Happy Sunday!
I’m linking up with Fabulous in First because Michelle is having a linky party that asks me questions which means I get to talk about myself and so, of course, I just had to join.
1. When do you decorate?
We usually decorate Thanksgiving weekend . . . but since we were in the Dominican Republic this year (and, by the way, it doesn’t even feel like we were ever there, it feels like it was just a dream and not real at all) we started decorating last weekend and kept going this weekend.
I am all for things happening when they are supposed to so I can’t stand when there are Christmas decorations in the stores in October before we’ve even had Halloween.
STOP RUSHING MY LIFE, I say to no one in particular when I am standing in the aisle of a store that dares to do that.
2. Elf or no elf?
No elf. Here’s why:
(source)
Plus, I have no kids.
And, at school, I just don’t have one because of the reason above. But I am interested in the Kindness Elves and think I might go that route next year.
3. Christmas Cookies or No Baking for You?
Absolutely Christmas Cookies!!!! Tis the season to put on your winter coat, is what I always say.
I baked cookies last weekend (Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter) and yesterday (Chocolate Chip Toffee). Steve kept saying I need a Kitchen Aid Mixer so that it would be easier and faster for me . . . and I said I was fine, I don’t need one, at least not right now, it’s fine.
But then I got a feeling . . . you know, a feeling. And I said, “Please do not buy me a Kitchen Aid Mixer for Christmas, under any circumstances, that is not what I want, don’t do it, that’s like getting a vacuum cleaner for me, I do not want a mixer for Christmas.”
He then asked our neighbor if she had a Kitchen Aid Mixer and she said yes, it’s the best thing ever, and they use it all the time, even for pizza dough, and that he should get me one for Christmas.
True story.
4. Favorite Holiday Tradition
I love spending Christmas Eve with Steve’s family every year. We have a huge Mexican feast and I’ve been a part of this now for twenty-something years since we were dating. We also always go to church.
Christmas Day is always at my mom’s. I love going over there and snacking on chips and dip and See’s candy while we wait for Christmas dinner. Recently, we’ve been wearing pajamas all day on Christmas and that is fast becoming my new favorite tradition.
When we were little, whoever was the first one up (I have two sisters and one brother) had to go wake up all of the others and none of us were allowed downstairs until we all went together at the same time. And, more often than not, we all slept in the same room together in sleeping bags on Christmas Eve. I loved that.
Not too long ago, Steve and I said we need to put Murphie in the car, go to Starbucks for a yummy hot drink, and then go look at Christmas lights. We will probably bring some cookies with us. We said we need to make it a tradition.
🙂
5. Favorite Christmas Movie?
I’ve mentioned these before.
The Holiday
Love Actually
Elf
Christmas Vacation
And you know you have to have The Christmas Story playing in the background all day on Christmas Day. We do.
You’ll shoot your eye out, kid!
6. Snow or No Snow?
Well, seeing as how I live in California, I don’t get snow for Christmas. But when I was growing up in Oklahoma, I loved snow for Christmas.
I love that it’s been raining and cold (for Cali, anyway) because it feels more like Christmas. I know the rest of the country is laughing at us when we wear our Uggs and scarves and beanies and put the heater on and stomp our feet to keep warm when the temperature is 60 degrees.
It is freezing, I’m telling you.
You have to blow on your hands and everything!
7. Favorite Christmas Song
I love love love The First Noel. It is absolutely my favorite Christmas carol.
But I also love Mary, Did You Know? (it is my nephew’s favorite) and The Little Drummer Boy (it is my brother’s favorite) and I love that country one where the little boy goes to buy shoes for his mom and he doesn’t have the money and it is so sad that it makes you cry . . . A good cry is always good at Christmas, don’t you think?
Right?
No?
8. Favorite Gifts to Give and Get
Well . . . all of my nieces and nephews love cash.
It’s a lot of work on my end. First, I have to go to the store and buy something so that I can get cash back.
And then I have to wrap it up.
It’s hard work. But they’re worth it.
I love to get my (school) kids books.
I love to get my parents something they would never buy for themselves (last year we did a spa day for my mom).
And that’s about the extent of my gift giving. Our family is really small and we keep it simple. We’d rather spend time together and do something than exchange gifts.
Steve and I don’t exchange gifts. We just buy what we want when we want it so we wake up Christmas morning and have coffee and cinnamon rolls together. I grew up having cinnamon rolls on Christmas morning so I had to carry that over into my own house.
As far as what I want for Christmas . . . it’s pretty easy. I need Kerry to visit. And she is. 🙂 And I need my whole family together.
So . . . there you go!
If you want to link up with Michelle, head here:
Here's to not getting a mixer for Christmas. Love your post. Thanks for linking up!
I'm with you on the Elf thing. Creepy!! Question though–what do you tell kids who have one at their house, & other teachers have one & "Why don't we have one?" & "Are they even real?" Oh my, oh my!!
I live in San Diego…no snow for sure. But you're right..it has been a little chilly and it rained Friday and will rain this Tuesday & Wednesday!! Yippee!
Stephanie
Tales of Teaching in Heels
Just one question? Are you blowing on your hands to cool them off or warm them up? Just kidding we don't hit sixty after August usually until May.
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I had to laugh when I read about how you and your sibs HAD to sleep in the same room and go downstairs TOGETHER on Christmas Eve/morning. We did that too! I thought we were the only ones and that it made us strange. 🙂