Gifts and Traditions

I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas. I did! I got to enjoy a lot of family time on Christmas Eve and Christmas day. I also ate entirely too many sweets! But hey, I've done good all year, so why not. Im glad to say, I have only gained 3 lbs from it. Im sure I'll have it back off by New Years Day. 

Every year, I get a feeling that Christmas cheer is going away. I want to hang on to traditions but it keeps getting harder to do so. The kids grow up, the wrapping paper is no longer flying through the room with excitement. Its gift cards and money. A smile, a thank you and everyone goes home. 

However, in my living room on Christmas morning, my 25 year old is back to a 9 year old as she tears into her gifts from Santa. She got alot! Me and Nick no longer buy gifts for each other because we have already have everything we need or want. We just get a joy out of haveing our daughter at the house, baking, cooking and dinner with family. 

However, our daughter will purchase a couple gifts for us. We let her enjoy the spirit of giving. I want to show off a few things she got me for Christmas.

This very soft blanket I can snuggle with as I watch TV while curled up in my recliner.

 

This cool ring!

 

A Mud Pie brand Coffee Scoop 

 

And last but not least, this small cake stand from Pioneer Woman. 
I've already put some cookies in it to show it off.

 

I love it all. And Nick likes his socks and shirts. Ha.

Now Christmas is over. My decorations are taken down the next day and its back to work. 

For years I always do an annual New Years Dinner but I may skip it this year. It gets harder to get family together. Most of them will not even answer my invite therefore leaving me to guess if they are coming and resulting in lots of leftovers and a lot of empty place settings. It gets under my skin! It stresses me out and I say evey year that Im not doing it again, but I still do. I love doing New Years dinner mainly for my Mom and Dad. 

Will I do it again? Well see. Its only four days away and collards are hard to find around here. I normally cook up 8lbs! Along with 10 lbs of meat, 10 lbs of potatos, black eye peas and cobblers. I could cut that in half and save a lot of money if some of them would just say they are not comming instead of leaving me wondering. I would hate not to have enough. 
Im still leaning toward having just a quiet day off with my husband.



10 comments

  1. I am glad that you enjoyed Christmas - and love the gifts your daughter chose.
    New Year's Day with your husband sounds a great option. Pleasant and appreciative company.

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  2. I am with EC above, Hubby and you! Your dinner sound like my decision each year concerning my NC contractors license, will I or won't I?

    But I really don't get stressed about it, and I do know lots of folks forget to RSVP and assume things than cannot be assumed. We try to cut back on stress as much as possible.

    Enjoy what ever you decide.

    Loved the pictures and I do like the thoughts you express, hold on as long as you can, but know when it is time. (I keep thinking I will know. hahahaha!
    HAPPY NEW YEAR

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  3. Love that cake stand and coffee scoop. Interesting ring too. We celebrate Xmas here for 12 days. But evrything stays up year round in the family room.

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  4. Sounds like a wonderful Christmas.
    Love the cake stand.
    I've put on a few pounds as well but it will take me longer than New Years to lose it again!
    You are quick to take down your decorations. I try to keep them up till New Years, but usually have them down before then.

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  5. Looks like you got some great gifts. Thank you for sharing your treasures.

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  6. I never hosted a meal, sounds stressful indeed

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  7. Wow, your daughter did great with those lovely gifts!! I hope you have a very happy New Year, Lisa, with our without the family dinner!

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  8. We don't buy a lot for ourselves either. We do spend more than we should on our young nieces and nephews.
    We're going to the beach the second week in January for my birthday why is always a lot of fun.

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  9. Bill and I stopped giving ea other gifts a long time ago...we still do stocking stuffers tho and this year, I gave him a $25 Amazon gift card..he has a Kindle and loves to read and he can get a lot of books for 25 bucks...:)
    Mud Pie is one of my favorite things...I love every thing in their line...and one of my friends came by this morning with a Pioneer Woman's tea kettle for my birthday...it is sooo adorable ..and don't cha know I will take a pic (or 2) of it for my birthday post....and that ring is drop-dead gorgeous....love it...

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