A Little Bit Of Holiday Cheer

Today, I am excited to link up with some of my favorite bloggers, Jessica at The Newly, and Sara and My Journey of Doing, for sharing our favorite things that embody the holidays. I think this is such a fun way to highlight the little things that make our hearts smile this time of year, and remember down the line when our babies have grown.

One of my absolute favorite parts about the holidays is turning on the Christmas tree, lighting a candle, and just enjoying the sight.

This year, I added a few 'animated' ornaments to our tree. One is a church that plays 'Joy to the World', and I think I am driving everyone crazy turning it on, but Jackson smiles so big when I do it, I can't stop. 

The other one is a phone that you twist every day to call the North Pole all through December. Jackson loves this one, even though he has absolutely no idea what it means. 

The voices of the little elves are so cute, and I can't wait to watch my kids rush to the tree as they get older to turn the day on the phone.

I know that the 'elf on the shelf' craze has been around for the past few years, but my parents literally invented the idea before I can remember. My mom has said, more than once, that someone out there is RICH off of her idea! We had three elves in our house, and they magically moved every night, eating cookies and candy canes and getting into all sorts of trouble. I remember on Christmas morning, they always had Santa's cookies in their hands, and the note that he left us led us to believe they were really his elves and the best of friends.
Last year, while I debated for a few minutes hopping on the official 'Elf on the Shelf' train, I ended up scouring the internet for the exact elf toy that my parents have.

 I cannot wait to show my kids that our elf is the same as the elves that moved when I was a little kid, and that our elf and the elves at grandma and grandpa's must be related. Again, while Jackson doesn't yet 'get it', our seven year old nephew does, so we have someone to entertain with our magical moving elf in the meantime.

Christmas wreath cookies. You guys. These are so simple, so easy (albeit sticky) to make, and so delicious. They always have been, and always will be, my absolute favorite Christmas cookie. I display self control and only make this during the holidays, even though I would love to indulge in this favorite recipe year round. Important pointer; mix the food coloring into the sticky mix before adding corn flakes if you want a nice, even color for your wreaths!

And, last but not least...Christmas jammies.

 I just love, love, love me some Christmas jammies. My little man has been sporting them for the past few weeks already, but am loving watching him run around looking festive and oh so sweet every day. It is so true that nothing will make you love and appreciate the holidays more than seeing them through the eyes of a child. I absolutely love having the magic put back into things, and am soaking up every little minute and memory that I can with my family.