Can you believe we are only 19 Days from Christmas? So for this week’s #AskAwayFriday my Swap Buddy Sally from Silkki’s Reviews and I have decided to theme our questions around Christmas Traditions…after all ‘Tis The Season!
I met Sally through a Blog Hop/Link Up (I can’t remember which one LOL) but we started following each other through our Social Media Networks and when we began chatting I asked her if she would like to participate in this week’s #AskAwayFriday. I’m so happy she said yes!
Silkki’s Reviews is a Review and Giveaway Blog and trust me she does an awesome job on the products and brands she gets the opportunity to work with. When you get done reading my answers to her questions be sure you go over and check out a few of her Reviews and enter a Giveaway or two…or three!
Q1 ~ What is the most challenging part about your holiday planning?
Good question! With 6 Kiddies ranging from a 19 year old to a 2 year old the most challenging part of my Holiday planning is most definitely trying to be sure each one of them is happy on Christmas morning. You always want to see those smiles and the surprise knowing that you got them something they truly wanted. That can be difficult with such large age ranges and varying tastes.
Q2 ~ Do you travel for Christmas dinners or do family and friends come to your home?
No. I feel that Christmas is the Holiday out of all others that is meant to be that lazy day at home. Wake up early…open your gifts…make a huge breakfast and then simply enjoy the day together. Most years we spend the entire day in our jammies (Christmas themed of course!)
Q3 ~ We have family dinner at home, we go to my parents and we go to my Grandmother-in-Law’s, How many Christmas dinners do you take part in?
Just mine. I really feel Christmas is just for me and mine. We may visit other family members on Christmas Eve. We may visit and exchange gifts and at times my Aunties will have dinner. The only time I wasn’t at home the entire day was during my Hubby’s Deployment and I think that was more for my own emotional support during the day. Now that our home is ‘complete’ again we definitely stay close to each other and our core the entire day.
Q4 ~ Do your children always get what they ask Santa for?
Yes. Unless the store doesn’t have it or we are just unable to get it for some impossible reason they do. We don’t buy a lot of toys and such throughout the year so Birthdays and Christmas we go all out. Both my Hubby and I had childhoods where our Holidays were never consistent and we wanted to be able to give that to our children. Don’t get me wrong we teach them the TRUE meaning of the Season…the REASON why CHRISTmas is but we also want them to have the joy of Christmas morning and that childhood memory of running down the stairs to see what Christmas wishes came true.
Q5 ~ Do you have a real tree or an artificial one & When do you put your Christmas Tree up?
We have a real one. I grew up only having an artificial tree. I was raised in a suburb but my Grandmother was always fearful that a real tree would somehow ‘spontaneously combust’ so she refused to get one. My hubby grew up in the same area and all he ever had were real trees! Isn’t it funny how a person’s fears can impact their lives? LOL Anywho once we got married my Hubby insisted on is real tree tradition to be continued.
I was so nervous that first year. I kept checking on the tree all throughout the day. I watered it like 6 times every day. I think I almost drowned it! I’ve calmed down a lot since then…I still water them a lot but I’m not as paranoid. 😀 The only time we’ve gone back to artificial was during Hubby’s deployment when I lived 3 flights up and couldn’t physical get a real tree in my apartment or when we lived in Hawaii and couldn’t find one we loved.
We put our tree up within the first 2 days after Thanksgiving. We go as a family (we always look like we are on a field trip or something!) and walk through a Christmas Tree Field and walk around until we find one we all love. With a family as large as ours this can be a process but I love every moment….
Q6 ~ When do you start your Christmas shopping?
This year we ventured out on Thanksgiving Night for the Pre-Black Friday deals as well as on Black Friday itself and we actually made most of our purchases. I finished up on Cyber Monday. This is the first year I can say I’ve ever been done this early! I am usually THAT Mom…out there the week of Christmas trying to find the last of that toy my Kiddie wants at the back of the shelf or on the phone calling around to every location trying to find out who still has one left. I can’t say I’m upset about missing that routine.
My first Black Friday experience was a bit overwhelming since I don’t particularly like crowds or confrontation BUT we got what we needed so I guess I would count it as a win! 🙂
Q7 ~ If you could go away for Christmas to a tropical location, and forget all about Christmas’ stresses & expenses, would you? If yes, where would you go?
Hmmm…I don’t think so. We lived in a ‘tropical location’ for Christmas (Hawaii) and honestly we tried to make it feel like Christmas by decorating and everything but I missed that chill in the air, the nights getting dark early and the overall ‘feeling’ I have when home. Hawaii was awesome and I love my Aloha Home BUT I would rather spend Christmas here.
Q8 ~ What is your favorite part of Christmas?
Definitely the time spent with my Kiddies and my Hubby. I look forward to that day all year. We lounge, watch movies and simply play all day. No worries. Unlike Thanksgiving I don’t feel the press of cooking or guests. It’s just us. We all cook breakfast – all of us even the 2, 5 and 6 year olds – and then we just lay around playing with whatever new gadgets or toys appeared under the tree that year.
Q9 ~ What is your favorite Christmas Movie?
I know considering my age you may expect me to say It’s A Wonderful Life or Miracle On 34th Street but my favorite Christmas Movie is Polar Express!
I absolutely LOVE the moral and story. EVERY child deserves a Merry Christmas no matter what and to believe in something is key. I don’t teach my Kiddies to believe in Santa but I didn’t discourage either. It’s a part of childhood.
As a Christian I taught them why CHRISTmas is and what the TRUE meaning is still I didn’t destroy their childhood beliefs. Now they have all come to the point (yup all of them) where they know that Momma and Daddy go get their presents and that Daddy works for them all year. My 6 year old broke the news a few years ago. They didn’t really get upset or anything. It was simply a “Oh Ok” moment. They accepted it and moved on. I explained Santa is a symbol of Christmas for some. I told them that for us CHRIST is our cause for CHRISTmas and they know this.
Still when I watch Polar Express with them I love the wonderment and awe in they eyes when they realize why the little boy couldn’t hear the bell and then when he does! Oh they get so excited and honestly so do I!
Q10 ~ Do you have a Christmas Tradition that you have to participate in every year or you feel terrible?
Kinda. We have a tradition where every year we take the Kiddies to select an ornament that represents them for that year. This year for some reason we just haven’t done it yet. As we put up the tree this weekend they asked why we haven’t gone yet and yes the Momma Guilt began to set it. I’m not even sure why we haven’t gone. We went shopping just Hubby and I and then I had Birthdays and we just haven’t gotten to it yet.
I want to do it ASAP before all the good ornaments are gone because I do think I will feel terrible especially since they have already asked about it and I know they recognize it as a tradition.
Now it’s time for you to go over to Silkki’s Reviews and see what Sally had to say for the questions I sent her way…
If you love #AskAwayFriday and would like to participate feel free to drop me a message in the comments, through my Contact Me or through any of the participating Bloggers and we’ll be sure to let you know how to get started and get connected.
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Lifestyle Blogger & Media Influencer at It's Me, Tee
I am the ‘ Tee’ behind It’s Me, Tee an award-winning Lifestyle Blog where I share my love of all things Faith, Family, Fashion, Food, Fun, Tech & Travel.
“Believe in yourself, your passions, and your dreams. Your voice is unique – build on that. Embrace what is different about you and make it your greatest asset!”
“Believe in yourself, your passions, and your dreams. Your voice is unique – build on that. Embrace what is different about you and make it your greatest asset!”
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