Start your Holidays: Holiday Organization Part 3

next
High Five for Friday!

The aspect of Christmas that tends to be the most chaotic for me is shopping for and wrapping gifts. I tend to leave it to the last minute and part of that reason why is that I always think I may add just one more item to the gift.


So I wait to wrap it until it’s too late, and I end up throwing the whole gift in a bag with tissue paper. Now, there is nothing wrong with that, but my creative side enjoys the wrapping process and I always regret not leaving enough time for it.

I recently shared a few apps and printable sheets to help organize your Christmas shopping list. Those will help me keep all the gifts straight this year, so I’m planning on having plenty of time to wrap. And since I’ll be checking off everything on the list, I’ll know that the gift is complete.†

I like to shop for gift tags, ribbon and other wrapping accessories at either Hobby Lobby or Target. Both stores have a good variety and their prices are pretty fantastic.


When it comes to ribbon, my mom taught me the quickest way to curl a pile of ribbon.

I used to cut individual pieces and curl each one. Then gather them up and tie them into a bunch.

My mom taught me to cut a long string of ribbon and curl the entire piece until you have a good pile. Then, “fold” it onto itself until you have a center point to tie, and tie it into a bunch!

When you are wrapping your gifts, sometimes less is more. My childhood was filled with trying to tear the impossibly tight ribbon off of a box. My mom would always laugh and hand the pair of scissors my way. A great stocking stuffer would have been a pair of scissors …to open the rest of the gifts!
I like to add unique pieces to the outside of my gifts. For example, if I’m gifting a hair accessory, I’ll attach it to the outside of the box. It distinguishes your gift, and it’s a pretty way to creatively wrap.

I also like to use unsuspected items as gift toppers. I made these gold dipped feathers for myself, but thought they would be the perfect gift topper. They were cheap, simple to make, and it’s possible the recipient of the gift may use them as well! It’s a little more interesting than a bow.†

So while the wrapping can be time consuming, it always pays off to see the eyes of the recipient light up at your beautiful gift. And my favorite part of Christmas is sitting in the circle, with my family, and watching everyone open their gifts.†
What is your most favorite holiday tradition?†Answer that question, and you will be entered for a chance to win a $50 Starbucks gift card, courtesy of BlogHer.
Rules:
No duplicate comments.
You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:
a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
b) Tweet (public message) about this promotion; including exactly the†following unique term in your tweet message: “”#SweepstakesEntry””; and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post
c) Blog about this promotion, including a disclosure that you are receiving a sweepstakes entry in exchange for writing the blog post, and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.
This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.
The Official Rules are available here.
This sweepstakes runs from 12/17/12 – 12/28/12.
Visit the Starbucks brand page on†BlogHer.com†where you can read other bloggersí posts and find more chances to win!

comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Jourdan says · 12.17.12

My favorite part is waking up on Christmas morning. It is an exciting time.

Reply
jeannie says · 12.17.12

Going to my friends Cookie exchange party and then sharing all the cookies with my fam. 🙂

Reply
Jess says · 12.17.12

Watching White Christmas with my sister and dancing along to the music!

Reply
Michelle says · 12.17.12

Our family reads through the Christmas story in the book of Luke prior to opening presents…and now that the grandkids are getting older, they each take a turn to read several verses!

Reply
Erin Correa says · 12.17.12

Mine relates to wrapping…in an attempt to reduce the expense of Christmas we started a gift exchange last year. However, we wanted the process to still take some time so we could enjoy it so we started a contest surrounding wrapping efforts. There are prizes for: best overall, most formal, best creative use of material, funniest, most improved, etc… Loads of fun and keeps us focused on what the holidays should be about—laughter and celebrating family!

Reply
Monica @ CreativeGator says · 12.17.12

One of my favorite holiday traditions is to drive around to see Christmas lights with hot chocolate. It is usually quite warm in FL, so we have to have the air conditioner on while the windows are down. 🙂

Reply
Unknown says · 12.17.12

I love going to Christmas in St. Michaels (MD) – its a smalltown celebration that includes a parade, gingerbread house contest, shopping, etc. My boyfriend and I go every year and it really kicks off the holiday season!

Reply
April L says · 12.17.12

Watching my friends and family open the gifts I’ve purchased for them is the best part for me!

Reply
TheYellowRose says · 12.17.12

Once my siblings and I were too old to get into the whole tree-and-presents thing, our new tradition as a family was to drive to Florida and spend Christmas at a theme park together, usually Universal. We always had a blast and had great pictures for Christmas cards! 🙂

Reply
Amanda says · 12.17.12

My favorite holiday tradition is spending time with friends and family I don’t get to see very often.

