Growing up, there was a stark dichotomy between my brother and me, in adherence to Christmas self-discipline. Basically, he spent every waking minute trying to find out what was inside his gifts and I didn’t even touch them, for fear I’d spoil my surprises. This should shock nobody who had seen our behavior in the pizza place video arcade, where he would borrow against his next allowance in order to play more games, and I would pocket my quarters and pass on Donkey Kong. I mean, you’re eventually going to lose your quarter people. It’s a sure thing.
Mom, are you sure we’re really related?
My mom used to say that James would be wound tight as a spring at the holidays, getting more and more excited throughout December until it seemed like he’d explode. By the time he was 7 or 8 and I was about 10, he would start waking up for Christmas at 1am, constantly coming in my room to discuss (in quivering excitement) what was under the tree.
On one particular Christmas, it was our fondest wish to receive a VHS player (a.k.a. VCR) from our folks. I think we’d both figured out Santa for a fraud at that point. Well, James was hopping from foot to foot by 1 a.m., anticipating all the times he’d be watching Raiders of the Lost Ark and Superman. I mean, it was a pretty amazing technology. Next stop: cable TV. So at 4 a.m. he says he’s going to break house rules and sneak downstairs to peek.
“Don’t do it. Just wait.”
“Why not? I’m going.”
“Fine. Go. But you better not tell me what’s down there. I want it to be a surprise.”
“Okay!”
He disappeared and I settled back in my bed and stared at the ceiling, trying not to wish too hard for that elusive home entertainment revolution we could possibly be about to experience.
James came running back up in less than a minute and shouted, “WE GOT A VCR!”
Well.
I guess Christmas just can’t be picture perfect, except in Lifetime network movies. In recognition of the holiday that so many of us simultaneously treasure and dread, Jen from People I Want to Punch in the Throat has published a book of reminiscences to keep you laughing ruefully at whatever goes wrong.
And believe me. Stuff goes wrong.
Just get the book. Oh…WAIT! (cue angels singing…on your VCR if you have one!)
Guess what?
Nineteen of your favorite mom humor bloggers had a meeting and we all agreed. There’s a brand new book that we think you NEED to read this holiday season. The title says it all.
Spending The Holidays With People I Want To Punch In The Throat is a heartwarming (yes, really!) collection of hilarious holiday-themed personal stories and observations written by none other than Jen of the well-known blog People I Want To Punch In The Throat.
If the holidays have you stressing about gift giving, cookie decorating, or where in the world to put your Elf on the Shelf, then you need to take a mommy time out and read a chapter or two. But don’t take our word for it – check out the reviews!
And now you can have a chance to peruse the pages for free. Consider it our holiday gift to you. We are teaming up to give away 19 copies of the book. All you have to do is enter the giveaway using the Rafflecopter form below for your chance to win an AUTOGRAPHED copy!
Jen generously donated an autographed copy to every blogger participating in this giveaway so that we could increase your chances to win. You can enter using the Rafflecopter below. This giveaway is open to US residents only.
“But wait, that’s not all!” we say in our best Price is Right announcer voice. We couldn’t get a bunch of tech-savvy moms together for a book giveaway and not bring you an eReader, right? So we are also giving away a Kindle Fire!
NINETEEN winners will receive a copy of Spending The Holidays With People I Want To Punch In The Throat and ONE lucky Grand Prize winner will receive a Kindle Fire! What are you waiting for? Get clicking!