I could list the rules here but since Christmas day will officially be over in four hours – central time – I’m just going to list my Christmas favs (old and new) and in the spirit of breaking all rules, I AM tagging anyone who reads this and can post theirs within the next four hours…otherwise you will have bad luck for seven years. (Come on now!) :P

Got the rules? Here’s my list (in no specific order – cuz I’m short on time):

1. I love Thanksgiving because the following day, all of the festive stuff begins for me…thoughts of Christmas and gift-giving and decorating.

2. Decorating. One of my favorite things to do at Christmas. I have at least five bins of Christmas stuff right now. Since it was all in storage this year, I went out and bought new stuff. Not a lot but enough that I sort of forgot what old stuff I have and now we’ll probably have seven bins instead of five. You can’t not work at Crate and Barrel and get 30% off and NOT buy new Christmas decorations. That’s my excuse.

3. Baking Christmas cookies and listening to Christmas music. That just brings back a lot of memories of my childhood and baking cookies with my mom while my dad and brothers were out hunting.

4. Treeing. That’s what we called it. We visited family over the course of the Christmas week. THAT was Christmas to me growing up. I’m sad that we don’t get to do that around here. Driving around for the sake of looking at Christmas lights is just too expensive these days.

5. Watching Christmas shows on t.v. The Polar Express is my new favorite Christmas classic. My old favorites are A Christmas Story, Santa Claus the Movie and Rudolph – the clay animation one. Hailey’s favorite would have to be Shrek the Halls. We Tivoed it and have watched it at least once a day for the last three weeks.

6. Gift-giving. I absolutely LOVE giving gifts! Especially when the reaction I get when the recipient opens it is a good one.

7. Annual Christmas Cookie Exchange! We did this for the first time this year at Kerry’s house and I hope I’m always able to make it. It was so much fun!

8. Sending out Christmas Cards. I’ve had photo cards done for the past few years now and I really love sending them out so everyone can see an updated picture of Hailey. Crazy that she’s only two and has celebrated THREE Christmas’ with us now!

9. Driving around to see all of the Christmas lights around town. We did that growing up and I loved it!

10. Making a Christmas wish list. Did this growing up. I remember paging through the Sears Wish Book and giving my list to “santa”.

11. Christmas morning. My brother and I were always up the earliest. It was hard to wait for the parents to come downstairs and watch us open gifts.

12. Spending Christmas with Eric and Hailey. My newest, most favorite tradition. I’m looking forward to many more years of this and starting our own traditions.

Leave me a comment if you post yours!