Reply
Amy says · 12.17.12

I love attending church on Christmas Eve with my family.

amysisson (at) gmail (dot) com

Reply
Diana says · 12.17.12

My favorite is our Christmas Eve services at church.

Reply
Brooke Petersen says · 12.17.12

My most favorite holiday tradition is a trivia game we play as a family every year called the Elf Christmas Quiz. It is totally bizarre, but always fantastic!

Reply
mnstengel says · 12.17.12

Watching A Christmas Story on tv and then heading to a movie with my family

Reply
Jenny says · 12.17.12

My favorite holiday tradition is going to my grandma’s house on Christmas Eve and opening gifts with my cousins. Now that we’re grown, it’s fun to watch our children open their gifts.

I typically have many gifts to wrap for work colleagues and volunteers. I wanted a cheaper way to wrap the gifts. I purchased a package of brown paper lunch sacks, decorated them with a Christmas stamp, and tied a cute gift tag with bakers twine. They turned out very cute!

Reply
Katie Favreau says · 12.17.12

Having my mom and grandparents come to our house for Christmas breakfast and then watch the kids open their gifts.

Reply
myfreckledlife.com says · 12.17.12

My favorite holiday tradition is actually one that my husband’s family celebrates and that I have now become a part of. On Christmas Eve everyone opens 1 present – and it’s always an ornament that represents something that happened to the individual that year. Then, once they kids grow up and leave the house, they get to take all of their ornaments to their new tree! We now have ornaments dating back to my husband’s first Christmas!

Reply
Christina Arsenault says · 12.17.12

My favorite holiday tradition is to practically watch the entire 24 hours of repeat “A Christmas Story” on TBS 🙂

Reply
Lilly says · 12.17.12

since my daughter was born 6 years ago, we bake a cake for baby jesus on dec 24th. we might do cupcakes this year! she is quite the baker at 6 years old. merry christmas!

Reply
Michelle Carter says · 12.17.12

My favorite traditions is eating nachos on Christmas eve.

-Michelle
http://www.littlehomesandbighearts.com

p.s. you are so your mothers daughter Kate! 🙂 your moms gift wrapping is legendary!

Reply
Kristin says · 12.17.12

My favorite holiday tradition is getting together with my parents, brother and sister for Christmas morning breakfast, and opening all of our Christmas cards together.

Reply
cpifer says · 12.17.12

My favorite holiday tradition is staying a night in and relaxing with my husband by the fireplace. We’ll make hot chocolate and watch the movie, Home Alone.

Reply
Liz says · 12.17.12

My favorite tradition is going to Midnight Mass on Christmas morning.

Reply
TinaH says · 12.17.12

My favorite is something my husband and I started with our kids several years ago.. We have a Silly String Fight on Christmas eve.. :0) Love it!

Reply
Rebecca S. says · 12.17.12

The gift wrapping is so creative! My favorite Christmas tradition is eating coffee cake and opening gifts at 7 in the morning. We couldn’t wait any longer as kids and we still get up early to do so!

Reply
Lori says · 12.17.12

Taking my kids to see the Christmas lights and making Christmas cookies.

Reply
Sitesx6 says · 12.17.12

Our family loves going to Christmas Eve. church and then we stop on the way home for hot chocolate and drive around and look at Christmas lights.

Reply
Alesha says · 12.17.12

For years my family has drawn names and now my husband joins into that too. I love spending so much focus on making one family member’s Christmas morning super special and exciting. =)
Alesha <3

Reply
Kristen says · 12.17.12

Kate, that is my favorite part too! I love sitting in a large circle at my aunt’s house and watching everyone open their gifts. The room fills with so much laughter and love! Happy holidays!

Reply
Laura @ Chaotic Domestic says · 12.17.12

My favorite tradition is midnight Mass on Christmas Eve.

Reply
Kendra says · 12.17.12

I love my husband reading from the Bible Christmas Eve in front of a fire. All the busy stuff is over and it’s just our family and God’s gift to us

Reply
Mara Yager says · 12.17.12

I love decorating sugar cookies with all of the little kids. and seeing their faces after Santa comes. Happy Holidays, Kate!

Reply
Mara Yager says · 12.17.12

https://twitter.com/yagermara/status/280695277256601600

Tweeted! This is my second entry 🙂 Thanks again!

maralwallace (at) yahoo (dot) com

Reply
destination262 says · 12.17.12

My holiday tradition is every Christmas Eve my dad and I make a huge lasagna feast of a dinner for our whole family. It’s so fun to spend all day in the kitchen prepping the meal, and hanging just the two of all day drinking wine and singing christmas carols!

