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Sucker For Santa’s Cute Face
8
Dec
10
Lori G Armstrong Icon

Ah, the holiday season is upon us and all the extra joys — the family time, the music, the food, the decorating, the Christmas cards, the school programs, the classic TV programs, the shopping, the cooking, the last minute shopping, the insane deadlines…

Insane deadlines the last couple years mean my shopping is almost exclusively online, and if not, then it’s always last minute, which also means…I am a retail store’s wet dream. Why? Impulse buying. Doesn’t matter if I stopped in a store strictly for laundry detergent, invariably I end up with at least one thing that will not make my life:  a) easier b) better c) happier d) more productive. This seems to be a worse problem for me around the holidays. I don’t know if it’s because I’m in more stores this time of year, or what, but it’s already started.

Case in point: did I really need to buy the bag of red and green holiday corn chips? Or the chocolate peppermint flavored coffee creamer? Or the paper towels with Christmas designs?

No, but I did.

Sucka.

And there is always that “one thing” that I have to buy this time of year, just because I buy it every year.

What’s my embarrassing must have?

A 12 pack of Coca-Cola. You know, those classic red and white cans with Santa’s smiling face on it.

I usually don’t drink regular (non-diet) soda, but this time of year, I see that cardboard box emblazoned with Jolly Old St. Nick’s cute face — and I find myself smiling, feeling nostalgic (we *always* have Santa Coke around the holidays!) and popping it in the cart, humming that old tune… I want to teach the world to sing, dammit! In perfect harmony!

So, big, little, cheap or expensive, what is your yearly embarrassing holiday must have?

And since NO MERCY released in mass market paperback last week (check out the gorgeous cover in the side bar!) I’m giving away copies to lucky commenters — you know the drill MSW’ers, the more comments, the more Christmas cheer I’ll feel impelled to spread and the more copies I’ll give away. (Santa Coke not included in this offer!)

© 2010 – 2011, Lori G. Armstrong. All rights reserved.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, December 8th, 2010 at 3:42 am and is filed under Lori G Armstrong. Tags: . You can feed this entry. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

Lori G. Armstrong left the firearms industry in 2000. Her first mystery novel, BLOOD TIES, published in 2005, was nominated in 2006 for a Shamus Award for Best First Novel by the Private Eye Writers of America. The second book in the Julie Collins mystery series, HALLOWED GROUND, released Nov. 2006, was nominated for a 2007 Shamus Award for Best Paperback Original, a Daphne du Maurier Award and won the 2007 WILLA Cather Literary Award for Best Original Softcover Fiction. SHALLOW GRAVE, released in Nov. 2007, was nominated for a 2008 High Plains Book Award, a Daphne du Maurier Award and was a finalist for the 2008 WILLA Cather Literary Award. The fourth book, SNOW BLIND, released in Oct. 2008, won the 2009 Shamus Award, from the Private Eye Writers of America, for Best Paperback Original. Lori is a proud fourth generation South Dakotan and lives in Rapid City with her family.

120 comments to “Sucker For Santa’s Cute Face”

  1. 1

    Lori, I can’t think of anything specific, but i do tend to shop at Trader Joe’s more during the holiday season. Like last night, I found these yummy, dark chocolate covered shortbread stars w/sprinkles, yummy.

    then there was this huge chocolate peppermint cupcake cake…

    by Karin Tabke aka Harlow December 8th, 2010 at 4:26 am
  2. 2

    lol i buiy the coke for the same reason and the new ordiment bottles for the same reason anddddd teh finaly embarassing thing every year i pop in he santa earacers and pencils in to the cart

    by Beverly G December 8th, 2010 at 4:51 am
  3. 3

    Oh, that’s easy. Julmust! Coca-Cola is frothing at their mouths, because from November until New Year everyone buys Julmust. :D

    by Mikaela December 8th, 2010 at 5:24 am
  4. 4

    coca cola fan here. I love those cans too. They make me feel Christmasy like nothing else can.

