Do you hear what I hear? It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas and Santa Claus is coming to town. As it’s the "most wonderful time of the year" let’s spread some blogging cheer and, whatever your beliefs, remember the season’s message of goodwill to all men and the spirit of giving.
The reality is that Christmas time can be stressful, lonely and sad for many people so I am laying down a yuletide challenge to you – help make it a wonderful time of year for fellow bloggers and blog readers.
Let’s show our appreciation for those who have provided us with good reads, those who have helped us on our blogging paths, those who take the time to comment and those who have become virtual friends. Even if we do not know a blogger we can make this a time to reach out to them, established bloggers and newcomers alike. We can also show our gratitude to the non-bloggers we know who visit us. Let us spread tidings of comfort and joy in whatever way we are able.
Until Christmas I am going to show my own appreciation for those who join in with this challenge by spreading some link love. I will be posting about your ideas and recognizing those who take part. You could say that I am "making a list, and checking it twice; gonna find out who’s naughty and nice.". I am creating a special blog section for my ‘nice list’ and Christmas topics.
We can help foster the spirit of Christmas in our blogs by adding seasonal design elements. I will also be sharing some tools and resources that you can use if you want to deck your blogs "with boughs of holly" or just want to get yourself or your blog into the spirit of Christmas
The first part of my challenge is:
- Go tell it on the mountain – Pass on details of this challenge to others in whatever way you prefer – a blog post, a tweet, send to friends on Stumbleupon, by email, by posting about it on different sites … Let me know that you are taking part by leaving a comment here and/or subscribing to my updates via RSS or email.
- Let us know your ideas for fostering the spirit of Christmas and spreading Christmas wishes to your blog readers.
Those who do this will be on the top of my Christmas list.
Don’t forget to have yourself a merry little Christmas.
Trish says
what a great idea Sue
I’ll join in ..give me a day or so. π
aaron says
Nice idea Sue. Anything you can do to spread some good will around the holidays will surely go far.
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RennyBA says
Yes I hear what you hear – just needed a reminder – and it sounds terrific. Nothing compete with the anticipation of Yule Tide!
My contribution so far is a StumbleUpon and I’ll see what I can do later on π
RennyBAs last blog post..Annual Autumn Exhibit in Oslo Norway
game-girl says
I like your idea, Sue! π
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Ching Ya says
Christmas is a great time we show our gratitude and appreciation. Splendid idea! I’m in. I’ll be doing some more plannings over the weekend. π
At the time being, I’m rewarding all my readers with daily-posting of interesting sites/clips/posts/games that are all related to Christmas theme, for the entire month! Except for my guest posts which will get 3 days of ‘remain on top’ priviledge, and my brief review on why I love their blogs + links, this is my way of showing my gratitude for their contributions.
Time to put on our thinking cap, and spread the love and joy!
Ching Yas last blog post..Have A Healthy Christmas!
Chelle says
I love the idea! Time has been a premium for me lately but I’m sure I will have a few posts up in no time π Will let you know once I do!
Chelles last blog post..Homemade Romantic Gift Ideas
jen says
Count me in. It’s about as christmassy as I’ll get, but I have got giveaways happening. I’m trying!
jens last blog post..Christmas cheer and a facelift
Sueblimely says
Glad to have you all onboard – I know this is a busy time of the year for many but if you are posting anyway a Christmas type post of thanks and appreciation would save you having to think of other ideas to write about π
Kuanyin says
Great idea, and this is one I plan to implement as time allows. I’ll let ya know. In the meantime, I gave ya a thumb’s up on Stumbleupon and leaving a comment–it’s a beginning!
Kuanyins last blog post..Just Wanna Hang-out
Sueblimely says
Thanks Kuanyin – passing the message on is enough, I dont’ want to add to people’s Christmas workload π
jim says
I see your point about Christmas being lonely and stressful. How can you possibly get gifts for all the people you know? And they get offended if you don’t.
Sueblimely says
It can become too much, can’t it, but you have to try and draw the line somewhere while making it fair to all – eg have a policy of only buying for family members or only for children in the family and let people know, telling those that you are not buying for that you do not expect a gift yourself.
Chelle says
I wrote a post – stay tuned all week for much more!
Here is the link:
http://www.itmightbelove.com/2008/12/06/spreading-christmas-cheer-online-and-off/
Hopefully askimet will not eat me!
