Jingle All The Way!

Ready or not Christmas will be here in a week!

And for some of you (like me) celebrating Christmas with family and friends starts this week!

Today I am linking up with my friends at The Blended Blog to share some very merry music, movies and decor that give me all the Christmas feels!

Music

I absolutely love Christmas music!

I could, and have listened to it through the entire year :/

Here are some of my favorites..

Don't let that list fool you, I love all the classics too ;)

Movies

Again, here are some of my favorites from over the years :)

Four Christmases

A Christmas Story

Elf

How the Grinch Stole Christmas

And I can't leave out one of my all time favorites and favorite songs...

A Very Brady Christmas!

Decorations

 Growing up I was always a fan of colored lights, but then I married a white light lover.

So for the first few years we were together we would compromise and have a red and green lit tree.

But over time I have switched to all white lights since we decorate so many trees throughout the house.

But I still like colored lights for outside the best!

Here are a few things that I absolutely love from my own decor.

A Big Star on top of the tree

This picture is from a few years ago, so don't mind the fact the top isn't lit up.

I grew up with a star on top of our tree and that is one thing I wasn't going to compromise on!

Well, I did a little since the one we always had lit up.

This one is plain red, but I still love it!

 Advent House

My mom had one that was cloth and hung on the door.

It was so much fun seeing the little treasures left in each slot.
She bought this one for me years ago from Cracker Barrel and I think I like it even more than her cloth one.

When you open each door music plays!!

Santa

Many years ago I mentioned how much I loved Santas.

After receiving so many of them over the years, I now have a pretty large collection that I love displaying each year :)

Smore's Ornaments

This picture is really old, and it is only a small fraction of the ones we have.

Mic and I started collecting these ornaments a long time ago and we have so many now they get their very own tree.

In fact, we have had to switch and give them the BIG tree we have so many :)

This year we only put up a small tree in the townhouse we are in and that is all I have on the tree are the Smore's ornaments :)

Christmas Dinnerware

My MIL has these awesome Christmas dishes that have the entire Twas the night before Christmas story on them.

It is the highlight of Christmas dinner at their house each year for me :)

You can see how I decorated our home in the past here.

Now it is your turn!

Grab the image below and share your favorites on your blog :)

Don't forget to link up with us at TBB!

Or just share some images on Facebook or Instagram and use the #tbbasks :)

XOXO ~ Vanessa

TBB Asks: Holiday Edition + A Giveaway

Hello December!

It's time for one of my favorite posts of the month!

TBB Asks: Holiday Edition 🎄🎅🤶

And make sure you scroll all the way to the bottom of this post for a fun giveaway I'm doing 😉

1. Candy Canes? Yes or No?

I don't mind the original ones from time to time, but all those flavored ones and crazy colors aren't for me.

2. Christmas morning early riser or sleep in?

I have never really been an early riser, but I typically wake up a little earlier on Christmas morning.

3. Did you shop on Black Friday? Yes or No?

Yes and no.

I actually went out Thursday evening for a bit for some Pre Black Friday shopping.

Honestly, I don't do much actual shopping on Black Friday.

I just love being out in all the chaos every year.

4. Christmas Tree up in November? Yes or No?

Absolutely!

Ever since I was pregnant with X we starting putting up our tree early because we weren't sure when he would make his debut.

We loved it so much that we have continued to do it each year since then :)

5. Do you get Holiday ideas from Pinterest? Yes or No?

I get new holiday drink or dessert recipes, but I don't look for decorating ideas when it comes to Christmas.

6. Christmas Glam or Ugly Sweater?

Neither.

I stick with graphic tees or a simple sweater.

7. Stocking Stuffers: Wrapped or Unwrapped?

I prefer them unwrapped, but Mic likes them wrapped.

So it just depends on who is putting items in the stocking if they are wrapped or not :/

8. Traditional or Modern Christmas Songs?

Both!

I love all the Christmas music!!

9. Fruitcake? Yes or No?

I'll pass.

10. Is your Christmas Shopping Finished? Yes or No?

No.

But to be honest, I really only have gift cards left to pick up.

11. Is there Snow in December where you live?

Typically we have snow ❄

12. Classic Show: A Charlie Brown Christmas or Rudolph?

Can I say The Grinch?

Charlie Brown and Rudolph are fine, but I don't feel that either one are must see shows.

Link up your answers at The Blended Blog or share on Instagram or Facebook and use #tbbasks

And don't forget to check out what is to come on Mondays for the month of December on The Blended Blog...

Before you leave, make sure you enter my Favorite Things Giveaway!
I am giving away 5 bags filled with some of my Favorite Things!
From beauty products to Starbucks gift cards and more!
Make sure you enter below :)

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Good Luck Friends!

XOXO ~ Vanessa

Holiday Prep: Tips for making it easier

Who is 100% ready for Christmas?

