On Good (Christmas-y) Things…

Today we (hopefully) finished all of our Christmas shopping. I’m so excited for Christmas! I can’t even stand it. And, strangely enough, not even for myself. I’ve crossed into that strange phase of adulthood where I’m so excited for Christmas that I am counting down the hours (minutes, seconds…) just because I CAN’T WAIT to give people the presents I’ve gotten for them. Nate especially, because this year will definitely be the year where I take home the prize for #1 Best Present Giving Champion of the World. Not even joking, I’m that good. And I’m equally excited for the gifts we got our nephews. (You hear me Zach, Jake and Elijah? I actually had to go buy extra wrapping paper because I ran out trying to wrap these babies!) Not that it’s all about the presents, but those are just plain fun. (I cannot wait to have Christmas with my own kids one day. If you think the gift giving obsession is bad now, you haven’t seen anything yet!)

This week I plan on fulfilling a longstanding family tradition of Christmas cookies and fully intend on preparing hand decorated sugar cookies (a secret family recipe), snowballs (aka russian tea cakes), and these yummy chocolate mint goodies. (I’ve been on a peppermint kick all month.)

I am kind of in love with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. I can’t even lie. Ever since Nate took me to the show for my birthday I’ve been all about their “carol of the bells”. Actually, I’m always all about any carol of the bells. It’s my favorite Christmas carol. I sang it once in youth choir for a Christmas show and have never forgotten any of the 67,343.75 words. If you’re stuck in a Christmas music funk, may I suggest my current 2009 Christmas playlist for your listening pleasure…

What are you loving this holiday season? Are you all about the Christmas spirit? Are you grinching it up this year? Any traditions you’re excited to take part in?

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