10. Hot Chocolate. Thanks to my sweet and fabulous friend Brigette, I can now make a great cup!
9. It’s a Wonderful Life. THE perfect Christmas movie. I cry every time. I hope they don’t make the Miracle on 34th Street mistake of trying a re-make – nothing can top Jimmy Stewart.
8. BIG, old-fashioned Christmas lights. Small and twinkly are pretty, but these are the real deal.
7. Cute, kitchsy stocking stuffers. Jingle bell bracelets were my favorite last year.
6. The Christmas Eve family sleep over with Christmassy pillow cases. All the characters in ThimbleannaLand over there on the sidebar (well, not the Quilty Peeps or Hester) celebrate our Christmas Eve by sleeping at whoever’s house is hosting Christmas (MeMum’s this year!) That way we all share the fun of Santa’s arrival (and rumor has it it’s going to be a good one this year.)
5. The Annual Gingerbread competition. I thought we wouldn’t be able to have it this year because it’s the in-law rotation for TheFirstChild and SweetiePie, but they’re going to pop in on the 23rd. SweetiePie was here two days ago (poor thing had to have a root canal!) and she helped cut and bake all the house pieces, so bring on this year’s competition! And just so you know, MyDadLovesMeBestSister told me last weekend (while I was slaving away on the ladder doing Christmas lights and she was lying around on her bum making fun of me) that SHE has a plan this year and SHE is going to win! (It’s not too late to make your own gingerbread houses — recipe and pattern can be found here.)
4. Holiday music playing while I’m decorating/baking/wrapping.
3. Grandma’s Christmas Bells. A wonderful piece of childhood, now living at our house.
2. Santa Claus. Santa. Claus. When I was a little girl, trying to sleep on Christmas Eve, I peeked out the window and saw his sleigh and reindeer on the neighbor’s roof. Then I heard the bells on our roof. And THEN, I had to squeeze my eyes shut and pretend to be sleeping because HE came to check on me — I saw that pretty white head of hair from my top bunk bed. I DID! Oh the magic!
and, my absolute, Numero Uno…
Christmas Cookies! Bake ’em! Eat ’em! Love ’em! They deserve a post all their own!
Ok, let ‘er rip — give me YOUR top 10!
XOXO,
Anna
*Not counting family, joy filled hearts, the reason for the season and all that other mushy stuff. ;-)
Dear Anna
By Golly I LOVE your top ten!!!
It makes me feel over-excitedly-festive just reading it!!!
Totally agree with you on “It’s a Wonderful Life” – has to be seen every Christmas and full on sobbing out loud is essential!
Your gingerbread competition sounds intriguing and I’d love to know more – what fun – you are such a fun and creative household!
Happy Weekend-Before-Christmas to you!
Denise x
Fantastic Top 10…I love those big ol’ lights and that Johnny Mathis album brings back such wonderful, wonderful memories. That’s one of the very first Christmas albums Andy and I bought early, early in our marriage…played it, played it and played it some more.
Oh, my gosh, I’m cracking up over the last sentence! What an awesome picture collage! Ok, here you go, my top ten:
1)Baking cookies using recipes from the old Betty Crocker cookie cookbook, 2)running around with my hand knit stocking on my leg with the jingle bells on the toes, 3) getting new pajamas with matching slippers and bathrobe every year, 4) the big blow out Christmas when we got our first bike and barbies, 5) seeing all those fabulous old school bulbs all over the snow covered bushes on the front lawn (I grew up in Michigan), 6) ice skating in the back yard on the rink my dad made every year with the new skates we got from our uncle who was a hockey coach who insisted we kids grow up on skates, 7)celebrating my son’s first Christmas in Japan with his Japanese side of the family (they went all out American style for us in their own thoughtful way), 8) seeing my son open up his first Christmas gifts (yay!), 9) playing elf in Santa’s workshop every year, and 10) resting!
Oh! OH! OH! I can’t wait to see the end results of your gingerbread house for the big annual competition! I ♥ Gingerbread Houses! Making them is a blast!