Heck, are you ready for Thanksgiving this week?

I have a few tips on how I try to get ahead of the game before all the crazy begins.

1. Decorate Early

If you aren't hosting Thanksgiving at your house, get your tree and decor out the day after Halloween!

Honestly, it brightens our moods to see those twinkling lights and warm and cozy decorations (research says that is true).

And you get to enjoy it longer :)

2. Order Online

From dinner supplies to presents, the Internet is your friend for getting things done.

Yes, I know the stores are so pretty at the holidays.

And the music is great too!

But you can spend a lot of time going from store to store trying to find what you need.

Just hop online and order it all.

If you have Amazon, it will probably arrive a few days later ;)

3. Take time for yourself

The holidays can be the best time of year, but also the most stressful.

Take a few minutes to de-stress from it all.

Maybe order yourself something before hitting submit on that Amazon order ;)

4. Don't wait to shop

Yes, there are some great deals on Black Friday and the whole month of December.

But while everyone else is running around trying to score the best deal, you could be at home relaxing by your Christmas tree because your shopping is mostly done :)

Now I'm off to place a few Amazon orders ;)

Linking up with The Blended Blog today!

Make sure you head over there to link up your post as well :)

XOXO ~ Vanessa

Workin' it Wednesday | Holiday Sanity

 Linking up with Shay & Erika for...

Today is about keeping sane during the holidays!

Honestly, no matter what I do the holidays stress me out.
However, there are a few things that help keep the stress down a little bit for me.


Make a list

I write down everyone I need or would like to give a gift to on a piece of paper.
I then write ideas for each of them next to their name.
I check mark off what I bought, and again check it off when the package arrives.
I keep my list in my planner, so it is always with me :)


Order gifts online

As much as I love to walk through the stores during the holidays checking out all the decorations, hearing Christmas music, etc. it just doesn't work well with my schedule.
To be efficient with my time, I order all the gifts I can online.
Including gift cards.


Workout

This is honestly the number thing that helps me get through the holidays...or any time of year really.
A good workout immediately calms me down and puts me in a better mood :)


Let it go

Is my house spotless? No
Is there laundry to be done? Yes
This year I am really trying to focus on just enjoying the extra moments we get around the twinkling lights.
If that means I put off loading the dishwasher, or have to rewash a load of laundry so be it.
I know I will never have these days back again, so I am really trying to just be in the moment more.

TBB Asks | Holidays

Joining The Blended Blog for the last installment of the year of TBB Asks!

1. Real or Fake tree?

Fake

2. Favorite Christmas Cookie?

Snowballs with no nuts

3. Home on Christmas Morning or Travel?

We are home

4. Clear or Colored Lights?

We have clear lights on all of our trees, but I absolutely love colored lights!

5. Send Christmas Cards?

Yep!

6. Favorite Christmas Present Received?

Slightly cliche', but I would have to say Xavier.
He was born just a couple weeks before Christmas :)

7. Favorite Christmas Present Given?

Again cliche', but I have to say giving both of our parents their first grandchild in 2011.

8. Stockings or No Stockings?

Yes :)

9. Christmas PJ's?

Absolutely!

We receive a package on Christmas Eve that has new PJ's for each of us to wear that evening to bed :)

10. Favorite Christmas Carol?

All of them! It is so hard to choose!

Holy Night, God rest ye very gentlemen, Do you hear what I hear,

and so many more!

11. Favorite Holiday Tradition?

Going to church on Christmas Eve and singing Silent Night by just the light of candles.

12. Early Shopper or Last Minute?

Both!

13. Favorite Christmas Movie or Show?

The Christmas Story was my favorite movie for so many years!

But I can add The Grinch (Jim Carrey version) and Four Christmases to my favorites as well.

14. Favorite Holiday Beverage?

I drink it year round, but I have to go with Hot Chocolate topped with whipped cream.

15. Cookies and Milk for Santa?

Yep!
Typically it is the red creme Oreo's :)
And we leave carrots for the reindeer too!

Workin' It Wednesday | Planning For The Holidays

Linking up with Shay & Erika for...

I absolutely love the holidays, but boy oh boy can they be stressful!
While I still haven't mastered the perfect, relaxing holiday season I have figured out a few things that work well for me to make things a little easier.

Decorating

We typically decorate our entire house and trees during the first couple of weekends in November.
Mic and I started doing this in 2011 when I was pregnant with Xavier.
I was due December 3rd, but I had no idea if he would come early or late so we wanted to be prepared.
And it was wonderful!
We were able to enjoy our trees, the twinkling lights, and such for almost 2 months!
We don't ever have anyone over for Thanksgiving so that helps too.
Plus, as a kid I loved having the tree up and house decorated for my December birthday.
Well now, X likes it too!