Reply
Christina MC says · 12.17.12

Since getting married I have taken on some of his family traditions and my favorite is on Christmas Eve any one older than 12 gets to stay up late and enjoy a giant spread of assorted cheeses,fruits, crackers and sparkling cider. It’s a right of passage for the kids as they get old enough to join in on the late night treat.

Reply
Anna P says · 12.17.12

I’m loving the Christmas music this year – I think it’s driving my boyfriend a little crazy 🙂

Reply
Wendy Freeland says · 12.17.12

I love watching everyone presents.

Reply
lacy blaine says · 12.17.12

church+chinese food on Christmas Eve!

Reply
Lex LB says · 12.17.12

Such a great idea about the ribbon!!

Reply
Regan says · 12.17.12

I love making tamales with my family!

Reply
Laura says · 12.17.12

Love to watched loved ones open gifts given with love!!

Reply
brian and kim says · 12.17.12

I love Christmas eve church and buying presents for the ones I love!

Reply
Rachel says · 12.17.12

One of my absolute favorites is on Christmas Eve night we have “Santa” call and talk to all the kids about making sure they get their rest tonight and listen to their parents before he makes his arrival. Watching their face expressions is PRICELESS.

I also love the family time that we get to send together with a lovely meal and Christmas music playing 🙂

Merry Christmas!!!

Reply
Anne says · 12.17.12

Those feathers are awesome! My favorite holiday tradition is Christmas morning stockings and cinnamon rolls with my immediate family.

Reply
Plock says · 12.17.12

i like watching the rose bowl parade with my family.

Reply
alisonsutter says · 12.17.12

My favorite is sleeping around the Christmas tree. It started 20 years ago and we are still going strong!

Reply
Heather Joy says · 12.17.12

My favorite tradition is the Christmas Eve service at our church.

Reply
Brenda Lee says · 12.17.12

All of my siblings coming to our parents house on Christmas day to open presents. We all are off doing our own thing the rest of the year (plus one of us lives 1,000 miles away in NC, and until 2011 my husband and I lived there too), so it’s awesome that all of us can be in one place for a while.

Reply
Kerry says · 12.17.12

Being with family and eating homemade cinnamon rolls for breakfast on Christmas Day! 🙂

Reply
Audrey says · 12.17.12

My family really only has one tradition right now and that is getting together on Christmas Eve for an evening of yummy food and a small gift exchange for the children. I hope to begin some new traditions with my little ones.

Reply
Unknown says · 12.17.12

Now that I have two little boys, we’re making our own traditions. Our new favorite family tradition is heading to the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago and checking out the lights the night before Christmas Eve. We walk around sipping hot chocolate all bundled up, dance to the holiday music, and just be grateful for each other.

Reply
Jen says · 12.17.12

Now that I have two little boys, we’re making our own traditions. Our new favorite family tradition is heading to the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago and checking out the lights the night before Christmas Eve. We walk around sipping hot chocolate all bundled up, dance to the holiday music, and just be grateful for each other.

Reply
treandlin says · 12.17.12

Seeing my children’s faces on Christmas morning and remembering Jesus!

Reply
Emily G. says · 12.17.12

Sitting down next to the lit tree at the end of the day on Christmas and reflecting on what a fun time it was. 🙂

Reply
Lovely Lady Cakes says · 12.17.12

Making Christmas candy with my family!

Reply
2busy says · 12.17.12

My most favorite holiday tradition is actually decorating together and remembering the special memories associated with Christmas past.

Reply
heatherbhodge says · 12.17.12

Either on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day Day my father makes a fire in our living room stone fireplace built by my great grandfather. We all sit and enjoy each others company while my sister and I tend the fire and more often, roast marshmallows for s’mores.

Reply
us! says · 12.17.12

My very favorite holiday tradition is going to see the Nutcracker with my mom and baby sister. It’s such a special tradition and I hope to continue it when I’m a mom as well!

Reply
Mami2jcn says · 12.17.12

I like decorating the tree!

mami2jcn at gmail dot com

Reply
Rose says · 12.17.12

I love trimming the tree!

Reply
Mami2jcn says · 12.17.12 Reply
Laura Nile says · 12.17.12

My favorite Christmas tradition is all that happens on Christmas morning- cinnamon rolls, stockings, presents, and family!

loveablelaura13 (at) gmail (dot) com

Reply
City Gal says · 12.17.12

Getting together with my whole family on Christmas Eve at my Grandpa’s house for dinner and presents!

