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On Newsstands Now!
Check out the May 2012 issue: raw stories, shocking confessions, candid advice about motherhood—and more!
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Pick of the Week: The Book of (Holiday) Awesome
November 17th, 2011
In 2008 and 2009, things weren’t going so well for Neil Pasricha. His marriage was ending and he had lost a close friend under tragic circumstances. The news was depressing too, with reports of natural disasters and a collapsing economy. It was enough to make anyone want to wrap themselves in a blanket of sadness and hide from the scary world outside. But Pasricha decided to go a different way. In an effort to help bring some positivity back to his life, he started a blog called 1000 Awesome Things. That blog eventually went on to win a Webby Award, and has spawned three books—The Book of Awesome, The Book of (Even More) Awesome, and most recently, The Book of (Holiday) Awesome, released this week.
The Book of (Holiday) Awesome is a collection of all of those simple joys that come along with the holiday season. It’s about celebrating the little things, like driving around town to look at Christmas lights, the smell of a fresh Christmas tree, or the first big snowfall of the season. Who doesn’t love that?
This book doesn’t just focus on Christmas, though. Pasricha shares some awesome things about Hanukkah and Kwanzaa, and even Mother’s Day, Thanksgiving and St. Patrick’s Day, among others. It’s a great read to share with kids, and can help spark a conversation about the little things that they are grateful for during the holidays. There’s no need to read the book through in order, either—you can open it to any page and find a reason to smile. We think that’s pretty awesome.
The Book of (Holiday) Awesome, $23, Penguin Books. Also available from Chapters.ca. You can read an excerpt from the book here.
WIN IT!
One lucky reader is going to win a copy of The Book of (Holiday) Awesome, signed by the Neil Pasricha. And we have four signed, awesome bookplates to give away, too! To enter, just leave a comment below and tell us: what is the most awesome thing about the holidays? This giveaway closes Thursday, November 24th at 5 p.m. EST, so don’t miss your chance to win. Good luck!
Copyright © 2012 St. Joseph Media. All Rights Reserved.
the act of kindness and the spirit of giving, for me anyway!
My favourite thing is giving a loved one a really great gift – something special that they wouldn’t think of getting themselves.
I’m sure this will be said by so many people but truly, the most awesome thing about the holidays for me is, watching all of the Christmas magic through the eyes of my 2 young children. Priceless.
The most awesome thing about the holidays is getting together with friends and family. (and drinking eggnog!)
My favourite thing is the lights and decorations from getting the boxes out, untangling the lights and making our house and yard a Christmas wonderland.
The most awesome thing about the holidays every year is seeing and spending time with family. The most awesome thing this year is seeing the holidays through my daughters eyes for the first time. She will be 11 months come Christmas time.
Family and neighbours coming together
The most awesome thing about the holidays is seeing the smiles on the children and the wonderment in their eyes.
SNOW
The most awesome thing about Christmas is the time spent with family & friends.
Being with our loved ones!
Holiday awesomeness: Savouring a big mug of awesome coffee in front of a twinkling Christmas tree before anyone else is up, early, early Christmas morning…
The most awesome thing about the holidays is sneaking downstairs Christmas morning to see all the presents under the tree. Reminds me of being a kid :)
Everything takes on a deeper meaning and we all wish the holiday spirit would last everywhere, in everyone all year long.
The Christmas shopping. Kids opening their presents and Christmas decorations!
The first parade of the season… yesterday in Owen Sound, ON…. seen through the eyes of a four year old. “Look, mommy, look…:, “Look, daddy, look”…. Totally holiday awesome!
Whipped shortbread. Nom, nom, nom.
Unpacking all of the old decorations, especially ones from childhood-store bought AND handmade.
Egg nog :)
The joy you see on everyone’s face, but especially those of children as there seems to be magic around every corner.
Christmas lights! I love going out for drives with my family on a snowy evening…as magical as it was when I was a kid. :)
The amazing smells of baked cookies, eggnog and scented candles in every home.
Def Christmas music, when a radio station has it on 24/7, it’s an instant mood lift and will get me in the spirit everytime!
The thing I like the best about the Holidays is everyone has a renewed appreciation of each other. I have tried to make this last the whole year. Even the children seem to be more tolerant for each other :)
The spirit of giving! All the preparations for Christmas done with the family, decorating the tree, baking, Christmas movies!! And all the time spent with the extended family getting together and preparing the meals!
The celebration of the birth of Jesus – no gift could have more value.
family time over a wonderful meal!
Going out and tagging a Christmas tree!
EVERYTHING! But if I have to pick a favourite, I would say that attending the candlelight church service on Christmas Eve is what I love more than anything else. After all the hustle of the season, it’s such a peaceful time!
