TBB Asks {Holiday Edition}

Hey y'all,

I know I have kind of disappeared from the blogging world but I have been really debating over continuing to blog when blogging has changed so much over the last five years. I started my first blog after creating a Tumblr called Jane Austen Meets Southern Prepster way back in 2009 when I was a sophomore in college. I then transitioned to Preppin' Postgrad in 2012 and now have Just Jess. I don't think I will ever make blogging my career so while I see the influencers who were blogging back when I started and are now using their blogs as businesses and marketing a ton for brands I don't think that will be this space. It can be a little disheartening but when talking to my friend Traci this week it made it clear that I am going to blog about my life and things I enjoy and leave it at that.

So, I thought I would kick off my return with the Blended Blog's Ask post. I did my first one of these for the Fall time here and I love the holiday themed questions for today. Here we go:

 

1. Real or Fake Tree?

Fake. I grew up always with fake trees and while NC grows a lot of real trees in the mountains we still put up a fake tree. It also helps since I have a cat that I don't have to worry as much with a fake tree if he is over there messing with the water. 

 2. Favorite Christmas Cookie?

Buckeyes. My dad makes them every year and they are the best!

3. Home on Christmas Morning or Travel?

Home! I love being with my family at my parent's house on Christmas morning since I am a single gal I spend the majority of the holidays at my parent's home.

4. Clear or Colored Lights?

Colored. While I love white lights on the exterior of homes, I love colored lights on my tree.

5. Send Christmas Cards? 

I have sent them before in the past but it can be a little hard sending them when it's just you. My parents send out a newsletter in their Christmas cards every year and I always contribute to that.

6. Favorite Christmas Present Received?

I love a practical gift now that I am older and out of college. Recent gifts that I use all the time: my TV, vaccuum, money I spent on my mattress/box spring, this KS necklace, and my pots and pans.

7. Favorite Christmas Present Given?

I love giving gifts so this is hard. I love making gifts or finding something unexpected that people would love. 

8. Stockings or No Stockings?

Yes! Our stockings are now typically filled with an ornament, a Barnes and Noble gift card, some chocolate, scratch-offs (I won $50 one year), and a few other random items my mom finds throughout the year. Items have included mini figurines like Toothless from How to Train Your Dragon, a Belle Pez dispenser, puzzles, etc.

9. Christmas PJ's?

We don't coordinate our PJs but we do hang out in PJs all of Christmas morning. It is one of the benefits of always attending the Christmas service on Christmas Eve with the children's holiday program incorporated.

10. Favorite Christmas Carol? 

Growing up and being in my church's childrens program I have sung a lot of Christmas carols. I think my favorites are What Child Is This, O Come, All Ye Faithful, and Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.

11. Favorite Holiday Tradition? 

When we were little after church on Christmas Eve we would drive around a few neighborhoods looking at all their Christmas lights. On Christmas morning, we have a lot of rules involved with the morning:
1. No getting out of bed before 6:30am.
2. You can open your stocking at 6:30am but no presents. You have to wait until everyone is up.
3. You cannot wake the parent's before 9am.

At 9am, we have cinnamon rolls and then after breakfast the opening begins.

Each person opens one present at a time. We typically go by age so it goes like this: Dad opens a present, then after he is finished, my Mom opens a present, then my older siblings, then me, then my baby sister, then my Dad gets to go again. Presents typically last until 12pm when we turn on the Disney Christmas parade special.

12. Early Shopper or Last Minute? 

 Early shopper. I am done Christmas shopping this year. I decided to keep it simple and only get gifts for my immediate family. No while elephant/Dirty Santa exchanges. This girl is on a budget and has a goal of being debt free by Christmas next year.

13. Favorite Christmas Movie or Show?

I love a good Hallmark movie-A Boyfriend for Christmas is my favorite. We also always watch The Year Without a Santa Claus (Heat Miser and Snow Miser are the best), How the Grinch Stole Christmas (animated version), The Town that Santa Forgot, The 12 Days of Christmas, The Muppet Christmas Carol, and in the past few years, Prep and Landing. My siblings also tend to put on White Christmas and the Santa Clause.

14. Favorite Holiday Beverage?

I love hot chocolate or a fun holiday tea like Candy Cane Lane or Sugar Cookie Sleigh Ride.

15. Cookies and Milk for Santa? 

We used to leave out cookies and milk for Santa but after we were all in middle school that tradition stopped. We still tend to make sugar cookies and a few other holiday treats when we are all home with my parents. 

Feel free to answer the questions and link-up with the Blended Blog here.

What is one of your holiday traditions?

Best,