Charitable Holiday Giving

Every year my family talks about doing something different for Christmas presents. We all have more than we need, and it feels excessive every year. Don't get me wrong I'm still a child at heart and love getting gift. I also love giving gifts. I will post later about some of the incredible gifts that hubby and I got this year. 

However today, let's talk stockings. They are a tradition for many families. Both our families have been doing them for years. However this year, my Mother-in-Law decided to take the money that would have been spent on each stocking and instead give to a charity in our name. She picked four different charities (one for each of us). I was so excited to hear that she had done this. I hope that it is a tradition that will be continued. Anyone else have someone give to charity in their name or did you give for someone? Any other unique gift giving? 

He's Home

He's home! R&R has begun which means that I will be back after New Year's. I hope that everyone has a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! 

Tag You're It - Christmas Edition

I was tagged by The Vintage Chair for a little get-to-know-you-better Christmas fun. I'm tagging Bonnie (Thriving is Elegant) and Julia (More than Perfection). Have fun with it. 

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?

Generally wrapping paper, I like to decorate the packages. 

2. Real tree or artificial?

My family has always had a real tree and so has hubbies. We'll be getting a real tree this year.

3. When do you put up the tree?

We will put it up this weekend. Normally it would go up earlier, but I'm waiting for a special delivery from overseas. 

4. When do you take the tree down?

I will take it down around New Year's

5. Do you like eggnog?

No not really

6. Favorite gift as a child?

A stuffed puppy that my Mommom gave me. I've slept with it since she gave it to me. It has traveled with me to France, and is currently keeping hubby company in Iraq.

7. Hardest person to buy for?

Dad and Father-in-Law

8. Easiest person to buy for?

Adam (hubby) and my brother are very easy to shop for. 

9. Do you have a nativity scene?

No, I don't. My mom and Mommom have beautiful, white, simple porcelain sets. I hope to have one of theirs passed down to me one day. 

10. Mail or email Christmas cards?

Definitely mail, there is nothing personal about an email card

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?

An ex's Mom gave me a wooden carved angel. It sounds pretty, but it wasn't. 

12. Favorite Christmas movie?

White Christmas

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?

After Thanksgiving and usually don't finish up until Christmas Eve

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?

See #11. Hysterically enough, my Great Aunt thought it was awesome. 

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?

Sugarcake. It's Moravion and yummy. 

16. Lights on the tree?

Yes, the clear white ones. I think there is something so classic and beautiful about white tree lights. 

17. Favorite Christmas song?

"I'll Be Home for Christmas" - it has a lot more meaning now more than ever. 

"Morningstar" - it's a beautiful Moravion hymm. 

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home?

We will be traveling this year. I would love to have a place where our family could come to us. 

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer?

probably not

20. Angel on the tree top or a star?

We had a star for a long time. Not sure about this year. 

21. When do you open presents?

Hubby and I will have our own Christmas at some point. My family usually does one on Christmas Eve and the rest on Christmas day. 

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year?

Traffic is insane this time of year.  

23. Favorite ornament theme or color?

I like maroon and gold as a color scheme. 

24. Favorite Christmas dinner?

I had beef fondue one year for Christmas. I have to say that it's to this day my favorite holiday meal. 

25. What do you want for Christmas this year?

We got lucky. Adam's R&R is over Christmas. Having my husband home for our first married Christmas is the best gift I can imagine. 

26. What was the first gift of Christmas?

For me the first gift of Christmas is getting outside of myself and doing for others with no strings attached. 

My Grown Up Christmas List

Today, I share with you what I would really like for Christmas. I've always loved these lyrics and find them especially fitting this year. Stay tuned in the next day or two I will be sharing my since "I can't have world peace" Christmas list.

"My Grown Up Christmas List"
Do you remember me
I sat upon your knee
I wrote to you
With childhood fantasies
Well, I'm all grown up now
And still need help somehow
I'm not a child
But my heart still can dream
So here's my lifelong wish
My grown up christmas list
Not for myself
But for a world in need

No more lives torn apart
That wars would never startand wars would never start
And time would heal all hearts
And everyone would have a friend
And right would always win
And love would never end
This is my grown up christmas list

As children we believed
The grandest sight to see
Was something lovely
Wrapped beneath our tree
Well heaven only knows
That packages and bows
Can never heal
A hurting human soul

No more lives torn apart
That wars would never start
And time would heal all hearts
And everyone would have a friend
And right would always win
And love would never end
This is my grown up christmas list

What is this illusion called the innocence of youth
Maybe only in our blind belief can we ever find the truth(there'd be)

What is your "grown-Up Christmas list" this year?

Lessons Learned

There are certain moments in life where you have a chance to learn a lesson. They can be big or small lessons. Simple don't-do-that-again lessons or truly profound life changing lessons. It has yet to be determined what category this current life experience will fall into. I think perhaps it will be right in the middle. Without going into detail here is what I have learned so far:
- When your boss agrees to something important like taking a specific amount of time off, get it in writing.
- Sincerity and truth are shown by actions and not words.
- You never know how truly precious a few hours are until they are taken away from you. Soak in EVERY moment. Let me repeat that Soak in EVERY moment.
- There comes a point when you have to decide what you can handle and when too much is just too much.
What is a lesson that you have learned from a life experience?

Christmas Came Early

Woohoo! I got a new phone. It's the Samsung Rant. However mine is a lovely purple, one of my favorite colors. I'm excited. My last phone was refurbished, and the keys were starting to fall off. It was time to get a new one. So Merry Early Christmas to me. lol