Hi everyone! How was your Christmas? I hope it was a wonderful time spent with your loved ones.
Hubby already shared a lot about how we celebrated Christmas on his post on Wednesday. It was indeed joyous. And I’m going to add a little more to it.
A Christmas Tradition
This is mine and my son’s 9th year of celebrating Christmas here in the U.S. And just like the previous years, we have kept a Christmas tradition and that is having a huge box of Whitman’s chocolates and opening it on Christmas Day, after we have opened all our gifts to each other. Aren’t those chocolates yummy?! Hubby is always reminiscing about his Mama and how she would always buy a box of Whitman’s for their Christmas. Only thing, back in those days, they didn’t offer the big box.
We haven’t had white Christmas this year like we had our first Christmas here in 2010, which was perfect timing to welcome Filipinos, who’d never seen snow before, to their new country. But just like in 2013, we did have snow-capped mountains again. What a beautiful sight!
Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve was spent at my brother-in-law’s and we enjoyed sumptuous food as usual which was prepared by my sister-in-law. I also prepared a Filipino favorite dessert, Leche Flan. We didn’t find the right mold for it so it was round as opposed to being an oval. It still tasted the same, though. 🙂
After enjoying the food, we then opened our gifts and as always, it was such a joy to watch the delight on each other’s faces on seeing their gifts, especially the kids . This kind of scenario never gets old.
Christmas Day
On Christmas Day, I got up early and prepared Joanna Gaines’, Overnight French Toast from her Magnolia Table cookbook (a birthday gift from the hubs). It was my first time to do it and we all loved it. It was delicious and so good paired with coffee.
After breakfast, it was time to open the gifts underneath the Christmas tree.
In my post where I shared my go-to gift ideas, I mentioned about other than each of us making a wish list, we also get each other a surprise gift so the element of surprise is still there. And look at what I got from my sweet hubs…a pair of pretty pom-pom slippers! Such a sweet surprise from such a sweet human. I surely love ’em!
The rest of Christmas Day was just spent being lazy cozying up on the couch and watching Christmas movies, including Die Hard. Have you also considered Die Hard as a Christmas movie?
It was definitely a merry Christmas spent with my favorite people. And I am grateful.
Family and friends really make the season for me. My favorite traditions revolve around eating and chatting and passing out in a food coma.
Good to know you had a wonderful Christmas. We did as well. No snow but I didn’t mind at all.
I absolutely LOVE Christmas traditions, and what could be better than one that includes delicious chocolate? (Which reminds me … I didn’t receive any chocolate for Christmas this year!)
Those chocolates are beautiful! I enjoyed reading about your delightful holiday traditions. The best part of the season for me is slowing down and putting the focus on family and friends. It’s much needed relaxation!
It sounds like you are enjoying your time here and Christmas traditions. Spending time with family and movie watching is a fun way to spend the time. Die Hard does have a happy ending and is a little different but does take place during Christmas.
I love the chocolate box tradition. And I am so glad that you had a beautiful Christmas!
We do most of the celebrating on Christmas Eve, following the Polish tradition of Wigilia. I always love reading how others celebrate – Happy Holidays!
It sounds like you had a wonderful time over Christmas. I always considered Die Hard a Christmas movie. It is a tradition to watch it in our house.
It sounds like you had a great Christmas! Ours seemed to fly by and now we are just chilling for the rest of the year.
I may have dropped 1-2 hints to my husband that I liked Whitman’s chocolate samplers and he bought me the 84 piece! I do not consider Die Hard a Christmas movie. It’s a movie set at Christmas time. There’s a lot of movies I don’t consider “Christmas movies.”
We also had leche flan on Christmas Eve then we opened our gifts altogether. My mom makes leche flan with ube on top for extra deliciousness!
Oh, Leche Flan with ube on top sounds yummy, Roch.
I live alone but I always try to have a Christmas eve gift available for the grandkids. It’s become a tradition for them to come over and open one of their gifts from me, early.
I get my mom slippers every Christmas. This year she got 2 pairs.
The view of your drive is gorgeous – where is that? Sounds like you enjoyed your holidays. Have a happy new year!
Happy New Year too, Marysa. That drive was in Weaverville, NC.
Ah I love Christmas. Ours was really laid back and we didn’t do much. Just how I like it! Can’t wait for next year!
Always good spending it with your favorite people! Sounds like such a good Christmas… and Happy New Year!
Happy New Year to you as well, Tabitha!
Seems like you had a very nice holiday! I want some French toast now after you mentioned it. Don’t recall the last time I had some. Best wishes for a happy new year!
Happy New Year to you too, Tim!
I love chocolates at any time of year! Looks like you had a great Christmas!
Glad that you had a wonderful christmas, Yes drive during holidays is always fun.