How I get through the Christmas Season

My main advice is to remember that it is just a season and that before too long the season will be over and it will be January and a New Year. For my full advice watch my video below that is a replay from my Periscope account. Follow me on Periscope and Twitter @amandabeautytip. 

My favorite things about Christmas

I absolutely love the Christmas Season! As I was celebrating Christmas yesterday with my family I realized just how much Christmas as an adult is definitely about the people you are spending time with and less about the gifts you give and get. I am in that transitional phase of adulthood where I don't have children yet to make the holiday all about them, but I am also no longer a child excited for Christmas morning and getting everything I asked for on my list. This year was the first year I really didn't ask for anything because I just didn't need anything. I feel I ended up with a very nice Christmas and I hope that others out there did as well. If you don't celebrate Christmas, I still hope you are enjoying this time of year with your family no matter what holiday or holidays you are celebrating. 

Quick Video about How I feel about Christmas:

Quick Video about my favorite things about Christmas:

What are some of your favorite things about this time of year? Comment on this post to let me know!

Must See Christmas Light Displays in the RVA area

Some of my favorite displays in the Richmond, VA area:

-Lewis Ginter GardenFest

-Tacky Light Run Midlothian, VA

-Illuminate Light Show & Santa's Village in Doswell, VA (this one is still one I need to visit)

-Monument Ave and the Richmond Downtown Grand Illumination

Are you holiday ready?

I originally made this video in October 2015. I know it's a little late for this year as well, but I wanted to share. Are you holiday ready? With just two days left before Christmas it is time to decide are you ready for the holiday? What is on your to do list? What is left to do?

This year, I have to say I think I am ready. Gifts are bought, minimal wrapping to do (Gift Bags are awesome) and I am ready to spend the time with family and loved ones. I get out of the cooking too since I go to my parents and grandma's house. My parents don't really cook a big meal on the holiday usually because my mom usually cooks a big meal a couple days before for my dad's birthday on December 23. My grandma usually makes a ham and a few sides for lunch but still overall fairly minimal. 

Are YOU holiday ready? Share in the comments...what is on your to do list every year?

Christmas Traditions...

Christmas is right around the corner! I decided to share a couple of videos from last year as well as one from this year where I share some Holiday Traditions for my family. What are your traditions? Feel free to comment on this post...

Who has family ornaments?

The original Elf on the Shelf...

More Traditional Stories from Christmas' past...

Christmas Treats...

My mom and I make Peanut Butter balls almost every year in time for the Christmas Holiday. Yesterday, my mom and I made 145 to eat and share with friends and family. Who doesn't love chocolate and peanut butter and sugar? 

What are your favorite Christmas and holiday treats? 

Three Tips for Holiday Shopping

Three Tips to Make Holiday Shopping Easier:

1. Make a list of who you are shopping for...
2. Brainstorm/Ask what you want to get for your list.
3. Support small businesses while doing your holiday shopping.

Below is my video from Periscope Follow me there @amandabeautytip:

Merry Christmas! What are your Christmas Traditions? How are you celebrating this year?

Merry Christmas everyone! What are your family traditions? How are you celebrating this year?

One tradition is for me to attend the Christmas party for my best friend's family. This year marked twenty years that we've known each other which feels crazy! We had a lot of fun a couple of weeks ago and this year I got to share the tradition with my boyfriend. 

A second tradition for the last few years is for my mom to make Peanut Butter balls at some point during the holiday time. She made some last weekend and they are amazing as always! Chocolate and peanut butter...mmm...yummy!

As far as the tree, my family usually gets a cedar tree the old fashioned way (cutting it down from the woods) and they usually get it the weekend before Christmas and leave it up until New Years Day. The past couple of years we finished decorating the tree on Christmas Eve. 

Christmas morning traditions have changed since we were little. When we were little my brother and I would wake up at like 6am and then wake my parents up so we could open presents. We then opened all of our presents, ate breakfast, and played until it was time to go to my grandma's house around 10am. Then, we'd do it all over it again there and return home and either go to my other grandma's house or she would come to us. Since becoming adults we wake up later ourselves and therefore start later. We sometimes even save a gift or two for later in the day. We still go to my grandma's around 10am, but unfortunately the other grandma passed in 2008. Christmas Day is all about the family time though. 