Shopping

This one honestly depends on how busy our work schedule is.
Some years Mic and I have been able to take a weekend in October and get quite a bit of our shopping done.
In recent years not so much :(
The one time of year I enjoy going to the stores and shopping is at the holidays.
I actually like chaos! lol!
I really enjoy hearing the Christmas music playing, kids visiting and having their picture taken with Santa, all the stores have trees decorated.
It is just magical!
But over the last couple of years we have ordered more things online.
That really is a lifesaver when you can't get away from work (or your child).
I do ask all of the people I am giving gifts to for ideas, but I also keep a running list in my phone or my planner to help out.

Time spent with family and friends
The hardest part of the holidays for me is figuring out when we are going where!
I am a sucker for tradition.
Specifically, my traditions.
Add in the fact that my family lives about an hour and half away, and my parents are divorced.
And that Mic is an only child.
Oh, and ever since X was born Mic wants us to wake up in our own home on Christmas morning.
Every year I want to cry when it gets close.
At the end of the day we end up doing almost the same thing every year since X was born.

Depending on what days Christmas Eve/Christmas Day fall we do the following...
This year we will spend Saturday the 23rd with my mom and step dad for late lunch/dinner,
spend the night at my dad's house and then celebrate Christmas on the 24th and have breakfast/lunch,
drive home and go to church,

wake up Christmas morning in our house,

head to my in-laws house for a late lunch/dinner.

If have the day after Christmas off instead of days before we flip flop the days we head north.

Thankfully getting together with friends around the holidays is a little easier, but we still have to schedule around multiple birthdays and such.


How do you prepare for the holidays?
Any tips for me on making it less stressful?

Four Christmases | 2015 Edition

Every year I start my Christmas shopping in October, we try to get the decorations and trees up in early November, and pray that we will be on top of things and truly get to enjoy the holidays.

Only sometimes this happens.

This year was the worst for not being on top of things!

So when stressed at the holidays what do I do?

This helped a little bit.

That red cup helped a little as well ;)

Christmas basically began on Wednesday afternoon for us and didn't end until late Saturday.
Mic put together X's big gift Wednesday afternoon, and then we headed out for dinner and some last minute shopping.

We woke up on Christmas Eve and celebrated with donuts!

I quickly made a pumpkin pie and then we headed over to my in-laws house to celebrate with them.
(Christmas #1)

This next picture is blurry, but I couldn't resist posting it.
This goofball was dancing around to his "own" music.

And after opening presents with Grammie & P, he can make his own music :)

After dinner, we cleaned up and headed off to Christmas Eve service at X's school.
This is the first time he has ever been to church, so I was a little nervous if he would get chatty, be loud, or just not want to sit still.

Thankfully, he did great!
I think it was because he was comfortable with it being his school that he did so well!
At one point he whispered to Mic, "these are my people".
Boy does he melt my heart :)

It was truly a great service.
I might have found my new spot :)

We went back to my in-laws house for a bite of dessert before heading home to go to bed.

Christmas morning was finally here!
(Christmas #2)

This next picture is what you get when taking photos in the dark.
Note to self - Turn on the lights before X comes down the stairs next year!

You must watch this video!

How did that kid not see the giant blue truck sitting next to the tree?

After opening a few presents X was done.
I mean, actually started to cry because I wanted him to keep opening.
So what felt like forever (closer to 45 minutes), he finally came back to the room and opened the rest.

Later on X kept saying Christmas was awesome!

Once we ate breakfast it was time to get on with our day.
The boys played with Lego's and goofed around with X's new sled, while I baked another pie.

X really tried to pull Mic in the sled, but it just wasn't happening. lol!

Of course I had to play a little too.

So I tested out my new big girl camera :)

I have no idea what I am doing, but I can't wait to learn all about it!

We gathered our things and headed north to celebrate with my dad and step mom (Christmas #3).

My dad set up part of his race track and train track for X to enjoy.
This is one of his favorite things to do at my dad's house!
To be honest, it was one of my brother's and my favorite things to do as kids as well!

These next few photos were taken with my new camera.

I am heaven!

The color, the clarity, the crispness....you would think I am talking about a diamond! lol!

On Saturday morning we enjoyed some breakfast at my dad's house with my brother and SIL before heading over to my mom's house (Christmas #4).

After lots of good company and good food, we packed up our things and headed back to the country.
X was so tired he was out cold minutes after leaving my mom's house.
While Mic was changing X and putting him to bed, I carried in our things and then stopped to enjoy a moment near the tree.

It rained and rained our whole way home and through the night.
We didn't wake up to a pretty site, but it doesn't come close to the devastation some others faced this Christmas.

And that is a wrap on #Christmas2015
We enjoyed lots of food, family, and friends over the last few days.
It was wonderful!