Christmas Traditions

I hope Santa was very good to you this year!

One of the things I love most about holidays in my family is that they are very low-key affairs. Of course, we always make enough food to feed three small armies, but everyone is relaxed and just enjoying each other's company, and that's what the holidays are all about.

Today, I thought I'd share with you a few of my family's Christmas traditions.

º We always go to church on Christmas Eve together. When I was little, the service would be at 11 p.m., then when we got out, it would be Christmas. That was the best, and even better when it was snowing. Now, the service is at 7 p.m. (I'm convinced it's because the congregation is aging and old people can't stay up that late anymore), so it doesn't feel as magical, but is still pretty special. The service ends with the entire congregation around the perimeter of the darkened sanctuary singing "Silent Night." The only visible light is coming from the candles everyone is holding; it's so peaceful.

º After church, especially now that the service is earlier, we go home, turn on A Christmas Story, and finish up any wrapping that needs to be completed. Since I now keep the hours of a senior citizen, I don't make it much past 10 p.m. without falling asleep on the couch.

º Every since I was little, the rule on Christmas morning was that we had to be "properly dressed" before coming downstairs. That really just means no pajamas. The rule came from when my mom, who was one of nine, was little. It sounds silly, but I was always so excited to lay out my clothes when I went to bed on Christmas Eve so I could jump right into them before heading downstairs to open gifts.

º After we are dressed and downstairs, we have to eat breakfast before opening any gifts (another rule from Polly's childhood). For as long as I can remember, Christmas breakfast has been Tastykate Pecan Swirls and orange juice. Now that we're not kids anymore, that orange juice often gets mixed in with champagne for Christmas mimosas. Pecan swirls certainly aren't a delicacy, but to us, they are Christmas and I look forward to them every year.

º When I was little, my middle brother and I always took turns passing out the gifts; we would alternate each year. Somehow, I've become the designated gift passer-outer; I can't even remember the last time my brother did it. So, I had out a few gifts, everyone opens, then we repeat until everything has been unwrapped.

º After gifts, my mom and I start cooking for Christmas dinner, while my brother goes back to his house to bake and do some of his own cooking. Polly raised some darn good cooks!

When my grandparents were still alive, our Christmas lunch/dinner was always ham, potato salad, some kind of vegetable, and of course, lots of baked goods. Now, we do the ham and I make cheesy potatoes. The past few years, we've also had asparagus, and some sort of roll/bread. I think I'm also going to make a sweet potato casserole.

We don't do anything fancy, but it's always delicious.

º After dinner, we will head up to my oldest brother's house so we can give my nieces and nephews their Christmas gifts. Everyone's bellies are full of food and hearts with Christmas joy. It's always a circus with eight people (plus two babies) opening gifts, but it's so much fun. Lots of squealing and flying paper.

º After all of the gifts are opened and the leftovers are put away, my mom and I just relax with the light of the Christmas tree illuminating the living room. Our Christmas festivities certainly aren't Pinterest-worthy, but they sure do make my heart swell with joy and gratitude.

What are your favorite Christmas traditions?

2013 Secret Santa Gift Exchange

I love giving gifts and I love surprises, so Secret Santa exchanges are one of my most favorite things about the holidays. It's so much fun to shop for someone, especially when they don't know who their Secret Santa is.

One of my favorite bloggers, Kym, over at Travel Babbles, organized a Secret Santa exchange for social media lovers, and I'm so glad she did! This has been so much fun and has really helped me to get into the holiday spirit.

So, without further ado....

As soon as I opened my package, I felt like I had been friends forever with my Secret Santa. She wrote me a sweet letter detailing why she had sent me each thing, and everything was spot on! I was blown away by how thoughtful she was, and how she had clearly taken time to shop for things she knew I would love.

I had actually forgotten what I listed as my likes and interests, so I had no idea what to expect when my gift arrived. I obviously indicated how much I loved lemon things, because Penny did a great job of sending me awesome lemon treats. I plan on making the lemon cake for my family for Christmas, and keeping the lemon drops in my desk at work for when a craving for something sweet strikes. I was also really pumped about the Luna bar because 1) I love Luna bars; and 2) the lemon flavor is one of my favorites.

I swear, Penny must be psychic, because I had just been reading about the E.L.F. Studio High Definition Powder and was planning to buy myself some to try it out. Of course, what's great powder without a new brush to try it with?! Then, the false eyelashes! I had just said to my mom a few days prior to my box arriving that I really wanted to try false eyelashes to see if I could master them and how they would look on me. I'm so excited to them out!

If you know me at all, you know how addicted I am to nail polish. Penny did a great job with this shade because it's not one I already have in my collection, and, get this: she bought it for me because I listed that I am a hockey fan and it's name is Pucker Up. PUCK-er Up. How cute is she?! Of course, you can never have too many nail files on hand, so an extra one is very much appreciated.

Further proof that Penny is psychic: She sent me Tide stain erasers. How did she know that I ALWAYS manage to spill food on my boobs/down my shirt. These will be a godsend when I've made a mess of myself in public.

I love everything that Penny sent me, but the last two things are definitely my favorite. I'm a huge sports fan, but hockey is definitely my favorite. I will watch any level and any team; I can't get enough.

