I’m not sure I could sum up Christmas Day in one word. It was definitely a rollercoaster but I must say that our first year hosting Christmas (albeit with a small crowd) was a success.
Christmas started at 7:30am when my mom and I exchanged stockings and then gifts. We spoil each other every Christmas, but since it’s the only time of the year we do so, it works for us. I think I did all right in the gift-giving department with her. Among the many gifts were a new armband for her iPod (to replace her old one that still has blood on it from her accident, despite washing it.), tons of clothes, and a new Vera Bradley bag and wallet.
And she totally spoiled me.
After the presents were unwrapped, it was time to stuff the turkey, get it in the oven, and prepare for Christmas dinner! We were busy putting the apartment back together, showering, decorating, and cooking but there was such an enveloping sense of peace about this day. Even though we got hurtful news about something a family member attempted to do, we knew we were spending Christmas Day with the four people we loved the most and who loved us the most.
My brother, sister-in-law, and nephew came over around noon, and then it was on to more present opening! Since my nephew was sleeping, we left his presents for later while my brother and SIL opened theirs. A customized 49ers jersey for my brother, along with more clothes and candy. And a Bath & Body Works gift set in my SIL’s favorite scent (unbeknownst to me! I’m just good like that.), a travel mug, as well as Mario Kart for Wii (which I badly want to play because Mario Kart used to occupy my brother and me for hours when we were younger.)
My mom was finishing up cooking dinner when my nephew woke up. He is definitely his father’s child in that he usually wakes up a little grumpy and just wants to cuddle for a long while. He eventually warmed up and opened some of his presents. But since he’s only two, he doesn’t quite understand the concept yet. He would open a present and only want to play with that one so eventually, we had to open up presents for him and show him all the cool stuff. True to form, we spoiled him greatly for Christmas with a soccer set, a baseball set, a wagon, tons of clothes, and a doctor’s set.
He was more interested in playing with his toys than eating dinner, so we all sat down to eat some yummy turkey, delicious mashed potatoes, green beans, fluffy dinner rolls, and the best stuffing in the world. Oh, gosh, was dinner delicious! My mom is forevermore hosting Christmas dinner.
And then it was onto playing! It’s so much fun having a child around for Christmas because we get to buy him FUN things and there’s such pure joy in his eyes when he’s playing. Next year will be even more exciting when he understands who Santa Claus is and I just can’t wait!
All in all, this was a very successful Christmas. I’m so glad my mom and I decided to host it at our house because it was calm, peaceful, and relaxed. (Well, as calm, peaceful, and relaxed as you can be with an active two-year-old!) I’m sad this magical day is over but I’m looking forward to what 2011 will bring for me and my family!
And for my giveaway winner! I was so excited to do this and I couldn’t believe the response so thank you! I will definitely have more things to give away in the future. I used Random.org to pick the winner so a huge congrats to Kim! Shoot me an e-mail with your address and I’ll mail off the prizes ASAP.
So glad you had a good holiday! And Mario Kart for the Wii is my favorite game. Although, good luck with the Rainbow Road course. It's insane. You're going to fall off a lot, just know that going in. (Actually – I've found it's more fun if you turn it into a "how many times can someone fall off game?")
Yay, so happy you had such a great holiday!
I didn't get ANY new clothes for Christmas. Kind of bummed about that. I think that's the first time EVER.
Oh fun! Sounds like a wonderful day. I was with my 2 nephews on Christmas Eve – so fun to be around kids at Christmas. They are 2.5 and 5 and just have a blast. The 2.5 year old understood Christmas a little bit bette this year but I remember him not wanting to open gifts last year and just wanting to play with what he had opened already. Too cute.
WOW! Your mom really did spoil you!! 🙂 Sounds like you had a fantastically awesome Christmas. Yay!
So excited you got a camera! Ohh, I got a Vera Bradley handbag from my mother-in-law, along with a bunch of other stuff! 🙂 Glad you had a great Christmas. 😀
You and your mom look so much alike!
And yeah she totally spoiled you but you seem like a deserving daughter 😉
I got your card yesterday! It totally made my day. Cheers to meeting in 2011.
– Linda
OOOOOOOH, love the camera. I've been toying with the idea of a new camera, although most of the time I just end up taking pics with my phone. It doesn't take quite as good pics as a real camera…but hauling a camera around is such a pain.
Aww sounds great! My little 2-year-old cousin was running around here on Christmas and she is SO FREAKING CUTE! It's so nice to have kids around 🙂
Looks like a great Christmas! I am glad that you had such a wonderful time. Family is what the holidays are all about. Also I'm jealous that your mom is wearing flip flops in one of the pictures and she's outside. Its downright frigid here!
Sounds like a great Christmas!!! I love giving presents especially to my parents. It makes me feel proud and to know that I'm sure it makes them proud of us. 🙂 Also YAY for a new camera!!!
Okay, I know Christmas isn't about the present, but GIRL, you made out like a bandit! I'm totally in love with those pajamas and the new camera.
Your nephew is the cutest. Having kids around on Christmas definitely makes it fun – my cousins and I are all "grown up" now, so I always miss that aspect of the holiday.
Looks like you had a wonderful Christmas! I'm glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
Looks like an amazing Christmas! How fun!
You made out like a bandit! Looks like a fun Christmas with the fam.
Wow, what a great Christmas! Glad to hear it was all sorts of awesome!
I love seeing the gifts and hearing about your holiday! 🙂 And I say underoos too! I love the bras and boots. That purple color looks so pretty on you!
AND YAY! I WON!!!!!!!!! THANKS!!!!!!!!!!
Wow, what a great Christmas! Glad to hear it was all sorts of awesome!
Looks like an amazing Christmas! How fun!
Oh fun! Sounds like a wonderful day. I was with my 2 nephews on Christmas Eve – so fun to be around kids at Christmas. They are 2.5 and 5 and just have a blast. The 2.5 year old understood Christmas a little bit bette this year but I remember him not wanting to open gifts last year and just wanting to play with what he had opened already. Too cute.