Thanksgiving and Christmas is a special time for Christians and is usually anticipated with great excitement. Since we know how most Christians celebrate these holidays, I thought I’d share what some of my Old Order Amish friends have told me about their traditions.
Thanksgiving is a simple time and primarily an excuse for families to gather together and share a large meal, which sometimes includes a turkey, but not always. Because Amish families are often very large, it is not unusual for one family to hold multiple Thanksgiving meals spread out through the holiday season.
When it comes to celebrating Christmas, I’m sure it won’t surprise you when I say that the Amish use almost no decorations. Most Amish consider such “trappings” a distraction from the story of Christ’s birth.
But for many decades they’ve enjoyed making or buying Christmas cards, and they look forward to sending and receiving them. They often hang up the cards throughout their homes as a form of simple holiday trimming. Also, many Amish have traditionally put candles in the window and light them after dark, giving the house a warm, homey feel during Christmastime.
Most Amish are comfortable putting candles surrounded by wreaths on surfaces throughout the house. But you won’t find a Christmas tree or stockings hanging inside an Amish home. Based on the second commandment, which says not to make any graven image, you won’t find a nativity scene or angel figurines, and definitely no traces of Santa.
On Christmas Day, most Old Order Amish decorate their kitchen tables for the family’s Christmas dinner, adorning it with candles and greenery. That adds a special festive feel to the day.
Although their homes may be devoid of most Christmas decorations, the Amish enjoy celebrating the season and cherish their own special traditions with their families.
The Amish look forward to exchanging gifts with their loved ones on Christmas Day. Many will wrap their Christmas presents in beautiful, shiny paper and set them in a special place, like near the hearth, while waiting for Christmas to arrive.
As Christmas Day approaches, the Amish go caroling throughout their own community and the surrounding area.
Amish schoolchildren have a Christmas program each year in their one-room schoolhouse. The program usually includes a play of the Christmas story, and the parents, grandparents, and siblings are invited. Students also exchange names, give one another gifts, and participate in acts of charity.
Tasty Christmas goodies are another staple of an Amish Christmas. The women bake many Christmas cookies and homemade candies for their families. These treats are also shared when caroling or at the local school’s Christmas production.
Since the Amish only have a church service every other Sunday and have a day of rest on the off-Sunday, Christmas church services are not a yearly occurrence. When a service is held, it is usually much like a regular service held during the rest of the year, except that the attendees sing Christmas carols similar to the ones we sing and some German Christmas songs set to tunes we would probably recognize.
The Amish also have what they call Zwedde Grischtdaag, which means Second Christmas. Second Christmas is usually celebrated the day after Christmas. Both days are holidays for the Amish. Unlike in our public or private schools, Amish children don’t get even a whole week off, let alone two weeks. The teacher may dismiss them after a half day of school on Christmas Eve, or she/he may not. But they always get Christmas Day and Second Christmas off before school resumes. So both days are times of rest for the whole family (except for the women, who still have to cook!). Since it is difficult to gather such large families together at the same time, often one side of the family will visit on Christmas Day and the other side on Second Christmas.
What do you think of the idea of a second Christmas? What are some of your favorite Christmas traditions that your family does each year?
Giveaway
In The Dawn of Christmas, Sadie makes many kinds of crafts to sell, and soaps is one of her favorites. So while writing that story, I connected with a reader friend on Facebook who also makes soaps, and because of her generosity, I have a very special giveaway for you! Kristin Lail not only provided the recipe for homemade soap in the back Christmas in Apple Ridge, but she has also very graciously offered a few of her soaps for a giveaway! (And thank you, Kristin, for giving me a bar of soap too!!)
I will choose three winners, and each winner will receive an autographed copy of Christmas in Apple Ridge and a bar of Kristin’s homemade soap.
To enter, simply leave a comment at the bottom of this post on my website. If you are reading this anywhere other than my website, such as on Facebook, in an email, or on Goodreads, please hop on over to my website and leave a comment at the bottom of my post to enter the giveaway.
Only comments left on my website will be entered into the giveaway. (It’s just too hard to track down all the comments left in various places, and that means it’s too easy to miss some of the comments.)
The deadline for this contest is Monday, December 3, 2012, at noon. The winner will be chosen using Random.org and will be contacted privately, as well as announced on next week’s post.
If you are interested in learning more about Kristin or would like to purchase some of her homemade soaps, please visit her website at www.asimplyenchantedlife.com. Or you can “Like” her on Facebook by clicking here. Thank you, Kristin!
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Cindy,
When I was a child we had two Christmas celebrations, both on Christmas day. But we did ours because we had a beloved Aunt who always ran two hours or three late for any family event. So after several years of herding antsy kids who had gotten up at 4 a.m. and had to wait until 10 a.m. to open presents, my folks asked our Auntie if she would hold a Christmas dinner at her house. So every year after that we would trundle over to Auntie’s house at 6 p.m. for a second tree and our version of Zwedde Grischtdaag.
I have just begun reading your books–just finished that my mind can’t bring up the titles–just passed them on to a friend. I’m beginning the Sisters of the Quilt books. I’ll be hunting your books at the Public Library, and other book outlets. Thank you for your books! Sarah Jo
The above book is phenomenal. As my daughter so eloquently stated, when you need a happy ending in the center of everything going wrong, this is the book to read and I couldn’t agree more!
When I first bought Christmas in Apple Ridge and oh my I just love it and bought 3 Ada’s House and read them in 1 wk and ready to buy Sisters Quilts I don’t know any Amish but I just love them when I see them and I know they have a good beliefs……
I love reading your books the about the Amish. I have read all of your books and can not wait till the next one comes out in April.
Hello would love this book and her soap! Good Luck To Everyone. Merry Christmas. Kathy
Hi, would love this book and her soap! Good luck to everyone and Merry Christmas. Kathy
I know I am late for the contest, but just wanted you to know I truly enjoy your books. Other Amish writers as well. Your books are a peaceable time for me. The language and “story” are so positive and I don’t need to skip pages because of language or other things. Please continue with your wonderful talent.
Peace
judy
I just finished re reading another of your books, Id love to enjoy a new one…free!!!
It is so refreshing to read a book that is so positive and uplifting as the books you write, Thank YOU.
