This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of New England Coffee. All opinions are 100% mine.
Driving through our neighborhood on a warm winter's eve, the houses twinkle and shine with freshly hung holiday lights. Jolly, fat St Nicholas waves from someone's lawn and a glittering mailbox opens and shuts revealing an over-sized letter to the North Pole. Evergreen Christmas trees - and very similar-looking plastic ones - shine like beacons through windows as I drive by. From the twinkling lights to the ringing of Salvation Army bells outside stores, Christmas is slowly but surely making it's arrival around the country! I spent last Christmas in New York City, and it was my first "authentic winter experience" as an adult. Now that I am sitting here in Miami in December...I really understand what I am missing.
2016 has been a very long year for me. One filled with a roller coaster of emotions, from a divorce, to health scares, and deaths. As the holidays draw near I can't help but to dwell on them. Recently my grandmother - my "Mamaw," Elaine passed away. I was blessed to grow up with both sets of grandparents alive, and two great-grandmothers as well. Not many can say the same, and I loved my my paternal grandmother. So much so, that I packed my bags and moved to North Carolina with her the day I turned 18. To say that I learned a lot from her as we sat on the porch beneath the stars that month was an understatement. She was the one who pushed me to make the hard choices in life. At her memorial service Saturday, someone called her feisty. I've been called the same. I never realized how much of an impact she made on my entire life.
I miss her but it also makes me realize that that is what life - and especially the holidays - are all about. They're about spending time with extraordinary people. People who affect your life in small and big ways. People who pick you up when "it" hits the fan. People who show up when it matters. The holidays are a perfect time for getting together with the extraordinary people in our lives, and what better way to connect than over a cup of New England Coffee?
New England Coffee just came out with their winter seasonal flavored coffees – Eggnog, Gingerbread Cookie and Mocha Mint. They're perfect for the festive feelings that have been creeping in.
New England Coffee Shop varieties are available in 11-ounce bags and are made with 100% Arabica coffee beans, from mild light roasts and full-flavored medium roasts to intense dark roasts. You can also get them in K-Cup pods so you can enjoy the consistently smooth, delicious flavor of New England Coffee no matter how you brew.
When I lived with my grandmother we spent a lot of time sitting on her front porch. Every morning I soaked up her wisdom and feisty attitude over a cup of coffee - she's actually the reason I drink it today. I began with those hot cups of joe on the backporch in North Carolina before we went to work each morning, then fell in love with Iced Coffees as an adult.
How do you plan to celebrate the holidays with the extraordinary people in your life? Let us know and you could win a Keurig Single Cup Coffee Brewer with a selection of New England Coffee Shop products! You'll find the giveaway at the end of this post. Don't forget to visit the #YouAreExtraordinary gallery to see what other extraordinary people are up to! Check out their Facebook page too and follow them on Instagram.
This year, I plan on spending it with other extraordinary people in my life: my family, my daughter, and close friends!
Enter to Win!
One winner will receive a Keurig Coffee Brewer, a selection of New England Coffee bagged and single serve K-Cup products, and a My K-Cup Reusable Coffee Filter.
To enter, simply answer in a comment below:
How are you planning on celebrating the holiday season with the extraordinary people in your life?
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. A PURCHASE OR PAYMENT OF ANY KIND WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. One winner, chosen at random from all eligible entries received, will receive a Keurig Single Cup Coffee Brewer, a selection of New England Coffee bagged and K-Cup products, and a My K-Cup® Reusable Coffee Filter ($178.43 value), and will be announced on or about 10 days after end of entry period. Entrants may enter within 21 days of this post going live. Must be a resident of one of the 48 contiguous United States (excl. PR, HI, AK) and the age of majority in his or her jurisdiction at time of entry. Odds of winning depend on number of eligible entries received. Sweepstakes is sponsored by New England Coffee.
Sarah
My siblings and I are all flying in to visit my parents. We'll host brunch together and take my parents out!
Ashley Keinath
I am planning on having a big party with all the people I love and we will enjoy good food and laughter together!
mami2jcn
We're staying home and having a ham dinner.
AlexisB
I will be spending Christmas with my family and my husband's family. We do Christmas Eve at his dad's and Christmas Day at our house with my family.
Annette
My family has a big meal that includes seafood gumbo and friends drop over for a bowl.
Amanda Morris
I plan on watching christmas movies and getting in some snuggle time with my family this holiday season.
Elena
I am going to celebrate with my family by having a nice dinner
Audrey McClelland
Coffee plays a big role in all of our family gatherings, especially for the holidays. My Keurig gets a hard core workout.
Kelly D
We are going to my parent's house to enjoy a holiday dinner with them.
Brian Dwyre
That's an eventful year indeed and sorry to hear about your grandma. Anyway, Christmas is right around the corner, maybe you'd like to see this Kidioke sing-along music playing story book, great for kids and as a present.
Robin G.
After such a tough 2016, I hope your 2017 brings joy, happiness, laughter, and good coffee! Enjoy the holidays and enjoy not having to shovel snow in Miami 😉
Kim Croisant
The name alone sounds good to me. Maybe I'll find some in Texas so I can try it.
Cathi Crismon
Oh Jenn... As a grandmother, I loved reading your life experiences and love for your grandparents. So often youth today regard "older" people as not really knowing what's going on in life or the world. They forget or don't realize that we've been around the block more than once and have a lifetime of experiences both good and bad.
While my husband and I aren't coffee drinkers, our home is filled with the pleasant coffee aroma right now. Our son and his family are living with us for a while while he renovates their new house. He and his sweet wife are huge coffee fans. I know they would love the New England Egg Nog flavor!
Leah
I am so sorry for your loss Jenn.
For the holidays we are celebrating this Sunday (18th) with my side and then we usually lay low on christmas eve and just watch movies with the kids and play board games. we celebrate with my inlaws on Christmas Day and the day after! It's so much fun!
Linda C
I'm flying to Savannah to visit friends!
Tracy Cancro
Great post, I love how you pulled your love for writing, your love for your family and everything that is you into this post. I am driving to NYC to spend time with family and then driving to Chicaho to spend time with more family and then driving home. Hopefully fully stuffed with lots of holiday goodies and filled with love. Miss you, let us have a cup of coffee one of these days!
Leiha
I'm going to be spending it with my family. I had originally planned on being in Florida but decided that it was more important to come home to WA and spend it with those I love.
Julie P.
We usually spend the holidays with family and friends, however, we just moved across country away from our loved ones. So, we’ll be celebrating this holiday season by making new memories together in San Francisco!
Angela Saver
I am planning on celebrating the holiday season with my family, cooking & baking, and just spending quality time watching Netflix & movies together!
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