Chelles last blog post..Spreading Christmas Cheer Online – and Off
Chelle says
Uh-oh, I think askimet ate me! But the pingback is here, hooray!
Sueblimely says
Hi Chelle, I rescued you from Akismet after reading your blog, then going on to read your other blogs – and Damien’s. Definitely not Akismet material π
ma says
Here’s another fantastic idea of yours in the making, Sue. Thanks for your innovation and creative means of utilizing a cool Yule.
I don’t celebrate the season except by lending a helping hand to the kitchens that prepare food and serve the poor and needy. We even hand out presents to the famiies. The ROI is well worth its while. The earnings come in forms of big hugs, loves, and [gooey-sticky] kisses but what the heck. It’s only once a year although we also do the other major holidays throughout the year.
Have a cool Yule, Girlfriend. I am invisioning Santa hanging ten in Oceana’s waters.
Mike says
Nice thought you have here…Christmas, although a happy time, can be tough for those that are alone or might have lost a loved one at this time of the year.
I’ll stumble/review this post for you and will subscribe via rss.
Mikes last blog post..Pano Zero Client
Colin Campbell says
Great idea. Not too big on Christmas, but this is fun. I will write on how to use Haggis in a Christmas Lunch. π
Minnesota Attorney says
I love your new Christmas theme. Did you create it yourself? The theme is very professional—nice work!
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Sueblimely says
Thanks Aaron, I made a few very quick changes to my existing theme adding a new header image, a background image to the main menu and changed font colors. What took the time was creating the header image in Photoshop.
I also added a drop down menu which had been in my plans for a while. After Christmas I will delete the bells, change the colors but keep the menu itself.
Minnesota Attorney says
The drop down menu looks great. I’ve noticed that many of the popular and professional blogs are installing these new drop down menus. Nice work!
Minnesota Attorneys last blog post..Minnesota DWI DUI Drunk Driving Attorney
Jeff says
Thank you very much for the cool ideas! I really like it. I do have fun times visiting your site.
Suzie Cheel says
What a great idea and i love how you have dressed up your blog for Xmas, off to give you some twitter love. Thanks for being inspiring
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Sueblimely says
Thanks Suzie and good to see you here and many congratulations on the launch of your book – it is on my Christmas wish list
Leona Belletristik says
I think Christmas is such a happy time for most people, that we forget about the people who are not as lucky. Blogging might be company for some people, so I think itΒ΄s important to thank them for entertaining us throughout the year and maybe cheer up their Christmasses!!!
Leona
Sueblimely says
Exactly – many people are flat out busy and would not have time for this challenge – others do rely on their blogging friends for companionship over this time.
Great Wall of China Facts says
This was such a great idea. Thanks for your post too!
George says
Great idea. It is heart warming that you would use this piece of the Interweb to spread the spirit of Christmas. Only goes to show that spreading Christmas cheer is not a hard task. π
game-girl says
I love Christmas. I plan to decorate your blog tree and toys.
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bleuken says
wow a good idea in rewarding bloggers, newsmakers and commentors for this season of spending and happenings. π
Gary says
Thanks a lot for the cool ideas! I did enjoy reading your post.
Ching Ya says
Dear Sue, as my appreciation for you commenting on my blog, I did a linklove for your blog. Thanks again for your support. =) Take care.
Ching Yas last blog post..Get Me Outta Here!!
rjleaman says
This year, more than ever, I find myself aware of how very difficult this season can be for so many – and how powerless we can feel to make a difference. This challenge is a timely reminder that even the simple act of “reaching out” has worth because it has warmth. Thank you for this, Sue.
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Minnesota Attorney says
rjleaman, you raise an important point that is often lost during the busyness of the holiday season: Christmas is not warm and merry for many people including those who recently lost loved ones, those without family, those who have little money due to a lost job, or others facing difficult times.
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Sueblimely says
I agree Aaron, the present economy will make it particularly difficult for many people this year. This is even more reason to emphasise appreciation and love over gift giving.
Mig says
Would you also tell Santa that I’ve been a good girl? π I will participate with an entry on my Rounite.com blog – I think it is the best for this occasion. Don’t you?
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Sueblimely says
Thanks Mig and yes Rounite would be great – I would enjoy reading about Christmas traditions in Romania.