I like the idea of a second Christmas, we do that the day after Thanksgiving at my oldest daughters house. Good way to use up the leftovers and prolong the family get togethers. On Friday, she has all her many fall decorations put away, and on Friday has most of her Christmas decorations up including her two trees with lights, then later that weekend. Her family puts the ornaments on them.
Terri Hahn
I have 3 bars of Amish made soaps now, love that they last so long, and the ones I have, have no strong fragrances. Feel so good on your hands. Teresa Hahn
Hello, I was reading over some of your blog and found this contest by accident. Over the last year my wife and I have been picking up little new traditions in our family, many of them from ancient traditions that the Amish still follow. My favorite is Sunday night that is Amish night and there is to be no TV on in the house. For me it’s hard because the weekend is the only time I stop to watch TV, but even I started following the rule. We’ve added a few other things to simplify our lives as well. Anyway. I know my wife has really begun reading different Amish books over various readers, so it is always interesting to find what new concept she is picking up. I now know what her Christmas present is, and maybe even her “second Christmas” one as well… that is if I can find your new book around somewhere. Thank you for the good reads!!! clleyh@liberty.edu
Second Christmas sounds great! The more Christmas the better, I say. My mom and I watch a ton of Christmas movies. We usually go to the Christmas Eve service and then eat and open presents, just the 4 of us. I miss see all of our relatives every year, but we haven’t gotten together for Christmas in quite a while. shopgirl152nykiki(at)yahoo(dot)com
Haven’t read your newest book yet. Books are my favorite things.
Martha J. Sturm
josieringer@gmail.com
Just finished The Christmas Singing. Loved it along with all your other books. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Stacy MacLeish
Please keep writing your books,so appreciate having something to read..
Thanks for posting on how the Amish celebrate Christmas. Lovely to learn about.
I would LOVE to win this book. I LOVE Amish Christmas books. Please enter me Thanks Kim Ralston ralstonsweets@yahoo.com
I would love to win the copy of your book. Please enter me in your contest. I love reading your books. You are a great author.
I would love to win your books. I purchase them all on my kindle.
Oh! Oh! PIck me! Pick me!
kimber.an@yahoo.com
love to win thanks
ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com
Would love to win the contest. Love your books.
God Bless
donnac.taylor@hotmail.com
The Amish lifestyle is interesting. We have recently relocated to an Amish Area. I would love to read the book and try the soap. One of our traditions that our whole family likes is to open jammies on Christmas and make Gingerbread houses and our special Christmas treats
I love reading about the Amish……..
Im so glad you inform us on the amish ways you keep me interested from beginning to end in your books Thank You for being such a talented writer<3
I do so love reading books about the Amish. If I could win this book, I would cherish it dearly.
I am now reading the Apple Ridge books.. about half threw the second book. It very ahrd to put down.
I love ready our books. I would to have an Amish Christmas.
I love your books. Can’t wait to read the next one.
Excited.. Hope I win.. Love reading these books..
Thank you for another great giveaway…..my stock pile of Amish Themed books is dwindling fast!! would love to win!!!
I love your books! I would love to win your book Christmas in Apple Ridge along with the soap. Thank you for offering this wonderful giveaway! Merry Christmas!
Blessings,
Gert
love it
I love your books and look forward to reading Christmas in Apple Ridge. Lee Relent Hicks glhicks69@Yahoo.com
I love your books. I look forward to each book and reading the next adventure. I like how you show the Amidh life. We aw considering doing the Second Christmas this year. I would love to win one of your contests. Merry Christmas
I love your books and would love to win one!! Thank you and Happy holidays!!
I love your books Cindy & would be thrilled to win a copy of Christmas In Apple Ridge
Thank you <3
Merry Christmas to you! Thanks for the chance to win, Pat
I love your books! I love reading about the simplicity of the Amish people but also know that their way of life is much harder because they don’t have all of the modern conveniences. I also love the way they celebrate Christmas with their focus on our Savior and on God. My husband and I decorate outside with a nativity scene and also a big wreath displayed on the front of our house. The birth of Christ is the real meaning of Christmas and that’s what we try to reflect. God Bless You this Christmas Season and in all the years to come with His joy, peace and love. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!
I enjoyed reading about Amish Christmas & Thanksgiving. I read every Amish book I get my hands on. I am looking forward to “Christmas in Apple Ridge”. I just finished reading “The Sound Of Sleighbells “, for the second time. Keep them coming!
Would love to win!
I have read several of our books. I especially enjoy hearing about Christmas and feel having a second Christmas enchanting and quite lovely. I love hearing about Amish customs and wish we had more love and caring like they do.
I have heard the Christmas Day was a more serious day in celebration of Christ’s birth and second Christmas more light-hearted with gift giving, etc. I’d love to win.
Mary Hake
I love the idea of Second Christmas! Thank you for your insight. Merry Christmas.
I would like to be entered in this drawing please. I enjoy your books!
that was very interesting..love reading your books
I love this article I am so blessed to have an Amish friend as well and I thought it was very intersteading about learning about the second holiday . But I am not sure if I like the shortened vacation time!!
How interesting to read about the Amish Christmas traditions!! And yes, I very much like the idea of Second Christmas! A day of rest following the holiday festivities is wonderful. My family and I are missionaries in a country which celebrates Dec 26 as a holiday. It is what I consider the most restlful day of the year when we always rest, relax and just enjoy being together after a very busy season of ministry, eating leftovers from Christmas so there’s not even a lot of cooking.
I loved this post on Amish Thanksgiving & Christmas holidays. I also really enjoyed The Sound of Sleigh Bells and The Christmas Singing. I would love to win a copy of Christmas in Apple Ridge and the homemade soap is a great bonus gift.
I loved reading your stories about the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays spent in the Amish homes. Would love to have a copy of your book, CHRISTMAS in Apple Ridge, and a bar of Kristin’s homemade soaps. THANK YOU
I enjoyed reading about what the Amish do on Thanksgiving and Christmas! I would like to receive Christmas in Apple Ridge and a bar of Kristin’s homemade soap. All your books are great!
Looking forward to this new read! Love Amish stories in general, but Christmas stories are my favorite!!!
