5th Day of Christmas Giveaway…with Melanie Chitwood
Published December 4, 2009Hi and welcome to the 5th Day of Christmas in our special series. If you are just joining us in our 12 Days of Giveaway goodies, click here to get caught up. You can enter to win the prizes on any of the 12 posts until midnight EST on Sunday, December 13th.
The fifth day of Christmas is fitting for us to host this particular Proverbs 31 sister of mine since she is known for writing and speaking on marriage—(Get it? F-I-V-E gold-en rings……!!!) Melanie Chitwood is a true gem…I’m talkin’ a huge, glorious, sparking gem embedded in one of those five golden rings. She is calming, caring, prayerful and the type of person whose very presence is a gift. I just love her smooth, soothing, southern voice. (as opposed to my Midwestern-talks-so-fast-listening-to-her-is-like-taking-a-drink-from-a-firehose voice!) Just being around Melanie makes my heart rate slow down and my worries melt away. Oh….and as you can see, she is stinkin’ cute too–with a family of males to match! So today…..meet my friend Melanie, in her own words:
Welcome and thanks for visiting! I’m Melanie Chitwood. I live in Charlotte, North Carolina, with my husband Scott and two sons Zachary and Tyler. We are co-owners of a new business, Carolina Courts, an indoor basketball/volleyball facility. Our lives revolve around basketball. I often think of myself as a Barbie doll girl in a basketball world.
I’ve been speaking and writing for Proverbs 31 Ministries for three years. It is so much fun to serve with the team of Proverbs ladies, both speakers and staff. We provide each other encouragement, accountability, laughter, courage and inspiration in this journey of following Jesus with all our hearts.
I’ve written two marriage books, What a Husband Needs from His Wife, and What a Wife Needs from Her Husband (due out January 2010). In both of these books I ask wives and husbands to examine their hearts to see if they’ve truly surrendered their marriages to God. Only when we’ve had a heart change will our lives really be transformed. And believe me – I needed a heart-change!
I don’t think of myself as a likely person to write marriage books because Scott and I have had – and still have– many challenges in our marriage. But what I do offer is honesty, biblical truths, practical ideas and real-life victories as Scott and I have surrendered our marriage to God. My favorite part of each book is the Bible study at the end. I’d love for you to visit my blog, Melaniechitwood.com where I share bits of everyday life and marriage tips on Marriage Mondays.
Now, for our interview:
Melanie, how do you intentionally focus on Christ in the midst of all the flurry of activities that happen in December?
We are just getting in to the thick of basketball season for both sons and Scott is getting super busy with basketball leagues at our business, so we are going here, there, and everywhere. I’ve realized at the Christmas season that we need to be really purposeful about what we say “yes” and “no” to. We’ve realized that for us it’s okay not to go to every event, and that we don’t have to incorporate every single tradition each year.
We ask each person in the family what’s important to them at Christmas time. The boys like to be home on Christmas morning, so that means if we travel, we’ll do that before or after Christmas day. I love reading portions of the Christmas story from the Bible several days a week leading up to Christmas day. As far as traditions, I love a live Christmas tree and going to Christmas Eve service, and Scott… well this year, as a new business owner, Scott just hopes to get some extra sleep! So we really just keep it simple.
What is your most treasured Christmas memory from your days growing up?
My mom and granny, who spent every Christmas with us, made Christmas a magical and fun time. Stockings were always a favorite part of our Christmas mornings. Everyone’s stockings would be completely stuffed with silly and special items. Granny tucked money into the toe of the stocking. Mom always found something funny to include, such as an embarrassingly awkward photograph or she’d write out a funny memory. Stockings are one tradition that I’ve carried over to my own family.
And what Christmas has been your most memorable one as an adult?
Two Christmases stand out. The first one I was in my twenties. One year toward the end of her life, my granny had to be in the hospital on Christmas day. We didn’t want Granny to be alone on Christmas, but we all wanted to be a part of the Christmas morning fun. I volunteered to be with her at the hospital that day. I got up really early, drove about an hour away to the hospital, and I was sitting right by her side when she opened her eyes that morning. I still treasure her sweet smile when she first saw me. While I was growing up, Granny was a place of safety, security and peace. So really, what I thought would feel like a sacrifice, turned out to be a gift to me. It felt so good to do something for this special person who had loved me unconditionally all my life.