~TattingChic ♥
Anna, I have to say, I have that same Johnny Mathis Album, been listening to it since I was a wee little child. Love it! I have so many things that are my top 10 it would be more like a top 20. But I am definitely in agreement, cookies are definitely numero uno!! By far!!
Christmas isn’t Christmas without some balls…er…bells!
I love your top ten. Your family sounds so fun. I’ve never made a gingerbread house but would like to some day. I don’t bake so I’ll have to buy one of those kits.
Some of the things I love are Christmas music, especially the classics, going for a drive with my sister to see the lights and decorations at night, and PRESENTS! Not to mention all of that lovely time off work.
I love your christmas top tenn…
In Australia you’d have to add
Airconditioning in the top ten.. 99.9% christmas are miserable without it…
Lots of yummy prawns (um shrimp)
prechristmas drinkipoo’s….
BAD Santa (you recycle your worst present in the secret santa swap, its always a HOOT)
we have a work tradition too, two of the idiots in our team get dressed up.. imagine a 105F day, with two idiots dressed as Santa & christmas tree last year (tree made out of a very large green garbage bag).. this year, not so hot (but still very warm only 90F) a snowman and a christmas elf.. very very funny….
Merry christmas to you and your mob..
Lissa
in hot hot hot australia
Hmmm….Let’s see…
1. Peppermint ice cream.
2. Peppermint ice cream…oh I already said that.
2. Christmas lights on the tree.
3. My snowman collection.
4. Candy canes on the tree.
5. Snow on Christmas.
6. Christmas baking.
7. The homemade ornaments hanging on the tree that my kids made….Is that too mushy?
8. Getting picture Christmas cards in the mail.
9. Listening to Christmas music on Christmas Eve while the house is all quiet and just sitting there in the dark looking at the light up tree…Waiting for all those kids to finally fall asleep so Santa can visit and his helpers can go to bed.
10. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.
Oh Anna you are so lovely! I was feeling hassled and a bit grumpy and read your post and now feel happy and positive and very inspired! I’m so glad you are my friend! Lucy xxxx
P.S Have a really wonderful Christmas if I don’t speak to you before. L xx
Here’s my top ten ……..
10. Summer fruits … mangoes, peaches and watermelon, YUMM
9. My kids’ handmade Chrissy Stockings – memories of Christmas past always make me smile :o)
8. “Silver Bells” sung by Doris Day.
7. “Christmas with the Kranks” … or any Chrissy movies, love ’em!!
6. Plum pudding, lots of cream!!! YUMMMM!!
5. Tree deccies my kids made at school (awwww!!)
4. The Harley Davidson lolly drop ~ about 40-odd Harleys all decorated for Christmas roar down our street each year throwing out lollies (candy) for the little ones!! Such fun!!!
3. Loving Christmas greetings from faraway friends :o).
2. Family and loved ones all coming together :o).
1. The reason for the season!!
Love n hugs,
Joy :o)
PS … Oh Anna, I just realised your sewing machine’s name is Hester!!! My old Featherweight (1952) has the same name!!! How ’bout that :o)!!!
Yes, all those are very very lovely. But there’s a tiny bit of me that really likes Boxing Day the best, when we’re all sitting around reading our Christmas present books, when there are plenty of leftovers so no cooking is necessary and when a walk in the few available daylight hours is the most strenuous activity on the schedule.
But then I’m not quite such a lovely cheery domestic goddess as you!
I have never seen It’s a Wonderful Life …
This is gingerbread house weekend for us!
Your posts are the best, funnest, most creative and where do you get all your energy? I’m stuck at home for awhile, so I’ll be checking your posts for all the “holiday happenings” to keep myself amused. Merry Christmas sweetie…
robin
Anna, wonderful top ten. I Love watching all the Christmas Movie’s. I love listening to Christmas music while doing all the things you said. And I Love Love Love Christmas Cookies. xoxo
love, love, love your top 10!
