My 2015 Holiday Favorites

My favorite things for the holidays have evolved over time, but my love for the season has not changed… I am in 100%.

*** Connecting with loved ones. Spending time with family and friends can feel hectic this time of year, as it requires time on the road, but it is the most rewarding.
*** It wouldn’t be a holiday without presents. My sister and I used to take a day off of work and go shopping in the city. That has evolved to me getting to know my UPS driver personally, as I am now a seasoned online shopper. My niece (who is now 11) and I still spend a day making presents, which is both fun for us and the receivers of the gifts.

*** Holiday movies. I make sure to record all the greatest hits on my DVR so they are ready to go when it is time to wrap presents. This includes the cartoons too like The Grinch Stole Christmas. I am a sucker for when the Grinch’s heart grows.

*** This leads me to wrapping presents. I love wrapping presents; like wrapping paper with ribbon, not the gift bag method. I think they look so pretty under the tree. And they sound so wonderfully full of excitement when they are ripped open Christmas morning.
*** Last, but not least, I have to mention the food (and drinks!). The last few years we have adopted an appetizer and dessert tradition for our Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve celebrations. This has been so much fun because we can now just graze and socialize for hours on end.

Sometimes this time of year can cause stress, but if I focus on the blessings of 2015 that seems to turn the stress into gratitude. Happy Holidays!

[Img.Src: Swedish Christmas 1897]