Happy Thursday! I’m thinking Christmas after yesterday’s Christmas book post and it feels good! I’m linking up with Holly and Patty today for Monthly Musings. We are a week early because the fourth Thursday of this month is Thanksgiving!! In Monthly Musings we answer some questions about the upcoming month, so here’s a little holiday preview.

1. Favorite holiday traditions
All of them!! About seven years ago, the boys and I started driving around our town on Friday nights looking at Christmas lights. We always get a yummy drink (milkshake, slushee, hot chocolate) and enjoy the evening.

I love decorating the tree and looking through all of our ornament memories!

We love the Electric Lights parade in my hometown. We usually go to dinner on the route and sit in the window to watch the parade.

I also love our friends’ adult holiday parties. It is so fun to get dressed up and get together without the kids.

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I love baking cookies with the kids. We usually do it with my mom and sister while watching/listening to White Christmas.

I started the Jolabokaflod tradition on Christmas Eve at our house. It is a little stressful to find books that will be just right for everyone, but I love to try!

2. Must have holiday wardrobe staples
I do not wear much red, but I think it is a necessity at the holiday. I also love to add some sparkle around the holidays.

I would be remiss if I didn’t say that Christmas pajamas weren’t part of my holiday wardrobe staples.

3. Favorite holiday recipe/dish
My favorite holiday treat are buttercream balls. I will share the recipe soon. The kids and Jeff get so excited when I make them. They melt in your mouth and are the perfect combination of sweet and sweet.

4. What will your holiday plans look like this year?
This year is going to be the same, but so different. Usually my parents come to our house on Christmas Eve afternoon, go to church with us, and spend the night. This year, for the first time in my life, I won’t see my parents. It’s all for a great reason, but it will be different. We are still going to have our traditional Christmas Eve dinner. I’m not sure what family we’ll see. It all depends on the weather. Hopefully it will be warm enough to spend some time outside.

5. Favorite holiday song
I love so many Christmas songs! My sister and I always call each other when we hear “Christmas to Remember” because nothing says Christmas like a one night stand. 😂.

I can’t think of Christmas music without “All I Want For Christmas Is You” by Mariah Carey. My college roommates and I danced and danced to that song for four years straight. I love that one too.

I love Jimmy Buffett’s Christmas album, and New Kids on the Block’s Christmas album. Who am I kidding? I love them all!! I’ve already started listening to Christmas music and I’ll listen through New Year’s Day.

I love Auld Lang Syne because it wraps up one year and starts another with so much promise.

6. Does COVID-19 make you want to do up the holidays or make you not into it?
It makes me want to do it big! There are so many things that are different right now, so I’m sticking with a big fun Christmas season. We’re able to do some of our traditions safely. I usually try to add something big and fun and I’m not sure what that will be this year. If nothing else, all the bright lights will lighten up the cold, dark nights.

7. Do you have any charities that you like to help this time of year?
Yes. We always adopt a family at school. I also contribute to the angel tree at our church and at our gym.

8. Tree before or after Thanksgiving?
We always put our tree up the weekend after Thanksgiving. I love taking my time over Thanksgiving weekend to put the lights on and decorate the house. I would probably put it up sooner, but Jeff is usually home the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and gets everything out of the attic.

9. Favorite holiday movie
I love holiday movies! My favorite is Christmas Vacation. My sister and I quote it all year. It never fails to make me laugh and I’d love to light my house up like the Griswold’s every single year!

I also love White Christmas. My mom and aunt are the White Christmas champion fans, but I like to think I’m pretty close. I can quote most of the movie and have learned some of the dances, in my unrhythmic and uncoordinated way.

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I love Elf too! We watch it multiple times throughout the holiday season. It spreads so much Christmas joy!

I can’t talk about holiday movies without mentioning Hallmark. While there aren’t any that I LOVE, I do watch them every single night as I fall asleep. I also have them on after school while I’m getting some things done.

10. Egg nog…yes or no?
No way! I am not an egg nog girl. Yuck! But I do love peppermint vodka in hot chocolate. It’s soooo good!

What are you holiday traditions?? I can’t wait to hear! Have a great day full of sunshine and CHRISTMAS books!