I have used them for years but you really have to watch them. On MANY occasions I have had to email them about not paying...especially if it's a high paying item. For example I purchased an expensive TV through a well known company using the Rakuten link and (as I have learned to do) I luckily took screenshots of everything. The percentage they were going to pay me back, the amount, totals and terms and conditions. All was good until it was time for them to pay and suddenly they removed that order from my list. After I emailed them and asked about it they said that purchase was excluded in the terms. That's where my screenshots helped. I sent them everything I had proving them wrong then customer service suddenly stopped replying. Once I reported them to the BBB they FINALLY paid me. It may seem petty but at that point it was about the principle.
Rakuten doesn’t give me my money. I have to go back to them each time. And I have to give them all the shopping trip details. It’s very annoying. I liked ebates so much better
@@denisemarie6131 Absolutely agree! I finally got tired of having to email them all the time so I rarely use it anymore. Guess it saves them money so maybe that was the plan.
Our favorite zero dollar Christmas tradition that my husband and I do. On Christmas Eve, we make a giant thermos of hot chocolate. Go for a walk or drive around the neighborhood, have some Christmas tunes going and look at Christmas lights. We usually end up at the town tree and just sit there and talk about our favorite parts of the year.
I love the part about accidentally created traditions. During covid when everything was mostly shut down but partially reopening, I was pregnant and had a toddler so we were super cautious. Felt like we had to give up so many traditions so we started putting on our PJs and making hot chocolate and driving around to look at Christmas lights. In my mind it was just something to do to try to get into the spirit, but my daughter the following year told me she couldn't wait to do our tradition. I had no clue what she was talking about until she told me that. We do it every year now. At the time I was so sad that we couldn't go do all the things we normally do and she remembers it fondly 😭
I dont understand why people think it's okay to be mean to other people for no reason (in person and online). Love your content and admire the fact that you handle that hate online so well.
@@MrsJoviolet at first I was so intimidated to write to my non-Christian friends, but I did it anyway. I was so surprised to hear back from so many of them that they appreciated my postcard and prayer. I dare not miss it! Cheers.
Santa asked me if we wanted an Elf on the Shelf and I told him that I was worried our dog would bark at the Elf so it probably wasn't a good fit for us :)
This is an excellent insight! I hope there will be people in their lives (or in the periphery of their lives) who will help them recognize how ugly and pointless it is to direct that kind of unkind commentary or dark energy at others. And I hope they eventually manage to feel empowered in ways that are meaningful and positive.
Why am I laying in bed crying? Cause that reminder you just gave (I have 0 kids but the sentiment applies) “I’ve made it through the toughest days of my life, and I’ll get through this.” Thanks for being our online bestie!
As a Gen X mom with kids in their 20’s, I’m so glad we missed the elf on the shelf fiasco! The holidays are already stressful enough trying to accomplish everything without adding that to have to commit to keeping up with
Another genx here - I was quick on my feet the day I was asked about the elf “mom, are we going to have an elf like the one at Sara’s house ?” “Nope, the elf is not part of our religion” - kid accepted that answer and moved on - it’s a now a funny family story because our kids told countless people that the elf was not part of our religion 😂
The two major complaints I see that I don’t understand are 1) Being mad about both PR and shopping (and decluttering) but also want reviews on new products. Or not understanding that new product reviews get the most views. Plus it’s not really product waste if you help ppl make decisions, shop wisely, and prevent buying bad products. 2) Being mad about sponsorships. Podcasts are sponsored and I feel like I don’t see as much hate about those. It’s just a commercial and pays for the content.
I’m really glad you didn’t take the palette videos down cause I had a good giggle, and was really exhausted too by how people were reacting. It takes a lot of tenacity and strength to see past all this and still post quality content regularly. I’m so grateful you persist because I love your channels and podcast so much ❤
We’ve been doing the “Need, Want, Wear, Read” for so many years now. We’ve included something from Santa and as they get older, we’re bringing in experiences instead of things.
I am 47 years old, an older mom of 2 daughters (4 and 6) and work full-time. I do NOT have time for Elf on the Shelf and will never start. I will make sure to create magic and memories in other ways but that little man isn't going to ruin every evening in December.
One of our "traditions" is putting out paper bags with candles on the driveway Christmas Eve to light the way for Jesus. I'm currently 53 and my 86 year old father and I do it every year. It is so beautiful and I look forward to it every year.
When my daughter was in Kindergarten she wanted to know why we didn't have an elf that came to visit our house. I told her that I heard that the naughty elf only came to visit naughty children and since she was so well behaved we didn't have one. Surprisingly it worked because all the children in her class that were talking about the elf just happened to be the ones that were the naughtiest in her class 🤣
The way this could’ve backfired hahahahahha love the gamble!!! I refuse to do elf on a shelf too. Sooooo much work. At one of my daughter’s preschool they did it there. She didn’t ask us about why we didn’t have one at home. So thankful for that. If she ever does ask I’m stealing all these ideas everyone has lol dog, naughty kiddos, etc.
Lol - the shade! 😂 I picture you fielding angry phone calls from the moms of all the “naughty” kids … 😬 But I agree with the comment above - a brave gamble that fortunately paid off! 😄
Kylie (Kiki Chanel) actually ordered a mold test! It was mold! Also, we don’t do elf on the shelf. My kids asked why we don’t have an elf and I told them I told Santa that the elf wasn’t allowed at my house because he’s messy 😂🤷🏻♀️
Hot tip- this is the best thing I ever decided to do when my kids were young and I was up until 2 AM on Christmas Eve still wrapping presents. We always have a traditional Christmas Eve dinner with family and friends and all the things. BUT! I order Chinese Food on Christmas. I have done this for the last 14 years. I didn’t have the mental capacity to do TWO big meals back to back with 6 kids. My kids all still request a big Chinese food order and I am never going back! It was the best decision. All of our friends know about this tradition and on more than one occasion they have popped over to grab a plate. Highly recommend!
I have a 5 and 3 year old, and my kindergartener asked the other day about the elf coming to our house😅 I also do not ever want to do it and told her that was so odd that an elf was in her friends house 🤣🤣🤣
I feel the same way. It’s exhausting living in this world we live in. I have deleted all social media except youtube. And honestly, you and Tyler are the only ones I watch regularly anymore. I just try to remind myself that unnecessary negativity is about that person and not about me.
I admire your values and mindset so much, Jessica. I'm sending you a lot of love, good health, and happiness this New Year 🥰 Enjoy the holiday season!!