    Lisa B

    by Lisa B December 8th, 2010 at 6:08 am
  5. 5

    nothing specific, although my 8 yr old does ask for (and receive) the williams sonoma peppermint bark. she has great taste in junk food!!!

    by kris December 8th, 2010 at 7:39 am
  6. 6

    This year–kids wanted those advent calendars with the pieces of chocolate behind each door.

    by Catherine December 8th, 2010 at 7:48 am
  7. 7

    i usually get a majority of my shopping done early so that I make sure I get the “must have” items on the list. But in the end I always end up getting a ton of extras. My guilty pleasure is the Little Debbie’s Christmas Trees. They’re really bad for you, but remind me of High School. My friends and I used to eat those cakes every day at lunch.

    by Cindy December 8th, 2010 at 8:14 am
    • 7.1

      The Christmas cherry cordial Little Debbie snack cakes are yummy too. My youngest has the small snack cakes right now, and I love how the frosting is slightly salty.

      by Lori Armstrong December 8th, 2010 at 8:51 am
  8. 8

    [...] Sucker For Santa’s Cute Face Blog at Murder She Writes [...]

    by Lori Armstrong » Blog Archive » Holiday Must-Haves — and a chance to win NO MERCY! December 8th, 2010 at 8:16 am
  9. 9

    I must buy a box of Clementines. Some of my American friends didn’t know what they were so they are like little oranges/tangerines.
    Anyhow, the min they go on sale, I buy a box. (they come in little crates).
    And I eat maybe 6 until the box goes bad and then I toss them. And then I buy another box. LOL I do this every year but I gotta have them and they only go on sale at Christmas.

    by MichelleKCanada December 8th, 2010 at 8:39 am
    • 9.1

      I buy them, because they’re so cute and fragrant…and no one eats them, so I’m thinking of turning them into pomanders this year — dotting them with cloves and putting them in a big bowl on the coffee table.

      by Lori Armstrong December 8th, 2010 at 8:52 am
  10. 10

    I enjoy indulging in special treats, like shortbread cookies and the chocolate goodies.

    by diane December 8th, 2010 at 9:03 am
  11. 11

    I also have to keep multiple boxes of Christmas treats laying around and I use the excuse that it is Christmas and a must have in order to cheat on my diet….lol

    by michelle Smith December 8th, 2010 at 9:05 am
  12. 12

    I am such a sucker for those things also. I really know that Christmas is upon me when I see those Santa cokes. That is when I need to get my ass in gear and start shopping. Also I am patiently awaiting the release og No Mercy. Happy Holidays

    by Lisa December 8th, 2010 at 9:06 am
  13. 13

    I have to buy m&m’s. Red & green, peanut & plain. I love them. Love them! I also really like those little Debbie Christmas trees, they’re so yummy!!

    by Teresa December 8th, 2010 at 9:12 am
    • 13.1

      Theresa I haven’t bought those this year yet, because they last about a day in my house. I figure if I buy a bag or 10 when the college girls get home next week, I won’t eat nearly as many handfuls of M&MS

      by Lori Armstrong December 8th, 2010 at 10:27 am
  14. 14

    I get my son the Advent calendar every year (the ones with the chocolates in).. The last few years he has been picking the one with Santa on the front handing out gifts to the kids (how can you pass that up). We also make peanut butter balls and leave them out to snack on through out December (small indulgences) :)

    by Shelly December 8th, 2010 at 9:35 am
  15. 15

    Dang. Now I have the Coke song stuck in my head. =op

    Holiday must-haves for me are Queen Anne chocolate covered cherries. (Did you know they have cordial blueberries this year? Those dirty dogs.) My mother loves those cherries and Dad would buy them for her every year, so now it’s ingrained in my tradition. Of course, it helps that I love them, too.

    by B.E. Sanderson December 8th, 2010 at 9:37 am
  16. 16

    I love Santa coke and the cover of No Mercy. We do Little Debbies trees on Sunday evening when we do Advent Wreath and I’m a sucker for Hersheys Cocoa Fudge, the recipe on the box and peppermint bark. Then of course, there is the hard cinnamon candy you make and break into peices, tastes like and old fashioned Fire Stick.

    by Carol Shenold December 8th, 2010 at 10:02 am
  17. 17

    I chuckle when you start to sing The Coke cola song, I admit even when it not xmas I sing that song too. It drive my niece nut when I sing it to her LOL !….