This sounds great!! I love learning about Amish traditions!
This sounds great. Making homemade soap sounds like fun. My sister-in-law used to make homemade lemon soap. I love stories about Amish and Christmas.
Loved the article. We all need to simply our holidays, don’t we?
I just love all amish series books. Can’t wait to read this one too.
This sounds wonderful!
I LOVE that you include recipes with your book and can’t wait to try Kristin’s homemade soap recipe. The recipes seem to extend the stories long after I’ve read them. Thanks so much!
Amish series books are my favorite! Wish I could jump into the book and experience their life.
I’m a bit hungry after reading this post, both for the book and for the delicious dessert and dessert-in-the-making.
I would love to have this book, I love reading about the Amish & about their lives.
So glad to read all your news. Hope I am A winner sometime!!
That book looks awesome. I would love to win that! And I am a customer of Kristin and want to shout out that her soap is amazing! Now back to the book, I just got done with my very first Amish themed book and I loved it, now I am hooked! I hope to win this one!
I would love to win this giveaway. Thanks for all the wonderful stories you have given us.
Thank you for telling us how the Amish celebrate Christmas. It really isn’t too different from our own Christian Christmas. Would really like to win these wonderful items.
I would love to win one of your giveaways, Cindy!! With Christmas drawing near, your book would make a wonderful gift!
How special it would be to win Christmas in Apple Ridge as well as soap that Kristin makes. i don’t know her personally, but read her comments on facebook. Thanks for the great opportunity, as well as a great post describing the Amish Christmas traditions. We used to gather as large families, (Dad’s family had 5 and a half dozen children (one set of parents), there were six boys and each had 5 sisters). But since all but one of those siblings has passed on, and the family tree has spread, those gatherings are past. i still miss them.
I am thrilled to read the stories that you write! It is amazing to be able to transport myself into a world of Inspirational fiction that captures the lives of amazing people with real situations that are full of positive motivations. Thanks for giving of your talent to the world.
I love all of your books
I love learning about the Amish through your books! Merry Christmas to you & your family.
One of my favorite family traditions is our Christmas Eve tradition. After the Christmas Eve Service, we go home and change into our pjs. Then we grab blankets and load up in the car to drive around looking at Christmas lights.
Thank you, Cindy, for sharing the Amish traditions with us. It is always a treat to get a glimpse into how they keep their lives simple and centered around family.
I am such a big fan of Cindy Woodsmall and have just about all of her books. I also love reading and learning about Amish and their beliefs and customs. They are such an interesting people. Thank you for sharing! I have never won any books so it would be a blessing to be one of the lucky few to get an autographed copy of one of your books.
My mother, Cheryl, loves reading all the books on the Amish. I would love to win this gift for her! Thank you for the chance!
Thank you for hosting your give aways!!!! Hope you and yours have a blessed holiday season! Merry Christmas! ~ Heidi
I love the information in news letters and love your books. Thank you so much for peek into the lives of these special people. I love their devotion to their convictions.
Thank you so very much.
Thanks for having your contests, love them! I love the amish ways and how simple they live. I am waiting to read this book, it would be great to win. I am about to have surgery in a week and will be down for six weeks so I plan to do lots of reading so winning this would be an added bonus! And as for the soap, that is awesome too! Would love them both!
I love reading Amish Books. I would love to visit Lancaster County, Pennsylvania someday. I would also love to vist an Amish home and talk to some Amish people.
I love the simplicity of the Amish at Thanksgiving and especially Christmas. I love their hearts for Jesus!
We are fairly simple with our decorating, too: Christmas tree, wreath and some lights outside, stockings, ceramic nativity. Because we have 3 kids under 4 and clutter drives me crazy!
I love all the pictures you have posted. My favorite tradition is cooking for everyone and having those special private moments in the kitchen~
I love the pictures of the food you have shown. Personally I like cooking for everyone and having special moments with my family while I am cooking. Those private momennts are most cherished~
Kristin’s soap looks beautiful; somewhat looks like a bar of candy. I was a winner of your Christmas book last year, and I would really enjoy winning again. Thank you for this giveaway. All of the descriptions of Christmas with the Amish help us understand their ways a bit more. Have a blessed Christmas.
Thank you for sharing the Amish traditions with us. They have such a simple Christmas it almost makes mne feel ashamed.
I already won this book, which I totally love, but I would also like to know the recipe for how she makes the soap? Is it included in the published book, or is that part of the raffle? I don’t have my book on me right now.
Thanks!
Shawn
cancillashawn@yahoo.com
P.S. And I would also love to win her soap, too, Lord-willing!
(I don’t mean to enter twice.)
Thanks again!
Shawn
cancillashawn@Yahoo.com
Thank you for sharing the Amish traditions. I find it so very interesting.
I would love to read this book! This is so much fun!! I would share with all of my sisters!
Thank you for offering this contest and also for sharing about the Christmas traditions of Amish families.
I’m looking forward to reading, “Christmas in Apple Ridge” whether I win or not! the soap is a bonus
Christmas in Apple Ridge sounds like a delight to read. I shall see if I win with the soap and then proceed from there. I love “love inspired historical” reading. I have pin pointed Indian Tribes and territories because of this. Thank you for enjoying the Christmas Season with us. God’s Blessings! Patricia
I would love to win this book !
A second Christmas would be great! However, I like the Amish idea of having no decorations to distract them. People today put waaay too much into the frivolities of Christmas and often forget what the “true” meaning of Christmas is. We are supposed to be celebrating Christ’s birth, not lavishing ourselves and homes with decorations and wondering how many gifts we’re going to get. Their isn’t enough emphasis on the true meaning of Christmas anymore.
The Amish do have some wonderful ideas that I would like to follow if I could convince the rest of my family. I have often made some of the recipes I have from some Amish cookbooks in my kitchen and they are so tasty, we love them.
Thanks,
Louise
We have a simple Christmas. Most gifts are handmade. Love Amish soaps. My favor is Mango Butter. Would love a chance to win your wonderful book and Amish soap. Thanks Cindy. LeAnn Mooneyham angel4god@charter.net
Please enter me in the contest. I sure enjoy your books.
