CHRISTMAS CONVO - I LOVE A GOOD LINKY PARTY

I saw this posted over at the Inspired Apple ages ago.  Well, it was only on the 11th, but after trudging through this week and last, it sure seems like a whole year has passed ;)

As the light at the end of the tunnel got a bit brighter, I sat down to complete Abby's fun Christmas Conversation.  And, now that I have actually reached that amazing "light," I can put the finishing touches on it!!  Hehehehe :) Here's a little bit about me and my Christmas Traditions.    

Here's a little more insight on a few of those statements.  Not that you really wanted to know, but y'all know how I just love to talk ;)

The Night After Christmas absolutely slays me every year.  Have you read it? I have to dig deep so I don't burst into tears at the end of the touching tale. What can I say . . . it's a very special book.

I absolutely HATE seafood, but I eat clam dip and tuna fish sandwiches. Crazy. I know. This dip is the real deal and it just screams home to me :)

Frosty makes me want to claw my eyes out -- especially the Beach Boys version.  I don't mean to be a hater, but this song bothers me for some reason. On a happier note, I have been listening to Christmas music non-stop since Thanksgiving.  The oldies and a few random selections have been on rotate for days.  Here is my current line up . . . just in case you were missing a few of these and want to spice your holiday collection up this year :)

1. Perry Como (my current fave)
2. Dean Martin (Marshmallow World is epic)
3. Christmas with the Rat Pack (Dean, Frank, and Sammy all in one)
4. Carpenters (uh . . . amazing)
5. Dolly Parton (Hard Candy Christmas is the best)
6. Perfect Gift (I cry every time it comes on . . . Thanks, Natalie Hemby)
7. Andy Williams (I actually saw him in concert when I was little)
8. A Very She & Him Christmas (it's the Zooey gal from Elf)
9. Portland Cello Project (these instrumentals are magical)
10. A few out of the box finds . . . if you like Alternative music, here is a list for you!!! I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day (Echosmith), Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas (Cat Power), Christmas Without You (One Republic), Sleigh Ride (Lost Straitjackets), What Are You Doing New Year's Eve (Rufus Wainwright), and Auld Lang Syne (Mairi Campbeell & Dave Francis).

Yup, I'm listening right now!!!
There is just something about Christmas tunes . . . sigh.

Do you help your parents shop for each other?  I help my dad in person every year.  We go on a shopping trip for mom.  However, I end up helping mom out as well.  We brainstorm ideas in the back bedroom . . . out of earshot ;)

Christmas Eve is extra special in our house.  After a big dinner, we open presents from each other. It's just my mom, dad, husband, and the fur babies. We are a small little family, but we always have the best time.  

Alright, I'll be quiet now.  You get me talkin' about the holidays and I just can't seem to stop myself.  Thanks for hosting, Ms. Inspired Apple.  It was a good time for sure.  On that note, the sweetie and I are off to San Francisco for a little romantic holiday cheer . . . love the city lights at Christmas time :)  Enjoy the start of vacay.  Heaven knows you have earned some serious R&R!  Merry Merry, my friends :)