10. Nativity scenes
9. Advent calendars of any kind (especially my new quilted one that I made this year for my first married Christmas)
8. Christmas carols
7. Midnight Mass
6. Making Christmas cookies with my Mama
5. The homemade ornaments that I, my Mama, or my Granny have made and all the memories they bring back every time I look at them.
4. Making presents for my family/friends
3. Holiday dinners with the fam
2. Lovely creamy white tablecloths with red poinsettias embroidered on them.
1. Angel or star Christmas tree toppers.
We all spend Christmas Eve at the host family’s house too! We have done this for years and it is so much fun. We are all getting wild flannel pants this year. (I feel pretty safe saying that here!) Hopefully we will have a white Christmas here in Hoosierland!
Well THIS sounds fun! I’m going to have to come back and read your replies later. Maybe I’ll post my own top ten. I agree with the big lights. Big lights and no icicle lights. If only I were queen.
Great top ten! Think I will have to share yours!
Love your Christmas Top Ten!
We don’t celebrate Christmas Eve, but we have a first and second Christmas Day. It‘s all about family getting together and watching movies, listening to music, reading, taking walks. This year… we will have a white Christmas. It’s covered with snow already!
I have wonderful memories from the Christmasses celebrated at my grandparents’ house. So my top ten would consist of memories more than long due traditions.
I can only agree with that especialy with old fashiond christmas- balls, this wonderful movie wich I love so much and hot chocolat.
Have a wonderful weekend
Janine
Oh I agree there has to be lots and lots and lots of big lights! I love your Christmas Top Ten. Maybe I’ll grab some time tomorrow and post my own too. Have a wonderful weekend, toni xxx
I love your top ten Anna, especially the sleepover and having all of your family together on Christmas Eve and morning, I am already anticipating your great Christmas surprise. I too thought I heard Santa’s sleigh on the roof when I was a little girl. Love love making cookies…..um and eating them, I’m putting that off a little this year so I don’t eat sooooo many. We are having a big storm here today 20 to 30 inches. That is one of my favorite things too, being snowed in with my family, it’s the best.
I should not be surprised that you have so many favorites that I consider my favs too. It’s why I love your blog. Every year we talk bout getting “fancy schmancy” lights, and then decide that we still think our big Christmas lights that we’ve used as long as we’ve put up lights are the best by far.
OK, here goes, are you ready?
1) Mince pies
2) Christmas pudding
3) Mince Pies
4) Crackers
5) Mince PIes
6) Whisky Mac
7) Mince Pies
8) BBC Period Dramas – lots of pretty bonnets!
9) Mince Pies
10) Mince Pies
D’you know, when I read this back I think I might have written something more than once. Not sure what it is though.
What a great list!!! Cute idea. We love “It’s a Wonderful Life” around here too – even have the trivia game! ; )
I love your top ten! Hmm, I’ll have to think…..
Love the festive blog background and header! I need to update mine here soon – I still have fall leaves adorning my blog! Sigh!
My Top Ten:
1. Hot chocolate
2. Driving Around Looking at Christmas Lights with my Love
3. Making homemade cookies (like hot chocolate on a stick!)
4. Fresh Balsam candles or oils burning making the house smell like a Christmas tree!
5. Christmas songs playing!
6. Wrapping gifts!
7. Snow!
8. My mom’s cranberry salad!
9. My great grandma’s chicken noodles!
10. My sister-in-laws Watergate salad! (pistachio pudding, marshmallows and pineapple I think!)
Oh, Anna, you put me right in the Christmas spirit just reading your list. Love it! And yes, cookies are number one every time.
Oh…why can’t Hester go to MeMum’s on Christmas Eve? She’s going to be lonely being left behind!! LOL
My top 10 Christmas List … that’s a hard one but I’ll try …
1) Picking out and decorating the tree
2) Baking, eating and giving away the goodies
3) My annual Christmas Brunch for my friends/cousins
4) Wrapping presents
5) Christmas music
6) Watching sitcoms holiday specials (i.e. Andy Griffith, Golden Girls, The Office, etc.)