The other memorable Christmas was last year. Our business was about to open in January, and we had been crazy busy the previous year preparing for it. The only Christmas decoration we put up was our tree. Christmas morning we opened gifts – and we really kept that simple. Then we went to see the movie Marley and Me, where Scott and I made spectacles of ourselves sobbing because we have two labs and we probably just needed a cathartic release because of all the stress that year. After that we went to Carolina Courts. Scott and I painted the baseboards and the boys shot hoops. We were all completely happy just being together.
You are offering a great giveaway today to one of our cyber sisters. Can you tell us about it?
I’m giving away a $20 Target gift card because just about all a girl really needs can be found at Target. Merry Christmas!
Thanks for the chat, Melanie!
Okay gals, here is the scoop…..leave a comment answering this simple question: Since Melanie mentioned that her granny made Christmas extra special for her, is there anyone in your life who created fond holiday memories for you in your past? Let us know! Or, again, if you are busy, (you know, rushing off to the Christmas pageant or attempting to hit a store sale before they run out of an advertised item), just declare, “I’m in!” You’ll be entered!
And, don’t forget to hop on this site over the weekend. Days 6 and 7 will take place on Saturday and Sunday. More gals to meet and gifts to win!!! Happy weekend everyone!
Golden-moment Blessings.
108 Responses to 5th Day of Christmas Giveaway…with Melanie Chitwood
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I’m in and looking forward to your new books, Melanie. Thanks for sharing with us today. I plan on logging onto your blog Monday morning for Marriage Mondays.
Your Granny sounds like she was such a special person. I too had a wonderful Granny so when I was reading about yours, I had a huge smile on my face thinking about mine and just how special she made not only Christmastime but all of the times that we spent together. So thanks for the granny moment.
Merry Christmas!! ~ Leanna
My dad always made Christmas a special time…going shopping on Christmas Eve. He was a firm believer in waiting until the last minute and it was always an adventure to shop with him. Of course, I try very hard as an adult to finish my shopping before Christmas Eve, but our family will stop by the mall sometime that day to “watch” everyone else.
Merry Christmas! ~Phyllis
I look forward to Melanie’s book too! Have a great weekend everyone!
I love the way my Gram makes balish and potato candy.
Sounds silly to some but shortly after I became a Christian in my early twenties, the Lord blessed me with a beautiful nativity set. As I set it up on the wicker chest serving as a coffee table in my little apartment, I sang Christmas carols and worshiped this wonderful Savior who rescued me from myself. As I knelt there, I was overwhelmed with gratitude for Him. Now years later, married with 4 children, I still want to sing out in praise to Him every time I set it up.
Thank you for sharing your granny moment. What a wonderful blessing you both were to each other and now to us!
Gathering with my mom’s side of the family on Christmas Eve is one of my favorite memories from childhood.
I’m in!!
Thanks girls for the devotions and give aways.
I’m in! I LOVE TARGET!
My grandma always created special memories with us, and not just at Christmas. My grandma used to drive 30 minutes, across Charlotte, to pick us up and take us to church. Such a special person in my life to continually guide me to Christ. She is also the grandma that I went shopping at 4 a.m. for those after-Thanksgiving sales, and also the grandma who rode the Amtrak train to Raleigh to visit me when I attended NCSU. She went to class with me and everything! So fun.
She now has severe Alzheimer’s, so those special moments don’t really come often now.
Enjoying my granny’s boiled custard at Christmas is one of my favorite Christmas memories. And sitting around the Christmas tree at my grandparents with my extended family – it just doesn’t get any better!
I’m in!
My mom always made Christmas such a special time. One year we had literally no money for extras. (my dad was going through medical school) So, mom took all of the presents from our relatives and stacked them so they looked like a tree. She made homemade decorations with my construction paper and gliter. She took old clothes she didn’t wear anymore and sewed little ornaments that we scotch taped to the tree! When I woke up on Christmas morning the room looked awesome!!!! As a little girl, it looked like the fanciest house ever!
