Christmas is filled with wonderful memories, a time of family, fun and signing. We gather on Christmas day at someone’s house, everyone contributing to the dinner, children opening gifts and adults playing the game sometimes called White Elephant, Dirty Santa, or Yankee Swap. A gift of selecting and unwrapping a gift and the next person can take that gift or open a new one. But the very best part is our tradition of singing The Twelve Days of Christmas. We have individuals or small groups take one of the days and our non-carry-a-tune singers usually join together and when their day comes around, we find ourselves in a new key. We forget which day is what and we laugh a lot. That’s the blessing—a day of family fun, laughter, and song and praising God for His most blessed gift, the Babe born in Bethlehem.
Multi-award-winning novelist, Gail Gaymer Martin is the author of Christian contemporary romance, romantic suspense, and women’s fiction with 52 contracted novels and over 3-1/2 million books in print. Her novels have received several national awards, including: the ACFW Carol Award and RT Reviewer’s Choice Award. CBS local news listed Gail as one of the four best writers in the Detroit area. She is the author of Writer Digest’s Writing the Christian Romance and a cofounder of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) where she serves on the Executive Board. Gail is a member of Advanced Speakers and Writers (ASAW) as well as Christian Authors Network (CAN) and is a keynote speaker at churches, civic and business organizations. In her earlier professional career, Gail was a teacher of English, literature and public speaking at the high school and university levels and still enjoys teaching workshop at conferences across the U.S. Gail lives in Michigan with her husband. Her website at www.gailgaymermartin.com.
Gail will be giving away the following items to one commenter.
A small clear glass heart ornament with white glitter swirls. Isn’t it beautiful?
A copy of The Firefighter’s New Family
Love Inspired – January 2014
Blurb: Book 2 in the Sisters Series: A tornado may have left Ashley Kern injured beneath a fallen tree, but it’s her rescuer who plays havoc with her emotions. Firefighter Devon Murphy is everything the single mom could wish for in a husband: handsome, a doting father and ready to join his family to hers. But how can the pretty war widow make a life once more with a man whose career is full of danger? Devon has fought some pretty big battles in his life, but can he help Ashley conquer her fears and show her the safest place of all is in his arms?
Her Valentine Hero
Love Inspired – February 2013
Blurb: Book 1 in the Sisters Series: This handsome football coach cannot be little Jonny Turner, Neely Andrews’s best friend’s kid brother. Back in high school, Jonny was nothing but a pest. When family troubles bring Neely back to her hometown, Jon is there to offer friendship and support…and maybe something more. Turns out that Jon has adored her from afar all these years.
Neely has to admit he’s become the kind of man who’d make any woman proud. But will a terrible secret from her past scare him off? Or will Jon make her feel free enough to share everything with him.
Thank you, Gail, for sharing your favorite Christmas memories and being so very generous with your gifts today.
*To be eligible for Gail’s presents, you must leave a comment and live within the Continental United States. Winner will be selected using Random.org. The winner’s name will be notified Dec 2, and posted on the sidebar as well.
12 responses to “1st Day of Christmas ~ Gail Gaymer Martin”
Great post, Gail! Love your family’s idea of singing The Twelve Days of Christmas–what laughter that must bring about! We used to do the White Elephant thing, too; at first we had to choose something from around our houses (and some of the things are still in use in a couple houses–a wire chicken basket has been a playful argument between my mother-in-law and one of her sons-in-law for years), then for several years; the rule was we had to buy something used (gave us an excuse to hit our favorite thrift store), and then we changed it to buying something from the dollar store. Made for lots of interesting bantering, that’s for sure! 🙂
Blessings, and Merry Christmas!
I remember family christmases like yours! We’ve lost many family members over the years and things aren’t like they used to be. But I hope everyone who reads this post will cherish the moments you share with friends and family this holiday season. Those moments will be the warm, loving memories that sustain you later in life. Merry Christmas and happiest of holidays to all!
Merry Christmas Gail!!!
We have done the white elephant game. Christmas is always big around my moms house . She has 2 sisters and There are now 5 grandkids, eight grandkids, and spouses, her cousins, and my grandparents. We have a great time laughing and talking. Eating the great food that everyone has brought and that my mom has spent 3-4 days making numerous desserts and dishes. It is always a blessing to see how our family has grown over the years and each prayer we say is a family blesses all of us. One of the best Christmases my aunt had all of the old home movies made into one single movie so we got to see our parents on Christmases from when they were little and my mom and her best friend Dancing to elvis in my grandmothers living room wearing coke can rollers. It was hilarious.
Merry Christmas! We don’t have much money this year, but we have each other and our savior.
I like the singing idea. I’d also like to win 🙂
With many elders in our family (well over 80+ years) and children as well, we try to do a variety of things that bring joy to all. The common denominator seems to be FOOD! Great Grandpa (age 94) might complain (loudly) about what he receives as gifts, but he’s always happy to sit down to a turkey dinner. Our youngest might do jumping jacks a little too close to the tree, but cookies are always a good reason to sit down and smile! Most of all, we all find joy in our faith and in the celebration of Jesus’s birthday!
Thanks for adding your special fun, too, and I look forward to sending the gifts to the winner.
I would love to win this and add it to my Memory Tree every year. I know where every ornament came from – love it
Enjoyed reading about your Christmas!
Merry Christmas Gail. Enjoyed reading about your Christmas traditions.
I so enjoy reading your novels, Gail. Merry Christmas!