle on December 9^th. A heartwarming tale of romance, family, wildlife rescue and friends with Christmas cheer and surprises.

A little about A Witch’s Holiday Wedding:

Elemental witch, Pepper McKay and former Navy SEAL, Lathen Quartz have built Lobster Cove Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Center on enchanted McKay land. During a romantic interlude on Halloween night, Pepper happily agrees to become Lathen’s wife. What better day than Winter Solstice for their wedding in a town that loves celebrations and Christmas. However, planning a wedding and operating their wildlife center takes a toll on both Pepper and Lathen.

When the couple takes a much-needed break for Thanksgiving with family in Colorado, a Maine snowstorm fills the center with injured wildlife. Lathen finds himself drawn into a covert military mission, while trying to deal with issues concerning friends and family. Pepper wants to cancel the wedding. Is she having second thoughts? Will the nosy McKay ghosts, Lathen’s werewolf pack, Pepper’s parents, and her best friend help or hinder the wedding and holiday plans?

Sunday, December 4th the Blog Hop Fun begins with a trip to the North Pole, elves and all.<grin> Then December 8th an update on my search for holiday joy! If that isn’t enough, we’ll explore Christmas traditions the third week of December. What restores your holiday joy?