    I also admit, I too buy the coke cola can with Santa in it too. Another yearly embarrassing must have is candy cane or the peppermint barks candy.

    by Julia - Yen December 8th, 2010 at 10:06 am
  18. 18

    We always have to buy chocolate covered cherries. My daughters love them and I usually buy them each a box and put it under the tree. Of course we have extra too. It’s the only time of year we eat them.

    by Linda Henderson December 8th, 2010 at 10:06 am
  19. 19

    Lori,

    I always buy that holiday stuff too. I am a sucker for those ornament bottles of coke. I also only drink diet and end up giving them away after the season but they are just too cute to not have around. BTW…love the coke cans, lol!

    by Leagh December 8th, 2010 at 10:15 am
  20. 20

    Congratulations, Lori!

    I have no idea why, but I am a sucker for holiday socks. You know those ones in the dollar aisle at Target? They get me every time.

    by Laura Griffin December 8th, 2010 at 10:20 am
  21. 21

    We always have two things –
    Terry’s -Orange Chocolate Ball and
    Laura Secords -Fruit Flavoured Slices.
    Damn … now I want to go shopping and I hate going to the mall. ((sigh)) At least Laura Secord is beside a mall entrance ;D

    by Michele December 8th, 2010 at 10:34 am
  22. 22

    Ok…so what do I not need, but just have to buy, anything that has something Christmas on it. You know when you walk into Target and they got all that stuff that is only a $1.00, I always end up with half of that stuff in my cart, for some reason or another, but basically because in my head I think since it is only $1.00, I just will find something to do with it. Know how many seasonal socks I have, how about a whole drawer full, and do I wear them, of course. Today I am actually wearing Halloween socks, since they sort of match my outfit. I think I do need help with this.

    by Season December 8th, 2010 at 10:50 am
  23. 23

    I can’t think of any one thing I really want at the holidays. In general, I eat more sweets and desserts.

    by Anne December 8th, 2010 at 12:04 pm
  24. 24

    Every year I am seduced into buying various Seasonal Holiday baking mixes and creamers. Brand doesn’t matter. For the life of me, I don’t know why I feel so compelled to do so.

    by Little Lamb Lost December 8th, 2010 at 12:05 pm
  25. 25

    The one thing I MUST buy every Christmas season are the little Christmas tree nougat candies. You know the ones, chewy, red and white striped on the edges, and a green christmas tree shape in the center? Oh yes. My mom would always buy them at Christmas time for the family, and now I do too.

    But now they’ve come out with “mint” ones that have a green tint to them. I bought a bag, just to try them… it’s like chewing on a mouthful of Lifesaver mints, eek!

    by Morning Glow December 8th, 2010 at 12:12 pm
    • 25.1

      I like those mint “straws” alot, my family doesn’t so I don’t buy them anymore.

      My mom likes that old fashioned candy ribbon mix, with the jelly filled hard candy. Ugh. That’s another thing I haven’t passed on to my kids.

      by Lori Armstrong December 8th, 2010 at 2:05 pm
  26. 26

    I totally guilty of buying the holiday garb. Paper Towels, Plates, those reese peanut butter cups shaped like Christmas trees but the thing I stock up on at Christmas time are those red and green mint M&M’s I love those so much, back in college my roommate and I would stock up throw some in the freezer and then break them out all year long! It was so much fun! :)

    by Miranda December 8th, 2010 at 12:37 pm
  27. 27

    Christmas is my excuse to bake. That’s the only thing I can think of right now.