Here is a video where I share some Christmas Traditions:

Here is a link to my playlist of videos that are similar to the one above sharing how my family is doing Christmas this year: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLf7iLuSe4kHGtJdi0I6IZp8Mcbb5QR86-

Christmas Time is Here! Some of my favorite Christmas Carols and Christmas Movies

With Christmas being tomorrow, I wanted to share some of my favorite Christmas movies and Christmas Carols. What are your favorites? Feel free to comment on this post what your favorites are...

Favorite Movies

My all time favorite Christmas movie would have to be National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. This movie is just too funny and brings lots of laughs! A close second would have to be A Charlie Brown Christmas which celebrated 50 years this year! Charlie Brown is a classic that is loved by many. 

EDIT: I can't believe I forgot about A Christmas Carol and the story of Mr. Scrooge! That has to be my favorite Christmas story. I like most versions but my favorite ones are probably the Disney version and the Donald Duck version. 

A favorite from my childhood would be The Santa Clause with Tim Allen. The original one is the best, but I have watched the second and third movies and they are good as well if you are looking for some good family friendly movies to watch. 

Of course we can't forget The Grinch. I have to say I like the original cartoon version, but I also enjoy the version with Jim Carey. 

A newer movie Prep and Landing is a cute movie about the elves that prep the sites for Santa to make deliveries. This is another good cute one for the kids to watch. There is also a sequel movie that is also cute. These are also only about 30 minutes long when airing on television so it isn't a long time for little ones to sit. 

I also enjoy the classics Rudolph, Santa Clause is Coming to Town, Frosty, etc. And funny enough I used to hate Rudolph because I was scared of the evil snowman. Lol. 

Some other favorites include Elf, Polar Express, I'll be Home for Christmas, and Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer.  

Favorite Christmas Carols

My all time favorite Christmas Carol is Christmas Canon by Trans-Siberian Orchestra. I think this song really gets us in the right frame of mind for what Christmas is really about.

I have really fond memories of We Wish You A Merry Christmas! My brother and I and for a while my cousins as well used to go with my grandfather and deliver peanuts to the offices that were in office buildings he owned and some other business related people and we would sing We Wish You A Merry Christmas at every delivery. 

I love all of the classic religious songs Oh Holy Night, Silent Night, Oh Little Town of Bethlehem, Joy to the World, Hark! The Harold Angels Sing, etc.

I also enjoy the children favorites Rudolph, Frosty the Snowman, Jingle Bells, Santa Clause is Coming to Town, Oh Christmas Tree

Basically, if it's a Christmas Carol I enjoy it, especially the older classic carols. It's hard to pick just a few to mention and pin down as favorites. 

AVON Holiday Products

I am super excited for the Avon Holiday product line-up! We have lots of great decor and gift items for the holidays! My favorites are probably the ornaments and collectible items. I have been sharing videos on my YouTube channel and I will continue to share videos. Now is the time to get these items as they are already starting to sell out! 

Here are some of the videos:
Avon Living highlights:

Avon Campaign 24 highlights:

Mark Magalog 12 highlights:

Check out the full line-up NOW at www.youravon.com/adavis0493 Receive free shipping on all orders of $40+! 

You can easily find the holiday products by going to the category "more" and then "Holiday" and there is Sub-Categories under that category for stocking stuffers, under $5, under $10, etc. We have stuff for men, women, and kids!

Be sure to register at my website to receive special offers via email including free shipping and other coupon codes. 

You can follow my Avon Blog at bethebestyoucanbebeautyblog.com

Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays

I hope all of you had/are having a wonderful holiday season with your families and loved ones! I apologize for being a couple days late, but I was spending my own time with my family and loved ones! We celebrated my dad's 60th birthday and enjoyed our Christmas holiday. I made sure to watch some of the holiday classics Frosty, Frosty Returns, The Grinch (Cartoon), Charlie Brown Christmas, and Rudolph to name a few. If you do not celebrate Christmas, I hope you are having a wonderful holiday season. If you want, share how your family spent the holiday in the comments of this post. I'd love to hear your stories! Looking forward to the new year! I'm going to try my best to post more often going into 2015!