How To Have A Secular, Child Free Christmas

This is a little off my book blogging topic, but it's Christmas. Christmas means so much to me because I grew up without it. My family was Christian Fundamentalists (think the Dugger family) one of the things we did without was Christmas because it is a pagan holiday. Not all Christian Fundamentalists believe that way, but my family was very strict. When I moved out I cautiously started celebrating. Just giving a gift to the guy I was dating. By the time I had a child my family was no longer Fundamentalists (long story on that front) my parents decided that their grandchild deserved Christmas. Now I'm 39 and my child doesn't even come around and my husband's son is an adult now too. We are essentially child free. I decided to carry on with Christmas because I missed out on it for so long. My husband could take it or leave it, but he indulges me.

1. Look At Lights

In St. Louis we have Candy Cane Lane. It is a street where all the residents go big for Christmas. I heard they do it to raise money for charity, but it's free to drive through. Even if your area doesn't have a similar set up you can go searching for lights in the neighborhood. This year I think I'll drink coffee and take pictures. 

2. Light A Christmas Candle Or Melt Wax

Although any Christmas scent will do I want Christmas tree scented. We use an artificial tree to save money. Also we wanted a small tree. Unfortunately you don't get the Christmas tree smell. A Christmas tree scented candle would be perfect. Remember to follow safety precautions. 

3. Complete a Christmas/Winter Bucket List

For this all you have to do is check out Pinterest and download your favorite. Or you can make your own. Look up other Christmas bucket lists and weed out nativity visits, and Christmas services.

4. Put up a Christmas tree

The Christmas tree is not religious, and it's one of my favorite parts of Christmas. This year we went with a three foot tree. We need more lights, more garlands (I use beaded), and more ornaments. I listened to my secular Christmas playlist on YouTube while putting up the tree.

5. Make a Christmas playlist 

Speaking of playlists, get in the spirit by putting together your own playlist. I have some old school Christmas songs, along with modern Christmas songs. To make my husband happy I found rock and metal artists that did Christmas songs. He was not as impressed as I had hoped.

6. Hang a stocking

My stubborn self hung a stocking every year at my apartment hoping my soon-to-be husband would take the hint and fill it. He isn't good with hints. This year I straight up asked if we could do it. You can get nice stocking stuffers for a dollar or so. So hang up stocking, then visit Dollar Tree to find cheap stuffers. Make sure it's not junk you are buying for $1.25. And realize some stuff it cheaper to get at Walmart.

7. Read Christmas romance

November 1sts puts Halloween in the past, and I immediately begin searching for Christmas books to read. I love reading Christmas books. Maybe read one to your significant other or both read the book and discuss it. I might be able to talk my husband into an audiobook, but he'd prefer me read to him.

8. Christmas morning breakfast

Make a tradition out of this. My thing is to bake pre-made cinnamon rolls for an easy and festive breakfast to make before opening presents, which is the star of Christmas morning. 

9. Wear Christmas pajamas.

Haven't done this one yet. I can get a set all one size, but my husband's bottoms are a very different size than his top. No matching Christmas pajamas for us. Also my husband strictly wears black and grey. I found some black Christmas pajama bottoms for him. This should be fun.

10. Go to a Christmas parade 

I have been to small town Christmas parades. Since moving to St. Louis I have not had the pleasure, but I'm hoping to attend one this year. The parade in small town Missouri threw candy out. The city one is supposed to have lighted trees going on.

11. Watch Christmas movies

I'm a sucker for Christmas romance movies. I get my fix from Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime. I want to watch one with my husband, but I'm probably going to have to watch Die Hard for the 14th time. A favorite for both of us in Nightmare Before Christmas. Hint: the soundtrack makes excellent secular Christmas music for your playlist.

