Christmas Bucket List

It’s Christmas time! Every year, I pull together a Christmas Bucket List. Between all of the holiday parties and shopping, there are a few things that I make sure I dedicate time for.

#1. Decorate.
I LOVE decorating for Christmas. On Black Friday, I’m bursting with Christmas spirit (I try to give Thanksgiving a fair chance). We hang lights on our deck, put up little Santa statues in every crevice, hang stockings, hang the mistletoe, hang garland, put holiday wreath on door…and the list goes on!

#2. Pick out a tree.
Growing up, we had real and artificial trees. Nothing beats going to a tree farm and picking out the perfect (or perfectly imperfect) tree. Bonus points for chopping down your tree! I really enjoy the search for the perfect tree. It’s like dating….first impressions are important, and they have to be worth keeping around!

#3. Burn Christmas candles. 
I’m a big fan of candles. If you’ve ever been to our apartment, there’s always a candle lit. Some of my favorite Christmas scents are cinnamon or peppermint. I also have an assortment of holiday scents for my Wallflowers from Bath and Body Works.

#4 Listen to holiday music. 
For the next 25-ish days, I’m playing Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas” on repeat! A few of my other favorites include “Baby It’s Cold Outside”, “Carol of the Bells”, “It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year”, and “White Christmas” (The Drifters version).

#5. Make a Gingerbread House.
Ever year I make a gingerbread house. Ever since I was little, I’ve always enjoyed decorating the edible homes. I’ve never made my own gingerbread, I usually just buy the kit. Maybe I’ll try making it from scratch this year…

#6. Make Christmas cookies. 
Both of my grandmas have special holiday cookie recipes. Bonding in the kitchen is one of my favorite Christmas memories. Plus, who doesn’t love cookies?! I usually make 3 or 4 different recipes and share them with friends.

#7. Watch Christmas movies.  
YES! My favorite Christmas movie is Elf. I could watch it over and over and never get tired of Will Ferrel. This year, I’m challenging myself to watch movies I haven’t seen or haven’t seen in a long time. A Christmas Story and The Nightmare Before Christmas are on the top of my list.

#8. Send Christmas cards.
I enjoy sending and receiving Christmas cards. I like finding cards that reflect Bobby and my style. Plus, it’s an opportunity to contact everyone you love and let them know you’re thinking of them. It’s not very often that I get personal mail, so getting cards in the mail are exciting! Bonus points if it’s a photo card. Double bonus points if you include a newsletter/update on your family “happenings”.

#9. Eat clementines. 
We’ll consume about 30lbs of clementines. They aren’t worth buying in November or January. Perfect tartness only in December.

#10. Go on a holiday light tour. 
Last but not least, I love driving around and seeing everyone’s holiday lights. In Virginia, my parents would take us to the Bull Run Festival of Lights. I just love seeing the creativity! Have you ever seen one of those houses that syncs their lights with music? So cool!

Well, guess I’m going to be busy this month! What’s on your Christmas Bucket List? Share in the comments below!

Lauren