Thank you! I like this style of videos from you ❤ And I agree, Tyler did an awesome job with the Egypt videos. I haven’t seen all of them but they’re great!
I feel this so much! I hate that HATE is so openly thrown at random people. I don't Facebook anymore. It was so toxic. I also have to be careful with TikTok, because it was affecting my mental health. I choose to send love, and that is why I like yours and Tyler's videos. So thank you!
I think you are correct in that people in general, are more moderate or progressive than they categorize themselves on daily real issues; it is the campaign that polarize issues and brought out the worst in people. Some I have to believe are just caught up in the mob mentality while others are committed to hatred of anything and anyone different from themselves because misory loves company. I appreciate your candor in your position!
Coming from a mom with older kids, mine asked for elf on the shelf every year. I never did it. They survived lol. That is way too much mental burden for this time of year for me.
I appreciate that you've shared multiple times that you are politically moderate. I was raised in a household that leaned too far in one direction and it isn't healthy. Political extremism blinds us. We should all be open to hearing different viewpoints and I'm so glad I can do that now.
I love that phrase you said, “Shifted back into alignment.” I don’t have kids but I felt that’s what my dogs did for me. Show me joy and love in times of hardships.
A cute tradition I just saw recently was placing a pinecone in a bowl, letting the child water it and then when goes to bed, it grew into a fully decorated tree. Wish I thought of that when my daughter was a child.
Christmas tradition idea - decorate an ornament ball you get from the craft store and each person puts wishes or hopes on little pieces of paper that go into the ornament ball. Put the year on the outside of the ornament. Eventually you’ll have enough ornaments to make a Christmas future tree (Christmas carol vibes) and someday your kids can open them and read theirs and your wishes/hopes from decades ago ❤️
@ oh yay! I’m so glad you like the idea, thanks for commenting to tell me ❤️ I really enjoy doing it and can’t wait to have a tree full of them one day lol.
What an incredible idea! I’m 57 with a 28-year old son who just got married this year, and I’m totally going to start this tradition in our family … thank you! ❤
@@Karen-DeMars oh yay!!! Thank you for taking the time to comment and tell me. I love that you’re excited to implement it with your family, that brings me so much joy ❤️ happy holidays!!
Now that our son is in his own apartment, he hosts Christmas. We go over Christmas Eve, eat a meal together & spend the night. Open presents on Christmas morning & my husband makes blueberry pancakes & then we head home early afternoon. So relaxing and wonderful!
Thank you for these videos. I watch nearly every one of your videos (time is limited these days!) but the ones where you sit and chat to us are my very favorite. I've been watching you since you were sitting on your bedroom floor talking about ELF. I haven't worn makeup in nearly a decade, but I am SO glad I stuck around because of YOU not just your content. You are a light of authenticity on a platform with increasingly less-real content. Thanks for being you and sharing with us all!
In regards to “mommy’s wrist” or carpal tunnel: I got this when I was a teenager, before children. This was before the age of computers and computer mice & keyboards for me. It also occurred in my non-dominant wrist, my right wrist. I read somewhere (I don’t recall where) that that can be a symptom of low vitamin B6 (along with a few other things). So I asked my mom if I could take B6 to see if it would help and it did. It helped right away. Where I’d suffered for weeks w/o any signs of healing this made it heal in a week or so. I kid you not. I’ve had it flare up occasionally since (like after my babies were born) and every time if I start supplemental B6 it just goes away. I just thought I would mention it since it made such a huge difference and since B6 is a water soluble vitamin it can’t hurt to try. As any extra is eliminated via urination. I hope this helps someone out there if that’s the cause. ☺️
I appreciated the way Jessica handled the discussion about politics and how not every space has to include political drama because sometimes we just want a safe space where that's not going to be a part of it. That being said, I do think it's slightly dangerous to go with the philosophy that if you align with one or two hot button issues, that's the way you should vote. Of course Jessica mentioned the candidate matters, and that is so true. But for me if there is also a total deal breaker in the rhetoric of a candidate or a political party, that is also a reason not to vote for them. Like if I agreed with them on two important points, but there was something absolutely atrocious that they believed in or had espoused, that would be enough for me not to vote for them. We all have our own trigger points, and for me personally, if there is anything that ever calls intoquestion the safety/value of women or children, I just can't get behind it. There's been some predatory stuff in my past, so if a candidate ever outwardly shows or promotes aggression toward women, I just CAN'T with them. It scares me. The things someone stands for as well as what they are against really matters. I used to work with this guy who was such a scoundrel! Not honest at all. And there were people I worked with that said he was a great guy, just never trust him with anything to do with money or work. And I was like, you can't separate the two. If you are a dishonest person who takes advantage of people in business and lies to them and tries to swindle them, I don't see how all of a sudden you're a salt of the earth guy once it's 5:00 and your shift is over.
As a person who works in law enforcement, I won't ever vote for a person who has admitted on video that he or she has grabbed women by the private areas. Or if they've been found to commit sex assault by a jury. Full stop, end of story. Carry on . . .
@@womanofacertainage5892 I’m with you; thank you for your service! As an educator, woman, human being , I could never vote for that same person who is a convicted felon on 34 counts, who espoused/espouses hate on immigrants, women, poc, LGBTQ; incited an insurrection; was 2x impeached… but I rest my case.
The Egypt videos are done SO SO well. I cried hysterically at the sphinx/ pyramid video. My grandmother was born and raised in Egypt so it just hit different
oh no it gets worse...my great nephew was gifted a "Snoop on the Stoop" and yes, it's Snoop Dog dressed as an elf with his sunglasses & neck chains in a special display box 😳
Jess I absolutely have been loving watching you for the last 10 years because you’re the most down to earth real person! You can never win on such a big platform but I just love that you stay true to yourself! ❤🥰 happy holidays RUclips bestie!
This is an outstanding blog. I totally needed this Jessica. I’m a bit older than you. My kids are in college. But I miss those snuggle babies. Thank you for sharing your life with us for so many years. I look forward to these videos so much. And I love your advice to just be ourselves and don’t worry about those who want to be mean there’s no reason for it.
We have a few Christmas traditions. Some grew organically over the years, like decorating cut-out cookies on the eve but the one I chose to start when my son (who's now in his 20s) was born was to buy one or two really special ornaments every year, which he opens on Christmas Eve and hangs on the tree. They will be his to take with him when he settles into his own household but in the meantime, it's so nostalgic to unwrap and hang them every year.