This book sounds excellent for this time of year, actually any time it is great to read stories like this. Thank you for the opportunity to win it. whisper97304@yahoo.com
I would love to win, your books are amazing! love them all
Carol Evirs-Quinn
mcaquinn@aol.com
I like the tradition of the Amish celebrating a “Second Christmas” That would sure cut down on the travel so many have to do on Christmas Day!
I love your books. I would love to win it. I would read it and then doante it to the local library since they don’t have it.
Your books are wonderful, love them all. Please enter me in this contest. I would love to win.
I would love a second Christmas! One of our traditions is my town. It has 10 different houses and churches.
Thanks for another give away and a chance to win. I’ll have to try the soap recipe.
We traditionally have 2 family Christmases; one with each side of the family. This year it will be a little sad because my mother passed away this summer. I still have my father and so I am thankful for him and that he can live independently by himself. If I don’t win your book, I will definitely want to get it at some point to read.
It is so relaxing to sit back and read your books. The world would be a better place if everyone lived their family oriented ways.
Oooh, the soap with the oatmeal in it looks wonderful. Thanks Cindy for another opportunity to win. I would love to win Christmas in Apple Ridge as I have the first two books already.
I would love to win a copy of your Christmas book and I would love to try the homemade soap!
I would love to win a copy!!
I love anything Amish, and love to read your books 1
I love your books and read everything I can about the Amish !
Looking forward to reading all about it.
I love their simplicity in Christmas.
Merry Christmas!
I’ve never read any Amish fiction, curious to try it.
Right now Amish fiction is what I am in to .So many authors out there BUT Cindy Woodsmall is one of the best!
I would say that the Amish have the right idea. Few decorations and keeping it focused on Christ, where it should be, is very appealing! In our home, we are minimalists at best when it comes to decorations, and the older I get the less I buy. Plus we’ve never told our children that Santa is real. I could almost be Amish :)
How exciting! Congrats on the book; excellent title! Would love to read it and give some reviews on Amazon and Goodreads, etc…
Would love, love, love to win!
God Bless!
Susan Ferrell
susan828(at)hotmail(dot)com
Love your books. When I read your books like Ada House, Sisters of the Quilt they really helped me see a better way to see/live they were/are inspiring. I hadn’t read in years and someone gave me one of your books and now I can’t stop reading. Thank you for that, hope you never stop using this gift you have. Thank you for the opportunity to get a chance to win one of them. Hope you have a wonderful season.
I would love this book and the soap too. I have been looking to buy it but hey getting it from you would be so much better
Just bought one of your books this past Friday, and bought some of her soaps earlier last month. LOVE both very much! I would love to have another of your books to read, and another bar of Kristin’s great soap!
I would love to read this book, and certainly finally try one of Kristin’s soaps!
I have always been so fascinated by the Amish and their traditions, and I certainly have wanted to try Kristin’s soaps for a long time.
Can’t wait to read it.
Thanks for the opportunity to win the deawing for the books!
Interesting traditions! Thank you
Like reading your blogs and books!
I have always been in awe if the wonderful traditions the Amish have!! The peace and simpleness of their lives is refreshing ! Thank you for the story
I would love to read this book and have a bar of homemade soap. I enjoy reading and this would be a wonderful book to read during December.
I love your books! There really great . I thank you for letting me enter the contest!
Love one of your Christmas books, it’s time to be reading them!
Crossing my fingers!
Love your books!! Thanks for offering the chance to win
I have read all your books, but this one. Please include me in your contest. darpelk@comcast.net
Lovely post and I would love to win this lovely read as well!!
I was actually just wondering about what customs the Amish held around Christmas as far as decorating, etc.
Thank you for the fascinating post & for the chance to win!
Beth
bharbin07[at]gmail[dot]com
A great give away! Would like to win.
By living in a small Amish Community, I attended the Wedding of my neighbor’s daughter on Thanksgiving Day. It was wonderful. We always exchange gifts/baked goods at Christmas. I read nothing but Amish books. Thanks for the opportunity to win. Merry Christmas!
I would love to read one of your books! I especially enjoy faith based stories about the Amish community.
THANKS FOR the give aways looking forward to reading this book!!
Thank you so much! Please enter me in the drawing….Thank you!
Thanks for sharing how the Amish celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas. I have learned so many things from your blog and books.
That is fascinating! I simply can not wait to read Christmas in Apple Ridge. Thanks Kristin!
I would love to win!
Thanks for sharing my 7 yr old daughter just asked me yesterday if Amish people celebrate Thanksgiving. Now I can tell her yes they do and share your article with her.
Wenddie Mikulcik
lovingmy3monkeys@yahoo.com
Ooo Love this ! Cant wait to read and homemade soap Awesome !
My daughter and I love reading your books. thank you so much for the enjoyment of reading them and sharing about the Amish like you do. So looking forward to reading your new book!!
I love everything about Christmas! My immediate family gets together on Christmas Eve to play games or hang out before the big Christmas celebration. it’s so relaxing and fun
Thank you for sharing so much about the Amish culture! I find that I have becomed so enamored with their lifestyle! Your books are so interesting; I have to start reading them ealier in the day because I devour each page and refuse to put it down until the last word has been read. You have been blessed with a gift and I am so happy that you have chosen to share it with the world. I can’t wait to start reading this next series. Have a week filled with joy! Sari
Very interesting about how the Amish celebrate the holidays. Some I knew from reading so much Amish fiction. Other info was new to me. Thanks for sharing.
Oh Cindy! Please pick me!!!! I would love love to have that book!!!!
My email is DayLogan @aol.com
I absolutely love your books!!!
Would love to win a copy of this book.
Would love to have this book!
What a awesome giveaway, I just saw your book at our Walmart, I would love to win! Dawn Searcy
Love your books.
I LOVE ALL THESE BOOKS ABOUT THE AMISH, IFEEL SO PEACEFUL AND BLESSED WHEN I READ THEM.
I would love to win. I love all your books. Abel.barb
@Yahoo.com
I love your books and I also love anything about the Amish
Nothing better than curling up on a cold winters night with one of your novels. Can’t wait to read this one!