12. Help Senior Citizens 

When I took piano lessons it was required to play Christmas music for nursing home residents. Since my family didn't celebrate Christmas, I played classical Christmas music, like In The Hall Of The Great Mountain King. Anyway it was fun and fulfilling. I'm thinking of getting ahold of some easy Christmas music (trust me, senior citizens like to sing along and level 6 music might be hard to keep up with. I'll pick level 3 so I don't have to think too hard) and taking a trip to the nursing home. Or pick up a bunch of presents from the Dollar Tree to pass out, it will mean the world to them.

13. Take Christmas pictures 

This is one of those "best intentions" situations. Not surprising, my sister who has a Martha Stewart home, is also a great photographer (and more, but that's for another time) we wanted her to take anniversary photos this fall. That didn't happen. Hopefully we can talk her into some Christmas photos. Dress in whatever the dress code your family Christmas dinner is. My family wears pretty casual clothes, mostly. Or forget that advice and opt for Christmas pajamas!

14. Send Christmas cards

I have a lot of Christmas cards to write, I have five living siblings, my parents, and my grandpa. I should probably include aunts and uncle's this year too. I was so disappointed that Dollar Trees near me quit selling boxes of Christmas cards. We choose non religious cards. Ornaments, Christmas tree, Santa, reindeer.

15. Drink hot chocolate

Most people will tell you that the only way to drink hot chocolate for Christmas is by scratch. Um, no thanks. I like to get packets that you just stir into hot water. Buy Christmas mugs for your wintery drink.

Best Nanny Romance

There is something so sexy about single Dads to me. My husband was a single Dad when we met. Honestly, it's one of the things that attracted me to him. I like regular single Dad romance. But, I really like Nanny Romance for some reason.

Big Bossy Mistake by Lilian Monroe 

I cannot mention nanny romance without including this gem. He waits till she is no longer an employee to make his move, but she was his nanny first, lover second. Then she finds out what he is working on for his job and she runs away. Then he must fight to get her back.

Misunderstood by Kelly Myers 

She rescues his runaway daughter, when he sees how well they get along, he hires her as the new nanny. But, he can't keep his hands to himself. Around this time his ex needs a place to stay and he opens his home. Thinking he and his ex need to be together, she takes off... pregnant. 

Doctor Grump by Sofia Finn 

She is a ball of sunshine, but he is trying to resist her, then his daughter requests her as her new nanny. Soon they find it impossible to resist each other. They try to keep it at that one time, but they can't even do that. When he thinks he is going to lose her forever, he realizes that he loves her.

Single Dad Grump by Lisa Ryan 

When in a bind, he hires her as his nanny. He requires a lot of travel from her, not realizing her Mom is in the hospital. As they travel around the world they come to the point they can't fight their attraction to each other. It all comes crashing down when her Mom requires surgery. 

Single Dad's New Nanny by J.P. Comeau

She was just looking for some part time work. He was desperately looking for a new nanny. It doesn't take long, at all, for sparks to fly between them. After he finally talks her into being a full time nanny, he gets a call that she is in the hospital. 

Knocking Up His Nanny by Olivia Noble

He has been crushing on her since she was a caretaker of his Daughter's at daycare. When he finds out her mother is in the hospital, he arranges to run into her and then he hires her as his nanny without telling her its him or even his name. When the crazy other woman kicks her out of the house, she runs away.

Never Say Never by Summer Brooks 

Years ago they were a couple, but so much stood in their happily ever after... years later and he has a baby, he needs a nanny. She needs a job. Sparks fly again and soon they find themselves in a relationship again. But, then she lies by omission and he can't handle that. His son's mother really messed with his head and they break up. Don't worry it is a HEA, you just have to read it.

Make You Mine by Laura Pavlov 

He works for her Dad. When he needs a nanny for his daughters, she signs up for the job. As time goes on, she really helps his daughters through a lot, it makes him really fall for her. As they build lives together as a family, trouble comes for them in the form of his ex-wife. They are forced to break up so he can keep his kids. This book is also a HEA, it's just a tear jerker too. I sobbed. 

