christmas favorites

christmas is only a few days away!!!

here are some christmas favorites of our holiday season...

{christmas cards} i love, love, love receiving christmas cards! if you have sent us one this year, thank you! it makes my day to check the mail and find cards from friends with pictures of their sweet families and updates on life.

{the Christmas story} a tradition growing up has been to read the true christmas story (mostly from Luke 2) on christmas morning before opening gifts. i love this tradition. it keeps Christ central in our celebration. it reminds me of the true meaning of why we give gifts. it is a tradition i hope to continue with our growing family throughout the years.

{christmas lights} more than any other decorations, i love christmas lights. even though i was completely unmotivated to decorate this year, once we did, i was oh so happy to see those beautiful lights light up the room!

{christmas music} let me clarify: *most* christmas music. i'm sorry to write it, but some christmas music is just plain cheesy, doesn't make sense, and i'm pretty sure words were chosen simply because they rhymed. but don't get me up on that soap box. however, christmas music in general is exciting and festive. i have some favorite christmas cd's from years past (rebecca st james, anyone?) that i love to play throughout the season, and then there are the classics on the radio that you have to hear at least a dozen times before it seems like christmas (bing crosby, manheim steamroller, and karen carpenter). a favorite of mine this year is that my 18-month-old has started singing along with songs-- all songs, but especially christmas ones, since that is mostly what he is hearing these days. "feliz navidad" and "jingle bells", even "the little drummer boy"-- he dances along and chimes in with the last word or so of each line! i still need to capture this cuteness on video and when i do, well, you may just get to see it for yourself!

what are your christmas favorites this year?

linking up with rachel