We do an activity based advent calendar every year! It implements most of the things we already do every year, but in a fun way where there’s something we do every day. Sometimes it’s going to see the lights, or making a Christmas craft, baking cookies, etc. Some days it’s easier, like they get to open their Christmas PJs or a Christmas book. My kids love it and it’s been easy to adjust as they have gotten older as well.
OMG I was listening to this while getting ready for bed and heard my name! Love your channel and so excited to see the basement tour soon! Also, Tyler’s Egypt videos were amazing!
Jess this makeup look and color on you is perfection! Been following you for years and I always come back to your content because it just feels so comforting and real. Like home 🏡 💛 ps do you like the merit moisturizer/serum? Does it improve your makeup application?
27:08 I appreciate this take, but it’s important to acknowledge that this is not always possible. Especially when I comes to undocumented families. Specifically when family members believe you should be deported from a country you’ve called home for decades. If they bring it up, it’s hard to just say “I don’t want to talk about it”
So glad you talked about the negative comment thing! Even the most wholesome content has someone in the comments finding something to criticize about. Loved this video!
Hey Jessica, shout out to the hard work that Tyler put into the Egypt videos. I will never be able to travel to Egypt, but had the best time watching all the videos!! There were parts that were so overwhelming it brought tears to my eyes. They were just so amazing. I'd be proud as well. Thank you both for the effort you both put into your channels. It is appreciated. Sending love and light to you and your family for the holidays. ❤
I feel the EXACT same about the elf on the shelf. I don’t need one more ball to juggle this month. I’m doing the best I can keeping the wheels on the bus 😅
Family tradition since I was basically born is that we get a new ornament each year that represents something from that year. It could be an avocado toast, a dog or a tiny house on wheels... Just depends what happened that year! 🎉🎉
Love your videos, thank you! We don’t celebrate Christmas but one tradition I loved as a kid, and we do now for our nephews & nieces is a treasure hunt when we celebrate wedding anniversaries. The couple gets gifts, and the kids have a treasure hunt with clues to look in different places around the home for the next clue….the last spot there’s a little gift or loot bag with treats/toys. They almost love the game more than the price at the end haha. We usually just do about 7 or 8 clues depending on their age. And it’s fun for the rest of the family to watch their excitement :)
YES. It’s an exhausting time period for communication. This super resonated with me and it does feel negative. I can’t wait for the pendulum to swing the other way lol. Appreciate you sharing that you feel that way too ❤️
One of our tradition is that once a week during the year my husband and I will write a little note on a “post it” and we put it in a jar. We also ask friends and family who visit us at our house to do the same. Christmas Eve we empty the jar and read the comments which are signed and dated. It brings back memories, we love it!
I checked on the Patrick Ta palette before I tossed it. Misinformation is costly on all aspects. Plus, I've thought SO much about starting a RUclips channel, and I see horrible rude hurtful comments all the time, so I'm not going to do it. I'm 56, and in the last 10 years , the world has become a cesspool of negativity and blame and my feelings about this are kind of scarey, due to everyone has to be right and wants to be "heard", but the reality is most ppl don't want to listen, because these ppl live in a plastic bubble and they make the world go round. Ugh, I've been in self care mode this year, and try very hard to stay positive. SO ... Thank you for being YOU, because you make me laugh and cry and like so many of us here feel like you are our online bestie who gets it.❤😊🥰🤗
Yay 😁 a Jess video and vlogmas in one morning!!🎉🎉 Tyler did an amazing amazing job on the Egypt videos , totally blew me away!!! I have seen stuff like that on TV not even close to his quality ❤!!!
I’ve never loved you more than to hear you talk about the “Elf”. ❤ My daughter is grown now, but there was nothing more terrifying than waking up to realize you forgot to move that stupid little thing. 😂
One of Christmas traditions is to get pizza after the Christmas eve service and then go home and go all out on a sleepover type Christmas movie marathon. I mean ALL the Christmas movies. We've even pulled out mattresses out from the kids rooms before. Kids have no bed time and they can stay up as late as they want. To so fun to still see their excitement as teenagers! So glad we started it
Good on you for catching the DeQuervain’s early! I got it in both wrists and ignored it too long and ended up having to wear a splint for weeks and weeks and then eventually had to do Physical Therapy to get it back to normal.
that color shirt is beautiful on you...our Christmas tradition is I make cinnamon sticky bread Christmas morning to have with our bacon (or sausage) & egg breakfast. My daughter is now 48 and has continued this tradition with her family 🥰
Magnatiles, best toy my six year old grandson ever got. We bought them for him when he was two and added to them over the years. Not only does he build models with them but he uses them lots with other toys. The other day he had his tub of sea creatures out and made boats with the magnatiles. So open ended. 💙🎄
I agree with Elf on the Shelf. But years ago I found Disney’s Mischief with Stitch. It is a book that has a Stitch with a Santa hat. The story is Lilo teaching Stitch about different holidays (Christmas, Chanukah, and Kwanza). At the End Stitch “leaves” the book and Lilo says to look around for Stitch. I read this book during the week before Christmas so that i can have 6-7 days of fun mischief with my son. Sometimes he plays with the toys and sometimes he leaves gifts. Examples are a holiday cookie mix, holiday themed activity books, a holiday activity to do out of the house, lots of options.
I’m so glad my kids were never into “elf on a shelf” either! It was cute at first, but everyone got so intricate with the mischief and it seems exhausting. Our family always does Xmas pajamas, hot chocolate, and a movie on Christmas Eve. ❤
I agree with you about comments being taken in unintentional ways, I am a production supervisor and one day I had an employee clap (1 clap) in an excited way and another employee brought us to HR, because she thought it was disrespectful? The clap was done as a "yes! We are awesome" way...how does someone take that bad? And it happens more than I want to deal with! Love your videos every one of them!
We moved from a lot of gifts to several experiences. For example, they got four gifts each, but we invested in season tickets to a local semi-pro baseball team, zoo or CoSi memberships, a stay at Great Wolf Lodge and Waterpark (indoor) for after cmas in january or february to offset the winter blahs. We found investing in experiences as a family was so much more meaningful and fun!
You are making a lot of sense. The negativity is out of control everywhere! I try to be as positive as possible. It's not always easy, but it's the right thing to do. Hang in there, Jessica!
😂I’m dying about the Elf on the Shelf! I thought we had steered clear of that thing and then our youngest had a friend at school tell her about theirs soooo, my husband went out and bought one 😖. The FIRST morning she woke up crying because it was “staring” at her, but I couldn’t move it because apparently there is some sort of superstition around touching the darn thing! Anyway, lesson learned the hard way-don’t give in to peer pressure!! 😥
So I am Pagan and celebrate Yule as well as Christmas (my husband and I were both raised Catholic) and so we do a Yule based craft! Last year we made Yule Moon cookies, and this year we’re making spell ornaments 🥰 I’m so excited!!!