November 2022 My TBR List

I decided to start a new type of post (for me) I want to share what's on my Kindle TBR this month. In reality I will probably read more than this. In fact, I have already read more than this, this month. I just wanted to share my TBR list. This is my mini list because the true list is so long It would take awhile to read through...probably a lifetime.

Holiday Daddy by Kelly Myers 

November 1st, I start reading holiday smut. It's hard to find holiday stories from this year, yet, but I found found a couple. This is one. I'm currently reading this one, but I'm leaving it on my TBR list a moment longer. 

Triple Beat by Anne Grech

I love MMF novels. I don't really read too much MM romance, not because of some sort of homophobic tendencies, but because (as a woman) I don't really find myself relating to it at all. But, let's face it, MM romance is heavy on the spice! So, MMF gives me the hotness of MM action, while throwing a woman into the mix so I can still find it a little relatable. 

The Ritual by Shantell Tessier

I'll be honest this book has been on and off my list for awhile. In my "Breeder Reader" Facebook group this book comes highly recommended. People read it and then ask for more just like it. I have only made it 4% through. It seems it may be a bit of a slower start for me. Hopefully I finish reading it this month.

Never Say Never by Summer Brooks

I like Nanny Romance and this is the second book of that type on my list. I started reading this one a few days ago, but Holiday Daddy stole my attention when I was only 2% in on this one. I can't wait to get back to it. I'm almost done with my Nanny Romance listicle. This may be the book that finishes it. Or maybe I'll find a few more.

Boss's Little Secret by Crystal Monroe 

Okay, sometimes I like books by this author, sometimes I don't. Was I heavily influenced by the cover of this book? Absolutely. There is no shame in my game. If a cover doesn't grab me, I'll walk right on by. Unless fellow smut readers highly recommend it. Then I may be tempted.

Yours For Christmas by Lilian Monroe 

I'm pretty sure this is a Holiday romance from last year or older. I haven't read it yet, though. Lilian Monroe is one of my favorites so I decided to throw this Holiday read on my Kindle. For those not up to speed yet, Lilian Monroe writes a lot of accidental pregnancy stories. 

Bossy Trouble by Sofia Finn

Sofia Finn is a new author added to my favorites list. Whenever I see a book by them, I've been snatching it up. I also love boss romance, so this one is sure to be a blast to read.

Accidental Baby For The Billionaire by Josie Hart

I'm not sure if Josie Hart is a favorite author, yet. Let me read a few more before I add them to the list. In the mean time, I'm picking them up to see if I like them. The title of this one is promising. 

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Apps On My Kindle

I have the Kindle Fire HD 10. So I get apps. I get the reading based apps, the movie apps, the game apps, and social media apps. My first ereader was a Nook Paperwhite. While that ereader opened up my life to true smut, I was really excited to use apps after that. I have no problem with ereaders that don't. I would like to have a Kindle Paperwhite for reading While catching some sun. In the meantime, I will spend my hours on apps.

Kindle/Goodreads

These kind of go together, don't they? Amazon owns Goodreads and you have the option to rate and review to Goodreads directly from the Kindle apps, when you finish a book. These are the main apps I use on my Kindle. Everything else comes secondary to these two.

Amazon Prime/Netflix/Hulu/ Disney+

The paid movie subscription services. I personally pay for Amazon Prime and Netflix. My husband's son has Hulu and Disney+. I would watch Disney+ every day, but for some reason my Kindle and my Firestick won't even open the app. I'm getting an error message and I'm too lazy to call Amazon and fix it.

Overdrive/ Hoopla 

Free books is where it's at. I read all of the Bridgerton series on Hoopla. They also have movies, music, magazines, and comic books. The only thing I don't like about Hoopla is that it doesn't count towards my Kindle book challenge. I've probably read 400 books this year already but they don't all count because of reread books and Hoopla. Overdrive is everything Hoopla does not have. As far as I can tell Overdrive is just ebooks and audiobooks. But your ebooks can be read through the Kindle app and counts towards the challenge. Both apps are for the low, low "price" of a library card. 

