Random Thursday: What the Holidays Mean To Me...

Tis the season! Lin, Katrin and I are in full Christmas mode (well I am, anyway) and there are cards everywhere (shedding glitter like crazy, I might add - note to self to avoid glitter ANYTHING at all costs next year),  along with random scraps and rolls of wrapping paper, the odd candy cane and distinctly empty chocolate wrappers. What? The holidays are stressful. So this week's topic is:

I love Christmas.  I love the bright lights, the feeling of giving presents to people and watching them open them, watching my favourite cheesy Christmas movies, drinking peppermint mochas from the Starbucks holiday cups, playing hooky from responsibility, eating all sorts of crap I know I shouldn't, and, if I'm really lucky, SNOW! Which we've only had a dusting of so far, but my fingers are crossed for the big day. Here are some things I think of when I think about Christmas:

The Snowman



I loved this movie when I was a kid. It's whimsical, beautifully illustrated.... and narrated by David Bowie. Yeah, that's right. You can't go wrong when you involve Bowie. You know what's even better? They just came out with a Snowman game app! I know I shouldn't be, but I'm so excited, I can't even tell you.

Cosy Nights

I'm not a fan of short daylight savings days, but I am a fan of curling up on a cold winter's night in cosy pyjamas with a warm drink, christmas lights and either a great book or movie. A movie like....

Bridget Jones

It's okay, you can make fun of me now.

Family Fun



Okay, so no one's family is this cool, but still. It's the time of year to spend with the family you've got, for better or worse. And hey, if it's worse, at least you'll have stories to tell next year, right?

Pretty Decorations

Coolest. Tree. Ever.

And, Of Course... Presents!



Isn't this the coolest thing? Though imagine being the guy who asked for socks and underwear and watching the family who asked for the really big TV!

So that's about it for me! Your turn! Spread some cheer and link up below. And...

Happy Holidays!!

Random Thursday: All Things Christmas

Now that Christmas is less than a week away, Lin, Sarah and I are enjoying preparing for the holidays in our own special ways with:

We're going to share a little bit about what Christmas means to us - the traditions, decorations and, of course, treats we look forward to all year!


1. Granville Island Winter Ale

It's important to have a lot of alcohol around to help deal with the stress of the holidays. And this seasonal beer is worth waiting all year for. It's dark with a hint of malt that makes it a delicious experience. If you live somewhere that sells it, make sure to try some!

2. Christmas Lights

I love driving around at Christmas time, particularly in the sorts of neighbourhoods where you can tell they compete with their neighbours for the best light displays. As a kid I used to put on my pjs and winter boots and duffle coat and my mom would drive me around to look at the lights. There's just something about a house decked out in lights that makes it feel like Christmas. I also love indoor lights - I have been known to leave multi-coloured lights on the mantelpiece and bookcase all year 'round because they're so cosy!

3. Snow

Unfortunately, Vancouver weather rarely blesses us with snow actually ON Christmas day - at least, not for those of us who live at sea level (that picture was taken at the very beginning of a full-day snowstorm that culminated in slippery, sodden snow and streets turning into rivers). But it snowed yesterday for the first time, so I'm crossing my fingers it just might happen this year!

4. Chocolate! 

I love chocolates - particularly After Eights, Terry's Chocolate Oranges and Lindt Truffles. Mmm-mmm.

4. Red Flannel PJs

I LOVE flannel pyjamas. I wear them all year round instead of sweat pants or track pants when I want to be super comfy. But at Christmas time it's even better to be wearing bright red ones with a Christmas-y pattern - like penguins! (These are totally on my Xmas list!)

5. Fireplace, Stockings and Trees

I don't have any of this this year because we moved pretty recently and my Christmas stuff is still packed up in my Dad's basement. Also, cats. But hopefully we can figure it out next year!

6. Christmas movies

They don't have to be Christmas movies. They can be any movie with Christmas in them that makes me giggle and feel warm and fuzzy. Particularly Love Actually, Bridget Jones, and Harry Potter. 

Now it's your turn! Share your Christmas Traditions, quirks and treats with us and don't forget to link up below!
   

Random Thursday: My Christmas Wishlist

It's that time of year again - time to break out the tinsel, eggnog and (lots of) rum - Christmas! And Lin, Sarah and I have been hard at work fantasizing about yachts and endless supplies of M&Ms to bring you:

Yep, that's right, time to jot down the wild, ridiculous, and downright fantastic things we'd all like to find under the tree. Even some things that can't be wrapped. (Don't even lie, I know a lot of you will be asking for the entire cast of Magic Mike. Dirty fuckers.) So let's get the ball rolling - here's mine!

1. Nook Simple Touch with GlowLight

I love my Nook, but it's been acting up lately (the touch screen keeps freezing) and also I'd love to be able to read in the dark without a separate light. If only they'd ship to Canada. :(

2. Sephora shopping spree

There is such a long list of things I want from this store - I'm pretty sure I could drop thousands, without breaking a sweat. A girl can only dream of unlimited Sephora....

3. New boots

I'm in desperate need of new boots - I love my Uggs, but they're just not practical in the weather we have here most of the year. Would be nice not to have to wear rain boots and carry shoes every day!

4. Middle finger umbrella

This would come in so handy. Pun intended.

5. New camera (macro lens)

I've had to stop writing on my makeup blog because our new house is in so much shade that there's nowhere to take photos with natural light. Plus I don't have a good lens for close-ups. I'd love a good camera with a set of lenses, a tripod and some studio lights.

6. Parka

 It's frickin cold out there man.

That's all I can think of at the moment, but I'm sure there's a lot more! While I try to remember the rest of the stuff, how 'bout you tell me what you want? Link up below!

Fill in the _____ Friday..... 'cept on Wednesday.

1. The best way to spread Christmas cheer is.... chocolate.
2. The thing I love most about Christmas is.... chocolate.Though I also like lights, the feeling of excitement in the air (even if it's just excitement about a couple of extra days off) and that feeling you had as a kid on a snow day - like you're not really expected to do normal stuff all day.
3. The holiday season is a time for... indulgence. 
4. My favourite thing to eat at the holidays is... chocolate. Didn't we already have this one??
5. I will be spending Christmas... well, if I'd actually done this on Friday like a good little blogger, I'd be saying drinking beer, hanging with J.'s family, opening presents, eating etc. Now that I know how it actually went, I'd also add blowing my nose, sneezing and feeling really, really crappy.
6. 'Tis better to (give or receive) give. I love finding that perfect present that I know the other person will love. Though J. is a remarkably good gift giver, so I am starting to enjoy getting them a little more! (Kobo, yay!)
7. I'm dreaming of... a do-over... Christmas! Hate being sick for the holidays!

Thanks for bearing with my tardiness, and I hope you all fared better than I over the holidays! Head on over to The Little Things We Do to check out Lauren's blanks and join in the fun!

*Sniff*

In case y'all have been wondering, no, my absence from the blogosphere hasn't been entirely due to Christmas. I've been hit with my first sickness of this winter season - right on time. Got to spend my Christmas day blowing my nose, sneezing repeatedly, and really wishing I could get back in my pyjamas. I will be back to blogging soon, I swear. As soon as I stop sneezing.