Reply
VAS says · 12.17.12

Christmas morning..:)

Reply
Mike & Jessica says · 12.17.12

I love Christmas mornings watching all my young cousins open presents while enjoying a family brunch!

Reply
Kathleen062709 says · 12.17.12

My favorite part is on Christmas Eve, my family reads the Christmas Story out of Luke 2!

Reply
Emily says · 12.17.12

We love to open stockings after 7 a.m., eat breakfast, get dressed, and then open presents. It makes for a much more restful, peaceful Christmas day for us and since it’s our tradition, our boys don’t think/know it’s different for so many.

Reply
Wa Wa Waughs says · 12.17.12

One of my favorite traditions is the “fake” present. Under a small tree in our entryway we have always had fake presents – except for one. The kids have to find the real one – usually a game for the whole family!

Reply
Lauren says · 12.17.12

Putting up my purple tabletop tree.

Reply
Crissa Pollmann Robertson says · 12.17.12

I love our tradition of going to my MIL’s house on Christmas morning. We bring my little pup over there to play with their lab. They wear each other out running around and playing in the wrapping paper, bows, and ribbons.

Reply
gina says · 12.17.12

We get a new game every christmas and play games in our pj’s all day.

Reply
Taryn Leavitt says · 12.17.12

My favorite part of Christmas is leaving stockings by the bedroom door and opening them very first thing in the morning – stockings are my absolute favorite!

Reply
rachel says · 12.17.12

Making cookies with my family — and then eating them!

Reply
Emilie says · 12.17.12

My family always has the same breakfast and I look forward to it all year – chipped beef on toast + monkey bread!! I’m so excited!!

Reply
Annie Luhmann says · 12.17.12

Peanut Butter fudge!
annieluh1 (at) gmail (dot) com

Reply
Becca says · 12.17.12

I love shopping for and then watching my children open their ornament I have selected for them each year.

Reply
Elizabeth says · 12.17.12

My favorite holiday tradition is eating a huge breakfast with family on Christmas morning.

Reply
Erin says · 12.17.12

I love the gold dipped feather! So pretty. This is my first year decorating and I think I’m going to love it as a tradition. I’ve been listening to Christmas music, lighting holiday candles, and enjoying the Christmas tree.

Reply
MaryfsRD says · 12.17.12

My favorite Christmas tradition is opening up the gifts: one gift, one person at a time so everyone can see what they got. So lots of thank you’s.

Reply
dorotheaspears964 says · 12.17.12

My most favorite holiday tradition is being the first one up on Christmas morning so that I can get the traditional cinnamon rolls in the oven – this not only gives me a chance to create something delicious for Christmas morning, but I get to see the smiles and anticipation on the faces of the little ones when they first spy the presents under the tree.

Reply
Julie Nyland says · 12.17.12

On Christmas Eve, my family and I have ugly Christmas hat contests. Instead of the sweaters, which has become so popular, we do hats, and we have to make them ourselves. They always turn out hilarious. Then whoever wins gets a prize, and the next year the winner gets the prize for that year. It’s so funny to see what everyone comes up with.

Julienyland14 at yahoo dot com

Reply
Stacy says · 12.17.12

My favorite is spending time with family and friends!

Reply
Katherine Adcock says · 12.17.12

the most beautiful time for me is staying up all night with my mom to wrap presents for my younger sisters and nieces. when we’re done and the dawn is peeking through the windows, it is an incredible feeling to see everything under the tree and have this special moment with my mom.

Reply
jward says · 12.17.12

I love everything about Christmas. My favorite things would be the decorations and food!

Reply
sweeetkiwi says · 12.17.12

My favorite Christmas tradition is going to look at the Christmas lights!

Reply
Meg says · 12.17.12

Every year, while growing up, my family would attend Christmas Eve services together. On our way home, we would take a leisurely drive home through neighborhoods and enjoy all the Christmas lights. Then, we’d get home and pull out all our best dishes and have a TON of hor d’ouerves and a Christmas movie. And, until the year before my sister married, we would sleep in the same room and let Christmas music play softly in the background. I miss those days like none other!

