1. Real tree or fake tree?
FAKE, and preferably pre-lit. And then I burn my Bath and Body Works Fresh Balsam candle so we can still have that pine scent. Ain't nobody got time to vacuum pine needles all day and night.
2. Favorite Christmas cookie?
Tough call. I'll go with molasses cookies. Not gingerbread cookies...molasses. Like the round, crinkly, chewy kind. The spicier the better.
3. Home on Christmas morning or travel?
Normally, I much prefer to be home on Christmas morning. This year, though, we're flying to Seattle to be with my mom and sister on Christmas. Should be fun, though I can't say I won't miss our nice, quiet, calm Christmas morning at home in our living room.
4. Clear or colored lights?
This is a tough call, and I'm pretty sure the reason for divorce amongst many couples. My husband is firmly in the "clear lights only" camp. I could go either way, so clear lights are generally fine with me. The one time kind of colored lights I really, really love, however...those large-bulbed, retro ones. I could probably be happy with Christmas decorations strictly from the 50s and nothing else. Give me all the mercury glass ornaments/tree toppers, large glass bulbs, bubble lights, ceramic Christmas trees...I love it all.
5. Send Christmas cards?
Absolutely! We've done a photo card every year since we've been married. I usually post a screenshot of our card here on Christmas day so stay tuned if you want to see what this year's card looks like!
6. Favorite Christmas present received?
Everything Isaiah buys me. He always comes up with the most thoughtful gifts, half of the time things I didn't even know I wanted, or things I've mentioned I want but forgot about by the time Christmas rolls around.
7. Favorite Christmas present given?
I don't know if I have a favorite...I like giving gifts in general. Though this year Isaiah and I bought my mom a duvet cover she's been saying she wants for like a year now, and I'm excited for her to open it. We also splurged and bought Imogen a slightly expensive doll for Christmas this year. It's kind of a keepsake type of item, and dude...it has her name. We also bought her a doorway jumper and I'm super excited about that, too. Lately she's been alllll about jumping up and down while we're holding her under her arms, so I imagine the jumper is going to be quite a hit.
8. Stockings or no stockings?
Stockings! We never did stockings growing up for financial reasons, but Isaiah and I have always done them and we really enjoy it. I just ordered Imogen her first stocking and I can't wait for it to get here! Ideas for stocking stuffers for a baby who'll be almost 6 months old at Christmastime?
9. Christmas PJs?
Of course! Every year, I buy a new pair of flannel PJ pants from Old Navy, because they're usually dirt cheap and they have some fun patterns. I totally spaced it this year, though, with everything going on. And even if I were to order a pair right now, by the time they arrived (#alaska) we'd already be gone to Seattle for Christmas. Maybe I'll make a pit stop at Old Navy once we get there, who knows. So far, Imogen is the only one with new Christmas pajamas...
10. Favorite Christmas carol?
Hands down, O Come Emmanuel.
11. Favorite holiday tradition?
Since we do 95% of our Christmas shopping online (#alaska), on Christmas Eve Isaiah and I go into town, brave the crowds, and buy each other a Christmas Eve gift. We set a strict budget limit and see what we can find.
12. Early shopper or last minute?
Early shopper...again, 95% of my shopping has to be done online because again, #alaska.
13. Favorite Christmas movie or t.v. show?
I have a LOT of Christmas movies I really like (Elf, Christmas Vacation, Home Alone) but my two favorites have always been A Christmas Story and It's a Wonderful Life.
14. Favorite holiday beverage?
This year, the drink of the season seems to be hot apple cider. I can't get enough of it.
15. Cookies and milk for Santa?
Santa, schmanta. Cookies and milk for ANGI.
I made molasses cookies for the first time last year and OH MY GOODNESS how have I lived so many Christmases without them?!
ReplyDeleteTHAT DOLL IS SO CUTE!!!
ReplyDeleteI wish I could remember what I put in Gracie’s first stocking. Pretty sure I put some food pouches in there. There’s an adorable banana training toothbrush/teether from amazon I put in there, and she loved it. I did put some wooden blocks in. I can’t remember what else! You could put diapers in and she wouldn’t know the difference ;)
This year I’m doing paints, crayons, sketch pads, stickers, and books. She’s going to flip out.
I made round, crinkly, chewy ginger cookies this week and they were perfection. They are also, all gone. Now if I could have hot apple cider with my cookies...that might be too much perfection at once.
ReplyDeleteI love the style of stocking you picked out for Imogen. It's like the modern version of the furry stocking I had as a kid, only because this isn't the 90s, it actually looks pretty and cool.
I think I'm finally going to bite the bullet and order personalized stockings...for next year lol. Ours are cute and from an independent craft store in PA, but they're more just decorative. I did buy the dogs personalized stockings this year.
ReplyDeleteYes, molasses/ginger cookies. The recipe I linked to yesterday is the one I've used for a few years now and they're perfect.
J is getting a wooden ring teether, a name puzzle (which he doesn't care about obviously but R loves hers now so it's really for later), a new bib, and a book. And that's all because he's 6 months old and doesn't care lol.
ReplyDeleteWe got a set of Christmas lights for our tree that can change color - so we can have clear AND colorful lights! We most of the time leave it on colored though, because the kids like it!
ReplyDeleteI love pre-lit trees! They are so easy and really the best thing to have.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE that doll!! Now I want one for Annabelle.
ReplyDeleteFor Annabelle's first Christmas (she was 9mo) I put snacks, a cup and a few small toys in her stocking. I'm going to keep giving things she needs as gifts until she doesn't think it's fun anymore. She's still young enough I could give a toothbrush and she'd be excited!