I guess we’ve always had 2nd Christmas and sometimes 3rd and 4th because we can’t get all the family together at once. I enjoyed reading about the Amish way of doing things. I didn’t realize they did not have decorations and such. I would love to win the book and soap (The soap looks delicious…might be hard not to eat it if it smells as good as it looks! LOL).
love to win! thanks for being so generous and talented.
I love your books and can’t wait to read this set of 3.
I love to read your books. Pick me.
I like the idea of a second Christmas and we often have a 2nd and 3rd Christmas with going to both sides in addition to having our own Christmas at home. I love the Christmas baking that we do each year and some of my favorite childhood memories are of receiving a plate of homemade German cookies “Kekse” and cakes “Kuchen.”
Cant wait to read this one!
Terri Shea
Terrikem@aol.com
I would love to win this book and the added gift of a bar of homemade soap sounds wonderful.
I love reading about the Amish!
Thank you, Cindy, for sharing with us the traditions of the Amish for Thanksgiving and Christmas. I love that the emphasis is sacred and the gifts and fellowship are made and given out of love to family and friends. I can’t wait to read “Christmas in Apple Ridge.” Your books NEVER disappoint. And I wish you and your family a very merry Christmas. God bless you all.
Oh what a wonderful giveaway. I would love to win. Just think a nice shower with Kristin’s soap and then to snuggle into a comfy chair and start reading Christmas in Apple Ridge.
Hi Cindy~~
What a wonderful blessing and giveaway!! Tis a wonderful way to start the Holiday Season. I am keeping my fingers and toes crossed that I am the lucky recepient!!!
Blessings!!!
Love reading your books. Look forward to your new ones.
I grew up in Amish country (Holmes/Tuscarawas counties, OH) and have Amish aunts uncles, and grandparents. Usually the stuff written about these people is highly incorrect. However, this article didn’t have the usual falacies. Nice reading.
I love reading about the Amish traditions and would love to win!!! Thanks for the giveaway and have a very Merry Christmas!!!
Love your books! I’ve read them all. Need this one for the church library. Hope I win.
Would love to win! Enjoyed your blog about how the Amish celebrate Christmas.
I am so fasinated by the Amish and their ways. I love reading all I can fiction or not. I enjoy putting myself in their place and often go to bed wondering if I could have survived living their ways. Cant wait to read this one even if I dont win I still want to read it!
A wonderful giveaway at this tiime of year…hope i am a lucky winner:) can’t wait to read the book:) thank you.
I love reading stories about the Amish, it makes me feel like im right there with them, so relaxing and joyful.
I really enjoy reading about the Amish and there lives.
I’d love to try the soap and can’t wait to read this book!
Love your books. I have read everything you have written so far. The Amish and their ways interest me.
debbie mosley…….thanksfor the chance at winning this prize.the boks loks to be a good read.
I would love to win this book & then share it with others.
Love reading about the Amish!
Just finished reading The Sound of Sleigh Bells and getting ready to read The Christmas Singing. Love your books
Michelle
4conti@oh.rr.com
I so enjoy escaping into your books, I would love to win your contest.
Hi there. This book sounds great. Cant wait to read it.
I would love to win my own hard copy! I just dowloaded this to my kindle from loan from our library!
would love to have the book and the soap, I have a bar my sister made that is almost gone
Love Famish fiction and love your books! Would love to win.
sharon
mimalou2@Yahoo.com
That was interesting to read about the Amish at Christmas. Would love to win the book, “Christmas in Apple Ridge” and also the homemade soap. I can just barely remember some homemade soap when I was a tiny girl.
I would looovveeee to win this offer….thanks for giving us all the oppurtunity
I would enjoy listening to the caroling.
What wonderful gifts. The book looks like a great read and the soap would be nice with a hot bath. I enjoy reading in a nice bath.
Keeping this open to read later. Would love to win these. Love your writing!
Interesting to learn about the Amish Christmas traditions. Would love to win the book. Please enter me.
pam [at] daysong [dot] com
As always, thank you so much for letting me take a peek into the life the Amish.
How fun to learn more about the Amish and their crafts.
Love to read about the Amish Traditions. So meaningful. Would love to win this book and add to my Amish novels.
I love the idea of no decorations- and focusing on the real reason we celebrate Chritmas (and thanksgiving).
Would love the items. Merry Christmas!
very interesting reading and I’d love to read the book
thanks for offering this, I will share. myfurrykids@verizon.net EMK
Sounds like a wonderful book and giveaway!
Thank you for sharing with us.
Janeen
I have not bought this book yet. Since i am hoping I get it for Christmas. But would love your autograph in it.
I am dying to read this book. I just keep holding off because I was hoping to win an autographed copy! I almost can’t stand to wait much longer. If I haven’t won a copy by Christmas I am for sure going to go buy it!
I think it is better to remember the reason for Christmas without all the decorations and presents, but I also love to see the children wake up on Christmas morning and see what is in their stocking and open their presents. My other favorite thing is getting all the family together for a great meal and just enjoying each others company. Thank you for the info on how they celebrate the holidays.
sounds wonderful
Awesome, would love to read in the bath
Would love to win a copy Christmas in Apple Ridge and some homemade soap.
Lynda
Thanks for sharing this with us. =)
Since we’ve always lived a distance from family we always had a “second” Christmas – though not necessarily on the 26th. Christmas was always spent traveling – I was 53 before ever spending Christmas day in my own home!
Can’t wait to read this book…..I love all your books !!!
I love the idea of no tree or stockings, so many times we put our focus on worldly traditions, and not enough focus on the real meaning of the season. I think we also have a second Christmas its called Christmas Eve. I think they have the right idea. Thanks Cindy for opening my eyes to the way they celebrate vs our ways.
Looking forward to this story, and would love to win it!
I would love to own an autographed copy of this book. I think your work is special.
Would love to win this book & a bar of homemade soap!! Thanks Cindy for the opportunity
I would love to win…thank you for being so generous!
Would love to win
I love the simplicity of it!
The tradition that matters the most for me is being with family AND reading the Christmas Story together. LOVE my family! Looking forward to reading “Christmas in Apple Ridge.”
i would be blessed to win your book..thanks…♥
You are such a talented writer. I love reading your books. They are amazing.
i would be honored to win you book …thanks….♥
I would LOVE a copy of your Book!!