I was originally supposed to see Wicked in 2013 in LA for my senior band trip and ended up missing it because I got diagnosed with MS and was stuck in the hospital. I really didn’t know much about it, but I always knew that I loved the wizard of oz. So I promised myself that I wouldn’t spoil it and would see it live one day. Now that the movie is out I have been avoiding any and all spoilers beyond part 1 and I am IN LOVE. My boyfriend and I both left the theater crying (he is not a musical theater guy at all). I can’t wait to watch it again and to find out what happens!
I can’t wait to start some traditions, I’m a first time mom and I miss the traditions I would have as a kid. I don’t know what we’re going to do yet or anything because baby is due after Christmas and my husband doesn’t particularly care what we do. 😂 I also want to say thank you for all your baby videos you posted, it’s how I found you because I was panicking trying to figure out what I needed. Especially the hospital bag videos. Super helpful. Have a good one 💕
Our Christmas tradition each year is to have one of our boys read the Christmas story from the Bible every Christmas Eve. We all gather in the living room, our 2 boys, my husband, and myself with our fur babies . The Christmas tree lit, the TV off, and just peace and quiet. Soaking in all these precious moments with my babies that are not so small anymore
My favorite tradition we used to have a Christmas tree in my room and “Santa” would leave one small gift under it (as I got older it was left outside the door). I could open this before coming downstairs in the morning. Usually it was something I could play with quietly a book, a doll and as I got older sometimes a magazine or puzzle book. Credit to my mom because she kept this up well into my sister and i’s 20’s. The idea was something to keep us distracted when we were being kids on Christmas who couldn’t sleep.
We used to always go to my in laws on Xmas day but because of our schedules I felt like we were so busy and rushed and I hated it. So now we stay home. I make food. We stay in our pj's and play with our toys and watch Xmas movies. We also always go see Xmas lights. There's a few big drive thru displays so we wear our pj's and get hot chocolate and a treat and go! We listen to Christmas music in the car and its so much fun!
14:43 I wanted to chime in on this part specifically with regard to “rampant offensiveness”. I think we as a society have been trying to be better about correcting our fellows about things that we have always done that just aren’t right. But at this point it’s almost like we’ve reached burn out from it, to the point now that if someone just corrects us, it can come across as aggressive and “rampant offensiveness” because we’re so emotionally taxed with doing the work of fixing everything we’ve been taught. I hope this translates well
We’ve lost nuanced and assume the worst of people. There’s too many verbal tripwires, and somehow if you didn’t know all of them including exactly when they change, you’re a bad person. Its toxic as hell
I told my husband about Tyler’s Egypt video series so we watched them all. I already complimented Tyler on his channel, but the videos are so well done, the photography was beautiful, the narration and knowledge relayed is wonderful. My husband loved them so much he asked everyday if the Indiana couple had a new video posted.
My most favourite Christmas tradition we’ve started with the kids is getting them to pick out their own ornament every year. We’ve done it since they were born and the only rule is that they have to pick out the ornament that makes them feel happiest. We mark the ornament with their name and year. Once they’re adults they will be gifted all of the decorations they collected so that they will have a lifetime of sentimental decorations to start their own adult tree off with. Some of their choices are hilarious and will be cute stories to tell in the future. This year they both chose an ornament of a sausage dog in a sweater and beanie wearing ice skates 😂
Our holiday traditions keep growing as our family grows and I love it. We too never started the Elf and I thank goodness. It looks so exhausting. We read holiday specific books every night, we have three different adventures calendars. One which was mine as a child, the Melissa and Doug ornament one (highly recommend for all kids) and we have one our neighbor made and we put acts of kindness in the boxes. We drive around to see lights, and try to donate where we can. My favorite new one is we adopt an elderly person from an assisted living facility. They need love too!
Sign up for Rakuten today and get a $40 sign-up bonus (with qualifying purchase) here: www.rakuten.com/r/JAMBEA13
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Rakuten is the best. I already have over $100 for my next payout.
Rakuten is good.
I have used them for years but you really have to watch them. On MANY occasions I have had to email them about not paying...especially if it's a high paying item. For example I purchased an expensive TV through a well known company using the Rakuten link and (as I have learned to do) I luckily took screenshots of everything. The percentage they were going to pay me back, the amount, totals and terms and conditions. All was good until it was time for them to pay and suddenly they removed that order from my list. After I emailed them and asked about it they said that purchase was excluded in the terms. That's where my screenshots helped. I sent them everything I had proving them wrong then customer service suddenly stopped replying. Once I reported them to the BBB they FINALLY paid me. It may seem petty but at that point it was about the principle.
Rakuten doesn’t give me my money. I have to go back to them each time. And I have to give them all the shopping trip details. It’s very annoying. I liked ebates so much better
@@denisemarie6131 Absolutely agree! I finally got tired of having to email them all the time so I rarely use it anymore. Guess it saves them money so maybe that was the plan.
Our favorite zero dollar Christmas tradition that my husband and I do. On Christmas Eve, we make a giant thermos of hot chocolate. Go for a walk or drive around the neighborhood, have some Christmas tunes going and look at Christmas lights. We usually end up at the town tree and just sit there and talk about our favorite parts of the year.
I love this! What a beautiful tradition ❤️
This is the cutest thing I’ve heard
This is so sweet. 💜
I had to pause when you said "I've had kids for 7 years now" because I remember when you didn't.....time is just moving insanely fast!
Same! I remember her first pregnancy and when Genevieve was born and she said almost 7 years and I was like "....WHAT?!" 😂
I love the part about accidentally created traditions. During covid when everything was mostly shut down but partially reopening, I was pregnant and had a toddler so we were super cautious. Felt like we had to give up so many traditions so we started putting on our PJs and making hot chocolate and driving around to look at Christmas lights. In my mind it was just something to do to try to get into the spirit, but my daughter the following year told me she couldn't wait to do our tradition. I had no clue what she was talking about until she told me that. We do it every year now. At the time I was so sad that we couldn't go do all the things we normally do and she remembers it fondly 😭
I dont understand why people think it's okay to be mean to other people for no reason (in person and online). Love your content and admire the fact that you handle that hate online so well.
I agree even in the work world 😢
1st amendment
I believe that it's primarily a reflection on how unhappy so many people in the world are. (Observing NOT justifying or excusing)
@@RTCPhotoWorkI just don't understand the mentality of wanting to insult someone for no reason
@@evelynrodriguez-bb7lhabsolutely! Plus if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all.
