Christmas Memories with Deborah Hale with giveaway

Please welcome Deborah Hale back to my blog to talk about Christmas. 

1.   What do you most associate with Christmas where you live?

Three things -- family, food and faith!  Nova Scotia is pretty far north, but coastal, so we often have a white Christmas, but other times it can be mild or rainy.  But we ALWAYS celebrate with our extended family, festive meals and special church services. (Jenny here for me going to church on Christmas is central to the celebration)

 2.   Do you have any special family traditions you do at Christmas time?

One I used to do when my kids were little was an advent tree, where each day there would be a special activity like mailing our Christmas cards, baking cookies, seeing a Christmas movie, going for a walk to see the lights.  They kind of outgrew that, but I hope I'll be able to resurrect it when I have grandchildren.

 3.   Do you have a favourite Christmas Carol and if so do you know why?

It's really hard to choose!  I've been singing in church choirs since I was 7 years old, and I love almost every Christmas carol out there. One of my recent favourites is The Boar's Head Carol, because of it's history and wonderful harmonies.

  

 4.   If you could spend Christmas anyway you could how would you celebrate?

Exactly the way we do now.  It's the continuity from year to year that appeal to me so much in a fast-changing world.

 5.   Do you have any special memories of Christmas?

Tons, beginning from the Christmas I was four-years-old and we got stormed in.  We were supposed to go to my great-grandmother's place for a big Christmas dinner, but the roads were impassable, so my Mum, Dad and two little sisters hunkered down at home and had tomato soup for Christmas dinner!  I also have a very vivid memory of sitting between my grandmother and great-uncle Chester on the piano bench while they played and sang Away in a Manger -- I can hear their voices whenever I sing it now.

 6.   What is a typical Christmas eve and or Christmas day for you?

Christmas Eve is actually the best part of the holidays for me.  The morning is usually spent cooking and cleaning while I listen to Patrick Stewart's "A Christmas Carol."  Some time in the early afternoon, the extended family gathers at either my house or my sister Pat's for a big

buffet. We talk, admire the tree, sing carols, take pictures and nosh. Later we go to church (some of us are usually singing in the choir). After we get home in the evening, we usually open our gifts.

On Christmas Day everybody sleeps in.  I have a baked French toast ready to slide into the oven and fry up some bacon.  Later we go to my sister Ivy's and have a big turkey dinner with all the trimmings.  In recent years, we get on Skype to talk to my sister Cyndi in Calgary and

my brother Graham in Ontario. In the evening we might watch a Christmas DVD, play boardgames or work on a jigsaw puzzle together.

 7.   Do you have any Christmas movies or Christmas books you like to see or read each year?

We always watch Emmett Otter's Jug Band Christmas. Every year during advent, I read Norah Lofts' How Far to Bethlehem.

 8.   Do you have a Christmas message for my readers?

This Christmas, may you experience the joy of giving, the peace of simple things, the hope of a bright new year and the love of God in your heart.

 Thanks to e-books, this book is available in Australia

 http://www.millsandboon.com.au/product/9781460823477

Giveaway
Deborah is giving one commenter a chance to receive The Captains Christmas Family.
To enter please comment on the interview with either a comment or question and a way to contact you if you win. (comments with looks good enter me with no other comment will be excluded). You have till 13 Dec Thursday 6.pm Australia time.