    Love those Santa Cans!

    by Jen Lyon December 8th, 2010 at 12:44 pm
  28. 28

    I make gingerbread cookies! I buy tacky stuff for the yard. I want people to see my house from space !

    by Sharon S. December 8th, 2010 at 1:05 pm
  29. 29

    I love the Coke Santas too! I also buy the ball shaped bottles with the santa on them as well!!! Have a great week!!

    by Ella A December 8th, 2010 at 1:11 pm
  30. 30

    I make (and eat) lots more shortbread than I should.

    by chey December 8th, 2010 at 1:31 pm
  31. 31

    I love the big tins of popcorn this time of year and invariably drag at least 2 of them home! I also use Christmas holidays as an excuse to bake and eat lots of cookies!

    by Sharla L December 8th, 2010 at 2:20 pm
    • 31.1

      Sharla, it’s been a while since I’ve bought or received any of those popcorn tins…mmm…cheesecorn.

      by Lori Armstrong December 8th, 2010 at 2:59 pm
      • 31.1.1

        I love the cheese and caramel sections…the butter not so much!

        My elderly aunt passed away this summer and my sister and I received the majority of her belongings…including a couple of cases of Christmas paper towels and napkins along with ornaments from the 1960s that she never opened or used! It has made for an interesting holiday season in our households!

        by Sharla L December 8th, 2010 at 3:22 pm
  32. 32

    The Christmas bags of M&Ms. And Hersey Kisses. They jump into my basket the moment my back is turned! And egg nog. I’m the only one in the family who drinks it. Last year, I didn’t even open the carton. *blush* I picked up one today. And made myself put it back. I’ll just have to commiserate with the chocolate.

    Oh, we have a mechanical Santa based on one of the Coke Santas–the one with the little dog and he’s *sssshhhin* as he drinks the bottle of Coke. My dogs hate it. We turn him on when they aren’t looking. And then freak. There’s nothing like 200 pounds of dogs having conniptions. ;)

    Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, everyone!

    by Silver James December 8th, 2010 at 2:28 pm
    • 32.1

      Silver, come to my house, we love egg nog! When the girls were home we bought 2 cartons and mixed it with rum and had a good old time.

      My husband also makes egg nog shakes with the leftovers. They are soooo yummy!

      by Lori Armstrong December 8th, 2010 at 3:00 pm
  33. 33

    All great Christmas items! I have a thing for Santas and silver wrapping paper. I can’t stop myself from shopping for them every year. Even the year I was sick and was suppose to stay in bed…the internet is a magical thing! Ahh…happy memories. Congrats on the paperback edition coming out. I read the book in hardcover and it is great. Been telling everyone I know to read it. I am so stoked that the second one is on the way!

    by Jen B. December 8th, 2010 at 2:29 pm
  34. 34

    We always get orange slices candy and mixed nuts in the shell every year.

    by CrystalGB December 8th, 2010 at 2:32 pm
  35. 35

    Mine is the Reeses Peanut Butter cups that are shaped like Christmas Trees. I can’t go into a Target Store without grabbing a packet of those. They seem to me to be even better than regular Reeses Peanut Butter cups, even though I know they are the same thing….just shaped like a Christmas tree. (They also come out in Easter egg shapes at Easter time and I can’t resist those either).

    Happy Holidays to you! Enjoy your Santa Claus Coca Cola!

    by Linda McDonald December 8th, 2010 at 2:52 pm
    • 35.1

      It’s sort of sucks how they trick us, doesn’t it Linda? Colored holiday M&Ms are the same as regular ones, but I feel compelled to buy them at Easter time too, in those pretty pastel versions :(

      by Lori Armstrong December 8th, 2010 at 3:03 pm
  36. 36

    We always have to get a box Hershey’s Pot of Gold. There are always certain chocolates that are left over because nobody likes that particular filling or flavor.

    by Jane December 8th, 2010 at 4:25 pm
  37. 37

    Santa coke is cool. However I am a complete sucker for snowmen. I will buy a cute snowman anything. Luckly I manage to give a lot of them as gifts. If I know you odds are youve gotten one.

    by Donna S December 8th, 2010 at 5:03 pm
  38. 38

    My must-buy for myself every year for Christmas is the Peppermint candies at Williams-Sonoma. ummmm, good.

    by JackieW December 8th, 2010 at 5:27 pm
  39. 39

    Love the cover of your new book! I love the coke cans also but I have to buy my husband Chocolate covered cherries every year at christmas. Then I also make some home made candies to indulge in.