Reply
Magda Pomichowski says · 12.17.12

This is a great post and very pretty wrapping ideas. I try each year to get better and more creative with wrapping but I get lazy about it too. Anyway my favorite holiday tradition is the one my family has on Christmas Eve (we call it Wigilia). I am 100% Polish and most of our festivities are celebrated on Christmas Eve. We eat dinner when the first star appears in the sky, we share 12 traditional dishes symbolizing the 12 months out of the year and always set an extra place at the table in case someone drops by unexpectedly. We also don’t eat meat during this meal. There are lots of little traditions and symbolisms throughout this meal that I love. We also go to midnight mass that evening. You can read more about it here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wigilia. Merry Christmas everyone!
xoxo
Mags
http://magsmind22.blogspot.com/

Reply
Olivia Kentch says · 12.17.12

My favorite holiday tradition is decorating with my mom. I always enjoy it and gets my in the holiday spirit!

Reply
megan nicole gibbs says · 12.17.12

my favorite holiday tradition is gathering with family on Christmas Eve for dinner and our gift exchange then just hanging out, watching a movie or playing games.

Reply
Meghann Claire says · 12.17.12

I enjoy Christmas morning breakfast with my family, or brunch if we’re not all in the same house =o)

Reply
Ashley says · 12.17.12

My favorite Christmas tradition is making cookies with my kids 🙂

Reply
Ashley Sparks says · 12.17.12

The joy of my life is getting up on Christmas morning and eating home made cinnamon rolls and listening to my husband read the Christmas story out of the Bible before any presents get opened. It’s a magical moment.
I posted this on my blog… http://mommyishblog.blogspot.com/

And you can read about this and some other lovely families traditions in a magazine called the Sandbucket. Check it out here: http://thesandbucket.com/

Reply
GraceAnne says · 12.17.12

My favorite Christmas tradition is reading from Luke chapter 2 in my parents’ bed before my siblings and I go downstairs to see if Santa came. It helps to put the real reason of Christmas, Jesus Christ, in the front of our minds.

[email protected]

Reply
Sara says · 12.17.12

Making the kids, 12 and 9 now, wait at the top of the stairs as we make sure Santa stopped by. We rustle things around and start the coffee. The anticipation makes for a burst of excitement as they run down the stairs. Btw, love your wrappings.

Reply
Cindy says · 12.17.12

Our favorite tradition is playing James Taylor Christmas CD every morning while the coffee is brewing and baking candy cane cookies, a tradition passed down from my mom! (Sometimes we eat the cookies for breakfast:)

Reply
ha ma lo says · 12.17.12

One of my favorite traditions happens on Christmas Eve. We all get together for dinner and the person hosting hides a almond in the dessert. Whoever gets the almond in his/her dessert gets a gift that has been teasing us through out the night on the dining room table (usually a yummy edible suprise!).

[email protected]

Reply
Loren Koehler says · 12.17.12

My favorite part is:

We have a family tradition that we go to grandma’s house on Christmas Eve and after dinner and (massive) desserts we all head to the family room and listen to a story that the oldest grandchild reads. Usually half way through, we all hear jingle bells and the youngest grand kids scream because they know it’s Santa! Then he “somehow” leaves little stockings for all the grand kids in the other room and the little ones race to them to see their little surprises! It’s the best to see their faces and how excited they get!

Reply
Loren Koehler says · 12.17.12 Reply
Sherry66 says · 12.17.12

My family – brothers and sister – celebrates together on Christmas Eve with snacks, fondue and silly gift exchanges. Sometimes we even wear our favorite holiday pjs, too!

Reply
jenjen says · 12.17.12

I love preparing a big Christmas morning breakfast for my family

Reply
Kimberly says · 12.17.12

About 4 years ago, my family started celebrating Advent. The four Sundays before Christmas are spent together, sharing a spiritual thought about Christmas, singing our favorite Christmas songs, and then enjoying a special dessert. This is the first year that we haven’t done it (due to conflicting schedules) and I REALLY miss it. It hasn’t felt like the Christmas season without Advent. I will definitely be carrying on the tradition next year!

Reply
Alana Taylor says · 12.17.12

Love those gold-dipped feathers so much!

http://www.domesticblissdiaries.com

Reply
villagegirl says · 12.17.12

It’s hard to pick just one! I think maybe I’ll go with Christmas eve service at church. There is something so holy about gathering in the dark and singing Christmas carols. It just solidifies the Reason we celebrate Christmas.
That and the eating of chocolate with total abandon. 🙂

Reply
villagegirl says · 12.17.12

btw, I LOVE your hair tutorials! I’ve done a couple and always get compliments! I feel like I’ve finally grown up and am able to do cute things with my hair. That and discovering good product. Thanks so much!

Reply
ash says · 12.17.12

every year my mom have a west wing marathon. it’s tradition

Reply
Rachelle Finck says · 12.17.12

I love being in Indiana with family. Sadly, this year we are staying in Texas. I haven’t quite accepted this fact yet, but I am looking forward to starting new traditions with my husband.