My mother had 8 kids, but she really went out of her way to make each Christmas very special! She spents hours upon hours in the kitchen making goodies for all of my older brothers and sisters when they returned home. She would keep them in the foyer of our house in Iowa since it was a cold place. (It was also a great place to sneak and grab a few little treats every day!)
Merry Christmas!
Lynn
My Mom would turn on Gladys Knight and I would fall asleep in front of the fireplace….Need I say more?
I’m in!
My parents always made Christmas super special…Christmas Eve we would have a family dinner, open one present (always new pajamas) and then attend a candlelit service at church – the entire family left at midnight feeling the true meaning of Christmas. Christmas morning was a flurry of gifts; but mom taught us to be thankful for what we received.
What a wonderful time of year.
I love that my mom handed down to us the wooden nativity set that I remember from growing up. It’s rugged enough for kids to arrange and rearrange, although one of the animals did lose a leg many years ago, and needs to be propped up. Imperfect, but still beautiful and meaningful.
My Grandmama & Papa hold special memories in my heart at Christmas. Each year we would drive to their house on Christmas day to spend time with our family. My Grandmama passed away 5 years ago 5 days before Christmas. Each year I remember the special times that we shared.
My grandma made Christmas so very, very special. Since she’s been in Heaven a little over a year now, we continue to pass on her traditions: singing Christmas songs with the piano, baking Christmas cookies. I miss her but I am thankful for the precious memories.
I loved the story about spending Christmas morning with your grandma. I loved my grandma dearly too. She used to do ceramic painting in her later years and made many beautiful things. A few years ago my mom gave me a nativity set she painted. It is gorgeous and such a wonderful reminder of her. She died 5 years ago so it is especially special to me now and holds a place of honor in our home.
This is just so much fun. Thank you for sharing your memories and life with us. My Grandma Baker was very special to me. She had so much patience with me (taught me how to knit) and always had time for us.
My grandma made each Christmas special. My memories with her are very precious to me. She would patiently show us how to make cutout cookies and decorate them with her homemade frosting.
I’m in—:)
Your books sound intriguing. Will have to check them out!
My kids and husband are what makes Christmas special to me. I always dreamed of having my own family and now that God has provided me with that I love being with them and making Christmas special for them.
I’m in.
Look forward to your books. My husband and I need them now more than ever.
Love Targets too
Wow!!!! This post today just brought a flood of memories rushing back. I didn’t have one particular person that made Christmas special. But I have OH so many memories from both sets of grandparents and my parents.
Thanks for the walk down memory lane!
We used to go to my Gran’s house each year when I was young. In the middle of Christmas dinner, someone would ask for the rolls to be passed. Gran would shout, “Oh!” and jump from her chair, running to the kitchen. She always forget the rolls in the oven, and they always burned. Inevitably, it happened every year. We all tried different ways to help remind her, but in the chaos and excitement of the day we were always distracted….until we were eating of course. She passed many years ago now, but I’d sure love one of Gran’s burnt rolls again!
I’m in!
My mom used to host a Christmas party each year on Christmas eve for all of her family and friends. She loved to cook and entertained. Sometimes, we would see people that we only connected with at that party on Christmas eve.
I’m in.
Thank you and nice to get to know you Melanie.
my mother always lite a candle on christmas eve, to light the way for the christ child. even to this day i light a candle and have a quite pray time of what has pass and my hopes of the next year. growth in the lord!
I don’t have one person – it’s two: my parents. Each Christmas eve we’d get all dressed up, go to the Christmas eve service at church, and then come home to heavy snacks and cookies. If we knew of anyone without a place to go, we’d invite them over, too. We’d tear the bread for the stuffing together, and Dad would clean the turkey (he’d usually stick his hand in there and make it do a dance at some point). Then we’d all chop fruit for fruit salad and get our Christmas PJs on. We’d snuggle up with Dad and he’d read a book about a little lost angel to us, and they’d send us off to bed. Christmas day with its presents and a full house was always fun, but I think this was my favorite part. I’m now married with two children of my own, and we still do most of this now.
