Christmas 2010

I’m not sure I could sum up Christmas Day in one word. It was definitely a rollercoaster but I must say that our first year hosting Christmas (albeit with a small crowd) was a success.

Christmas started at 7:30am when my mom and I exchanged stockings and then gifts. We spoil each other every Christmas, but since it’s the only time of the year we do so, it works for us. I think I did all right in the gift giving department with her. Among the many gifts was a new armband for her iPod (to replace her old one that still has blood on it from her accident, despite washing it.), tons of clothes, and a new Vera Bradley bag and wallet.

And she totally spoiled me. Witness:

Oh, and this:

Yes. She spoiled me greatly.

After presents were unwrapped, it was time to stuff the turkey, get it in the oven, and prepare for Christmas dinner! We were busy putting the apartment back together, showering, decorating, and cooking but there was such an enveloping sense of peace about this day. Even though we got hurtful news about something a family member attempted to do, we knew we were spending Christmas Day with the four people we loved the most and who loved us the most.

My brother, sister-in-law, and nephew came over around noon and then it was on to more present opening! Since my nephew was sleeping, we left his presents for later while my brother and SIL opened their’s. A customized 49ers jersey for my brother, along with more clothes and candy. And a Bath & Body Works gift set in my SIL favorite scent (unbeknownst to me! I’m just good like that.), a travel mug, as well as Mario Kart for Wii (which I badly want to play because Mario Kart used to occupy my brother and I for hours when we were younger.)

My mom was finishing up cooking dinner when my nephew woke up. He is definitely his father’s child in that he usually wakes up a little grumpy and just wanting to cuddle for a long while. He eventually warmed up and opening some of his presents. But since he’s only two, he doesn’t quite understand the concept yet. He would open a present and only want to play with that one so eventually, we had to open up presents for him and show him all the cool stuff. True to form, we spoiled him greatly for Christmas with a soccer set, a baseball set, a wagon, tons of clothes, and a doctor’s set.

He was more interested in playing with his toys than eating dinner, so we all sat down to eat some yummy turkey, delicious mashed potatoes, green beans, fluffy dinner rolls, and the best stuffing in the world. Oh, gosh, was dinner delicious! My mom is forevermore hosting Christmas dinner.

And then it was onto playing! It’s so much fun having a child around for Christmas because we get to buy him FUN things and there’s such a pure joy in his eyes when he’s playing. Next year will be even more exciting when he understands who Santa Claus is and I just can’t wait!

 

All in all, this was a very successful Christmas. I’m so glad my mom and I decided to host it at our house because it was calm, peaceful, and relaxed. (Well, as calm, peaceful, and relaxed you can be with an active two-year-old!) I’m sad this magical day is over but I’m looking forward to wait 2011 will bring for me and my family!

And for my giveaway winner! I was so excited to do this and I couldn’t believe the response so thank you! I will definitely have more things to giveaway in the future. I used Random.org to pick the winner so a huge congrats to Kim! Shoot me an e-mail with your address and I’ll mail off the prizes ASAP.