Reply
Miranda Lamb says · 12.17.12

Watching home alone and drinking hot chocolate.

Reply
Katie DeKoster says · 12.17.12

Loving the gold feathers!!! I saw the same thing on The Nester a few days ago too – so cute! As far as favorite holiday traditions, I think waking up Christmas morning and opening stockings with my whole family is still my favorite part of the day.

Reply
Janine says · 12.17.12

My favorite part of Christmas is enjoying the morning with my family. My husband reads the Christmas story to us, we pray and then take our time opening our gifts. I make a delicious breakfast we enjoy in the middle of our gift opening. It is such a special family time.

Reply
Kaycee says · 12.17.12

I love Christmas morning- our whole family comes over, we have a pancake breakfast, read the nativity story in the Bible, and exchange gifts 🙂

Reply
SalBug says · 12.17.12

My parents and siblings get together in our home town a few weeks before Christmas to celebrate together, so that we are then able to spend Christmas with our in-laws or whomever else. It’s so special. And it forces me to finish my shopping earlier and be more organized!

Reply
Sarah Fry says · 12.17.12

My favorite holiday tradition is gifting and opening new jammies on Christmas eve so everyone has new warm ones to sleep in and wear while opening presents on Christmas morning.

Reply
Kerry says · 12.17.12

My favorite tradition is Christmas Eve mass with my family.
nuthouse(at)centurytel(dot)net

Reply
Kerry says · 12.17.12

tweeted: https://twitter.com/KerryBishop/status/280816189234610176
nuthouse(at)centurytel(dot)net

Reply
Brandi says · 12.18.12

My favorite tradition is Christmas Day dinner with my parents and family.

Reply
Tessa Jones says · 12.18.12

My favorite tradition is opening one gift on Christmas Eve!

Reply
Elena says · 12.18.12

My favorite tradition is baking Christmas cookies and sharing them with friends and family members

[email protected]

Reply
Megan Hutnick says · 12.18.12

My most recent favorite tradition is the trip that my brother and I take right before Christmas. It brings a whole new meaning to coming home for the holidays! This year we’re going to your hometown of Chicago. I also love all the Christmas spirit in the decorations and flavors especially @Starbucks. Merry Christmas!

Reply
Adam and Bianca says · 12.18.12

my favorite is opening our stockings at night before bed

Reply
Madeline Brubaker says · 12.18.12

I love going to our in-laws on Christmas Eve for food and presents.
madelinebrubaker {at} gmail (dot) com

Reply
Madeline Brubaker says · 12.18.12 Reply
Donna V says · 12.18.12

My favorite tradition is spending Christmas morning with my family especially as I get older and truly appreciate that we are still able to all be together in one place with significant others in the mix and babies on the way. It is a low-key, relaxed morning, and I’m so thankful for it!

Reply
Alysia Merriman says · 12.18.12

Watching White Christmas….I love Bing Crosby!

Reply
jgrimsleys says · 12.18.12

Watching my son open his gift-that’s a great thing.

Reply
Tammy S says · 12.18.12

My favorite tradition is when all my family comes to our house and we open gifts together. I love seeing everyones suprise at what they got.

Reply
Claire Dolan says · 12.18.12

I love waking up super early every Christmas morning with the rest of my siblings so we can open our stockings and fall back asleep until my parents wake up! We’ve done this as long as I can remember and now, as college graduates, we still do it.

Reply
Jennifer says · 12.18.12

Our favorite tradition is getting in our jammies, stopping for hot chocolate, and driving around looking at Christmas lights!

Reply
kms says · 12.18.12

My favourite tradition is making Christmas Cookies with my sisters, mom, and Grandma!

Reply
Jennifer Cross says · 12.18.12

My favorite tradition is putting the tree up while Christmas music is playing and we eat cookies and good food!

Reply
Kelsey says · 12.18.12

My favorite tradition is attending Christmas Eve mass then coming home and cooking a great holiday dinner and spending quality time with family from out of town!

Reply
beth @ {a latte inspiration} says · 12.18.12

My favorite tradition is seeing all of my family members between Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Usually it was my moms side Christmas Eve and early morning Day and my dad’s side the rest of Christmas Day.

Reply
Katie says · 12.18.12

My favorite tradition would have to be my moms homemade sticky buns hot out of the oven. I have now started this tradition with my family! 🙂

Reply
Cathy says · 12.18.12

Watching Christmas Vacation on Christmas Eve. Every year, no matter what.

