Christmas is my all time favorite holiday. There are so many reasons why I love this time of year, just thought I would share a few {ok, maybe a lot more than a few}...
{Food}
I'm a "choco"-holic all year long, but especially in December! Homemade chocolates are my favorite. Not that I make them, I just like to eat them...Baking and frosting homemade sugar cookies was so much fun this year, I haven't done that since I was little...Don't even get me started on how good Fat Boy's Peppermint Sundae on a Stick is. Wowww...McDonalds makes a mean Peppermint Hot Chocolate too...I can't forget about my mom's homemade toffee, melt away cookies, mints, chocolate almond balls...I could go on and on, so good!...Then there's the traditional dinners. The Whiting side of my family has the same meal every year: Egg sausage casserole, homemade scones, sugared banana's and mandarin oranges, hot chocolate and oj. Amaaaazing. We used to meet for breakfast every Christmas morning, but with everyones busy schedules we have a fun dinner a few days before. It's such a simple meal but we look forward to having it all year. Love it!
(My sugar cookies this year!)
{Movies}
{Movies}
There are certain movies that I have to watch every year. In no particular order...
[1] The Holiday- I love this movie. I watch it allll the time! I think I secretly want to be Kate Winslet's character and switch houses with someone who lives in Hollywood. And I love Jude Law, love him.
[2] Sleepless in Seattle- Every Christmas and Valentines day you can find this movie in my dvd player.
[3] A Christmas Story- I have watched this movie every year since I was little. TBS has their 24 hour marathon and I love watching it. The leg lamp, the turkey, the bb gun, the bunny costume, the kids tongue stuck to the pole...it's a classic!
[4] Christmas Vacation- Sooooo funny! The Griswold family is hilarious.
[5] Elf- FAVORITE MOVIE EVER!!! I usually start watching Elf in October because I'm so excited. I quote it all year long. "Purpley" "Tickle fight!" "Did you hear that?" "Byyyee Budddyyy. I hope you find your daaad." "Watch out, the yellow ones don't stop." " I painted a picture of a butterfly!" "Call you in 5 minutes" "Buddy the Elf, what's your favorite color?" "Son of a nutcracker!" I think I have memorized the entire script.
{Music}
I love Christmas music! I have a mix cd with all my favorite songs, it's in my car as we speak. Click on the links to listen!
[1] Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays by Nsync- No description necessary. It's awesome.
[2] I'll be Home for Christmas by Drew Seeley- I love his voice so much and this version is beautiful.
[3] Last Christmas by Ashley Tisdale- This is such a cute song and I love her take on it.
[4] Winter Wonderland by Vanessa Hudgens- Everyone knows I love Vanessa. I love her jazzy spin on this song.
[5] Mistletoe by Justin Bieber- So freakin cute, not afraid to admit it!
[6] Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas by Tyler Hilton- Tyler will always have a place in my heart, such a sweet guy. His raspy voice makes this song perfect and cozy.
[7] Christmas, Baby Please Come Home by Leighton Meister- Just because it makes me want to dance and I love the rock and roll/pop sound on a Christmas song.
[8] All I Want For Christmas is You by Mariah Carey (or Teddy Geiger)- Lovvvee it!!!
[9] This Christmas by Chris Brown- I didn't really like this movie (which I only saw because Chris is in it), but I like the song. Cute video too.
[10] O Holy Night by The Canadian Tenors- I am in love with this group!!!!!!
[11] Grown up Christmas List by Michael Buble- I had to include Buble, Christmas just wouldn't be the same without him.
[12] Kiss Me at Midnight by Nsync- It's more of a New Year's song but I can't help but love this whole cd. Don't judge me.
[13] Sleigh Ride by Spice Girls- Love me some Spice Girls Christmas fun!
[14] Hark! The Herald Angels Sing by Carrie Underwood- This is one of my favorite Christmas hymns. It always helps remind me what Christmas is really about.
[14] Hark! The Herald Angels Sing by Carrie Underwood- This is one of my favorite Christmas hymns. It always helps remind me what Christmas is really about.
My favorite Christmas songs, however, are from the LDS hymn book. Lately I have just been playing them on my iPad app. Music is my favorite way to get into the Christmas spirit. As Elf would say, "The best way to spread Christmas cheer, is singing loud for all to hear." I'm not much of a singer, but Buddy is right!
(Allie and I with our favorite Tyler Hilton, love this guy! Ignore the evil red eyes...)
{Memories}
I have always loved Christmas and have some very fond memories of the holiday. Allie falling in the Christmas tree with her looonnnnggg hair when she was little...Memorable gifts from Santa like my scooter, play kitchen, bike, cameras and a trip to Disneyland (that was just a couple years ago and I was as excited as a 7 year old)...All us kids sleeping in my room Christmas Eve, staying up way too late. My mom always has to wake us up in the morning, we are sleepers...even on Christmas morning!...Every year I make a Christmas card that I email to my close friends. It's usually with a celebrity, or a cardboard cut out of one haha. Going to the Christmas tree lot to pick a tree, we haven't done that for a while...fake trees are so much easier...My first Christmas in my apartment I was going to skip buying a tree, real or fake. My sweet mom and dad wouldn't let that happen and showed up at my door with my very first Christmas tree. I will always remember that...Most of my memories involve my amazing and fun family. I am so lucky to have them and I am so excited to make more memories this year! I can't wait to have my own family one day to share traditions with and to make new ones.
{The true meaning of Christmas}
I have so much to be grateful for and the holidays always have a way of reminding me. I am so grateful for my Savior, Jesus Christ. This year I have really been focusing on Him as I celebrate the season. There are so many distractions with parties, gift giving and entertainment, which can make it hard to remember what Christmas is all about. I am grateful for my knowledge of the Savior and I think of Him daily. Christmas is my favorite holiday because it always brings me closer to my Savior and my family. The two most important things in my life.
{Memories}
I have always loved Christmas and have some very fond memories of the holiday. Allie falling in the Christmas tree with her looonnnnggg hair when she was little...Memorable gifts from Santa like my scooter, play kitchen, bike, cameras and a trip to Disneyland (that was just a couple years ago and I was as excited as a 7 year old)...All us kids sleeping in my room Christmas Eve, staying up way too late. My mom always has to wake us up in the morning, we are sleepers...even on Christmas morning!...Every year I make a Christmas card that I email to my close friends. It's usually with a celebrity, or a cardboard cut out of one haha. Going to the Christmas tree lot to pick a tree, we haven't done that for a while...fake trees are so much easier...My first Christmas in my apartment I was going to skip buying a tree, real or fake. My sweet mom and dad wouldn't let that happen and showed up at my door with my very first Christmas tree. I will always remember that...Most of my memories involve my amazing and fun family. I am so lucky to have them and I am so excited to make more memories this year! I can't wait to have my own family one day to share traditions with and to make new ones.
(Glam photoshoot 2010)
I have so much to be grateful for and the holidays always have a way of reminding me. I am so grateful for my Savior, Jesus Christ. This year I have really been focusing on Him as I celebrate the season. There are so many distractions with parties, gift giving and entertainment, which can make it hard to remember what Christmas is all about. I am grateful for my knowledge of the Savior and I think of Him daily. Christmas is my favorite holiday because it always brings me closer to my Savior and my family. The two most important things in my life.
