Tis the Season for Christmas Linky Parties

Ok, so I going to link up with two links parties in the same post.

My House decor is first. Thanks Bunting, Books, and Bainbridge for hosting this!

Ok, when I say I  LOVE Christmas, I really mean it!
Every room in my house has some kind of Christmas decor.

Here are a few of my favorite things:

The most festive thing at my house!  Can't wait for my dog to wear this on Christmas Day!

And the stockings were hung by the chimney with care.
The red stockings are new!  (Kohl's)

I am big on nostalgia.
Ceramic tree was my grandma's, before she downsized.
Wood block letters were my mom's until I had my own home.
The pre lit tree is close to my heart.

The kitchen:

The living room:

The bathroom:

The little red tree was purchased at Target 2 years ago.    

Our trees:

Last, our outdoor lights:

Now the Christmas questionnaire.  Thanks Fabulous in First for hosting!

Hot Chocolate or Egg Nog?

Neither!  I am not a fan of hot beverages.  I do love cold Starbucks drinks, though!

Does Santa wrap gifts or just place them under the tree?

It depends on size.  99% of the time Santa wraps gifts, but a couple times the gifts were just too large.

Colored lights or white?

I am totally into colored lights (see above).

When do you decorate?

I usually decorate the Saturday after Thanksgiving.  One holiday at a time!

Real or fake tree?

Fake tree!  Allergies are rampant in my house.  Plus I hate to vacuum more than necessary!

What tops your tree?

I have been searching for the perfect tree topper and I still haven't found it, so for now it's a basic star.  

Favorite Christmas Memories or Traditions?

Shaving razors in my stocking!  (Since I was 13, every year they have been in my stocking.  My mom, sister, and I all laugh about it. It confuses my husband.)

Also, my hubby and I are from St. Joseph, MO.  Our parents still live there, so we go back "home" each year during December.  The local park is all lit up this time of year.  We love driving through to see the lights.  They collect donations for charity at the end.  (My father in law volunteers there during this time of year.) 

AND the best part is they give you a Cherry Mash (St. Joe's locally manufactured candy) for visiting. LOL… Cherry Mash are yucky!

Do you remember your favorite gift as a child?

There were two, I LOVED Barbie as a kid.  The first year my parents were divorced, Christmas was very different.  I wasn't at my house for Christmas but at my grandma's instead.  Did Santa even know where I was?  Yes, he left me a note saying my gifts were at my house.  

When I got home Santa had given me the Barbie Winnebago.  (Insert little girl scream of glee!)

The other is when I was 13, one of my great aunts gave me her treasured jewelry box.  She didn't have kids of her own and she said she knew out of all the great nieces I would take great care of it.  (I still have it today!)

Do you prefer giving or receiving?

Giving!  I love shopping… and it's fun to shop for others!

What is your favorite Christmas song?

This is tough… but I have always loved the "Carol of the Bells."  

I played violin as a kid and it was one of my favorites.

Also, if you haven't heard the song "Deck the Rooftops", you might want to give it a listen.  

The 8th grade choir came and sang for our 4th and 5th graders.  

They did Beyonce choreography.  It was cute!  

(I might be biased as 7 of my former students were in the choir.)

 http://youtu.be/dGVdQEaxEKM

Candy Canes.  Yuck or yum?

Tiny ones, yum.  Large ones, yuck.  It's too much peppermint!

Favorite Christmas movie?

"Charlie Brown Christmas."  Enough said.

Do you shop online or in stores?

This year online more than in stores, which is strange because this time last year I was on crutches and went and shopped in stores for everything.  What was I thinking?  

Photo card, letter, or store bought card?

I don't have children, so I haven't sent a card since I got married.

I would love to see your holiday decor and hear about your holiday traditions!

EmilyK