Reply
cprjd says · 12.18.12

My favorite tradition is our newest one… Elf on the shelf. My daughters love looking for the elf every morning and I love the huge smile on their faces when they find it. It makes for the perfect morning.

Reply
That's Ms. Amy to You... says · 12.18.12

The feathers are so cute! I wouldn’t have thought of Hobby Lobby for wrapping items!

Reply
Katie @ Southern Chic Love says · 12.18.12

The stockings are my favorite tradition. We go all out. 🙂

Reply
Elaine says · 12.18.12

My favorite part is taking a couple of days off to just relax and spend time with my family.

Reply
Morgan McAlister says · 12.18.12

being that I am a full time student and working two jobs, my favorite time of the holidays is taking time off to just relax and spend a lot of time with my family! and the wrapping ideas in this post are adorable! LOVE!

Reply
Danae says · 12.18.12

My favorite tradition is baking up a storm with the kids and then taking plates of cookies to people. The kids love it too!

Reply
Kristin says · 12.18.12 Reply
Kelsey :) says · 12.18.12

My favorite holiday tradition is hunting for the pickle. My grandmother hides the pickle ornament in the Christmas tree. Whoever finds the pickle first gets $50. This game can get pretty rough.

Reply
kellyr78 says · 12.18.12

Our tradition is baking Christmas cookies & decorating a Gingerbread house every year.
kellywcuATyahooDOTcom

Reply
kellyr78 says · 12.18.12 Reply
catt716 says · 12.18.12

My favorite time is the “the veg” after Christmas. I used to get depressed after all the fuss, and my anxiety built up the day that I would fall into a lull after it was all said and done. Now I just bask in the opened boxes and the bags of torn wrapping paper and ribbon for a day or two. I take the time to enjoy the gifts I received or simply sit back and relax while watching Christmas movies and shows in my jammies and slippers. Eventually, I will get up and clean up the piles and put away the gifts, but for just a little while I simply AM!
This year will be a bit different as my 10 month old granddaughter will dictate a lot of what follows. I am excited at beginning a new tradition of watching my grandchild (and grandchildren to come) experience all the joy Christmas offers.

Reply
Carrie B says · 12.18.12

My favorite holiday tradition is the baking night I have with my mom and sister-in-law. We get together and make lots of goodies to give out over the holidays.

Reply
Steph at {Halfway} a Grown-Up says · 12.18.12

my favorite Christmas tradition is that Santa always leaves one unwrapped present, and anything else that says “from Santa” isreally from our Aunt Lori. this stool continues today even though we’re all grown up!

Reply
Sunnies_Shoes says · 12.18.12

My favorite tradition is opening one gift on Christmas Eve!

Reply
Melissa Mirarchi says · 12.18.12

I love watching peoples faces when opening gifts that I know they’ll love!

Reply
Stacey says · 12.18.12

My sister and I open our gift to each other the night before Christmas, and everyone opens the rest of the gifts with our whole family the next day.

[email protected]

Reply
Elisha says · 12.19.12

Opening gifts together as a family Christmas morning!

em.babcock(at)gmail(dot)com

Reply
SH says · 12.19.12

I’m not a US resident, so I can’t win the giveaway…but I’m going to comment anyways! My favorite part of Christmas: the Nutcracker!
thehartungs.blogspot.ca

Reply
Lizette Thompson says · 12.19.12

Since I don’t live close to my family, my favorite part of Christmas is getting to spend time with them.

Reply
Tara says · 12.19.12

My favorite holiday tradition is picking new ornaments for my daughters each year.

Reply
MichelleBaugh says · 12.19.12

I make Christmas pajamas for my 3 boys every year that they get to open on Christmas Eve and wear all day on Christmas Day. That is, without hesitation, my favorite tradition. I know I won’t be able to dress them myself forever, so I definitely cherish it!

Reply
Howell says · 12.20.12

My favorite tradition is watching the kids open their gifts under the tree.

hlee99 (at) gmail (dot) com

Reply
Howell says · 12.20.12 Reply
wizardewu says · 12.20.12

My most favorite holiday tradition is having all the families of my siblings gather together in NYC.

eugeniewu at gmail dot com

Reply
wizardewu says · 12.20.12 Reply
Mrs. Cox says · 12.20.12

I love being around the tree with the fire going, got chocolate, and the family!

Reply
ehubbs85 says · 12.20.12

My favorite tradition was sitting at the top of the stairs with my brothers on Christmas morning, waiting for my father to set up the camera so we could finally go downstairs to see what Santa brought.