7) Christmas Eve at my Mom’s playing games after eating and opening presents
8) Stuffing the stockings on Christmas Eve
9) Old black and white Christmas movies from the 40s & 50s
10) Dressing my kitty up in his elf outfit … he HATES it!!!! Which makes it all the more fun!!!
Hmmm, I don’t know but I’m in love with watching the holiday unfold from the eyes of my 4 year old. Punkie is just SO EXCITED for Christmas and Santa this year. I can’t wait!
Love your top ten, Anna, and many of my favorites are yours too. Your holiday sleepover tradition is the best–I get a warm cozy Christmas feeling just thinking about it. Some of the things on my list include seeing the house decorated, Christmas records, the Christmas eve candlelight service at church…This year is especially great because Victor is starting to ‘get it.’ We got him one very large present and I am excited to see him discover it under the tree on Christmas morning! XO
Anna,
Loved your post – it is always good to reflect on what is most special when the to do list is long and the time is short. Thanks for prompting me to sit and do this (with a cup of Penzy’s Hot Chocolate to help)! Here go’s my top ten list:
10. Amazon.com and free shipping!
9. The first time we light the tree each year and declare it is indeed the most beautiful one ever!
8. Setting out the nativity set we got the first year we were married.
7. Finding the absolute PERFECT gift for someone and then having to wait until Christmas to see their joy when they open it.
6. Listening to my favorite Christmas music (over and over)
5. Baking/cooking favorite recipes that are family traditions
4. Remembering my Grandparents and how they loved the holidays and how they would love the fact that we still carry on many of the traditions they gave us.
3. Spending time with family and friends.
2. Remembering seeing Christmas through my children’s eyes and now getting to see the wonder and magic of Christmas through my gradbabies’ eyes.
1. The peace and joy of Christmas Eve Service at Church. Everything is ready and it is the time when “all is calm” and I get to celebrate the real meaning of Christmas.
Happy Hoidays Anna!
xoxo
Gurney
What a great idea to do a Christmas Top Ten, I’ll have to think about what mine would include. I hardly dare say this but ‘It’s A Wonderful Life’ wouldn’t be in there, am I the only person in the world who finds it too sugary sweet? Have a wonderful holiday season:)
Ok I’ve been delaying this comment so I could come up with my top 10 – but instead I’m just sayin yours rock and are pretty close to what I count as making the holiday for me. As always “you just rock sister”.
Holiday Hugs – Mrs. Farmhouse XOXOXO
hmmm, will have to give this one some thought Anna! for sure, hot latte’s by the fire and a good steak after skiing are two of them. oh, another is crock pot soup on a snowy day, and another is hot chili out of a mug while skiing. hmm, I’m sensing a theme of snow and food here…
Your top ten list is perfect, simply perfect. There’s only one thing I’d add but it’s something intangible — that magical feeling I get each Christmas Eve when it’s dark out, the stars are shining, and the world seems so peaceful. It makes me feel so very, very happy.
Here is mine, at last!
1. Christmas lights, the more the better. Not on my house, but on the houses that I pass as I am driving somewhere. It brings out the kid in me.
2. Candy canes. Love them in hot chocolate and seeing them hanging on the tree.
3. Sneaking presents under the tree in the middle of the night.
4. Christmas movies- only not IAWL. Sorry everyone. Give me Michael Caine and the Muppets in A Christmas Carol any day.
5. I just glanced up at Emma’s comment about mince pies. Allow me to echo that with a resounding Yes! Only put my mincemeat in a sugar cookie topped with sparkly turbinado sugar. Yum.
6. Christmas breakfast, a duplicate of our Thanksgiving breakfast.
7. Watching my children open gifts, even if they are adults.
8. Christmas carols.
9. Wrapping presents.
10. Baking cookies- big, fat cookies that fill your tummy after eating just one. I don’t believe in skimping at Christmas. ;)
I LOVE this post! Think I’m going to have each member of my family compile a list like this on Christmas Eve!!! Have a Merry Christmas!
Forget your top ten! I absolutely LOVE LoVe love your header! Isn’t that so very cute with the candy canes and thimbles! Oh how adorable!