The Chocolate Priestess, Tammy Jo! Tammy Jo, send us an email (hotdinnerhappyhome@gmail.com) with your mailing address, and we'll send that bread maker your way.
Even though there can only be one winner, we loved reading all of your holiday traditions. Amidst the hustle and bustle, it was a good reminder why this is a special time of year. Here are a few of those traditions that you shared with us last week.
"Hmmm...it took me a while to think of my favorite tradition, since Christmas is full of so many amazing things/memories. However, as I grow older and now live far away from my sister and even farther from my parents, brother and his new gorgeous family, I have found a great appreciation for something that has stayed consistent and keeps my heart connected to those I love at Christmas time. That being said my favorite tradition is a Christmas Eve candlelit service. I went my whole life and there is nothing like raising your candle in a church that glows even when the lights are out all while singing Silent Night! Whether I am at my childhood home in Buffalo, visiting family in Milwaukee, or here in Chicago I feel a warmth in my heart for all of those I love knowing that we share that special moment on Christmas Eve. And I still can't help but open one present when I come home!" - Katy
"My favorite tradition is breakfast with the family while opening stockings. The tree looks beautiful, we have a fire in the fireplace, and everyone is cozy and happy." - Cake
"My FAVORITE holiday tradition is actually not on Christmas, but on New Year's Day. Every year my Dad (who is an Italian America, 100% Sicilian and born and raised in New York City) continues the tradition my great grandparents created by making his ever famous Cioppino. Cioppino is an Italian fish soup that consists of cooking a TON of different types of fish in broth (lobster, scallops, shrimp, clams, etc.). Since I was old enough to remember, this has been our tradition to ring in the new year as we count our blessings and look forward to new ones." - Jake and Lia
"My favorite holiday tradition exemplifies my German heritage. Every year my mom busts out the accordian and plays Christmas tunes and German polkas while my family sings, jingles bells and tirelessly dances the polka around the Christmas tree. I would love to say my dad accompanies her with a yodel, but that would just be a lie. I hope to someday learn how to play this instrument as musically challenged as I am to keep the tradition alive!" - Jill
"Every year I go through the same neighborhoods as my parents took me on Christmas Eve to look at Christmas lights. Some of the houses are old and ran down these days, however those neighborhoods are my favorite to view because they spark such fond memories of my childhood at Christmas with my loving family." - Sharon
"Our favorite Christmas tradition is going to my parents on Christmas Eve, going to midnight church service, then coming back and opening one present." - Hezzi-D
"My favorite holiday tradition is decorating the Christmas tree with family and friends. We're adding a new piece to the tradition this year by making homemade ornaments with our little one." - ChrissieNer
"My absolute favorite holiday tradition is that each year we get a new ornament each, one for each child, one for the whole family, and one for my hubby and me as a couple. Once the kids grow up and get married they each get their ornament from all the years. My mother did this for us and each year putting up the tree, I remember everything about my ornaments from when I was little." - PV
"Favorite Tradition: Eating dinner like a 'picnic' under the Christmas Tree. Every year, since the kids were little (now 15 and 13), we decorate the tree - one ornament at a time, we talk about them (we have our favorites.) I never move one ornament - even where they were all hanging at 'kid' level! Then, dinner MUST be homemade chicken tenders (with assorted dipping!), french fries and sweet carrots. I love making memories with my family!" - Ann