Love this giveaway! I would love to win this
Would LOVE LOVE LOVE to win a copy of your book please !1 Thank you ,Dana
jashbk@earthlink.net
Merry Christmas!!!!
I would love a copy of your book and soap. Amish stories are so inspiring.
I love the idea of Second Christmas. We travel to the in-laws the week after Christmas, so maybe that is our Second Christmas.
Merry Christmas Cindy, love your books!
I would love to win the book and soap. Love your books!!
“Second Christmas” sounds wonderful!
I would luv to win one of your books along with the soap. What a wonderful gift
Can’t wait to read this book! (And smell the soap too!)
(sorry… email is lcenlow (at) sit-co (dot) net)
I can’t wait to read the book.
I love the idea of the second Christmas. I’ve read alot about it in yours (and others) books. My favorite Christmas tradition is riding the horse and buggy through a park lit up with all sorts of Christmas lights with my family. Its a great fundraiser and the kids (now teens) still enjoy it today.
I can’t imagine not having 2 weeks out of school for Christmas!
I would love to win the book & soap. Looks like a great Christmas read.
I would be so happy to win this at Christmastime! Thank you so much. I love your books!
Pick me! I love homemade soaps and can’t wait to read this new book
I love Christmas when things are simple and not so rushed and crazy like it usually is with gifts and all. Simple and thankful Christmas is wonderful
Merry Christmas Cindy.
Would love to win
Thankyou!
I love your books and I am hoping to read this one!
I would love to win one of the giveaways and the soap. I love reading your books and read the new ones as soon as they become available:):) Keep up your writing:)
The Amish Christmas sounds wonderful. Thank you for sharing.
I WANT ONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! PLEASE!!!!!
I have your book, and I would like it to have the new story!!!
Happy Wednesday!
My family tradition growing up was to go around on Christmas Eve and look at Christmas lights. My husbands family had the same tradition. So we decided to carry on the tradition with our two boys. Although they are older, we still go around on Christmas Eve to look at lights. Hopefully our boys will carry on the tradition with their family.
would love to win this MERRY CHRISTMAS !
had to re enter wrong e mail-would love to win in from Oregon morris.jackie49@yahoo.com
Absolutely wonderful!!!! <3
would love to win!! in from Oregon
Absolutely wonderful traditions♥
I am our church librarian and I would love to win this book for our church library as we have a very limited budget – most of our books are donated by persons who love to read.
I like the idea of a second Christmas! I always get so excited for Christmas, that I always feel a little let down once Christmas Day is done, that it’d be nice to have more than one day. I don’t know if this is neccessarily a tradition, but I have always loved that we’ve never gone anywhere on Christmas Day. When I was younger, the “guys” would go out ice fishing & mom and I would stay home and just watch Christmas movies, and now as we’re older, we still just hang out and relax at home. Then for dinner that night, we make homemade pizza
I just love that it’s not rushed and crazy. I like it just being us, relaxing & being together.
I would very much love to be chosen .So I am entering my name,,,,,,,,THX and Merry CHRISTmas
i love hearing about amish traditions..
PICK ME ME ME !!!!! HAPPY HOLIDAYS…… : )
I have never tried home made soap. Hope I win so that I can try it.
Thanks for sharing the Amish Christmas traditions. Very interesting!
I work with the Amish in our area, enjoy reading all the books.
Thanks for sharing Amish traditions. Hope to win.
I would love this book!!
I am getting ready to read “The Christmas Singing”. Would still love this book to read your new addition. Dana Wild
Thanks for sharing. Love your books!
What a treat! A good book and homemade soap. Thanks for giving me a chance to enter to win.
Thanks for sharing about the Amish traditions. Would love to win. Thanks for the chance.
I can’t wait to read this! I’d love to win!
You have wonderful books that keep me watching for the latest! Love em
Thank you for the oppertunity to win one of your books.
marlinford2002 is Linda Ford
I have read this book and I loved it but would love to win
I just put up the Christmas tree today. One of my favorite ornaments is one I made while attending a Christian school of 16 students– all the people who lived in the area were Amish and would sometimes stop by and ask to use the phone.
I love your books!!!
Love all of your stories! Would love to win a book!
i have been
reading about the Amish for many years, and i would feel blessed to win this……
What an informative post! I enjoyed reading about the Amish Holiday Traditions! It sounds as lovely as any!
Please enter me in the give-away. Thanks!
Tammy Neill email is tandtneill {at} hotmail {dot} com
Cindy Thank you for being so interested in your readers opinions. We love your books. And the homemade soap is a awesome compliment to your book giveaway!!
I would love to win…I was just at the bookstore the other day and seen this one and also can’t wait to read the new one from the Vine series!
Such a fun giveaway! The soap sounds wonderful. I’d love to learn more about Second Christmas. How do they celebrate that day?
It just isn’t Christmas unless I have some of my oldest and favorite ornaments on our tree. They’re silly, some of them, especially one from our very first Christmas, which is a little angel doll. She doesn’t have any clothes…but she was cute when I bought her….when my children got old enough to think for themselves they would put her in a little stocking so she wouldn’t be cold! Even now that my kids are grown I love that little angel who has visited us for 37 Christmases now!
Cindy, Thank You for sharing this. I have often wondered how the Amish celebrate Christmas and if they put up a tree. Now I know. I would love to win a copy of your book.Merry Christmas and God Bless You!!!! Angela
My wife would love a copy
A second Christmas would be fun
Still hoping to win a copy! Thanks!
Thank you for this chance
I’m very interested in how the Amish live. And I love the books with storys about their plain life. Over here in Germany we do have a ”zweede Grischtag”, second Christmas. In my family it’s almost the same as it is with the Amish, we visit one side of the family on Christmas Day and the other side on second Christmas.
So I really would love and appreciate very much to win this book with a wonderful Amish Christmas story.
I love your books and would love to win
I love learning about Amish traditions..We live in an Amish Community near Belle Center Ohio and have Amish carolers every year at Christmas…
Would love to win this! Interesting blog post also!
Please enter me in the contest. Lisawilson2011@hotmail.com
A second Christmas would be great. It seems everyone is always trying to split time among all family members!
It would be wonderful to win this! My local library doesn’t have it on order yet and I have been begging them!
