Winter Wonders: A Christmas Blog Tag

Moonlight Wanderer
7 days ago
5 min read

Today, I'm very excited to share this post with you! You may have read my first challenge, a summer blog tag post, from a while ago. I really loved doing it—and I hope you liked it, too, because today I'm sharing another blog challenge with you, this time winter-themed! :)

Christmas is by far my favorite time of year—it's an incredible and wonderful holiday, full of family, friendships, music, hope, love, gifts, beauty, and so much more. I've actually been looking forward to Christmas ever since school began, so today I wanted to dive even deeper by sharing this blog challenge with you. I really hope you enjoy reading!

What is Winter Wonders: A Christmas Blog Tag?

Many of you have seen or participated in blog challenges before, and so this one is fairly similar. For those who aren't sure, this is just a post in which tagged bloggers can engage and answer Christmas-themed questions (listed below) on their own blog, tag friends, and have fun immersing in the Christmas spirit!

Guidelines:

Acknowledge who tagged you
Answer the questions
Tag friends & notify them
Fill out this form to have your blog challenge post spotlighted on The Moonlight
Wanderer's December Newsletter! (Optional)
Have fun!

Questions:

What are some traditions that you and your family have leading up to the holidays? And what's something new that you want to try this month?
What's your favorite Christmas recipe, food, or drink?
Every Christmas is different, and some years come with unexpected twists. But if you could have the perfect Christmas, what would the day look like for you?
What are some of your favorite winter activities? (e.g. caroling, sledding, drinking hot cocoa)
Do you decorate? How?
What is your favorite Christmas song or hymn? Why is it your favorite?
What's a gift or experience you're really wishing for this Christmas? And what's your favorite gift to give others?
Describe some of your favorite Christmas memories. :)
What is your favorite Christmas-y book? Movie?
List ten words to that encapsulate the feel of Christmas for you.
In your own words, what is the meaning of Christmas?

My Answers!

What are some traditions that you and your family have leading up to the holidays? And what's something new that you want to try this month?

We have a lot of fun traditions! In December, we always go on a drive around the neighborhood at night see the Christmas lights; it's always so lovely to see all the beautiful decorations and lights, and especially when there is a lot of snow, it's incredible. It's like a winter wonderland. We also go see a drive-through light show some years, and they have incredible views.

Then, in the past couple of years, we've also visited a place called Old World, a place to experience an old-fashioned Christmas. There are pine woods all around, and the roads are dirt and gravel. They have all sorts of holiday activities there: wreath-making, horse-drawn wagon rides, and caroling. We can listen to people dressed in 1800s attire tell Christmas stories, watch a blacksmith working at his forge, and shop at little old-fashioned shops. The most fun part is seeing holiday traditions from different European cultures. We get to go inside these little houses and see how different families with backgrounds from countries like Germany, Ireland, England, and Czechia might have decorated their homes like, what they might have cooked for Christmas dinner, how they would have celebrated Christmas.

What's your favorite Christmas recipe, food, or drink?

This is a pretty tough question. I love lots of things, including mashed potatoes, baked apples, and barbeque, as well as homemade warm vanilla pudding, hot chocolate, and Salep.
Every Christmas is different, and some years come with unexpected twists. But if you could make the perfect Christmas, what would the day look like for you?

I don't really have a "perfect" Christmas in mind, actually. Every year is so different, and that's just the fun of it. I just want a day where everyone is happy, the house is warm and cozy, and my heart is full of peace. Also, it'd be great if there was snow as well!
What are some of your favorite winter activities? (e.g. caroling, sledding, drinking hot cocoa)

I love reading in the morning, when snow is falling fast outside the window; baking treats; decorating the Christmas tree; building in the snow; skiing; sledding; decorating gingerbread houses; doing Christmas crafts; and watching cozy movies.
Do you decorate? How?

We do decorate most years, but never too extravagantly. We have lots of lights, a Christmas tree, wreaths, and lots of little decorations.
What is your favorite Christmas song or hymn? Why is it your favorite?

I love all of the hymns! There's something so special and beautiful in all of them that touches my heart. I would say favorites are Silent Night and O Come, O Come Emmanuel.
What's a gift or experience you're truly wishing for this Christmas? And what's your favorite gift to give others?

I haven't been wishing for too much this year. But one thing I think would be pretty cool would be one of those cameras that can instantly print. I love scrapbooking and journaling, and it would be so cool to incorporate pictures, too, without all the hassle of having to separately print them out.

My favorite gift to give others is probably stocking stuffers. I love choosing little gifts to give to different people that would like and putting them in their stockings. This Christmas, I'm going to give out a lot of 3D-printed things, as I'm learning how to 3D print, and I also love giving out journals, sketchbooks, and books!
Describe some of your favorite Christmas memories. :)

Ooh! I have so many. Going to Old World, having horse-drawn carriage rides, waking up on Christmas morning (especially when I was little), and wrapping presents on Christmas Eve!
What is your favorite Christmas-y book? Movie?

My favorite Christmas book is The Polar Express. It's such a beautiful tale. I also love Little House in the Big Woods; The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe; and A Christmas Carol. My favorite Christmas movie is It's a Wonderful Life. (Home Alone is also pretty fun!)
List ten words to that encapsulate the feel of Christmas.

-Cinnamon
-Wonder
-Pine
-Snowfall
-Fireside
-Silver bells
-Peppermint
-Ornaments
-Candles
-Blizzard
In your own words, what is the meaning of Christmas?

The meaning of Christmas, to me, is celebrating Jesus. Jesus is the Prince of Peace, and celebrating Him really does bring more peace into our lives. Remembering Him, His peace and hope, makes us joyful in spite of all the problems we face. Remembering this, this echo of eternity, makes every little beautiful thing ring with a deep magic in our souls. I think it's a beautiful holiday, and especially celebrating this wonderful gift with everyone else, with family and friends and strangers, makes the heart ring with joy.