We pray for the people who send us Christmas cards at dinner. We just pick one each night and it is such a sweet little tradition.
I write a postcard to each person after the new year. I let them know that I prayed for them that day.
What a lovely tradition!
@@MrsJoviolet at first I was so intimidated to write to my non-Christian friends, but I did it anyway. I was so surprised to hear back from so many of them that they appreciated my postcard and prayer. I dare not miss it! Cheers.
Santa asked me if we wanted an Elf on the Shelf and I told him that I was worried our dog would bark at the Elf so it probably wasn't a good fit for us :)
Genius!
Very wise!
That darn elf was the worst and I did the minimum. So glad when my boys got older.
When so many people feel like they have no power, being negative is a cheap form of power they can co-opt
This is an excellent insight! I hope there will be people in their lives (or in the periphery of their lives) who will help them recognize how ugly and pointless it is to direct that kind of unkind commentary or dark energy at others. And I hope they eventually manage to feel empowered in ways that are meaningful and positive.
@@Karen-DeMars I don't think they're unaware in the first place.
Why am I laying in bed crying? Cause that reminder you just gave (I have 0 kids but the sentiment applies) “I’ve made it through the toughest days of my life, and I’ll get through this.” Thanks for being our online bestie!
As a Gen X mom with kids in their 20’s, I’m so glad we missed the elf on the shelf fiasco! The holidays are already stressful enough trying to accomplish everything without adding that to have to commit to keeping up with
Gen X'er here 👋🏽 in full agreement with you! Ain't nobody got time for that!!! It reminds me of those Giga Pets we had when we were kids!😩
Another genx here - I was quick on my feet the day I was asked about the elf “mom, are we going to have an elf like the one at Sara’s house ?” “Nope, the elf is not part of our religion” - kid accepted that answer and moved on - it’s a now a funny family story because our kids told countless people that the elf was not part of our religion 😂
Nope, never did the Elf on the Shelf and I’m SO happy we skipped it.
Your perspective on everything is so refreshing. Thank you for your authentic and positive influence online! ❤️
I use Rakuten because you suggested it a long time ago and I still love it!! I love the chatty videos mixed in with the shopping content.
The two major complaints I see that I don’t understand are 1) Being mad about both PR and shopping (and decluttering) but also want reviews on new products. Or not understanding that new product reviews get the most views. Plus it’s not really product waste if you help ppl make decisions, shop wisely, and prevent buying bad products. 2) Being mad about sponsorships. Podcasts are sponsored and I feel like I don’t see as much hate about those. It’s just a commercial and pays for the content.
Also, in male dominated niches, *no one* complains about sponsorships.
@ Great point!
I’m really glad you didn’t take the palette videos down cause I had a good giggle, and was really exhausted too by how people were reacting. It takes a lot of tenacity and strength to see past all this and still post quality content regularly. I’m so grateful you persist because I love your channels and podcast so much ❤
We’ve been doing the “Need, Want, Wear, Read” for so many years now. We’ve included something from Santa and as they get older, we’re bringing in experiences instead of things.
I am 47 years old, an older mom of 2 daughters (4 and 6) and work full-time. I do NOT have time for Elf on the Shelf and will never start. I will make sure to create magic and memories in other ways but that little man isn't going to ruin every evening in December.
I don't get the Elf on a Shelf thing either. How exhausting that would be! When I was little ours just was in the Xmas tree. I'm 62
One of our "traditions" is putting out paper bags with candles on the driveway Christmas Eve to light the way for Jesus. I'm currently 53 and my 86 year old father and I do it every year. It is so beautiful and I look forward to it every year.
That’s so sweet. ❤ I love that you and your dad still have that tradition.
When my daughter was in Kindergarten she wanted to know why we didn't have an elf that came to visit our house. I told her that I heard that the naughty elf only came to visit naughty children and since she was so well behaved we didn't have one. Surprisingly it worked because all the children in her class that were talking about the elf just happened to be the ones that were the naughtiest in her class 🤣
The way this could’ve backfired hahahahahha love the gamble!!!
I refuse to do elf on a shelf too. Sooooo much work. At one of my daughter’s preschool they did it there. She didn’t ask us about why we didn’t have one at home. So thankful for that.
If she ever does ask I’m stealing all these ideas everyone has lol dog, naughty kiddos, etc.
Lol - the shade! 😂 I picture you fielding angry phone calls from the moms of all the “naughty” kids … 😬 But I agree with the comment above - a brave gamble that fortunately paid off! 😄
16:55 i’m not a mom but that pep talk just made me feel sm better abt my finals lol
Kylie (Kiki Chanel) actually ordered a mold test! It was mold! Also, we don’t do elf on the shelf. My kids asked why we don’t have an elf and I told them I told Santa that the elf wasn’t allowed at my house because he’s messy 😂🤷🏻♀️
Hot tip- this is the best thing I ever decided to do when my kids were young and I was up until 2 AM on Christmas Eve still wrapping presents. We always have a traditional Christmas Eve dinner with family and friends and all the things. BUT! I order Chinese Food on Christmas. I have done this for the last 14 years. I didn’t have the mental capacity to do TWO big meals back to back with 6 kids. My kids all still request a big Chinese food order and I am never going back! It was the best decision. All of our friends know about this tradition and on more than one occasion they have popped over to grab a plate. Highly recommend!
I have a 5 and 3 year old, and my kindergartener asked the other day about the elf coming to our house😅 I also do not ever want to do it and told her that was so odd that an elf was in her friends house 🤣🤣🤣
I feel the same way. It’s exhausting living in this world we live in. I have deleted all social media except youtube. And honestly, you and Tyler are the only ones I watch regularly anymore. I just try to remind myself that unnecessary negativity is about that person and not about me.
i loved this video, jess. you have such a refreshing and stable (is that the right word??) mindset. thank you so much for sharing!!!! 🩷
I admire your values and mindset so much, Jessica. I'm sending you a lot of love, good health, and happiness this New Year 🥰 Enjoy the holiday season!!
Jessica: "Took him a long time to edit" ... Me: "Not as long as the 'Yurt' videos!" 😂 (Love you, Tyler!)
HAHAHA only real ones know
🤣
Thank you! I like this style of videos from you ❤ And I agree, Tyler did an awesome job with the Egypt videos. I haven’t seen all of them but they’re great!
