1. I have been addicted to the Trans-Siberian Orchestra Pandora station at work. It’s so peaceful and nice. And one can only handle so many Mariah Carey holiday favorites.
2. I always forget what a huge job writing my Christmas cards is. I get so excited to start them and then life gets busy and writing them keeps falling on the back burner. This year, I managed to get them mailed much earlier than normal. (And by much earlier, I mean 10 days before Christmas.)
3. Focusing on work is the hardest during December.
4. I have never spent a Christmas away from home. Christmas has always been one of those low-key holidays for my family and I like sticking close to home.
5. I am still obsessed with Christmas-themed window gel clings. It took me close to an hour to put all mine up this year and I’m getting to the point where I see new clings in stores and I’m like, “Dangit, I already have that!”
6. My favorite Christmas movie is The Santa Clause, because of all the memories attached to it. Elf is a very, very, very close second.
7. I still have yet to see Love Actually.
8. This year was the first year my mom and I actually didn’t get in a fight while stringing lights around our tree. Usually, we’re both stressed out and annoyed and end up angrily stringing the lights together. But I made us make a pact that we would not fight while decorating and we didn’t!
9. I used to insist on a real Christmas tree, but then we had a really bad experience with putting one up one year where my mom and I probably had our worst fight ever (and then ended up emotionally eating our feelings at Steak N’ Shake to a total of 2,500 calories each. For one meal.) so we go for artificial now.
10. I really, really want to get a white Christmas tree. My mom is forcibly against this. Scrooge.
11. My all-time favorite Christmas song is “Silent Night”.
12. I think “The Christmas Shoes” is one of the worst songs ever written. I’m sorry, but it’s awful.
13. My brother and I still give my mom a wishlist every year. We still do presents. We still act like five-year-olds during the holidays.
14. I still get sad that my brother and I don’t spend Christmas Eve night together, trying to stay up late and playing games until eventually falling asleep around 3AM – only to wake up bright and early at 6AM. Growing up is hard.
15. I genuinely enjoy the hustle and bustle of this time of year. Rushing around to different stores and trying to find that perfect gift – it’s all part of the magic for me!
Don’t forget to enter my holiday giveaway for some wonderful goodies. Ends on Sunday!
I FINALLY watched Love Actually a few weeks ago. It’s now at RedBox, if that helps! 🙂
I really do want to see what all the fuss is about! I know some love it fiercely and some people are just like, “Eh, it’s okay.” May have to pick it up this weekend!
I gave up on Christmas Cards this year. I felt so guilty about it I didn’t claim any of my twitter friends’ cards, but it really helped my stress level this year. I miss them already and I’ll definitely do them again next year. I look at mine year round.
Christmas cards can be very stressful! And expensive! I love doing them, but I can see why some people don’t. Look forward to seeing yours next year!
“And one can only handle so many Mariah Carey holiday favorites.” Hahaha SO true!
Silent Night is my favorite Christmas song too! I didnt’ like Love Actually the first time I saw it (in the theater during college – how old am I?!) but liked it once I gave it another chance. It’s long and there are a lot of characters so you have to commit to watching it and paying attention.
That’s what I hear! I generally like movies that have a lot of characters and plots going on and I really want to see what all the fuss is about!
I dont’ like the Christmas Shoes song either. It’s one of my least favorites and I ALWAYS change the channel/station when I hear it playing.
You really should try watching Love, Actually. I know some people can’t get into it but I do think you’d love it!
Yes, I don’t do sad Christmas songs. It’s not my thing! I want happy, jolly songs!
I really WANT to watch Love Actually… I’m just not a huge movie buff so actually taking the time to get the movie and sit down and watch it is where I’m procrastinating. Heh.
Such a fun post! I think I may have to steal it. And here’s my commentary on various parts:
1. I’m listening to a Third Day holiday station on Pandora, but I fully agree about Mariah Carey.
3. Yeeuuup.
7. I’ve seen it a few times and it’s good, but it’s nowhere even CLOSE to a favorite in my book.
12. Yeeeuuup!
15. Ditto!
Haha, I loved this comment! I can handle maybe 1 or 2 Mariah Carey songs but then I need something else. Her voice gets annoying after a while.
I just watched Love Actually on Netflix last week, and really, I thought it was just OK. Don’t feel bad for not watching it yet, lol!
It seems that people either LOVELOVELOVELOVELOVE it, or are kinda “meh” about it. I’m not sure which category I’d fall under, but I do want to see it sometime!
“The Christmas Shoes” really is the worst song of all time! So depressing!
You should totally watch “Love Actually” this Christmas season! Hope you like it. 🙂
Oh fun I like the idea of doing a holiday confessions post!
I am NOT a fan of Love Actually, actually (haha). I watched it for the first time last year and I don’t really get what all the hype is about. I don’t generally like those movies with a bunch of different story lines. I do LOVE The Holiday though!
You HAVE to watch Love Actually! I love it. 🙂 It’s one of my favorites.
My confessions are that I am obsessed with cheesy Hallmark movies. I can’t stand eggnog, just thinking about it turns my stomach. I don’t have any desire to ever have an actual trees because cleaning up the falling needles sounds like a pain and I think I’d kill it! I still give my mom a wish list, but it’s very lame these days!
Artificial is better for the environment anyway! 🙂
Awww this is such a cute post! I miss having my brother live at home, if only for the fact that we got to share in Christmas traditions together. Now, we do dinner and gifts on the 24th at my house, but with extended family only. Now he spends Christmas morning with HIS family, so it’s been different these last couple years! Gotta get used to it!
I love the Tran-siberian Orchestra. I actually got to see them live and they were fabulous! However, a white Christmas tree? I have to side with your Grinchy mom on that one! PS I love your Christmas card! It must take you forever to hand write each one out!