A Christmas list…in a slightly different approach! Via this blog!! How fun!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Definitely wrapping paper! I try to find an unusual color or design of paper and then use a more traditional color with ribbon. Last year, I had black and white polka dot paper with red, green, or silver ribbon topping the package.

2. Real tree or Artificial? Real tree. I love the smell, the feel, and the experience. Growing up we always had a real tree and I wouldn’t have it any other way! And if you thought buying an artificial tree was better for the environment, you should read more about how the arificial one’s are full of plastic and take forever to leave this beautiful Earth!

3. When do you put up the tree? I would love to have the tree put the first of December, but this year we haven’t figured it out yet. Growing up, we always put it up after Thanksgiving at least, so I imagine that’s what I’ll do in the future as well.
4. When do you take the tree down? I like to keep the tree up through New Year’s. So, probably New Year’s Day or soon after.
5. Do you like eggnog? Last year was the first  year I had eggnog…I like it in small doses!
6. Favorite gift received as a child? Gosh, that’s a hard one! Probably something Barbie!!
7. Do you have a nativity scene? No!! I really want one though, but I haven’t seen one that I really like that’s decently priced. Either their too expensive or look too cheap!
8. Hardest person to buy for? My dad.
9. Easiest person to buy for? My sisters.
10. Worst Christmas gift ever received? Worst gift seems pretty harsh. I’ve had many gifts from my mom’s in-laws that were passed along to someone else.

11. Mail or e-mail Christmas card? Mail. For the last five years or so, I’ve made my Christmas cards…soon I might be spending more with shutterfly.com!
12. Favorite Christmas Movie?  National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. I can’t get enough of the old grandma–she’s hysterical!

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? For some reason, I’ve always been a last minute shopper. I like to spend a lot of time trying to find the perfect gift (of course, I know there’s no such thing) for everyone. Then, one day I go out and get everything. And, believe me the closer you get to Christmas, the less crowded it is.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?  No. I have given things to people once they saw the look on my face when I opened something I didn’t like.
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?  Not sure. Each family does something different each year, so I guess I’ll have to say all the sweet treats that people make.

16. Clear lights or colored on the tree?  I love colored lights, but I usually use white lights. I like blue ones too!

17. Favorite Christmas song? I love all of the classics: Baby, It’s cold outside, Jingle Bell Rock, I’ll be home for Christmas, Santa Baby, Have yourself a merry little Christmas, Adeste Fideles, White Christmas, It came upon a midnight clear, and so on…
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Staying home would be wonderful. If everone could come over to us, oh how lovely. Between J and I, we travel to 8 different places–all Family!! It’s a crazy two days!

19. Can you name Santa’s reindeer?  seriously, in order?? Blitzen or Vixen.

20. Do you have an Angel on top or a star? A star.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? As a kid, I was allowed to open one on Christmas Eve. The rest on Christmas morning.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? Traffic, crazy people, and bad drivers!

23. Ugliest Christmas Decoration ever invented? Outside plastic characters. I don’t mind the deer that are adorned with lights, but anything blown up, plastic, or ugly outside is very odd and needs to be taken down!

25. Which looks best theme trees or homey trees? I like them both. My mom puts a tree that has all of the ornaments we’ve gotten as a family, but now J and I only have ornaments that I’ve bought. It’s a theme tree in silver, gold, and bronze. Hopefully, we’ll start collecting ornaments together.
26. Gingerbread or sugar cookies? All sugar all the time.

27. Do you like Fruitcake? Never tried it….and no! Have you seen Christmas vacation??

I’m so excited that my Christmas art journal finally arrived in the mail!! I can’t wait to scour through all the paper and embellishments!! Here’s a photo from Eve’s shop:

Tonight, J and I are headed to a friend’s house to celebrate another Thanksgiving with him and his family…. and of course, watch the Notre Dame game! Go Irish!

I’m contemplating whether to take Shimelle’s class: Journal your Christmas… I still haven’t finished the last project I started in October. I am super excited that I received my holiday card swap list!! I can’t wait to visit their blogs and pick out which cards I should send!!

Mama’s Holiday Wish List Meme
TodaysMama and Provo Craft are giving away a sleighful of gifts this holiday season and to enter I’m sharing this meme with you.

1. What 5 items are on your holiday wish list this year?

  • SLR camera
  • a fossil watch
  • sewing machine
  •  cotton sheets
  •  perfume

2. What is your favorite handmade gift you have received?

My sister made me a really cool bowl in a pottery class.
3. What handmade gift have you always wanted to tackle?

Gosh, that’s a tough one…probably a crotched scarf, although I still don’t know how to crotchet!
4. What was the best Christmas gift you received as a child?

Santa brought me a new bike!! Boy, was I so excited!
5. What items are on your kid’s wish list this year?

Dress up clothes and tinkerbell items.
6. What is your favorite holiday food?

All of it. No favorites!!
7. What will you be hand-crafting for the holidays?

I intend to make a calendar, gift tags, wrapping paper, and some packaging items with paper.
8. What is your favorite holiday movie?

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
9. Favorite holiday song?

Jingle Bell Rock
10. Favorite holiday pastime?

The symphony orchestra puts on a Yuletide performance each year and it is by far my favorite holiday pastime!

Behold this day, for it is yours to make.

-black elk

image via karnekia

1.Watch this:

df-new-york-love-you_300

2.Listen to this:

df-new-moon-soundtrack_300

3.Read this:

last symbol

bob marley

via flickr

Ever since I saw the domino issue with the poster For Like Ever, I knew it would be perfect to put somewhere in my apt…  It was sold out for a long time, but has been re-issued. Also, I find it funny how people either love this poster or hate it. I think it’s great! Here’s some great rooms with For Like Ever:

 To buy find here:  via Village
photos via the Style Files

pink by you.