12 Days of Christmas

Aly at Analyze This is hosting a blog hop for the 12 days of Christmas.  I know what you are thinking -- there are 32 days of Christmas left! I know I know, but what better way to kick off the Christmas season than a countdown?!
Here is the list:
Day 1: Christmas/Holiday traditions
Day 2: Black Friday/General Shopping Tips & Tricks
Day 3: Most meaningful gift/best gift you've received
Day 4: Tips/Tricks to a Budget Friendly holiday season
Day 5: Favorite Holiday Movie/TV Show Special
Day 6: Gift ideas (what do YOU want? We all have family/friends reading our blogs...so let them know!)
Day 7: Holiday Craft/DIY (If you don't make anything, what do you WISH you could make?)
Day 8: Least favorite thing about the Holidays
Day 9: Favorite Holiday recipe
Day 10: Favorite Christmas Songs/Carols
Day 11: New Year Resolutions
Day 12: Show us your decorations (indoor/outdoor)
Day 13: Favorite Cookie Recipe
Day 14: Oprah's Favorite Things: What item(s) would you want if you were in the audience?

OK, so it's 14 days -- whatever =) If you want to play along, head over to Aly's blog and link up!!

Every year, I have almost always spent Christmas Eve with my family.  We get together for dinner and then attend the Christmas Eve service at church.  On our way home we always make detours to check out the Christmas lights.  After church, while everyone is still dressed up for the service, we take family pictures.  we usually get silly and a little out of hand but we always have a great time together.  Once pictures have been taken and we FINALLY get a good looking shot of all of us, we change into comfy clothes and exchange gifts as a family.  After we have eaten too many leftovers and desserts and all the presents are opened we go to bed.  When Christmas morning would FINALLY arrive, we would wake everyone up and see what Santa brought!! For those of you curious, yes, I still get Santa gifts.  Apparently that will continue until I have kids of my own.  I use to think that was incredibly far away but now...I'm an adult and that decision will need to be made in the near future lol.

Now that I have been in a serious relationship and now married, we split our time between our families.  J's parents do their Christmas thing on Christmas Day.  So last year, we did our regular Christmas Eve traditions with my parents.  Instead of spending the night, though, we received our Santa gifts that night also.  That was a little sad, I like waking up the next morning and having a surprise appear!  And I enjoy spending Christmas morning with my family.  But we went to our home on Christmas Eve after an evening of family, fun and gifts.  Christmas Day, around lunch time, we made our way to J's parent's house.  We enjoyed more food and a lot of people. They open their gifts EVERYONE together, which tends to feel pressured and overwhelming but we still have  a great time.  This year will probably be very similar to last year.  Unless J and I come up with our own traditions as a married couple.

Something that I have turned into a tradition on my own is that I watch:

every year for the past few, the day after Thanksgiving.  It officially kicks off the Christmas season for me.  I am hoping this year, that J and I will watch this Friday and then make the trek to the Christmas Tree farm and harvest our own tree!! I am really hoping it happens and this can be the start of our own traditions =)

Happy 3 days until Thanksgiving and 32 days until Christmas!!! (Note: I don't count the current day lol)

PS: Look for my weekend/race recap later on today!