The last 10 years I have spent Christmas with my in-laws. My father-in-law has made Christmas very memorable for me. He always makes a love gift each year for some one in the family. One year he handcrafted a new podium for my classroom. I always think of him when I teach. He also always wears the same green-checked shirt and red sweater vest each year. It is so fun to see him spread his love for Christmas to the whole family!
Hi Ladies – this is melanie. Just want to say thank you to Karen, for hosting, and thank you ladies for stopping by. I’m having so much fun reading your memeories!
My grandma made Christmas special for me and my sisters. My dad often tells me how when my sisters and I were growing up we didn’t have much money so my grandma would by our Christmas gifts that were givn to us. I remember cutting out and baking sugar cookies with her. She’s 83 although I cant tell and I feel blessed to still have her around. Since I’m not working at the moment prayerfully I’ll get to go see her in a couple of weeks.
Thanks you again for helping me treasure what’s so special about this season. My grandma was a huge inspiration in my life. Probably the sweetest and most joyful person I have even known, and truly one who loved her sweet Savior. After spending Christmas Eve with Dad’s family, early Christmas morning with my family and brunch with my mom’s family, we’d head over to the “Family” home where my grandma grew up. We’d hear the Christmas story and sing carols. “Santa” would arrive on his way back to the North Pole with one last gift for the kids and a few of the adults, too. Lots of laughter and great memories.
there were lots of special people in my life and great Christmas memories. Gramma and Grampa would come to our house, we would have dinner then go to 6:00 church. THen back to our house to open presents. It was fun to be with them, the years they had to go to our cousins were lonely. Gramma also made the best cookies and fudge.
Merry Christmas, I love Target, and also want to check out your books, and mariage Monday.
My Mom always made sure that we were able to make special Christmas cookies. We decorated them with different colored frostings, cinnamon hearts and little candies. We had so much fun doing the cookies together and then eating them! Memories…
My brother always made Christmas special. He is older than me and slightly mentally retarded. Every Christmas morning I could count on him to wake up early with me and sneak downstairs to where our stockings hung. Even now that he’s past 50, I still see the sparkle in his eyes at Christmas time.
My Gramma Louise always made Christmas special. She was a server and loved making people feel special. This will be my first Christmas without her in my 33 years of life, because she passed away in March. She would decorate to the hilt, bake everyone’s favorites and dote on each of us. She was so full of love and will be missed this year.
I’m in. Great getting to know a little about Melanie!
My grandmother died suddenly of heart failure this week and we had the funeral yesterday. She was 95 – almost 96 – and never lost any of her mental capacity. It was such a blessing to have her that long especially since she was in relatively good health and could get around and do almost everything for herself. I have many Christmas memories of her of course but I will always remember her coming into our home and saying “WhooHoo” on Christmas morning to announce that she was there. My sisters and brother and I say “WhooHoo” when we go into each other’s homes and smile and know who started it all.
I’m in
I too was close to my grandmother and have fond memories of times spent with her and spending the holidays with all our extended family at her house.
My parents always worked hard to give us a good Christmas. We never had much money so gifts were few, but the fun and laughter always abounded!!
I’m in
I’m in! Love your devotions, they bless me.
Lots of people have made Christmas special. Since in another post on another topic, I mentioned my grandmother…this time, I’ll mention my dad, who fashioned a Cabbage Patch with braces on her teeth because that is what I really wanted…even though they didn’t make one. He even put it back in the box…I didn’t know about his altering until much later.
I’m in.
I’m In
I’M In!!!
I love Melanie’s Marriage Monday posts. Thanks so much.
Kim
I’m in!
Hello Karen and Melanie,
My Aunt Barb was one who used to make lovely Christmas memorys for us kids, they would come down to our house almost every Christmas when we were kids she was my moms sister. My cousins and we would have a great time she would always make peanut butter balls and cookies, she was really into making it fun for us kids and its something i will never forget. God bless you:)
That is a hard one to answer. I guess it would have to be my mother-in-law.
I’d have to say my Nanny – she always spent what little she had on making sure we got special gifts and no one could beat her special holiday meals.
Basketball is a way of life for us in the Big Blue Nation! I hope and pray that your new business adventure is a great big slam dunk!!
