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.

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All Things Peppermint

I'm not sure if it is the pregnancy, or my excitement for the holidays, or simply my 'old age', but I am absolutely obsessed with all things peppermint lately! There is just nothing quite as wonderful as the clean smell of peppermint, especially when it is accompanied by stockings hung over the fireplace and a twinkling Christmas tree. I have rounded up a few of my peppermint favorites, and I recommend that you indulge in every single one of them. Give me all the peppermint!

1. This lip balm is perfect for giving you that sweet taste of peppermint, and I could not love the ingredient list more. It is available at Target, so snatch it up! I absolutely love the 'tingly' feeling you get from mint lip balms, and the fresh breath doesn't hurt either!

2. Once the holiday season starts, I basically have a candle burning whenever I am home. I just love a warm, cozy, delicious smelling house! Twisted Peppermint is one of my favorite Bath and Body Works scents, and you can bet I am whipping this baby out ASAP. I should also note that this scent comes in all of their lotions, body washes, had sanitizers, you name it. I actually have a tube of hand cream on my desk year round!

3. Philosophy products are absolutely fantastic, and I cannot get enough of their candy cane body wash. Once again, delicious smell, great lather, and leaves your skin feeling cool. I have read reviews that say this is actually a great product to use in the summer because it is so cooling. See, you CAN peppermint all year round ;-)

4. While I love me some Starbucks and the red cup (because I just like red cups and don't get my panties in a twist over whether a snowman is etched into it or not), their peppermint mocha is NOT the best. Sorry, I said it, and sorry, but it's true. For those of us in the midwest, Caribou Coffee and their Ho Ho Mint Mocha is where it is at. We have as many, if not more, Caribou's around town than we do Starbucks, so when the holidays roll around, I am all about Caribou and their drinks. If you ever are in the neighborhood of Caribou Coffee, I strongly urge you give their mochas a try, they are the absolute best!

5. These babies are back on the shelves, and are about to be in my belly. I always love the seasonal flavors that Oreo puts out, and umm cookie, peppermint, cream? Need I say more.

My obsession with peppermint is at an all time high, and I am #sorrynotsorry about it. The holidays are all about family, traditions, and a bit of indulgence, so join me in jumping on the holiday bandwagon and buying everything on the shelves with the word 'peppermint' on board!

*affiliate links used

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