Reply
Kelly Edwards says · 12.20.12

Simply having one day a year that I know I’ll see my parents and grandparents in the same day. My family and I live in a different town so I don’t often see them all in one trip!

Reply
B. Wilson @ Windy {City} Wilsons says · 12.20.12

Cinnamon rolls on Christmas morning.

Reply
Teri says · 12.20.12

Reading the Christmas story from Luke on Christmas Eve together as a family. Thats what its all about.
Thanks for the giveaway!

Reply
Angelyn says · 12.20.12

My favorite holiday tradition is our annual football game with all of the family!

Reply
JC says · 12.20.12

My most favorite holiday tradition is to pick up and decorate tree together.

Reply
S says · 12.20.12

Where can you buy that brown wrapping paper?

Reply
Sarah says · 12.20.12

My favorite is baking Christmas cookies. I’m giving them out this year, even if everyone is claiming to be on a “diet”.

https://twitter.com/grey_dient/status/281830114931646464

Reply
Rae says · 12.20.12

My favorite tradition is the cookie baking marathon my mom and I always have and then the joy of delivering them to friends and family.

Reply
Nora Rose says · 12.20.12

My favorite is also my mom’s cookie marathon! When I’m not working, I love to help with the thousands (2400 this year) of cookies she makes!!

Reply
Stephanie says · 12.20.12

My favorite tradition is simple: getting the whole family together. We all live in different states so we are never together at the same time. But on Christmas, I can count on us all being together and it just warms my heart and puts a smile on my daughters face, and that’s also the best gift. 🙂

Reply
Lisa says · 12.21.12

I love cooking with my mom and hanging out with my family.

Reply
*CPA* Su says · 12.21.12

Over the last couple of years, I have really become a scrooge about Christmas – the amount of work involved has just left me not wanting to do any of it. Period. And this year is even harder as I unexpectedly (isn’t that how God works) lost my dad 4 months ago. So I think I need to find a new niche. (next year 🙂 BUT I do love having bruch at my brother’s every Christmas morning. Being with family. Celebrating the Birth of our Savior. Peppermint White Mochas. Time off from work.

Merry Christmas!

Reply
Mindy says · 12.22.12

We like to go to the Christmas Eve service and then drive around and look at Christmas lights on the way home..

Reply
Mindy says · 12.22.12

We like to go to the Christmas Eve service and then drive around and look at Christmas lights on the way home..

Reply
Gina Wildorchid says · 12.22.12

tweet–https://twitter.com/WildOrchid985/status/282635229565419520

wildorchid985 at gmail dot com

Reply
Gina Wildorchid says · 12.22.12

I love playing board games with my family!

Thanks for the chance to win!
wildorchid985 at gmail dot com

Reply
sy says · 12.23.12

My parents and I make spring rolls and dumplings together for holidays. We also play games and watch shows together. Thanks for the giveaway!
songyueyu at gmail

Reply
sy says · 12.23.12 Reply
♡♥♬ Carolsue ♡♥♬ says · 12.24.12

My favorite holiday tradition is helping the kids put out milk and cookies for Santa.
Digicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net

Reply
♡♥♬ Carolsue ♡♥♬ says · 12.24.12

Twtte
https://twitter.com/MsCarolsueA/status/283075972041936897
Digicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net

Reply
Tiffany H. says · 12.24.12

My most favorite holiday tradition is hosting a gingerbread decorating party for my daughter and her friends and a cookie decorating party for my son and his friends. So fun to see my making memories with dear friends every year.

Reply
MCantu1019 says · 12.24.12

I love decorating the christmas tree.
MCantu1019(at)aol(dot)com

Reply
cw says · 12.26.12

I love having fondue on xmas eve and making a note and cookies for santa.
cgies25 at hotmail

Reply
Lee and Anna Hogan says · 12.26.12

My favorite tradition is watching everyone open their gifts one by one. ahogan820(at) yahoo(dot)com

Reply
Andrea says · 12.26.12

My favorite tradition is driving around looking at Christmas lights in our pajamas with hot chocolate or apple cider in hand, while listening to Christmas music.

Reply
Lynn says · 12.28.12

Opening presents on Christmas Eve!

rawrms at gmail dot com

Reply
Tabathia says · 12.28.12

baking gingerbread house with the kids

tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com

Reply
Tabathia says · 12.28.12 Reply
Nicole says · 01.02.13

My favorite tradition is simple but it means a lot. My extended family gets together on Christmas eve and does our gift exchange and goes to mass. Christmas day is reserved for everyone to be with their immediate family, and although that’s fun, our Christmas eve traditions are what gets the holiday started.

Reply