I have never seen Teeny Mates before, but now I'm going to start collecting them, because they are so darn cute. I'm waiting until Christmas to open mine, just for the fun of it. I can't wait to see who I got!

As it turns out, Penny is also a hockey fan. Thank you, Kym, for pairing us up! Her favorite team is the San Jose Sharks, so she sent me one of their holiday pucks. I actually went to a game at The Shark Tank (HP Pavillion) back in 2012, so I may have seen Penny and not even known it.

I am most excited about this gift because I actually have a puck collection! The majority of them are autographed by current NHLers whom I've met before/after games and practices, but I also have some from the NHL and AHL arenas I've visited, special hockey games I've attended, etc. I am so excited to add this special one to my collection.

Thank you, Penny, for sending me such thoughtful gifts; I was thrilled to pieces when I opened my box. I hope your Secret Santa was as good to you as you were to me! If you're reading this, please leave a comment because I don't have any contact information for you, besides your address!

I had the pleasure of shopping for the lovely Sara over at Pearls & Curls. Go show her some love!

This was so awesome, Kym! I hope we do it again next year. Thank you. xoxo

Christmas 2013 Wishlist

If there's one thing I'm am good at, it's making a wish list. If making a wish list were an Olympic sport, I'd win gold each and every Olympiad until I die. I add to my Amazon wish list year-round, especially since they added the nifty toolbar button that lets you add items from any site with just two clicks.

Part of me adds things to my wish list so that in the event that I win the Powerball and come into some other large windfall of money, I can quickly and easily do a great deal of cyber damage without breaking a sweat. Also, you never know when a handsome benefactor will stumble upon your list and decide to gift you everything your little heart desires. Either way, it's best to be prepared.

If you can't tell, I'm a huge beauty junkie. Sephora and Ulta are very dangerous places for me to set foot into. If I don't exercise every ounce of self-control that I possess, I will quickly go broke buying more makeup. I pray that neither store ever offers a credit card, because I will be in serious trouble if that happens.

(going left to right, top to bottom)
3. and 8. I really want to learn how to do highlighting and contouring. After doing some YouTube searching, I found this great instructional video, so I really want to try the products she demonstrates. I know I could probably find cheaper options of both items, but, since this is my wish list, I might as well go big.

4., 5., and 6. Same deal here. After watching this video, I really want to perfect the tightlining technique. Eye makeup is my favorite, and I think it looks so nice.

If any of you have suggestions for a pencil to use on the lower waterline that doesn't pull/tug/smudge, please let me know. I love the way bottom eyeliner looks, but HATE the mess it turns into as the day goes on.

7. My name is Kylie and I hoard lip glosses. I have more lip glosses than five women could use in a year, yet, I keep buying them. I have a couple shades of Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment and I love them all. I tend to gravitate towards darker red/purple shades, so, I really want to try this one. I know I won't be disappointed.

11. I learned about this set from Southern Beauty Guide. I love skincare products! I currently use a regiment of Mary Kay products that I love, however, I am all for anything that people rave about and say they see immediate results with. As far as I'm concerned, you can't over-care (did I just make that up? I think so) for your skin, so, I'm up for trying anything.

12. The Naked 3 palette. Sigh. Drool. Wish. Sorry, sorry. Where were we? I covet this palette so much. I mean, just look at it! The colors are beautiful, and not to mention, the hues I reach for on a daily basis. I have hazel eyes that are more brownish, so, my eye makeup is almost always on the rosey/purple side. I need to own this.

I figured I'd cover the beauty items first, as they dominate my list. Now for the rest, in order.

1. My mom spoiled me with my very first piece of Tiffany jewelry for my 21st birthday and it's been downhill an obsession ever since. I've added several more pieces to my collection since then, but none is rose gold. This need to change, because I absolutely adore rose gold, hence why I want this necklace so badly.

2. Wicked is my absolute favorite Broadway show. If you haven't seen it yet, you must go when the national tour comes to the city nearest you. I had the entire soundtrack memorized before I even saw it for the first time. I've seen it a total of four times so far, including once on Broadway. I'm telling you, go see it ASAP. You won't be the same after it's over.

2013 is the 10th Anniversary of Wicked, so there are several commemorative items for sale, including this one. I got my first record player a few months ago, so, I definitely need to have one of my most favorite albums on vinyl.

9. I don't currently own a tablet, but I would like to have one. I love Apple, but, I really want a Kindle. I know you can download the Kindle app for iPad, but, I'd just rather have an eReader that doubles as a tablet. Plus, the Kindle Fire HDX is quite a bit cheaper than the iPad.

10. This bag is so beautiful. I gravitate toward any kind of red accessory, and I love patent leather, so, this is perfect for me. The first time I saw this bag, my mouth just fell open. I love the Micheal Kors bag I have, and I need to have this one, too.

11. There's just something romantic about old movies; I love them. I especially loves ones starring Audrey Hepburn, my favorite fashion icon. I'd love to add this set to my movie collection.

12. I love Alex and Ani bracelets so much, and I so badly want to start my collection. This bracelet is part of the Team USA collection for Sochi 2014.

There are few things I love more than international competition, especially hockey. Come February, I will be living and dying by every Team USA game.

Santa is probably sick and tired of my extensive wish lists, but, a girl can dream, right?

What's on your wish list this Christmas?