My Gran has always made Christmas so special. Not just Christmas though, she makes family time throughout the year a priority. Thanks for the giveaway, hope to win
I’m in
My mother always made Christmas special for our family.
I’m in
I’m in!
I’m in.
My kids make Christmas special for me.
As I have mentioned in several of the other posts…my Granny was the best!!! She made anytime with her special!
Terry
http://pink-itsmorethanjustacolor.blogspot.com/
I’m in.
When I was a child, my Grandpa McLamb made Christmas special. He would listen to me tell stories about Santa and he was so dear.
My children make memories special for me. Now that they are grown, it hasn’t stopped. Just this past week Melissa, one of my twins, dropped by. She is like a child looking at gifts and the tree, but she made a funny memory for me. I had bought a new tree and it was white. She put her hand on her hip and said, “Mom, this just won’t do. I’m sorry but you have to take it back.” You see, traditions still count with them. We had fun getting out the old ornaments and making the new tree feel like home.
Im in!!
My mother created such fond memories for Christmas. The holidays just don’t feel the same since she’s been gone.
I’m in…
I’m in!
My grandma used to sew gifts for the girls. We had PJ’s and pillow cases. I always loved those homemade gifts.
I’m IN!!!!
I’m in.
im in
My mom. She sacrifices every year and does things for everyone she can. I miss being around her at the holidays. We used to bake an unbelievable amount of cookies, too!
Julie =)
I don’t have a particular person that made Christmas special, but I have lots of wonderful memories. I remember early, early on Christmas morning we (my 4 brothers, 1 sister and myself) would get up and sneak into the living room to take a peek at the gifts under the tree. Then we all went back to bed until it was time to get up.
My parents definitely made Christmas so special and memorable each year. Now that I’m grown and married with a child of my own, they still play a big part in keeping some of those same Christmas traditions going for our son to enjoy!
I’m in!
One of my favorite memories is cooking with my Nana. She taught me how to gift wrap and bake. We began about 8 years ago cooking our families traditional Christmas Eve dinner together so that I would learn how to make it as well as her so that I could carry on the tradition for another generation. These are some of my favorite memories
Right now, it would have to be my two precious babies that the Lord gave me!
Prayers and blessings,
Rebecca
my mom continues to make Christmas a special time for our family
I have also had to learn to say ‘yes,’ and ‘no’ to activities this year. With so much going on, it is very easy to lose focus of the birth of Christ.
I’m in!
My mother always made Christmas special. Actually, she made everything in life special. She passed away when I was 18 – thank God for those 18 years! She use to make crafts for all our aunts, baked and baked and baked, decorated or home inside and out (and won the neighborhood decorating contest) and and made sure we got everything on our Santa list! Thank you for asking (and allow me to relive my childhood joy!).
last year our sweet baby girl got married 12 days before Christmas in our back yard! God blessed us with a beautiful December day & many precious friends/family to enjoy it with!
Without hesitation…my mom and dad! They still, at 84 years of age, add that touch of special to Christmas. They always hold back one gift for each of us, and when all the other presents have been opened, something extra special appears. It may not be an expensive item, but it’s from the heart and carries such meaning. This Christmas will be extra precious as we celebrate with them after Dad has been in the hospital for 8 months. An answer to prayer that he is home. Thank You Lord. That’s our best gift this year.
Please do not enter me in today’s draw as we do not have Target stores here. Thanks.
Blessings,
Joy
I’m in.
I’m in!
I’m in!!
I’m in!
My parents made Christmas very special for us for as long as I can remember. Now as a mother I attempt to do the same for my precious boys.
My Grandma Whitsitt made Christmas special. She really made everyday spent with her special. She was the best. I still miss her.
my mom always woke us up when the clock strikes 12:01 on Christmas morning! that’s when we have our Christmas “dinner” – hot cocoa, spaghetti and bbq. weird combo but that’s what made it something we all looked forward to.
i’m in!
Hand made stockings from a family friend.
We moved around when I was growing up – A LOT. We always seemed to make it to my Grandmas for Christmas. She was one of those people who loved unconditionally – it was so good to be at her house.
I’m in