Before I start this spiel, I’m gonna tell you… I LOVE CHRISTMAS!! I mean really LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Christmas. Ok, that sounds a bit crazy, let’s just say, I love Christmas…but not in a weird way, like ugly sweaters and glitzy Santa jewelry every day (let’s be honest, those are only reserved for the best Holiday parties!) Knowing how much I love this holiday; you can understand that narrowing down my 7 favorite things is a bit daunting. But I will buckle down and give you my favorites list along with a little explanation why they are so special to me.

1. THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT… I know this sound a bit vague, but if you really think about it, it makes total sense! There is excitement in the air, everyone is just a bit friendlier (although I do live in Texas and that is one thing we are known for, always being friendly), and the overall feeling of LOVE, HAPPINESS, and JOY. I know sometimes it feels like Christmas is too commercialized, and in some cases, it really is…but when you look at the heart of things and people you see that beautiful spark!

2. CHRISTMAS BAKING… every year I make a variety of sweets that I give to friends and family. Including homemade caramel, turtles (with the previously mentioned caramel), spiced nuts, autumn brittle, and western pecan pralines. If you really know me, you know I always love to cook and bake, but these treats I only make once a year. Which makes it just a little more special to give these out to the ones I love. I think I should share with you some of these famous recipes… so stay tuned to next week’s blog and I will give you the low down on the baking scene in my kitchen this time of year, along with a few of the recipes.

3. CHRISTMAS LIGHTS… I’m not sure what it is about them, they just seem magical to me. My husband knows how much I love them and will drive me all over just to go look at the best ones around (isn’t he the sweetest!) There are still a few places on my bucket list that I want to go check out like Johnson City and Sea World (I heard they are BA). NYC during Christmas was an amazing display, but one of the best ones I have ever seen is in St. Augustine, Florida. If you are ever near there from the end of November to the end of January, go check out the “Nights of Lights” we stumbled on it last year… all I have to say is WOW!! Talk about a happy accident! Have you seen some amazing lights…tell me where PLEASE (add in the comments below), so I can go check them out!!

4. CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS… Growing up my mom always decorated like no other! I used to joke that it looks like “Christmas threw up in our house”. Of course, I was just being a little brat and teasing her… it used to take her 3 days to decorate everything. She had a little bit of almost every type of decoration, but she does have a few large collections… her nutcracker collection is one of legends. She does not know the exact number in her collection, but her best guess is about 200 and that’s not including the small decorative ones! She has been collecting them for over 40 years! I wonder if any of them have actually cracked nuts! Funny that I recently saw a news article about people not knowing that nutcrackers are and were actually used to crack nuts. Heck, it used to be an act of political subversion for the poor… nutcrackers were figures of authority, such as kings, soldiers, guards or policemen. During the Christmas season, the poor could celebrate their hard year of work by having them crack nuts at their command, talk about rebellion! So, obviously nutcrackers are one of my mom’s favorite Christmas decorations…. but as for me, I’m not sure which is my favorite, I mean the tree is definitely at the top of the list… but this Rudolf I think takes the prize! I look forward to seeing it every year! Yes…it is a Rudolf with a fire nose!!

5. CHRISTMAS CAROLS… this also goes back to my childhood, where I grew up listening to Bing, Nat, Elvis (yes Elvis), and the Tabernacle Choir just to name a few. I get such a nostalgic feeling when I hear these classic Christmas carols today. It takes me back to the excitement of Christmas morning with a warm cup of hot chocolate and anticipation of opening presents. I can’t help but sing along when I hear the good ones….so when you see me driving around this time of year, you can bet I’m singing at the top of my lungs…ok, who am I kidding, it’s not that much different than any other time of year, just change the genre!! Some of the newer Christmas carols just don’t really do it for me, but King and Country’s version of the Little Drummer Boy is one of the best remake songs I have heard!!

6. PRESENTS… I’m not talking about presents that a get… I’m talking about the ones I GIVE. It makes me so happy to find the perfect gift for the ones I love. It doesn't matter if its $5 or $50, it’s the smile I put on their face and knowing that I made them feel special.

AND I SAVED THE BEST FOR LAST:

7. JESUS… He is the reason for the Season! We should all truly reflect about the real meaning of Christmas; it is celebration of the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. When Jesus came, he also left us with the gift of salvation. His birth is significant because of His death.

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. ISAIAH 9:6

As I finish this list, I am sitting next to my Christmas tree and all I can think is I hope you have a very Merry Christmas and a blessed holiday season! What are your favorite things about Christmas? Let me know in the comments below!