The gifts, the food, the good cheer, the giving are all part of it but spending more time with your family and friends is my favorite part.
The most awesome thing about the holidays is keeping tradition and spending time with family
Time off from work and school and putting up Christmas decorations and a Christmas tree! I love taking the kids to get their photo with Santa Claus at the mall.
Baking delicious desserts to share with my family.
The joy of giving gifts and happiness to others.
After 30+ years, I still am awed by the fact that I had two children born at Christmas. One on Christmas day and one on the 27th. Every year I get to celebrate my blessings and party too!!
The Christmas season opens hearts to more kindness and generousity of spirit
the most awesome thing is feeling like a kid on christmas morning, waking up to snow and presents under the tree ;)
Getting together with family and friends and sharing memories
Having the family really celebrate something together.
The giving and the generosity!
The most awesome thing about the holidays is spending time with family and watching your kids excitement on Christmas morning.
The most awesome thing about Christmas is being with family especially the little ones.
The most awesome thing about Christmas is the spirit of the people around you during the whole Chrismas season
The most awesome thing is time off from work to spend with family and get caught up on all those things you didn’t have time to get around to all year.
Making food! (and eating them!) :D
The most awesome thing about the holidays is the anticipation and excitement from the kids.
relaxing and spending time with all the people I love!
getting together with peole you haven’t seen for awhile.
Watching the awe and joy on my young kids faces.
giving
Absolutely the best thing about the holidays is spending time with all my family members, immediate and extended. Most of us have extra time off at this time of year and get together frequently. It is also a great time to spoil my grandchildren.
Most Awesome thing for me is to cook some delicious holiday meals for my friends and family and to sit down and enjoy it with them.
Being able to spend time with my family . Having a household full of happiness and joy. Seeing the expressions on my grandbabies’ faces . Experiencing the awesome engery of giving to the less fortunate in season. Being grateful for what we have.
Enjoying my kids enjoying the magic of it all!
The most awesome thing about the holidays is eating a grand dinner with the extended family!
The most awesome thing is the kids and husband all home at the same time!
The most awesome thing about the holidays is the goodwill and joy that seems to envelope everyone and everything.
The most awesome thing about the holidays to me is family once more coming together, and the ‘Spirit of Christmas’ kindness/sharing/happiness that permeates the air during the month of December!!!
The most awesome thing about the holidays is getting together with all of the family! :)
The most awesome thing about the holidays to me is my 5 grandchildren, taking time in December especially to do something together!
The most awesome thing about the holidays is sharing it with family and friends.Making memories with the kids!
Spending times with friends and family.
The best thing about the holidays is having your kids all together again for a family meal. After they grow up this hardly ever happens.
x
the most awsome thing about christmas is the goodwill and sharing that happens, spending time with family appreciating how lucky we are!
The most awesome thing about the holidays is when everyone wakes up happy on Christmas morning in their warm pajamas (that they stay in till the last possible minute, but are then forced to change to go to a relatives) and big, fat, fluffy snowflakes are coming down. Not in blizzard style, but just slowly floating straight down from the sky. Add the fresh scent of christmas to that and it makes it even more awesome. (You all know that Christmas smell I’m talking about right? Cookies, turkey dinner, apple pie, cinnamon, and even the christmas tree scent, all rolled into one big, fabulous Christmas smell)
The most awesome thing about the holidays is the good spirit everyone seems to be in! Everyone is smiling, more considerate…..wish it would last all year long! Then of course, the most breathtaking thing during the NA holidays, is the first snowfall….fresh, crisp, sparkling diamonds glinting in the sunlight! A winter coat blanketing mother nature, fresh and clean and new! That seems to really trigger the mass holiday ‘spirit’ above!
The best thing about the holidays is all the family traditions that have been passed down from my parents and now to my child. I love everything about the season, the snow, the great food, family and yes even the crazy holiday shopping. Cheers and Happy Holidays everyone.
Time with my kids!
The best part of the holidays is spending time with Family and loved ones and making new memories.
Lacing up your skates for the first time.
i think the most awesome thing is seeing the kids faces and reactions when they open there gifts! :)
The smell of good cooking, snow outside and family, family and family. Gotta love it.
The most awesome thing for me is time off work. Oh, and just being with my family. But mostly time off work.
Family, food and fun:)
The most awesome thing for me is family! Coming together and celebrating the holidays has created many special memories for me!
The most awesome is all my children home for the Holidays….perfect
Family staying overnigh Christmas Eve and getting pounced on by my brother while I lay in bed to wake up because it’s Christmas morning! Never get’s old even though we are both adults now – AWESOME!