… the way you are careful with words about Santa in case there are little ears listening is SO appreciated 🥹
I feel this so much! I hate that HATE is so openly thrown at random people. I don't Facebook anymore. It was so toxic. I also have to be careful with TikTok, because it was affecting my mental health. I choose to send love, and that is why I like yours and Tyler's videos. So thank you!
I think you are correct in that people in general, are more moderate or progressive than they categorize themselves on daily real issues; it is the campaign that polarize issues and brought out the worst in people. Some I have to believe are just caught up in the mob mentality while others are committed to hatred of anything and anyone different from themselves because misory loves company. I appreciate your candor in your position!
GIRL! I am WITH YOU with Elf on the Shelf! I’m glad I’m not alone 😂
Coming from a mom with older kids, mine asked for elf on the shelf every year. I never did it. They survived lol. That is way too much mental burden for this time of year for me.
I appreciate that you've shared multiple times that you are politically moderate. I was raised in a household that leaned too far in one direction and it isn't healthy. Political extremism blinds us. We should all be open to hearing different viewpoints and I'm so glad I can do that now.
I love that phrase you said, “Shifted back into alignment.” I don’t have kids but I felt that’s what my dogs did for me. Show me joy and love in times of hardships.
A cute tradition I just saw recently was placing a pinecone in a bowl, letting the child water it and then when goes to bed, it grew into a fully decorated tree. Wish I thought of that when my daughter was a child.
I bought the same shirt at old navy and loved it so much i bought 2 more colors! I recognized the shirt on you as soon as i turned on the video 😊
My family used to drive around on Christmas Eve looking at Christmas lights in nearby neighborhoods. I always looked forward to that every year!
Christmas tradition idea - decorate an ornament ball you get from the craft store and each person puts wishes or hopes on little pieces of paper that go into the ornament ball. Put the year on the outside of the ornament. Eventually you’ll have enough ornaments to make a Christmas future tree (Christmas carol vibes) and someday your kids can open them and read theirs and your wishes/hopes from decades ago ❤️
Love this! Going to use it!
@ oh yay! I’m so glad you like the idea, thanks for commenting to tell me ❤️ I really enjoy doing it and can’t wait to have a tree full of them one day lol.
What an incredible idea! I’m 57 with a 28-year old son who just got married this year, and I’m totally going to start this tradition in our family … thank you! ❤
I LOVE this so much. Going to Hobby Lobby and starting this immediately.
@@Karen-DeMars oh yay!!! Thank you for taking the time to comment and tell me. I love that you’re excited to implement it with your family, that brings me so much joy ❤️ happy holidays!!
Now that our son is in his own apartment, he hosts Christmas. We go over Christmas Eve, eat a meal together & spend the night. Open presents on Christmas morning & my husband makes blueberry pancakes & then we head home early afternoon. So relaxing and wonderful!
Thank you for these videos. I watch nearly every one of your videos (time is limited these days!) but the ones where you sit and chat to us are my very favorite. I've been watching you since you were sitting on your bedroom floor talking about ELF. I haven't worn makeup in nearly a decade, but I am SO glad I stuck around because of YOU not just your content. You are a light of authenticity on a platform with increasingly less-real content. Thanks for being you and sharing with us all!
In regards to “mommy’s wrist” or carpal tunnel: I got this when I was a teenager, before children. This was before the age of computers and computer mice & keyboards for me. It also occurred in my non-dominant wrist, my right wrist. I read somewhere (I don’t recall where) that that can be a symptom of low vitamin B6 (along with a few other things). So I asked my mom if I could take B6 to see if it would help and it did. It helped right away. Where I’d suffered for weeks w/o any signs of healing this made it heal in a week or so. I kid you not. I’ve had it flare up occasionally since (like after my babies were born) and every time if I start supplemental B6 it just goes away. I just thought I would mention it since it made such a huge difference and since B6 is a water soluble vitamin it can’t hurt to try. As any extra is eliminated via urination. I hope this helps someone out there if that’s the cause. ☺️
I appreciated the way Jessica handled the discussion about politics and how not every space has to include political drama because sometimes we just want a safe space where that's not going to be a part of it. That being said, I do think it's slightly dangerous to go with the philosophy that if you align with one or two hot button issues, that's the way you should vote. Of course Jessica mentioned the candidate matters, and that is so true. But for me if there is also a total deal breaker in the rhetoric of a candidate or a political party, that is also a reason not to vote for them. Like if I agreed with them on two important points, but there was something absolutely atrocious that they believed in or had espoused, that would be enough for me not to vote for them. We all have our own trigger points, and for me personally, if there is anything that ever calls intoquestion the safety/value of women or children, I just can't get behind it. There's been some predatory stuff in my past, so if a candidate ever outwardly shows or promotes aggression toward women, I just CAN'T with them. It scares me. The things someone stands for as well as what they are against really matters. I used to work with this guy who was such a scoundrel! Not honest at all. And there were people I worked with that said he was a great guy, just never trust him with anything to do with money or work. And I was like, you can't separate the two. If you are a dishonest person who takes advantage of people in business and lies to them and tries to swindle them, I don't see how all of a sudden you're a salt of the earth guy once it's 5:00 and your shift is over.
Well said without having to name names… vote your values! 🗳
As a person who works in law enforcement, I won't ever vote for a person who has admitted on video that he or she has grabbed women by the private areas. Or if they've been found to commit sex assault by a jury. Full stop, end of story. Carry on . . .
@@womanofacertainage5892 I’m with you; thank you for your service! As an educator, woman, human being , I could never vote for that same person who is a convicted felon on 34 counts, who espoused/espouses hate on immigrants, women, poc, LGBTQ; incited an insurrection; was 2x impeached… but I rest my case.
You nailed that explanation. I could not have explained better myself!
THIS!!
The Egypt videos are done SO SO well. I cried hysterically at the sphinx/ pyramid video. My grandmother was born and raised in Egypt so it just hit different
I don't have kids, but Elf on the Shelf is the creepiest thing ever 😅
oh no it gets worse...my great nephew was gifted a "Snoop on the Stoop" and yes, it's Snoop Dog dressed as an elf with his sunglasses & neck chains in a special display box 😳
@ that actually sounds amazing!
Love the chatty videos! Tyler’s Egypt videos were literal travel channel quality! Been loving Vlogmas so far with you guys too!
Totally agree about Elf on the Shelf. Do NOT ever want to start that
Jess I absolutely have been loving watching you for the last 10 years because you’re the most down to earth real person! You can never win on such a big platform but I just love that you stay true to yourself! ❤🥰 happy holidays RUclips bestie!