    by Quilt Lady December 8th, 2010 at 5:42 pm
  40. 40

    Must have the tins of Danish butter cookies every year. My husband doesn’t think it’s Christmas until we get some of them.

    by Jill James December 8th, 2010 at 5:49 pm
  41. 41

    Red and green York Peppermint Patties! Yum!

    by Estella December 8th, 2010 at 6:09 pm
  42. 42

    Eggnog! I love the stuff and get it every Christmas time; in fact I should have picked it up last weekend but got sidetracked so didn’t. That’s OK though I’ll get it next weekend.

    by Diane Sadler December 8th, 2010 at 7:28 pm
  43. 43

    I love the Coco-Cola xmas ads on tv especially with the polar bears! So cute. I love the can designs too. I also love peppermint patties and xmas tree peanut butter cups from reeces. Yummy!

    by Elisa V December 8th, 2010 at 8:15 pm
  44. 44

    I used to buy myself a long sleeved Sweatshirt, that had pockets on both sides, but I can’t find them anymore.
    I also like to buy the orange flavoered Chocolate balls, but they are hard to find too. I’m a sucker for Frosted Christmas cookies, altho I don’t bake them, have to buy them and I love homemade Chex mix, but I have a lady make it for me too. Lots and Lots of favorites. Too many to count!

    by Tiss December 8th, 2010 at 10:28 pm
  45. 45

    I only drink Coke Zero but I just love the Santa can. I’ll have to look for them up here. Karen

    by Karen December 8th, 2010 at 11:14 pm
  46. 46

    I get suckered in by the M&M and the peppermint bark. Also, anything that has penguins in Santa hat is my downfall.

    I also get suckered into my mom’s holiday baking extravaganza. Some years it’s just cookies: nutmeg, chocolate chip, Mexican wedding cakes. Other times it’s cakes: spice, almond pound, mini New York cheesecakes. Fortunately we haven’t gotten into my grandma’s candy recipes with the exception of the carmel corn.

    Ah well, I look forward to having kids one day an passing on the baking insanity :)

    by savonna December 9th, 2010 at 12:47 am
  47. 47

    I always get some Little Debbie gingerbread men snack cakes, peppermint bark, I will by a bunch of Cello chocolate covered cherries my favorite kind of them and I will buy just about any book that is Christmas themed. I love to buy Christmas music.

    by Sherry S. December 9th, 2010 at 3:04 am
  48. 48

    well for me, it’s things for my (nearly-grown) kids. the “early elf” brought the big one a straw that goes in the drink at one end, then twists to make a pair of glasses, around to the part you drink out of. hilarious but not really necessary. and the little one got a purse shaped like a dachsund. :)

    by sophie littlefield December 9th, 2010 at 10:39 am
  49. 49

    I love the holiday M & M’s which reminds me that I have to buy some. Congratulations on the paperback edition of NO MERCY!

    by Maureen December 9th, 2010 at 4:33 pm
  50. 50

    A must have for me is peppermint bark, sooo yummy!

    by Jeanette Juan December 9th, 2010 at 11:41 pm
  51. 51

    I’m a sucker for ornaments, especially the personalized ornaments you can buy off personalcreations.com or any dough ornaments. I usually order any 3 ornaments that represents my kids, or dogs, or a family one. When we moved from Washington to California, that first Christmas I ordered an ornament in the shape of california with 5 heads with santa hats on and each of our names on the hats with the year on the bottom. Love that ornament. I have so many ornaments, it’s ridiculous actually. Not just from one’s I’ve bought, but ones that were given to me by my mom and grandma. Those are special to me. I don’t believe in fancy decorations for my tree, the tackier the better and the more chaos on my tree the better. My kids have fun every year taking out all the ornaments and putting them on the tree with each of them smiling and laughing about how they remember this ornament or the story or reason we bought this one, it warms my heart. Usually they clump everything together in the front and I’m scared the tree is going to fall forward form all the weight. I usually go back when they are sleeping and try to even it all out.

    by Jolene Allcock December 11th, 2010 at 12:20 pm