A Few of My Favorite Things... for the Holidays!

I was just inspired by a friend's blog post on her favorite things and decided to do my own holiday version. As many of you know, I LOVE Christmas. I usually have a large holiday party to celebrate my favorite time of year, but this year was unable to due to lack of funding and time. Even though I'm disappointed about this, I have not let it ruin my holiday spirit. There are many things I love at the holidays, and here are a few of them:

My Very Own Christmas Tree:
It's not coordinated, and it's certainly not as fancy as a Neiman Marcus tree, but I love my tree and all the different colored ornaments and the three different types of garland because I didn't buy enough the first time! I personally like white lights on Christmas trees because the colors of the ornaments reflect off of them, but regardless of light color, something about Christmas trees makes me feel like a little kid - worries melt away and magic seems real - both things that are helping me through this internship process! So, without further ado, my tree:

Christmas Candies and Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies:
Once a year, I make homemade Fudge and Martha Washington candy and my Nana's sugar cookies in the shape of Christmas Trees. As far as I'm concerned, Christmas isn't Christmas without these treats. Although fudge is easy to make, the Martha Washington candy and sugar cookies can really be a pain, which is why I only make them at Christmas. Once they are all done, though, they are TOTALLY worth it. (Candy on the left, cookies in the middle).

In case you want the recipes:

Fudge

3 4oz Hershey Bars

1 Package 12 oz Kisses

1 Small Jar Marshmallow Cream

1 Tablespoon Butter

1 Pound Pecans Chopped

1 Teaspoon Vanilla

4 ½ cups of sugar

1 can Evaporated Carnation Milk

Mix Hersheys and Kisses, Marshmallow Cream and Butter in Bowl

In Sauce Pan, Mix Sugar and Evaporated Milk to a boil on medium

Cook for 8 Minutes after it starts boiling

Pour over Hershey mixture

Add in Vanilla

Beat until everything is melted and thick

Line Cookie Sheet with BUTTERED Wax Paper

Pour into Wax Papered Cookie Sheet

Martha Washington

¼ Pound Butter

2 pounds powdered Sugar

1 Can Eagle Brand Milk

2 Cups Pecans Chopped

2 Cups Coconut

Mix Together well

Wrap in Saran Wrap, twice

Refrigerate

Paraffin

3 of the Big Hershey Bars

Drain Cherry Juice

Put on Plate with Paper towels

Get as dry as possible

Cover individual cherries in cold Sugar/Coconut mixture

Place in Freezer before dipping

Start with half of the bar of paraffin in double boiler – melt in chocolate

If at the end, the chocolate is too thick, shave in more paraffin

Place cherries on toothpicks and dip. When dry, remove toothpicks and spoon chocolate over hole.

Nana's Sugar Cookie Recipe:

3 Cups Sifted Powdered Sugar

2 Cups Margarine (4 Sticks)

2 Teaspoons Vanilla

1 Teaspoon Almond Extract

2 Eggs

5 Cups Flour

2 Teaspoons Cream of Tartar

2 Teaspoons Baking Soda

Cream sugar and margarine; add eggs and flavorings.

Mix well.

Sift dry ingredients and mix with above. Refrigerate 3+ hours.

Preheat Oven to 375.

Divide dough into fourths. Roll out and cut with cookie cutters. Bake on lightly greased baking sheet for 7-8 minutes. Allow to cool before icing.

Icing for Sugar Cookies

1 Stick Margarine, Melted

5 Tablespoons Evaporated Milk

1 Teaspoon Vanilla

1 Box Powdered Sugar

Aromatique The Smell of Christmas Candles and Potpourri:

My mom started buying these candles when I was a little kid, and every year since I've lived away from home, I have filled my bowls with the potpourri and placed candles all around my apartment. Similarly to the tree, this smell really brings me back to childhood and just gives me a warm feeling inside. Unfortunately, there's no scratch and sniff internet pictures, but below is the link to the website.

The Smell of Christmas

Nativity Scenes:

I'm so bummed I missed the Christmas Creche exhibit this year at the LDS church on my road because I LOVE nativity scenes. I remember when I first lived in California and decorated for Christmas (which my old roommate actually might love even more than I do), my roommate was surprised by how much "religious stuff" I had amongst my decorations. She said, "Huh, I just never think of Christmas as a really religious holiday - just a family holiday." This attitude generally tends to annoy me, but who am I to deny a family holiday to people who enjoy celebrating it? However, for me, Christmas is first and foremost about the birth of Jesus (Mary's journey, the star, the angel, the wisemen, the stable). Even if you aren't religious, this story is powerful and, to me, represents so much of the magic of Christmas.

This is my (big) nativity scene (I also have a few smaller ones... Also, you can see my smell of Christmas Candles/Potpourri):

Jim Shore Christmas Decorations:

The above nativity is a Jim Shore creation, and I have to say that I LOVE his Christmas decorations. I love the carved wood and the scenes he creates on the individual characters.  For instance, I have an angel who's skirt is a nativity scene. You may not be able to tell, but the wise men in my nativity have scenes carved into them 1) with the angle coming to alert them of the news, 2) riding on their camels towards the 3) star over Bethlehem.  Anyway, I just think Jim Shore is masterful and I love all of his decorations (including his Disney Traditions collection) and ornaments.

Jim Shore Website

Mariah Carey Christmas CD, Merry Christmas:
Okay, I love ALL Christmas music, but I could listen to Mariah Carey Merry Christmas all year round, and let's be honest, I do. I'm always so excited when Halloween is over because I don't feel (as) crazy for popping this CD in and singing my heart out to it! I haven't gotten the new Mariah Christmas album, mostly because I can't imagine anything being as awesome as the original. I might break down and get it when it goes on sale after Christmas. For now, I'm jamming to this:








A Muppet Christmas Carol:
My very favorite version of The Christmas Carol is the muppet version. Not sure what that says about me, but it's hilarious AND heartwarming.








Kids:
Okay, I always love kids, but kids at Christmas are the best! They are so cute and so excited and so full of belief! I just love it! I very much look forward to/pray for the day when I will have kids of my own at Christmas. Some of my favorite kids at Christmas:

Not pictured: My cousin's toddler, Logan, who I get to see every other Christmas, and boy, am I excited to see him in just a couple of weeks!!!


Friends and Family:
Christmas would be nothing if it weren't for friends and family - I think we can all agree on that. No explanations needed here.

There are tons of other things I love at Christmas, including TIME OFF! But I think this list suits the title: a few of my favorite things.

Hope you all have a wonderful holiday season and enjoy YOUR favorite things this Christmas!!!