This is an outstanding blog. I totally needed this Jessica. I’m a bit older than you. My kids are in college. But I miss those snuggle babies. Thank you for sharing your life with us for so many years. I look forward to these videos so much. And I love your advice to just be ourselves and don’t worry about those who want to be mean there’s no reason for it.
We have a few Christmas traditions. Some grew organically over the years, like decorating cut-out cookies on the eve but the one I chose to start when my son (who's now in his 20s) was born was to buy one or two really special ornaments every year, which he opens on Christmas Eve and hangs on the tree. They will be his to take with him when he settles into his own household but in the meantime, it's so nostalgic to unwrap and hang them every year.
The Egypt videos are incredible! I haven’t watched them all yet but so amazing!
We do an activity based advent calendar every year! It implements most of the things we already do every year, but in a fun way where there’s something we do every day. Sometimes it’s going to see the lights, or making a Christmas craft, baking cookies, etc. Some days it’s easier, like they get to open their Christmas PJs or a Christmas book. My kids love it and it’s been easy to adjust as they have gotten older as well.
OMG I was listening to this while getting ready for bed and heard my name! Love your channel and so excited to see the basement tour soon! Also, Tyler’s Egypt videos were amazing!
Jess this makeup look and color on you is perfection! Been following you for years and I always come back to your content because it just feels so comforting and real. Like home 🏡 💛 ps do you like the merit moisturizer/serum? Does it improve your makeup application?
27:08 I appreciate this take, but it’s important to acknowledge that this is not always possible. Especially when I comes to undocumented families. Specifically when family members believe you should be deported from a country you’ve called home for decades. If they bring it up, it’s hard to just say “I don’t want to talk about it”
So glad you talked about the negative comment thing! Even the most wholesome content has someone in the comments finding something to criticize about. Loved this video!
Hey Jessica, shout out to the hard work that Tyler put into the Egypt videos. I will never be able to travel to Egypt, but had the best time watching all the videos!! There were parts that were so overwhelming it brought tears to my eyes. They were just so amazing. I'd be proud as well. Thank you both for the effort you both put into your channels. It is appreciated. Sending love and light to you and your family for the holidays. ❤
🌛🌛🌛
My favorite Christmas movie is Elf! Makes me so happy!
Love you girl
I feel the EXACT same about the elf on the shelf. I don’t need one more ball to juggle this month. I’m doing the best I can keeping the wheels on the bus 😅
Family tradition since I was basically born is that we get a new ornament each year that represents something from that year. It could be an avocado toast, a dog or a tiny house on wheels... Just depends what happened that year! 🎉🎉
And people on social media like to be offended by everything. It is so annoying. Most people need to lose the internet.
“ … lose the Internet.” That phrasing just cracked me up. Love it! 👏
Love your videos, thank you! We don’t celebrate Christmas but one tradition I loved as a kid, and we do now for our nephews & nieces is a treasure hunt when we celebrate wedding anniversaries. The couple gets gifts, and the kids have a treasure hunt with clues to look in different places around the home for the next clue….the last spot there’s a little gift or loot bag with treats/toys. They almost love the game more than the price at the end haha. We usually just do about 7 or 8 clues depending on their age. And it’s fun for the rest of the family to watch their excitement :)
What a clever idea - and a lovely tradition! 💕
YES. It’s an exhausting time period for communication. This super resonated with me and it does feel negative. I can’t wait for the pendulum to swing the other way lol. Appreciate you sharing that you feel that way too ❤️
Also the fact that you’ve seen the Carrie Diaries and referenced it made me so happy 😂❤ I loved that show
Adorable! I just started Vlogmas and last year was my first year of watching. Been following you since 2020. Absolutely love your videos!
One of our tradition is that once a week during the year my husband and I will write a little note on a “post it” and we put it in a jar. We also ask friends and family who visit us at our house to do the same. Christmas Eve we empty the jar and read the comments which are signed and dated. It brings back memories, we love it!
I love this idea!! Thank you so much for sharing. ❤️
I checked on the Patrick Ta palette before I tossed it. Misinformation is costly on all aspects. Plus, I've thought SO much about starting a RUclips channel, and I see horrible rude hurtful comments all the time, so I'm not going to do it. I'm 56, and in the last 10 years , the world has become a cesspool of negativity and blame and my feelings about this are kind of scarey, due to everyone has to be right and wants to be "heard", but the reality is most ppl don't want to listen, because these ppl live in a plastic bubble and they make the world go round. Ugh, I've been in self care mode this year, and try very hard to stay positive. SO ... Thank you for being YOU, because you make me laugh and cry and like so many of us here feel like you are our online bestie who gets it.❤😊🥰🤗
Yay 😁 a Jess video and vlogmas in one morning!!🎉🎉 Tyler did an amazing amazing job on the Egypt videos , totally blew me away!!! I have seen stuff like that on TV not even close to his quality ❤!!!
Whatever tradition you start, make it so simple and uncomplicated so you can actually enjoy it too!
I have a sibling that will not stop talking politics and it’s so hard to keep having those conversations. I completely agree with your stance.
I’ve never loved you more than to hear you talk about the “Elf”. ❤ My daughter is grown now, but there was nothing more terrifying than waking up to realize you forgot to move that stupid little thing. 😂
One of Christmas traditions is to get pizza after the Christmas eve service and then go home and go all out on a sleepover type Christmas movie marathon. I mean ALL the Christmas movies. We've even pulled out mattresses out from the kids rooms before. Kids have no bed time and they can stay up as late as they want. To so fun to still see their excitement as teenagers! So glad we started it
Good on you for catching the DeQuervain’s early! I got it in both wrists and ignored it too long and ended up having to wear a splint for weeks and weeks and then eventually had to do Physical Therapy to get it back to normal.
that color shirt is beautiful on you...our Christmas tradition is I make cinnamon sticky bread Christmas morning to have with our bacon (or sausage) & egg breakfast. My daughter is now 48 and has continued this tradition with her family 🥰
You look great in that hot pink!
Wishing you and your family a wonderful Christmas!
Magnatiles, best toy my six year old grandson ever got. We bought them for him when he was two and added to them over the years. Not only does he build models with them but he uses them lots with other toys. The other day he had his tub of sea creatures out and made boats with the magnatiles. So open ended. 💙🎄
I agree with Elf on the Shelf. But years ago I found Disney’s Mischief with Stitch. It is a book that has a Stitch with a Santa hat. The story is Lilo teaching Stitch about different holidays (Christmas, Chanukah, and Kwanza). At the End Stitch “leaves” the book and Lilo says to look around for Stitch. I read this book during the week before Christmas so that i can have 6-7 days of fun mischief with my son. Sometimes he plays with the toys and sometimes he leaves gifts. Examples are a holiday cookie mix, holiday themed activity books, a holiday activity to do out of the house, lots of options.