CBS/ABC/CW/FOX NOW/NBC/PBS

All the main TV channels. I also have the news and sports apps for these apps (with the exception of FOX News). I don't really get into watching sports except I read sports romance and I want to see the stuff they are talking about. I also like to watch TV shows as the come out sometimes without waiting a year to get the entire season. 

Freevee/Freeform/Tubi/Pluto TV/ Crackle/ Popcornflix/Fawesome/XUMO/Boomerang 

Yes, I love free movies. I would have Kanopy too, but my library doesn't participate. I use Freevee the most. I believe it is owned by Amazon, not totally sure on that one. If you like to watch old school cartoons (what's wrong with you if you don't) then Boomerang is the apps for you. Crackle used to be a free Halloween movie app. Now they offer everything. I kind of miss the "good old days."

YouTube 

I can't get enough of plus size clothing hauls, Thrifts store hauls, Dollar Tree crafts, and Spiritual videos. My screen is bigger on my Kindle so most of the time I watch YouTube on my Kindle, rather than on my phone. 

Daily Burn/Daily Yoga

I don't have the room to work out now. I have lots of good intentions. My Kindle cover bends backwards and tucks on itself to make a stand for my Kindle. I got it that way for movies, but it also seems it would be amazing for working out.

Twitter/Instagram/Pinterest 

Twitter and Instagram are set to my blog accounts. Pinterest is, by far, my favorite "social media." I put it in quotes, because it's really a search engine. I play on it like it's social media, though.

Dropbox

Years ago I uploaded all my witchy graphics on to Dropbox for safe keeping. Now I download Dropbox to every electronic item I can. I don't really follow witchcraft like I used to. Now I'm more Spiritual. But I won't be giving up Dropbox. 

Seekers Notes

When I was recovering from gallbladder removal and then (a month later) a biopsy of my lung (I didn't have cancer) I spent a lot of time of picture search games on Facebook. These days Facebook doesn't have its own games... boy do I miss Jane Austen! Enter Seekers Notes, it checks off all the boxes of a good picture search game, and adds a mix of adventure to the game too. I don't really play any other game on my Kindle anymore. 

So, now I want to know what apps are on your Kindle?

Talking To My Bookish Friends

Recently I stumbled on THIS POST on Pinterest. It really inspired me to open up communication about books with the book lovers in my life. The first day I asked the first question of my high-school best friend. We drifted apart when I joined the Air Force, but reconnected years layer over our shared love of books and writing. After covid we kinda stopped hanging out, but we keep in touch with the phones. We really bonded over the first question. 

The next day... well really a couple days later... I texted her the next question. While I was waiting for her reply I texted the question to another bookish person in my life: my dad. He lives in Florida (I'm in St. Louis) so phones are pretty much our only means of communication. He responded with his typical non fiction read. But, it ignited a curiosity in me and I ended up googling Nicola Tesla to get the gist of what he was reading.

My mom just moved to the city from the country. I knew I had to ask the same question of her. She is reading two books, but had to take a break because...moving. 

I think that is all of who I've been texting with bookish questions. I think I will be searching Pinterest for more.

Here are mine:

1. Who are your top three favorite authors?

2. What is a book everyone should read?

3. Where do you read?

4. What do you drink while reading?

5. Are you a member of a book club?

6. What is your favorite movie or show based on a book?

7. How many bookshelves do you own?

8. What do you do with old books?

9. Do you loan your books out?

10. Do you have any expired library books at home?

11. What all is in your book bag?

12. When did you get your first ereader?

13. What is on your bookish wishlist?

14. If you could turn your favorite book into a scented candle, what would it smell like?

15. Kindle or Nook?

16. What are your favorite bookish questions 

I'm serious, do tell!