Loved reading about how the Amish celebrate Thanksgiving & Christmas… Would love to win! Thanks so much Cindy & Kristin!
One of my favorite writers, thanks for your continued stories and givaways.
Please enter me in your give-a-way. I love reading about the Amish and stories about them. I too hope to visit Lancaster one day soon. Would love to win your book. Thanks
Thanks for the giveaway Cindy. I really enjoy reading Christmas stories and look forward to reading this one. Also enjoy homemade soaps. I usually purchase them at a craft fair I go to, love the scents!
I keep trying I love your books!
Looking forward to hearing from you regarding where to send the book and bar!!!!
would love to read this. Thanks for the chance to win. Just getting together at Christmas is pretty much what we do and the CHRISTmas story is read before gift giving.
joeym11@frontier.com
Thank you for bringing such heart warming stories into my life!!
Ms Cindy,
I have to honestly say, you are my favorite writer. Loveeee the series, Sisters Of The Quilt series. Would love to win this new book
Thank You
Leona Foster
Would love to read the book and use the soap!
I found this blog quite interesting. Learned many new things regarding how the Amish celebrate Christmas. Thank you and enjoy reading your books! You’re a very talented writer.
What a simple way to celebrate the holidays…so many of us get wrapped up in the frenzy and forget just how and what Christmas is all about…Christ was born in a manger…simple….Christmas should be about family and not material things. Would love to have this book for my Christmas readings…Thank you for offering.
Would love to win!
I would love to win your book!!!! My mom and I are hoping to go up to Lancaster and kearn more about the Amish!
I would love to read this nice book.I think the Amish are wonderful,they live a simple,God fearing.beautiful life,
I have always aspired to be more like them and have a more peaceful existence.Thank you for the giveaway.
CharlieGurl57@aol.com
I have been trying to win this book. Maybe this time will be the lucky time? lol!
The Amish have such wonderful holiday traditions! Please enter me in the contest!
Would love to win this book !
I would love to win your book.
Thanks for the chance.
I will share this on FB also!!!!! Thank you!!!!!!
I love love love reading your books! Reading about the Amish and their simplicity…it is my escape frlom reality!! Happy Holidays!!
I love your books as do my daughters…
Have read all the books but the latest one. It would be wonderful to win–sigh! However, I hope all the winners enjoy their winnings. Merry Christmas.
Love to read the christmas books about how amish celebrate christmas its too commercialized for me anymore. Love all the woman and men who write fiction stories about the amish.
Would LOVE to win this book!
Love the books. Have read many but need to get latest. Its good to have good moral stories to read and take us away to a new place entering a new world. Thank you for using your talent for our benefit.
Always interesting to read of the Christmas celebrations of others. I do love the festive decorations all around but would happily do without the blatant commercialism.
What a beautiful header on this site. So peaceful
I would love to win,Enter me!!
Thanks for the giveaway and God Bless!!
Sarah Richmond
sarahrichmond.12@gmail.com
Love your Books and would love,love to win your new Book.I have the other two but cann’t get this one by itself.Thanks. God Bless….The soap sounds great…
Would love to be entered! Thanks Cindy and Kristin!
I woud love to read this book and getting to try the lovely soap. thank you:)
How wonderful. I would love to have a yummy soap bath while reading your book!! Thanks for the opportunity!!
It’s so interesting to learn how others celebrate the holidays!
I love reading all your books and excited to read Christmas in Apple Ridge.
Love homemade soap!
I love all of your books Cindy and am so excited to read “Christmas in Apple Ridge” and would to have some homemade soap!
I really enjoy reading how the Amish celebrate the different holidays. I would love to read “Christmas in Apple Ridge”
plhouton(at)bellsouth(dot)net
I would LOVE to win any of your Books, You are such a wonderful Author and I thank you for supplying us with good books to read !! God Bless you and Merry Christmas
Would be wonderful to win this book and the homemade soap!! Thanks for making it possible!
Another wonderful giveaway. Would be so happy to add this book to my collection. Please enter me. And, the soaps are an added bonus. Thank you.
I loved this post. Thank you for sharing.
oh, would love to win this wonderful giveaway thanks
ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com
What a wonderful was to celebrate our Lord’s birth! Growing up, our family spent many days with extended family, but this is so great to concentrate on the most precious reason for having Christmas. Thank you for the information on the Amish families.
Great contest. The soaps sound delightful!
I love the idea of second christmas. the holidays should be a time of getting together with family.In the english world people have gotten so far away from the real meaning of christmas. Fancy decorations and expensive gifts. I would rather cook and bake with friends and family. I would be happier with a gift that someone took the time to make rather than spend a lot of money on. We all need to be more like the Amish in everything we do. Just one more reason I wish I’d been born Amish. I love reading about their way of life and would love to win the book and soap. That would be the most wonderful christmas gift!
I enjoyed reading about how the Amish celebrate the 2 holidays. I would love to win.
Thank you for this post about Amish and the holidays! The holidays without all the “commercialism” are much more meaningful. I wish we all could do more of what the Amish do. Blessings to you this season.
Mary
marydevey2@verizon.net
I do enjoy reading about Amish traditions,thank you for sharing with us. I would love to receive your book. dogene@embarqmail.com
Cindy:
When I was reading your descriptions of Amish Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations, it reminded me of my senior year in college when my friend and I spent our American Thanksgiving holiday in Pincher Creek, Alberta, Canada with the Hutterites. Of course, they weren’t celebrating our holiday but I certainly learned a lot about the concept of community and how important that is in one’s life. As I have grown older (61) I have become extremely grateful for the time I spent with the Hutterites during my college years. This is why I enjoy your books so much.
I would love to win some homemade soap and a copy of your book. I am,however, perfectly happy knowing that more of your books are forthcoming.
deaconchristina@yahoo.com
I think a simple Christmas would be absolutely wonderful – we have just gone crazy as a society with Christmas and all the other holidays.
aleashinn@gmail.com
Would love to be entered into contest. When I was poor, everything about our Christmas was simple and I’m not Amish but it did not take away from our feeling of the season. Now people are too commercial and expect so much. Christmas was special to me because my one Grandmother who did live with us would come with special pies and cookies.
jrs362 at hotmail dot com
I have always wanted to make soap. It is probably a great deal of work, but the idea of doing it has always fascinated me!
