"What Makes Christmas Special at the DiPasqua's": X-mas Guest Post and Giveaway with Lila DiPasqua

The things that make Christmas Special …at the DiPasqua’s! 

   It’s no secret that the books in my Fiery Tales series are based on fairy tales. Classic fairy tales with my own sensual twists, to be precise. Oh, but that’s not all! I’ve even set them in the very time and place when the genre of fairy tales was born! Yup, during the time period when the creator of THE TALES OF MOTHER GOOSE—17th century French lawyer/writer Charles Perrault first brought the world Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty, to name a few.
He lived during a time that was as elegant and refined as Regency England—in the reign of the Sun King. Now that was one flashy monarch! He did everything on a grand scale. Don’t believe me? Check out the home he had constructed for himself—the opulent Palace of Versailles!
Christmas during the 17th century was strictly a religious holiday. The King and the royal family spent most of the day at mass. Gifts were exchanged in January, on the 12th night. Oh, and there was no Christmas tree. Christmas trees were a German tradition.
As much as I love this time period—and I do so adore it!—I just couldn’t imagine Christmas without a tree. Or five. *winks*

Here is a list of the *must-haves* every Christmas at our home:

Funky Red Tree Mr.DiPasqua Got

1. Christmas trees! (If you don’t count the funky red ones my husband bought, we have 3).  The two smaller trees are about five feet tall.  The larges one stands near the fireplace—10 feet high—with a foot-tall angel adorning the top.  It isn’t easy getting her placed safely each year.  The kids and I stand around the tree, arms out, ready to catch the angel in case she topples while hubby stands on a chair and tries to place her on top.

The Largest DiPasqua Tree

2. Ornaments.  TONS of them. Confession time: I have an obsession with Christmas ornaments.  I make them.  I buy them.  I get them as gifts (my birthday is less than a month before Christmas). In truth, I have A LOT of Christmas ornaments, thus the need for a lot of trees. :)  My husband, children and I enjoy traveling.  Everywhere we go, we buy a Christmas ornament to bring home for our tree.  It’s a wonderful keepsake and a tradition!  Every year when we decorate the tree and pull out these ornaments, we get to remember our trips and the fun we had.   

   

   Some Christmas Ornaments from the DiPasqua's Travels

3. Wreaths, garland and manger. Oh, my! The rest of our home is decorated for the holidays.  Lots of shades of red!  (It’s my favorite color). Oh, and if you’re wondering about the manger, it’s a miniature one. My mother always made sure to put one out every Christmas. I carried on with the tradition.  When the kids were very little, my son (then 3 years old) had a habit of snatching Joseph or Mary from the manger.  Once they went missing for several days. We found them in a shoe box on a shelf too high for our little son to reach. (Now that he’s older, my son tells me wants to be an engineer – much like Adam de Vey in THE PRINCESS IN HIS BED. I think he’ll be good at it.  I still have no clue how he *engineered* that shoebox feat).   

4. Gingerbread House.  We build one every year!  Since I’m a terrible baker, (Seriously.  Baking is just not my forte) the Gingerbread kits are the only way I could ever make one.  They’re pre-made.  We put the icing and the candy decorations on. (Okay, maybe not *all* the yummy candy makes it onto the Gingerbread House….hehe)

5. Christmas Carols.  Throughout the month of December, you’ll hear Christmas carols in our home. I love them!  O Holy Night is my favorite. Though the kids and hubby prefer, Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer.

6. Christmas lights on the outside of our home. This is hubby’s domain.  He hangs the lights outside every year…and well, he likes to get creative.  Last year he and our youngest decided it would be a good idea to tie a plastic Santa to our chimney. Santa looked like a hostage.  (Did I mention the neighbors think we’re weird? *snort*) 

7. Presents—of course!  I’m excellent at hiding them. No one has been able to find them before Christmas, yet—and I’ve got 3 snooping children and an equally snooping hubby always on the hunt for them.  I’d tell you where I place them, but hubby might read this post.  *grins*

8. Christmas Dinner—a three course affair.  We never skimp on dessert.  Lots of food and love poured into the meal.

9. Now there is one last thing that makes Christmas complete—family and friends. They are truly what make Christmas special. What would any holiday be without them?

From the DiPasqua household to yours, I wish you all a wonderful Holiday season.  May 2011 be filled with good health, joy and prosperity for us all! 

Hugs!
    Lila

QUESTION: What are some holiday traditions in your household? 

GIVEAWAY—One lucky commenter will receive a copy of STUD MUFFINS (This book has wonderful muffin recipes and some yummy eye-candy—a double treat!! *smiles*) AND an autographed Cinderella’s slipper ornament (in keeping with the holiday season, the fairy tale theme of my books and my very own sexy Cinderella retelling coming out Aug. 2011 – A MIDNIGHT DANCE)

GIVEAWAY OPEN WORLDWIDE.

~*~Giveaway Details~*~

Lila DiPasqua has generously offered to giveaway a copy of STUD MUFFIN and an autographed Cinderella's Slipper Ornament to one (1) lucky commenter. Follow the guidelines below and comment for your chance to win! The giveaway will end on Thursday, December 23rd, 2010 at 11:59:00 PM. The winner will be announced on Christmas Eve and contacted via email shortly after.

Giveaway Guidelines: To be entered in the giveaway all you have to do is leave a comment with either an answer to Lila's question or a question of your own!

*Make sure to include your email address (NO EMAIL= INVALID ENTRY)

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