Thursday 13

13 Things I LOVE about Christmas and Holiday Season

1. Buying the perfect gifts for everyone on my list. I make notes throughout the year of things people just happen to mention that they want or need.

2. Wrapping presents. Just the other day as I was wrapping gifts, I told Jason that I always thought it'd be fun to be a professional gift wrapper! (ha!) Growing up, it seems as though there was an unspoken competition to see who could be the most creative in wrapping their gifts. It was always a lot of fun to see all the crazy things that everyone would come up with. One year, my mom wrapped our gifts and put them under the tree with numbers as opposed to our names. It drove us C-R-A-Z-Y!!! She didn't tell us the code until Christmas morning. (It was something like odd numbers 1-50 were Stephen's. Even numbers 1-50 were John's. Odd numbers 50-100 were mine and even numbers 50-100 were Sarah's.)

3. Tradition. We had tons of little family traditions that have carried over into my own family. Growing up, we would get to open 1 gift up on Christmas Eve night and then on Christmas morning we would get up REALLY early (like 4 or 5 am usually thanks to me, the early riser) and wake my parents. My parents would line us all up with our eyes closed and hands on the shoulders of the person in front of us. They'd guide us out to the living room and spin us around and then place us in front of our display of gifts. We'd then sing "Happy Birthday" to Jesus (eyes still closed) and on the count of 3 open our eyes to see our gifts. We'd oooh and aaah some and then we'd sit down take turns opening our gifts that were wrapped under the tree all while enjoying our traditional Christmas breakfast...which brings me to the next thing.

4. Baking. It's no secret that I love to be in the kitchen baking and cooking. There are particular recipes in our family that is a must have every year. We each have our favorite and since there are so many of us, that leads to lots and lots of baking....and eating :)

5. Decorating. Although I don't have NEARLY as many Christmas decorations as my mom does, I've inherited her love of Christmas decorating. My mom decks her house out to the max...not like the Griswolds or anything...but you definitely know it's Christmas season when you go to her house. She probably has 10 nativity scenes! This year I got to decorate my tree twice...and I helped my mom decorate hers. We like to have lots and lots and lots of ornaments and lights. The more, the merrier :)

6. Family time. A little less than 2 years ago, Jason and I (with Noah in tow and Kendall in utero) decided to make the cross country move from South Carolina to Oklahoma just to be near family. Family is important to us and we are so blessed to not just spend Christmas day with them but to be near them throughout the year. A holiday is just not the same when you're not surrounded by family.

7. I love Christmas music. What other holiday has it's own genre of music?! There is something about playing Christmas songs that get you in the best mood and energize you! My mom has this CD that she played every Christmas morning when we were being led into the living room blindly. Every time I hear the beginning of the 1st song on that, 'O, come. O come O come. Come together at Christmas...." my body is overcome with excitement of what is to come!

8. Shopping. I really don't do a lot of shopping throughout the rest of the year...at least not as much as I'd like! So, when I have a list of people to buy for, I have a justified reason to shop! Plus, there is something so exciting about getting out in the hustle and bustle and looking for the perfect gift that is the perfect price. It gives you such a sense of accomplishment when you find it!

9. Christmas movies. Some of my favorites include White Christmas, Miracle on 34th Street, and Elf. What's better than a good ole predictable, happy ending, feel-good holiday movie? Life sure isn't like that. So, it's nice to escape for a short time and pretend that all is right and good in the world!

10. Cold weather. I actually enjoy the cold weather. I love sipping on a big cup of hot chocolate getting a marshmallow mustache and bundling up in a warm blanket. I love to sleep at night with my windows cracked open so the crisp, cold air seeps into my room and makes my bed feel warmer and cozier. And even though getting the kids all bundled up can be a pain, it is all so worth it to see their chubby cheeks squishing out of their hats and their fat lil hands crammed in some mittens and their normal range of motion restricted by their big warm coats.

11. Vacation. Even though I do not have a job outside of my home, (believe me, I DO work;) it is always nice when Jason gets a few days off and provides me with some relief parenting :) This is one of the few Christmases that we've not had to travel. So, it will be nice to have some vacation where we'll actually be able to relax and enjoy our family.

12. Parties. There are always lots of Christmas parties and festivities to attend. Even though I don't attend or throw many, it's the idea that I love. I've always wanted to entertain, but just haven't stepped out of my comfort zone to do so yet.

13. Christmas Lights. Some may classify this as part of decorating...and it is. BUT I love to not only put lights up on my house, I love to drive around to look at all the lights. Growing up, this was a special treat and I still enjoy it today.