Thanks for your contest!
Becky
ischu9@aol.com
I love the idea of Second Christmas! In fact, many times, our family does this…because of our large family too. We don’t all open gifts at once, we take turns one package at a time from the youngest to the oldest of our 8 children. Now with one married, we did an early Christmas with them so they could see their siblings open their simple gifts. I think Christmas is too commercialized…so simple ways are refreshing, but enjoy sitting by a lit tree with other lights off, soaking in the wonder of our Jesus’s birth!
I would be very, very excited to receive/win your book and friend’s soap. Thank-you for running this giveaway.
sharon wileygreen1@yahoo.com
Really enjoyed this post, some of these things I knew, most Idid not. Gives me some ideas to think about as we only put one Christmas decoration. It’s a Christmas cross with white lights. The tree is made out of an old fake tree my husband found in the trash. LOL. I think we’ll string our Christmas cards up this year and I know the perfect spot. Thanks for the great giveaway too. Blessings, Susan Fryman susanngarrylee@yahoo.com
A second Christmas sounds good to me.
The Christmas they have sure includes family and home cooking. Now a days families go out to eat. Not as close.
Would like to win this book and try the soap.
Thanks,
Carolyn
carolynj63@att.net
A second Christmas sounds lovely! Our family [2 grown children with families] comes together every other Christmas and at New Years on alternate years where we enjoy each others company, a large turkey dinner, lots of goodies we all bring, games, puzzles sometimes, lots of chatter, a walk in the downtown park, lots of snacking, a favourite punch, stockings, gift giving, grandparents, aunt/uncles/cousins sometimes, Christmas music and church .We’ve been known to have a cake for Baby Jesus….and to tour the lights!
I would love to win your latest book and homemade soaps!!!
I really enjoy reading your books. Would love to win your book and soap. Thank you!
Would love to win your book, and the soap too! Thanks for the giveaways!
Thank you for a chance to be selected in your giveaway. And thank you for providing information on how the Amish celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas. It is very enlighting to know their way of life and morals. I just love curling up in bed with a wonderful amish related book, I thoroughly enjoy them. I havent found a bad one yet. Thanks again.
Hi Cindy,
Thank you for the opportunity to win one of your books, and soap, too! I just finished reading “When the Heart Cries.” My mother gave me the series over Thankgiving and said that I just have to read them, I am so glad that she did. Thank you for sharing your stories, I am looking forward to reading more!
Laura Bergman
Wow, I can’t believe another chance to win one of your books, and soap too. Thank you for giving me this opportunity.
May God Bless you and be with you,
Deborah Feavel
First of all, the photos of the food looks yummy! Can I get a copy of the recipe’s for the cookies and breads? Also, thinking about the soaps, that is truly generous, and I am keeping my fingers crossed that I can win the book AND the soap. Enjoy your holiday and thanks for sharing! Virginia Bishop LovingUnity@gmail.com
I would like to win a bar of Kristin’s soap as well as your book Christmas in Apple Ridge.I think having a second Christmas is a good ideal.Some of the family can’t come on Christmas day, because their little one wants to stay home and play with their toys.
Cindy, Your giveaways are the best! Just like your books. Thanks for the opportunity to win!
Hi Cindy,
You have such fun giveaways!
I love your books best of all the Amish culture authors!
Thanks for a chance to win your book, and a bar of Kristin’s soap. I will check out her website.
Blessings!
Pat in New Hampshire
I’d love to try that soap and read this book! Happy holidays!
I would love to win a copy of your book Christmas in Apple Ridge as well as a bar of Kristin’s soap. I’m definitely checking out her website!
Thank-you for this giveaway!
Blessings!
Judy
sweetpea.judy(at)yahoo(dot)com
Oh how lovely! I would love to win a bar of Kristin’s soap and the book. Second Christmas sounds like a great idea as it is often hard with having two big meals in one day for many….so spreading the fun and food would be a smart idea! thanks for sharing the Amish Christmas celebrations….I think they have the right idea on simplicity but I do love going to church at Christmas! and I love my nativity scenes.
Was Just rereading one of your books on my flight today. Would love a new book to read and I love homemade soap.
I’m really enjoying your blog and I just love your books! Your contests are wonderful too. Thank you.
I would love to win “Christmas in Apple Ridge’ and the homemade soap. Thank you.
What a beautiful sharing of the Amish traditions! My family has passed away leaving only memories of Christmases past. I still try to carry on those traditions of holiday foods like my mother’s corn bread dressing, gingerbread cookies, putting up a tree even if it is just for me and my faithful feline friend, Rascal. Each year I hang a photo ornament of my mom, dad and only brother on the tree so that they, too, are remembered every moment of this beautiful remembrance of Christ’s birth.
Your books are wonderful! It would be a true blessing to win this book…
I love your books, and am looking forward to the new story in this colllection. It would be a real blessing to win!
I would love to win Christmas in Apple Ridge and a homemade bar of soap.
Thank you for this information about Christmas and Thanksgiving. I’m in agreement with the Amish, I prefer simple and family oriented activities. Your story sounds wonderful and I’ve considered learning how to make soap. Have a blessed Day and a wonderful Christmas.
HM at HVC dot RR dot COM
Cindy, I cherish all of the Amish fiction books that I read and hold each of yours dear to my heart. I was so blessed when I first learned of you and waited patiently on your first book. When my daughter and I met you at a book signing in Nashville, TN…that just sealed my love and appreciation for you. I would love to win a copy of your new book and a bar of soap too! Thank you so much for blessing others through your obedience to the Lord by using the gift he has blessed you with. God Bless You and your family during this Christmas season.
Sandra
I love the way the Amish celebrate Christmas. They always remember the true meaning of the season and spend a lot of time with family and community.
I cannot wait to read this book! Thank you for the contest!
I would love to win this.I love your books and I love homemade things.I have been wanting this book.Thanks so much for the chance to win it.jackie_tessnair@yahoo.com
I Imagine the cooking and baking they do is just amazing for Christmas – thank you for the information
I would like to enter the contest. I love reading Amish fiction!
Iris Hampton