Friday Favorites: Christmas 2022

 We had a wonderful Christmas and best of all everyone stayed healthy through (most!) of our parties and celebrations too.  

Our Christmas celebrations started Sunday December 18th with my father in law.  We had brunch and then my stepmother in law had all the kids grab a grab bag (each bag had a mug filled with candy inside and there was a prize for those that could figure out what the initials on the mug meant).  She always does something fun like this to start the party-- last year it was a saran ball with money and gift cards, the year before they had a scavenger hunt to find their own grab bag.  

it stood for "from Grammy with love" 

Then it was time for the "real" gifts.  The kids all rolled dice to see who got to open gifts first and then opened their gifts in turn one at a time so everyone could see and oooh and aah.  They each go grab their own gift-- my mother in law started using our photos as gifts tags when the kids were all really little and it's such a fun and cute tradition and makes it very easy to spot which gifts are which under the tree. Then each of us adults get a couples' gift.


Ian's gift was behind the tree since he's over so often-- we were all laughing that he's taller than the tree!


We ended the party with a few photos; 2 of the grandkids were missing.  Both Alec and one of his cousins were home sick. BUT it was wonderful to have a family photo after 2 years of not having the family together.


Christmas eve we went to my mother's house.  Thankfully everyone was healthy by then and the weather was clear.  We enjoyed our pizza and snacks and visited for a while before getting down to opening presents.  My mother and step-father work together to hand out gifts; usually one at a time so we all see what each person is getting.  My sister in law makes these incredible money gift displays for the boys and changes it up each year.  My youngest sister calls from North Carolina and we facetime with her while opening gifts; passing the phone all around.  It's a bit crazy and busy but lots of fun.

I wore my favorite new sweater from Express; it has a pretty rhinestone and pearl bow in the back


Poor Ian was exhausted after working outside in the freezing cold all day






A tissue box of ones; filled with a "roll" of ones

A money pizza

A money bouquet




Once we were done with gifts we played a few saran wrap ball games; we make 2 each year- one for the kids and one for the adults.  This year I won!!









Christmas with teens can be a bit weird since they like to sleep in and I'm up nice and early.  My husband and I enjoyed a quiet morning in front of the tree with the fire going re-watching the Guardians of the Galaxy Christmas special.




Once the boys were finally awake we opened gifts and I asked my husband to play Santa this year. 










My husband surprised me by buying me a bracelet; first time I've ever gotten jewelry as a gift from him! It's so pretty too and matches my heart shaped wedding/ engagement set.




Alec made some really delicious strawberry jam filled croissants with white chocolate drizzle that were a huge hit at our Christmas Brunch.  We had SO much yummy food!








Bakery muffins, fruit salad, Alec's croissants, my sister in law made apple French toast, we had scrambled eggs and bacon too




My mother in law brought her gifts over and we opened those; she made boxes for everyone filled with both big and small gifts (sort of like presents and stockings combined). And we opened them in front of the fire.  





After a quick nap in front of the TV we headed over to my mother in law's around 4:30 for dinner-- she made a huge spread with ham, turkey tenderloin, corn, carrots, broccoli, scalloped potatoes, mashed potatoes, etc.... it was SO MUCH food and it was all delicious!  We had a variety of desserts too and ended our night with a rousing game of Pitch (well, more like 4 or 5 games of Pitch).  But I left my camera at home so no photos from this party!  


Linking up with: Spread the Kindness, 






Comments

  1. What a wonderful Christmas!! I love how creative all the money gifts are. The money pizza is hilarious! So happy to hear you all had a wonderful time celebrating. Now onto the New Year!! Lauren from Don’t Mind Our Mess, not Anonymous ☺️

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    1. We thought that money pizza was amazing too!

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  2. That bracelet is gorgeous! I have a thing for hearts...I have a tiny heart tattoo on my wrist that reminds me to pray that our sons will always love the Lord with all their hearts, souls, minds, and strength. I wear heart earrings all the time...and even tiny gold ones in the second holes I have in each ear. I also love how those gifts of money were given- how very clever!

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    1. I have a thing for hearts too! I just love them.

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  3. So much goodness here! The money gifts are so creative! The food looks amazing! Lots of celebrations were had. I'm sorry a couple were sick, but it sounds like Alec's was short-lived.

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    1. Thanks! Yes, Alec really only had a head cold so he never felt all that awful (but we know quite a few on that side of the family are very germophobic).

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  4. I love how you guys spread the festivities over a few days. And you can spend a good amount of time with different members of the family. The money gifts are amazing, how creative! Your Christmas breakfast looks absolutely delicious with all those baked goodies!
    Ruth@playworkeatrepeat

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    1. We always tend to spread the festivities out so we have time to see all the family that live nearby.

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  5. It sounds like you have had a really lovely week with lots of family time. Those money gifts are amazing, especially the pizza and that bracelet is gorgeous, well done your husband.

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    1. Thank you! I was so surprised; he always tells me that jewelry is such a waste of money so I never expected him to actually buy me any!!

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  6. Looks like you had such fun filled Christmas celebrations! And how fun are those money gifts!! The bracelet you got from your husband is gorgeous!!

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    1. My sister in law is so creative! She makes up such fun money gifts each year. Thank you!

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  7. It looks like you had a wonderful Christmas!

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  8. I loved hearing about all the different Christmas traditions. I found some inspiration for keeping things fresh and fun with older/teen kids. Happy new year!

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    1. Oh I'm so glad! It can be tricky with older kids.

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  9. What a wonderful Christmas you and the family had! Happy New Year!

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  10. It looks like you had a fantastic Christmas! And we loved the Guardians of the Galaxy Christmas Special too!

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    1. It was cute; though we did have to explain who Kevin Bacon was to our younger kids.

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  11. Those games are so creative and looks so fun! I really like the menus as well for Christmas. That bracelet is so beautiful!

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  12. It looks like you had a wonderful holiday! Happy New Year!

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  13. Those money gifts are so creative! It sounds like you had a lot of fun celebrating! I love the Saran wrap balls. We’ve never tried them but maybe we will next year. Happy New Year! - Sarah @ Sunshine & Books

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  14. Looks like you all had a lovely holiday! Your new bracelet is so pretty. I knew you all would have a delicious breakfast!

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    1. Thank you! I was so surprised when I opened that bracelet. Alec really outdid himself this year.

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  15. So many gifts! And I loved the creativity behind some of them. A very pretty and thoughtful bracelet from your husband. And those jam croissants looked delicious. A late Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all.

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