Christmas Joys

At first I thought I might end up being a Scrooge between these two posts. And then I realized that even on a very "lite" level, joys were easier to come up with.

1. Wrapping presents. I love making the ends look pretty, the wrapping paper match up and the more ribbons and curls the better. When we go to CA, I help my mother-in-law wrap hers because she has quite a few, and if I didn't know better, I would think she waits to wrap them all until a few days before Christmas. I vaguely recall my father-in-law 'mumbling' about opening the stupid ribbons the first year I helped out.
2. Christmas tree lights. I love to put up lots of lights IN my house and then turn off all the regular lights and just sit on the couch.
3. Christmas music and singing around the piano with my mom and aunt. We sound particularly 'prima donna' ish when we sing The Forgotten Carols. Mom, have you got Shannon one of her own books of that yet?
4. Putting up the nativities and making them look just right, even though I only have a handful. Conner loves to help arrange the pieces too.
5. Christmas smells. I got a new Cinnamon candle this year that I really like.
6. White Christmas movie - enough said. Conner is a ditto.
7. Homemade fudge.
8. Dropping off Christmas goodies...I know, I know. I am slightly hypocritical. Its ok for me to pawn off my junk, but not everyone else.
9. New this year...Gingerbread houses with Lauralee.
10. Driving around to see lights.
11. Acting out the nativity. The most fun is when small children dress up. We always fought over who got to be the Angel. My dad was the donkey, complete with dress socks on his ears.
12. Finding a steal on something you thought you would have to pay more for.
13. Reading the newletters and Christmas cards. I love "newsy" info, not such a fan of travel itineraries. Always read through all my moms. She keeps them in a basket.
14. Hanging up the Christmas cards. It is fun to see all the friends we have made.
15. Watching Conner and Steve open gifts. This is so fun for me. Actually, I love to watch anyone open the gifts I have given them. I get all nervous and I want to tell them all my thought process. For some reason, all that thought makes the silly present seem a lot more valuable and I guess I just get anxious for them to understand.
16. Family get togethers.