I’m so glad my kids were never into “elf on a shelf” either! It was cute at first, but everyone got so intricate with the mischief and it seems exhausting. Our family always does Xmas pajamas, hot chocolate, and a movie on Christmas Eve. ❤
I agree. Tyler did an awesome job on his Egypt docu-series. He is such a pro! You two make a lovely couple and have a beautiful family.
I agree with you about comments being taken in unintentional ways, I am a production supervisor and one day I had an employee clap (1 clap) in an excited way and another employee brought us to HR, because she thought it was disrespectful? The clap was done as a "yes! We are awesome" way...how does someone take that bad? And it happens more than I want to deal with! Love your videos every one of them!
We moved from a lot of gifts to several experiences. For example, they got four gifts each, but we invested in season tickets to a local semi-pro baseball team, zoo or CoSi memberships, a stay at Great Wolf Lodge and Waterpark (indoor) for after cmas in january or february to offset the winter blahs. We found investing in experiences as a family was so much more meaningful and fun!
You are making a lot of sense. The negativity is out of control everywhere! I try to be as positive as possible. It's not always easy, but it's the right thing to do.
Hang in there, Jessica!
😂I’m dying about the Elf on the Shelf! I thought we had steered clear of that thing and then our youngest had a friend at school tell her about theirs soooo, my husband went out and bought one 😖. The FIRST morning she woke up crying because it was “staring” at her, but I couldn’t move it because apparently there is some sort of superstition around touching the darn thing! Anyway, lesson learned the hard way-don’t give in to peer pressure!! 😥
So I am Pagan and celebrate Yule as well as Christmas (my husband and I were both raised Catholic) and so we do a Yule based craft! Last year we made Yule Moon cookies, and this year we’re making spell ornaments 🥰 I’m so excited!!!
I was originally supposed to see Wicked in 2013 in LA for my senior band trip and ended up missing it because I got diagnosed with MS and was stuck in the hospital. I really didn’t know much about it, but I always knew that I loved the wizard of oz. So I promised myself that I wouldn’t spoil it and would see it live one day. Now that the movie is out I have been avoiding any and all spoilers beyond part 1 and I am IN LOVE. My boyfriend and I both left the theater crying (he is not a musical theater guy at all). I can’t wait to watch it again and to find out what happens!
I can’t wait to start some traditions, I’m a first time mom and I miss the traditions I would have as a kid. I don’t know what we’re going to do yet or anything because baby is due after Christmas and my husband doesn’t particularly care what we do. 😂 I also want to say thank you for all your baby videos you posted, it’s how I found you because I was panicking trying to figure out what I needed. Especially the hospital bag videos. Super helpful. Have a good one 💕
I too am claustrophobic and went thru similar tunnels and did the same thing! Sometimes the experience pushes us through!
Our Christmas tradition each year is to have one of our boys read the Christmas story from the Bible every Christmas Eve. We all gather in the living room, our 2 boys, my husband, and myself with our fur babies . The Christmas tree lit, the TV off, and just peace and quiet. Soaking in all these precious moments with my babies that are not so small anymore
On Christmas Eve we leave out my homemade cheese dip and tortilla chips and a big sweet tea for Santa and 9 sugar cubes for the reindeer.
I love your videos Jessica ! I totally agree about your view on politics !😍
My favorite tradition we used to have a Christmas tree in my room and “Santa” would leave one small gift under it (as I got older it was left outside the door). I could open this before coming downstairs in the morning. Usually it was something I could play with quietly a book, a doll and as I got older sometimes a magazine or puzzle book. Credit to my mom because she kept this up well into my sister and i’s 20’s. The idea was something to keep us distracted when we were being kids on Christmas who couldn’t sleep.
🌛🌛🌛The Muppet’s Christmas Carol is the best. Christmas movie ever!! As an English Teacher how can you go wrong when Gonzo plays Charles Dickens!
We used to always go to my in laws on Xmas day but because of our schedules I felt like we were so busy and rushed and I hated it. So now we stay home. I make food. We stay in our pj's and play with our toys and watch Xmas movies. We also always go see Xmas lights. There's a few big drive thru displays so we wear our pj's and get hot chocolate and a treat and go! We listen to Christmas music in the car and its so much fun!
The color of that sweater is so gorgeous.
I love it too!!
I’m 8 months pregnant with a baby I wasn’t sure if ever have, and I needed that pep talk too. ♥️
14:43 I wanted to chime in on this part specifically with regard to “rampant offensiveness”. I think we as a society have been trying to be better about correcting our fellows about things that we have always done that just aren’t right. But at this point it’s almost like we’ve reached burn out from it, to the point now that if someone just corrects us, it can come across as aggressive and “rampant offensiveness” because we’re so emotionally taxed with doing the work of fixing everything we’ve been taught.
I hope this translates well
We’ve lost nuanced and assume the worst of people. There’s too many verbal tripwires, and somehow if you didn’t know all of them including exactly when they change, you’re a bad person. Its toxic as hell
I told my husband about Tyler’s Egypt video series so we watched them all. I already complimented Tyler on his channel, but the videos are so well done, the photography was beautiful, the narration and knowledge relayed is wonderful. My husband loved them so much he asked everyday if the Indiana couple had a new video posted.
My most favourite Christmas tradition we’ve started with the kids is getting them to pick out their own ornament every year. We’ve done it since they were born and the only rule is that they have to pick out the ornament that makes them feel happiest. We mark the ornament with their name and year. Once they’re adults they will be gifted all of the decorations they collected so that they will have a lifetime of sentimental decorations to start their own adult tree off with. Some of their choices are hilarious and will be cute stories to tell in the future. This year they both chose an ornament of a sausage dog in a sweater and beanie wearing ice skates 😂
Excellent yt channel. Love how you answered the questions.
Our holiday traditions keep growing as our family grows and I love it. We too never started the Elf and I thank goodness. It looks so exhausting. We read holiday specific books every night, we have three different adventures calendars. One which was mine as a child, the Melissa and Doug ornament one (highly recommend for all kids) and we have one our neighbor made and we put acts of kindness in the boxes. We drive around to see lights, and try to donate where we can. My favorite new one is we adopt an elderly person from an assisted living facility. They need love too!
wicked was incredible. I sobbed several times. no words for cynthia erivo's talent.